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Month: August 2026

#rewindreview: KRS-One ‘Streel Light: First Edition’ 2019

Posted on by Quantum Leap Radio

  The solo projects for KRS-One officially start in 1993 with ‘Return Of The Boom Bap;’ considered to be a classic and one of the best albums in KRS’ discography. It was KRS’ third solo album ‘I Got Next,’ which would be the start of the downside of his albums but ironically it went Gold. For the majority of the 2000’s KRS’ albums were not very appealing. Persistence has been the attribute that the legendary M.C. has been able to survive and maintain his celebrity. 2007’s ‘Hip-Hop Lives’ produced by Marley Marl, gave KRS-One another stipe on his catalog. It also was a time for fans of “Tha Teacha” to realize we might get a good one every five albums. By 2019 KRS had put out 15 albums since 1993. 2017 he was able to break through the internet with a bit of a buzz about an album called ‘The World is MIND.’ The album might not have lived up to the bit of chatter that it created and unfortunately that harmed ‘Street Light: First Edition’ in my opinion. ‘Street Light…’ is a twelve track project that really gets to the point and does not have much filler tracks. It features vocalist such as his wife GSimone, M.A.D. Mike and Jade Hendricks. Production is handled by Mlody, D.J. B. Original, Ollie, D.J. Static, KPrymeTheJäger and Enrico Wolf, who are all virtually unknown. However Jesse West and Mad Lion provide a couple of beats giving this album music that mainly fits KRS’ rhyming style. “Tha Teacha” is going to beat you over the head with maintaining the integrity of Hip-Hop culture but a track like ‘Invader (2019 version) stand out with it’s very descriptive tale of the consequence of colonization. ‘GOD’ is another track that is unique on this album as the spirituality of KRS is brought forth, but more importantly his rhyming pattern on the song just shows KRS’ strives to never get rusty on the mic. ‘Street Light: First Edition’ deserves more credit but unfortunately it proceeds some less than stellar releases. The album cover is not appealing and as I have stated many times, the title of albums can harm releases if it feels like there is some sort of “part 1” to it. I feel if this album had been a comeback record after not hearing from KRS-One in about a decade, it would have been better received. What did you think of the album? Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Royce 5’9″ ‘Street Hop’ 2009

Posted on by Quantum Leap Radio

  First hearing him on the track ‘Bad Meets Evil’ with Eminem during the days when Eminem sounded hungry, had me ready to hear more from Royce Da 5’9.” When the DJ Premier produced ‘Boom’ started showing up on mixtapes and college radio I figured the Detroit M.C. was on his way to being the next up. Then the video for ‘Boom’ dropped and things got a little nervous… 1999 into the 2000’s was a critical time for HOP music. The “invisible line in the sand” was starting to get a lot more blurry and those acts you could always depend on had to make a choice in the direction of their careers. Some stayed the path while others rolled the dice to gain a larger audience in a shorter amount of time. It seemed with the video for ‘Boom,’ and the slightly amended version of the song attached to it, Royce Da 5’9″ rolled those dice. I became uninterested in “Royce” for the majority of the 2000’s. There was no denying his talent and skill but many have talent and skill, although that is rarely translated to albums, which for me is the true litmus test. Whether Royce Da 5’9″ started to feel this reaction in the ether, or times just got better musically in the 2000’s, by the end of that decade “Royce” seem to get something right. I saw the single ‘Shake This’ on a video show and was impressed by a couple of things. For one Royce Da 5’9″ linking up with D.J. Premier again, and D.J. Premier providing beats that were not sounding so “Preemo” post Gang Starr’s ‘Moment Of Truth.’ Both seemed to be in a zone on this track that had me looking at “Royce” again. Although when ‘Street Hop’ dropped I was hesitant to listen, because nineteen tracks after almost a decade of not really being into songs he created, might be a “herculean effort.” I listened and was proud that the M.C. had delivered an album of growth and more importantly a project that makes one want to return for multiple listens. ‘Street Hop’ gives room for “Royce” to maneuver between displaying his very gifted rhyme abilities, telling stories, and experimenting with different styles. ‘Dinner Time’ featuring Busta Rhymes and ‘Mine In Thiz’ featuring Denaun Porter, specifically stand out as Royce switches styles while still maintaining his incredible wordplay. His ability to tell stories being in the category of a “battle rapper” is another reason he has maintained a career over the years too. The final act of ‘Street Hop’ is where he puts those storytelling abilities to proper use on tracks like ‘On The Run’ and ‘Murder’ that serve as companion tracks. The most descriptive track on this album is ‘Part Of Me,’ which I personally have not been as stunned by a song since Boogiemonsters ‘Old Man Jacob’s Well.’ A story about a guy meeting two women and in the end regretting what he wished for. ‘Street Hop’ is a massive undertaking in making an independent record label album. With production from Nottz, Streetrunners, Emile, Denaun Porter and others, while featuring Busta Rhymes, Phonte, Melanie Rutherford, Trick Trick and Royce’s group Slaughterhouse, respect has to be given to the effort Royce provided. ‘Street Hop’ gave me a reason to start checking for Royce Da 5’9″ again and since it’s release Royce has made many good projects. Sometimes the formula to success just takes slightly longer than expected. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Shake This’ & ‘Part Of Me’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Black Thought ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3: Cane & Able’ 2020

Posted on by Quantum Leap Radio

  Just when you thought (no pun intended) that it was over, Black Thought returned to his ‘Streams Of Thought…’ series for a third installment. By now the audience realized that each release would be Black Thought teaming with one producer, and this time it was Sean C. Veteran producer, former affiliate with The Hitmen production team of Bad Boy records, and one half of Sean C. & LV, would turn the third and maybe final ‘Streams Of Thought…’ into a large sounding record. One thing that each volume had done was set a stage but the next one would seem bigger musically than the last. Sean C provided a sound for Black Thought that grants an opportunity for crossover audiences to connect with. However this doesn’t mean that ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ abandons what Black Thought has built in this series and throughout his career. This album has the elements that gave The Roots a larger audience by the early 2000’s. It is more acoustic driven, upbeat, and darker at times. Features were something that the listeners had not heard since the first ‘Streams Of Thought…’ and Black Thought enlist the rapping skills of ScHoolboy Q, Ohshun, Pusha T. and Killer Mike. This helps ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ feel more like an album as opposed to an EP or series. What was becoming apparent was that Black Thought was getting very comfortable creating these releases and almost making the audience forget to look for a new Roots album. ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.3’ was released during the first COVID which inadvertently caused listeners to sit with music, as there was nothing else to do. Black Thought delivered what again could have simply been a brand new solo album as this collaboration with Sean C. stood out slightly more than the first two volumes. The Philadelphia M.C. has also stated that it’s not over and a volume four is on the way. It will be interesting to see how the next volume separates itself from the previous three, but I’m personally ready for a new Roots record. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Thought vs. Everybody’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Black Thought ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.2’ 2018

Posted on by Quantum Leap Radio

  The year of 2018 presented a treat to all Black Thought fans. Not only did the elite rapper provide one release but also injected one more of his ‘Streams Of Thought…’ series into the year. On the first volume, Black Thought connected with 9th Wonder and gave a quick but hefty 5 song project. On volume two the Philadelphia M.C. links with Salaam Remi for ten tracks and more “Roots” adjacent music. Salaam Remi understands the assignment on ‘Streams Of Thought Vol.2,’ and from the opening track ‘Fentanyl,’ let’s the listener know that these surprise releases are not just throwaway songs but that care was created behind them. ‘Vol.2’ uses more live band instrumentation for Black Thought to rhyme on. This puts the M.C. in a familiar pocket that almost feels like a wake up call for The Roots to come back outside for an album. Black Thought once again uses this release to get out thoughts and keep his skills sharp. While reminding, or exposing to the general public he is not just a performer on a late night talk show or lead vocalist in a house band. ‘Long Liveth’ is a hard hitting song that puts Black Thought in his rapping bag with no hooks but tough bars. ‘Conception’ on the other hand is Black Thought showing off his crooning skills as him and Salaam Remi create a melo cut that is perfect for coffee shops and black pearls. The issue I have with this release is that it’s a series. Between 9th Wonder’s music on volume one and Salaam Remi’s vibes on this release, a full album would have served a better purpose. As a series the value of the music seems to diminish and does not create the impact that it deserves. For many this won’t matter, and in world of short attention spans the “sugar rush” feeling of getting new Black Thought music is all most care about. Will the success of these releases create more? Find out next week. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Conception’ Listen to QUANTUM LEAP RADIO every Saturday from 4-6p.m. CST & Thursday from 1-3a.m. CST on 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) or get the KPFT APP in your playstore!!! Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

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