Listen: Rap Professor - Sean Price (Prod. @DJSkizz); A Niles P. Joint

August 8th marked the one year anniversary of Sean Price’s untimely passing.  This was a huge loss for many that loved & respected his contributions to the culture, including this writer.  A show was held at Webster Hall to celebrate P’s life & music.  And the following day, the first single from his impending album Imperius Rex was released.  Titled Rap Professor, it’s peak Sean Price.  He’ll tell you how nice he is then talk about going to eat at the House of Mofongo with his wife.  DJ Skizz puts together a stupendous instrumental that’s rife with a heady bass line and some boisterous horns that sound like 1970’s cinema.

It has been said by those close to him that P left behind enough unreleased music to compare to the cache of Tupac or Prince’s legendary vault.  The good people at Duck Down Records, in conjunction with his window Bernadette, have been working hard to keep his legacy alive.  And they're doing an excellent job.  Enjoy Rap Professor below, and be on the look out for my eventual review of Imperius Rex.  

Watch: Barzini - DJ J Hart feat. Sean Price and Rim P of Da Villins; A Niles P. Joint

It still doesn’t seem real that Sean Price is gone.  I mentioned this in my Sean Price memorial, but at his tribute show his wife Bernadette said that there would be more Sean Price music that would be released.  This makes sense because in his lifetime Ruck was the ultimate workhorse in rap.  Aside from his mixtape, we get out first posthumous offering in the way of a feature.  “Barzini” is the first single from DJ J Hart’s Passport EP.  The song has all of the attributes of a stupendous Sean Price song: the word bars worked into the title, tough yet nicely layered production with a sample, lyrics that walk the line between rugged and comical, and a guest spot (this time from Rim P of Da Villins.)  The video fits the song exceptionally well.  The emcees and DJ/producer are in front of a white background and features various animations throughout.  There is a lo-fi semblance about the video, which is pertinent because Sean Price was a no frills type of emcee; the only luxury was his bars and the beats on which he laid them.  Check out the video after the break and download the EP from DJ J Hart’s website.

#InCaseYouMissedItMonday: @SadatX / @Buckshot / @IllaGhee2k; A Niles P. Joint

It’s tough staying relevant as a veteran rapper in hip hop nowadays. While your past glories may have won you acclaim, there’s always a struggle of pleasing your core fans while trying to gain a new audience. You don’t want to be stuck in the past but at the same time trying to jump on new trends could possibly have you looking like an ass.  Fortunately for this special triple feature edition of In Case You Missed It Monday, we found three long tenured rappers from NYC that have recently released some projects that may have flown under the radar and are still writing after decades in the game.

Sadat X has been around the longest out of the three featured emcees.  He parlayed his success as a member of Brand Nubian into a fruitful solo career.  The New Rochelle rapper/wine connoisseur/Lo Life/ educator released his 10th solo album Never Left in January.  Sadat uses his rich career history and life experiences for good as he drops jewels throughout the album, and we’d be stupid not to heed his advice.  This goes on throughout the album but it is most biting on “Live & Ya Learn” featuring Maverick.  X flexes his storytelling muscles as he raps about his legal woes, a relationship that suffered in part, and his rise from all of that.  He also puts on for the Big Apple on the title track with help from Tony Mays, admonishing NYC rappers that abandoned their hometown to dickride the now popular South and their rap scene.  It’s a sharp and necessary criticism that comes at a time when it’s sorely needed.  On a more cheerful note, Sadat X describes the makings of a “Beautiful Day.”  Over a bright soul sample, you can feel the sun and envision yourself floating through the events described in the track like Denzel in “Malcolm X” without the foreshadowed gloom.  Sadat X manages to school us through music without nagging, thus cementing his legacy as an elder statesman.

Buckshot has played a pivotal role in hip hop; first as the frontman of Black Moon and later as CEO of Duck Down Music.  Between the two he has been responsible for many classic hits (both as an executive and as an artist) and has also helped promote the culture while staying true to its NYC roots.  So it’s no surprise that his 2014 collaboration album Backpack Travels with producer P-Money utilized old school aesthetics while using some new jacks that were still down for the cause.  “Sweetest Thing” is a collaboration with (the artist formerly known as) T’Nah Apex and speaks on the conditions of life around the way.  It’s honest yet sentimental and uses an orchestral instrumental to drive the point home.  The album also features appearances from young emcees Raz Fresco, Joey Bada$$, CJ Fly, Chelsea Reject, and David Dallas.  This is important because Buckshot specifically recruited younger heads but made sure that they fit in to the schematics of the album.  On the solo tip, Buck gets topical and talks about hip hop’s irrational obsession with the Illuminati on “Killuminati.”  It’s rational without being condescending and drives home an important point.  The album’s finale “This Is My World” is triumphantly produced and catchy and avoids being sappy and lame.  General Steele comes through to help out.  It’s great to see a veteran not only stay relevant in modern times but also bring about a youth movement, which is exactly what Buckshot does on Backpack Travels.

Illa Ghee made his bones on guest appearances, first working with Mobb Deep and then The Alchemist in ’96 and ’04 respectively.  His profile was raised considerably this year first with a verse on Statik Selektah’s final album.  However he really shined on his friend Sean Price’s posthumous mixtape, guest starring on 7 songs and more than holding his own.  I made preemptive plans to cover his next album when lo and behold I discovered he dropped a dope ass project last year.  Social Graffiti is easily one of the best hidden gems of last year.  The vastly underrated Brooklyn rapper has a fantastic ear for beats that will properly showcase his baritone flow.  He also is oddly specific inasmuch as over half of the album’s tracks are piano driven.  It works though since Illa Ghee is deadly over the keys and no two beats sound alike.  Overall, grimy fare is provided on “Rum Raisin” which is menacingly cinematic.  While he could have stuck with this for the album, he switches it up on “James Worthy.”  Illa talks about not having superstar status despite a monstrous work ethic.  The beat sounds like a California sunrise and is wonderfully intertwined with vintage radio and tv commentary about the Lakers legend.  “90” was produced by Large Professor and takes pride in sounding like the quintessential 90’s hip hop beat.  Lyrically it might be the best song on the album and Extra P laces the track with a subtle acoustic guitar that is anything but soft combined with boom bap drums.  Illa Ghee methodically walks the line between ace lyricist and tough guy rapper.  He was excellent a year ago and has improved since then.  Expect big things from him.

All three aforementioned emcees managed to stay relevant using different methods. Sadat X used his time in the game as a teachable moment. Buckshot used his clout to make an album featuring like minds from the younger generation. Illa Ghee used his album to hone his skills and plant seeds that have been sown this year. Despite an ever changing hip hop scene, all three of these dudes stayed true to themselves and made the records they wanted to be made and didn’t let some stupid A&R talk them into jumping onto the latest flash in the pan trend. All three records have tons of substance but Sadat X, Buckshot, and Illa Ghee did it in their own uncompromising style.  

Review: Pablo Frescobar - @RazFresco; A Niles P. Joint

Toronto is still forming an identity when it comes to hip hop. Kardinal Offishall had some success in the early 2000’s with his brand of rap infused with Jamaican influence. k-os has been active on the indie scene for quite some time. And of course, Degrassi alum Drake and his band of producers have been the most prosperous. Other than that and besides the MuchMusic set of underground Canadian emcees, T-Dot hasn’t produced any hip hop acts with huge potential. Enter Raz Fresco. The 20 year old rapper/producer has had success on the mixtape scene with this Bakers Club collective and recently released his debut album Pablo Frescobar with the help of Duck Down Records. I’ve been a fan since I saw him perform at the Duck Down BBQ in Brownsville last year so I was eager to hear and write about his inaugural album.

No More Fuckery is the intro. It uses vocal samples along with an interview with an irate Jamaican musician that was used on Sean Price’s last album. This leads to Live From Hades / Blood of Slaves. The first half of the song has lyrics that feature heavy conspiracy theory references.  The beat switches to something more mellow and is the better portion. Up North is the latest single and may be the best song on the album. It has a richly layered beat that shows every drop of talent that Raz Fresco has as a producer. The snapping snare punctuates the dreamy landscape of the instrumental. Overall it has the power lyrically to be a Canadian rap anthem of sorts. I hope it blows up. 4daGodz is much more laid back and sees Raz drop knowledge. He’s a member of the Five Percent Nation and thus has deeper lyrics than your average 20 year old. This could also function as a weed smoking song if that’s your thing. Influenza sees him trade bars with Raekwon. I previously wrote about it here and I’m happy to report that it still holds up.

Down is the first of few missteps on the album. Lyrically you don’t have to worry about Raz Fresco ever being a slouch. The beat was constructed to be more bouncy and club friendly almost.  It’s not awful but doesn’t fit with the rest of the album. Swervin in Bape features Tre Mission (the first Bakers Club appearance.) The violins on this song are beautiful but overall the song is kind of forgettable. I suppose it could be another weed song. New Pablo opens up with an interview with Raz’ mom telling how he got his name. Once it starts he talks about his ambition over a seriously underrated guitar. It’s unique as the beat doesn't drop until midway through the song. Fresco’s genius continues to show, both lyrically and production-wise. Another Nigga features more great guitar licks and sees Raz Fresco lament the overall structure of society. This is a bit of a concept track and Fresco’s best lyrical acrobatics are presented. Screwface City is a T-Dot rap anthem to complement the Canada rap anthem I mentioned before, albeit not redundant at all. You can feel the freezing Northern winds swirl past you as you listen to this track. It’s grown on me lately.

Raz revisits the split song concept on Warning Shots / Murda. Both sides feel more like a freestyle.  The second half features the grittiest drum/bassline combo you may see this year. Cortez Nikes has the most vintage feel on an album that periodically pays homage to yesteryear. The Slick Rick vocal sample is dope and Chuck Inglish steals the show with his guest verse. Godbody featuring Lo Thraxx is the weakest song on the album. The beat sounds like your run of the mill trap/drill joint.  Some will love it for that reason but it didn't seem to mesh with the fabric of the album. All Eye See brings things back on track. The beat keeps your head nodding and The 6th Letter adds a dope guest verse. Scarface Villas has the swankiest beat and some of the most vivid lyrics on Pablo Frescobar but is regrettably brief at a shade over a minute and a half. It was great while it lasted. Come & See Ya Nigga is the perfect choice for the penultimate song as it is contemplative and solemn. It’s the perfect setup for Equinox which features fellow hip hop wunderkind (and WTM favorite) Bishop Nehru. I wrote about it previously and months later it still retains it’s spookiness and snap.

I’ve always given props to these new heads that have the ability to both rap and produce exceptionally well. Raz Fresco is proving to be a prime example of this demographic. He isn’t even old enough to buy a drink in the US and is already wise beyond his years in a musical sense. His advanced lyrical insight comes from his background with the Nation of the Gods & Earths. Musically his beats are multifaceted and resonant. All of these make him a superb dual threat prospect in hip hop. This culminates on Pablo Frescobar. The album appropriately dropped on Canada Day and thematically is ambitious and sprawling just like the Great White North. In a couple of places Raz might have been a little too earnest in trying to combine both modern and classic sounds. 17 tracks is a lot for a debut and he may have been better served by keeping it at 13-14 songs. He’s at his best when he’s dropping jewels on his own or with an elder statesman (although the Nehru collaboration is a welcome trend that I hope continues). When he tries to keep up with the joneses and replicate what’s popular today on three tracks in particular, the album goes off the rails in consistency. However you can chalk this up to a function of youth. The older and more experienced he gets the better he will be at managing his music. He has plenty of time and has the ability to even pull a Statik Selektah and make an album of strictly guests rapping over his beats. No matter how you slice it, Raz Fresco has all of the tools needed to be a tour de force in hip hop and simultan Pablo Frescobar shows that Canada is no longer America’s hat but instead the exporter of one of the game’s most talented young rookies. Stream Pablo Frescobar below via HNHH.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Listen: Influenza - @RazFresco feat. @Raekwon

Apparently the East Coast hip hop revival has expanded its borders to Canada, which is fine by me.

Enter Raz Fresco, a 20 year old rapper/producer from Toronto.  In the past year plus, he's seen his stock rise in the game. He’s signed to revered label Duck Down Records, which of course enabled him to perform at the Duck Down BBQ in Brownsville along such hip-hop luminaries and up and comers such as Boot Camp Clik, CJ Fly, Joey Bada$$, Chelsea Reject and T’Nah Apex.  He also made an appearance on Buckshot & P Money’s BackPack Travels and released his own mixtape The Screwface Tape.

Raz Fresco has made a natural progression that is slowly culminating towards the release of his debut album Pablo Frescobar on June 2nd.  His new offering is Influenza stays true to his vintage sound without sounding too dated.  He produces it himself and masterfully intertwines these gorgeous sounding strings with a vocal sample.  It sounds crisp yet still dirty, reminiscent of a Wu Tang joint from ’93. Speaking of which, Raekwon makes an appearance and drops some jewels on the second verse which gives Raz another nice cosign from a legend.  It also seems to have a positive effect on Raz as he steps up his lyrics and flow (which were already good) even more after Raekwon’s appearance.  If the rest of the album maintains this level of quality, we’re in for a good one in an already stellar year for hip hop. Check out Influenza below and be sure to check out the #WTM review for Pablo Frescobar in June.