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Month: March 2024

#rewindreview: Run The Jewels (Killer Mike & El-P) ‘RTJ4’ 2020

Posted on by QUANTUM LEAP RADIO

  Since 2012’s ‘R.A.P. Music’ from Killer Mike, his collaboration with El-P has always been a prime example of the “odd couple” in HOP music. ‘RTJ4’ marks the fifth collaboration album the two have done and for me personally is a favorite out of their Run The Jewels series. What makes this album stand out for me is how it’s a lot easier to separate from the previous Run the Jewels records. ‘RTJ4’ sounds more like a return to Killer Mike’s ‘R.A.P. Music’ where songs within the album sounded more discernible. The album feels more like the HOP music production one will hear from an El-P produced record, with a sort of futuristic “boom bap” sound he has been known for since 2001’s ‘Fantastic Damage.’ El-P had help on the production side with Wilder Zoby and Little Shalimar who provide more live music to the already left of center “trap sound” often displayed by Run The Jewels records. In theme with the odd and unlikely pairing of Killer Mike and El-P, the album features just as unlikely guest that include Pharrell Williams, Gangsta Boo, Zach De La Rocha and Greg Nice. Run The Jewels turn a concoction of musicians into a solid piece of an audible meal, complete with challenges to capitalism, revolutionary lyrics and fighting the system while under the guise of upbeat production in a “hipster” atmosphere. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Ooh LA LA,’ ‘Out Of Sight’ & ‘Walking In The Snow’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.tv/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Big Pooh ‘RPM’ 2018

Posted on by QUANTUM LEAP RADIO

Since Little Brother’s ‘The Listening’ from 2002, it was always a narrative that Big Pooh was the weaker M.C. out of the group and some that believed he never should have been behind a microphone. These narratives tend to shut people down while others, it only provides fuel to prove those narratives wrong. Over the years “Pooh’s” skill have not only gotten better but if one is really paying attention can hear more confidence in his delivery. On ‘RPM’ Big Pooh delivers a consistent set of HOP tracks that showcase just how comfortable the rapper is in his abilities. Produced entirely by Focus and featuring a few guest like Chaundon, Akilz Amari, C.S. Armstrong, Blakk Soul and Ab Liva. Focus manages not to over produce the record while Big Pooh experiments with some different cadences like on ‘Follow The Leader’ featuring Thurz and ‘Prey/Pray’ featuring Cocoa Sarai. Big Pooh and Focus do an excellent job of making sure songs go in many directions while also keeping the tracks and album shorter as to not lose ears in a drowning of “filler” tracks. ‘RPM’ doesn’t sound like an album where Big Pooh is trying to say to the public “I told you so” but rather “this is just what I do.” What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.tv/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: EarthGang ‘Royalty’ EP 2018

Posted on by QUANTUM LEAP RADIO

    This was my first time giving the Atlanta G.A. duo a chance as their name had been buzzing for a few years leading up to this release. With co-signs from a few respectable veterans in HOP music as well as being apart of J. Cole’s Dreamville crew, the red carpet was laid for EarthGang. ‘Royalty’ is a twenty-five minute sample taste of the duo’s talent’s as rappers but even more importantly showing that even though they are from the land of “trap,” they provide more music than just the same drumkit and basic 808’s. The comparison was made early on that this was the closest to Outkast for a new generation. A description that I can easily understand people would make as a track like ‘Off The Lot’ featuring Mereba, feels like something birthed from Outkast’s third album ‘Aquemini.’ I believe the comparison’s do EarthGang more a disservice due to such big shoes to fill. Most acts post Outkast, that meant for their art to last have always instituted more live music and vibrant sounds. This is where this release truly shines as the music created by EarthGang along with, Like, Childish Major and Jones T provide a sonic atmosphere that leave listeners wanting more but indulging in a bit of nostalgia due to so much “basic” music associated with younger acts. EarthGang is different and I believe once their actual rapping voices are found and strengthened, they can truly create a lasting legacy. What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs ‘Roxbury 02119’ 1993

Posted on by QUANTUM LEAP RADIO

You might often wonder to yourself, who was the rapper that introduced a city to you. Some might say Common for Chicago, The Geto Boys for Houston or Too $hort for Oakland. For me the city of Boston was introduced by Ed O.G. & Da Bulldogs after their smash hit ‘I Gots Ta Have It’ off the debut ‘Life Of A Kid In The Ghetto’ from 1991. A solid album that introduced the crew with some real themes and light hearted tracks. The sophomore release ‘Roxbury 02119’ is a lot more rougher and musically a lot more consistent. Unlike their debut, it’s not a smash hit on ‘Roxbury…’ but as a whole album it jams with limited songs that could be considered “filler.” From the opening track ‘Streets Of The Ghetto,’ Ed O.G. sets the tone of this release for the 1993 ears. ‘Bug-A-Boo’ is in the past and it’s time to feel the streets of Roxbury. This is not to be seen as a complete 180 degree turn from the lessons ‘Life Of A Kid…’ provided as tracks like ‘Love Comes And Goes’ remember those lives taken unexpectedly and ‘Less Than Zero’ touches on the mistrust of Police within inner-ctiy boundaries. Ed O.G. was always a good storyteller when it was time although on this album there is more “streams of thought” lyrics which could possibly be the reason it is often slept on over the years. Beats were provided by Joe Mansfield and Diamond D. to which both producers made such a cohesive record. This was at a time when Diamond D. was in a zone so much so that the beat for ‘Busted’ ended up being the same beat with a slight change in music for Tha Alkaholiks’ track ‘Next Level,’ off their ‘Coast II Coast’ album a couple of years later. Even “The Great Diamond” himself didn’t realize this when QUANTUM LEAP RADIO interviewed him a couple of years ago (https://fanlink.to/QLLEAP311/) This goes back to the mystery of why is ‘Roxbury 02119’ often forgotten and was it just an album that was caught in such a good year of HOP music releases or did the record label simply neglect a hidden gem? What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Skinny Dip (got it goin’ on)’ & ‘Love Comes And Goes’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 3-5a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen/ & TuneIn app (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.to/QuantumLeapRadio

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