Kick A Dope Verse And Be Ghost

That title has probably been seen up around these parts already… but fuck it… more random verses…more raps!


Da King & I

Ghost & Rae with Rap City‘s Joe Clair

NERVOUS THURSDAY: "Fakin’ moves on the mind of a fool"


One of my favorite albums of ’93.  Surprising how many heads got caught sleepin’ on the refreshingly genuine Contemporary Jeep Music.  Do yourself a favor and find this album.  Listen to it and then listen to it again.

‘Nuff Gats

First off, I’d like to thank MC Izzy Ice (or “Iz”) and DJ Majesty for forming Da King & I and creating 1993′s Contemporary Jeep Music. If one requested an album which encapsulated the transitional feeling of ’93 (or mid-’92 to the tip of ’94…aka the “early-mid 90′s”), in being a step away from the playful funk motif into a lower-ended, edgier, raw “hoodies and 40-Below’s” sound that maintained the fundamental emphasis on exuding originality, this would be one of those I’d throw in that person’s hand alongside Enta Da Stage, Enter the 36 Chambers, Mecca and the Soul Brother, Stunts, Blunts, and Hip Hop, and Intoxicated Demons. This album was criminally slept-on as it wreaks of ambition and ingenuity (call it “creative drive”, perhaps)…playing host to a wide array of beats, some hard, some still playful, but all with layered samples and whip rattling basslines…plus the flipping through concepts and styles, song to song, flawlessly executed with unusual agility by Iz (style AND content).

And now to today’s feature presentation…

Peep the Buckshot cameo ‘pon mention of calling his “rugrats”…real Brooklyn shit.

Not only is the song retarded dope…but the original records Maj used to put the beat together are equally as ill:

The “jeep bass” and then some.


The hook/alternate sample.

And lastly, the drums…

Check for the break clocking in around the 2:12 mark. Let me just say that these drums have a similar effect on me as “Synthetic Substitution” or “It’s a New Day“, in that I end up going apeshit for damn near any song (or at least the beat, if the song is trash) that has utilized this (let’s see: Dre and Snoop’s “Deep Cover”, the Liks’ “Make Room”, Heather B’s “All Glocks Down”, Pete Rock & CL’s “Anger In The Nation”, PE’s “Get The Fuck Outta Dodge”, LL’s “Mama Say Knock You Out”, De La’s “Eye Know”…you get the pic). Rugged, especially when cats keep the horns in the drum track, to add to the rhythmic element.

Speaking of favorite songs that have utilized the above-highlighted drum break…

P.S.

I’d also like to thank whoever came up with this blog idea, for the last few years have introduced me to so many astounding bits of music. Contemporary Jeep Music is no exception. Much like at least one other person out there in the blogosphere, it was not until recently when I had (re-)discovered this album and gave to it my undivided. I was blown away. Without venturing too deeply into the brush of album synopsis, let me just mention that I have listened to Da King & I’s masterpiece at least once a week since my re-awakening to its omnipotent presence in the “Golden Age” annals. Here’s a very fresh interview with Maj to read after finishing with your session of educational listening (found on “From Da Bricks” in doing a search for something related to them). PTP style.