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Author: QUANTUM LEAP RADIO

Your one stop for hip-hop music you won't expect to hear anywhere else. New and old! Tune in every Saturday live 4-6 pm CST on 90.1 F.M. KPFT Houston (in HD2) & Thursday 3-5 am CST. Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under HD link)

#rewindreview: D.J. Unknown ‘Prisoners Of Gravity’ 2023

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  The compilation release lives on and so those does the “D.J.” Releases like “D.J. Unknown’s ‘Prisoners Of Gravity’ were a normal thing in the late 1990’s and 2000’s but ironically became less produced in a time when access is much simpler for humans. Maybe due to everyone controlling their exposure through the internet and not needing these compilations for awareness is the reason but the fun of these albums still live on. D.J. Unknown is from Toronto, Canada and one thing about HOP music in other countries is the appreciation for what is often taken for granted in the states. ‘Prisoners Of Gravity’ introduces a lot of underground acts with a few known veterans of the underground like Raz Fresco, Mega Ran, Prem Rock and Phoenix Pagliacci. Production and scratches is strictly handled by D.J. Unknown with fourteen tracks featuring a different act. There are solid tracks on here but the issue with the release is it feels extremely monotonous with a very “grey” tone. One should not expect energy motivation but more sitting back lounging on a raining day. Respect is still given for D.J. Unknown to appreciate the foundational elements of HOP music and provide his version of the music. 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 90.1 FM KPFT Houston in HD2 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following —-> linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Rapsody ‘Please Don’t Cry’ 2024

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  The latest album from Rapsody can be served as a litmus test for both her, her fans and so-called fans. Since 2019’s ‘Eve’ (one of the best Hip-Hop albums of that year), Rapsody’s name has often been used as a barometer when discussions on the state of women in HOP music is brought up. Now it was time for fans and so-called fans to show up when product is on the street. The challenge for listeners was to go into this album ready to experience life for Marlanna Evans rather than simply jam to songs from Rapsody. ‘Please Don’t Cry’ sounds therapeutic for Rapsody as she utilizes this release to address her conflicts, joys and complexities while also addressing rumors and outside thoughts about her. This is the first time since being a major act that she is without 9th Wonder but is serviced production from the likes of S1, Major Seven, Hit-Boy, Eric G and others, with the majority of production from BLK ODYSSY. Rapsody continues to showcase her talent even as she wax’s poetic about the aforementioned subjects and with the exception of the Lil’ Wayne featured ‘Raw,’ this album does not waste rhymes about how “dope she is.” One of the replay value challenges of this album is that it can feel like an audio book with the interludes and music. The other challenge with this record is possibly the way it is mixed. It feels very flat and even when it comes to “dense albums” such as Common’s ‘Like Water For Chocolate’ or Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp A Butterfly,’ having a strong mix will often be the determiner on how the public responds to the release over time. ‘Please Don’t Cry’ was a very anticipated record but seems to not have made the same impact one would have expected it to, in a very great year of HOP music in 2024. Essentially this is making a statement which is I’ve given you (the listener) everything and now it’s time to understand who Marlanna is. Rapsody can add another notch to her ever growing catalog of music that listener’s can always depend on as ‘Please Don’t Cry’ was her testimony but bore witness to many who could relate. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Asteroids,’ ‘Stand Tall’ & ‘Back In My Bag’ 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 HD11 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Cam Gnarly ‘Northend Gnarly’ 2023

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  It can be hard to give new artist a chance these days due to the repetitive nature of music, rhyme styles and content. Ever so often there are individuals who have a subtle understanding of what it takes to stand out, and although their influences might not be one’s cup of tea, the combination of those influences can create a solid artist. Enter Cam Gnarly, a San Bernardino rapper who takes pride in putting his locale on the map metaphorically with the album ‘Northend Gnarly.’ Cam Gnarly provides an audio tour of the feel of California and the youthfulness of a new generation. What keeps that youthful expression unique is not focusing on the negative which is almost a prerequisite to rap in this social media era. The rapper does not preach to ones ears but relies on the exercise of chanting and response to where songs like ‘More To Do’ and ‘That’s’ Life’ help provide a positive frequency for the inner soul. Cam Gnarly is assisted by Asend Beats, Du Noise, Skywalker and others providing production while vocal features are rightly limited to Rae, Gold Ro$e and Geebose. These names might be unfamiliar but get to know them as they all contributed to a feel good release ready for listening in any season of the year. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Space & Opportunity,’ ‘I Don’t Play About You,’ ‘Blessed With Stressed With,’ ‘DINO USA’ & ‘More To Do’ 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 HD11 Worldwide @kpft.org/listen (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Snoop Dogg ‘Missionary’ 2024

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  The long awaited full album collaboration of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, finally arrives thirty-one years later, in a year when HOP music’s veterans retained dominance. After year’s of speculation and request, the two finally locked in to a studio and provided ‘Missionary’ which is an off color sequel to Snoop Dogg’s debut album ‘Doggystyle.’ Dr. Dre enlist a new crop of production collaborators as well as a few old ones to give this album a sound that does not fall slave to current day standards while not getting lost in nostalgia. Snoop Dogg doesn’t miss a beat rhyming and sounds like he never stopped in his busy celebrity life to neglect the thing that got him that same life. Collaborations may seem like many but only a few share rapping duties on this album that include 50 Cent, Method Man, Eminem and Dr. Dre. Other collaborations are vocalist such as BJ The Chicago Kid, Cocoa Sarai and K.A.A.N. Where ‘Missionary’ gets confusing to the general public is it’s execution from two of not only Hip-Hop but the entertainment industries biggest names. There is an air of “playing it safe” on this album or better still the content and sound pertaining to the life of two megastars. This album is not dark and more upbeat with moments that do not alienate the “fair-weather” HOP music listener or the listener that only pays attention when names like “Snoop,” Eminem or 50 Cent is mentioned. This I believe is where the album gets it’s negative criticism. There will always be a level of expectation for the collaboration of “Snoop & Dre” so when the album enters territory that sounds geared toward a crowd that doesn’t care about Hip-Hop culture, it creates “eye-rolling” moments for actual HOP fans. This doesn’t happen often on ‘Missionary’ in my opinion and I think is unfair to the overall album. After the initial few tracks that establish the magic of Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s return, ‘Missionary’ then ventures to moments with Tom Petty, Jelly Roll and Sting, with ‘Thank You’ in between that, which isn’t a bad song but suffers from basic hook. Although I’m not a fan, 50 Cent’s verse sounds like a garbled mess as he attempts to execute a double-time rhyme delivery while I was impressed that Eminem seemed to not out rap a song for a change. In all ‘Missionary’ is not a bad album but suffers from the success of previous records from Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre that came before it. Personally I think that it still continues the argument that HOP music is not just a “young man’s sport,” which ironically is part of the evolution of the music to show just that. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Gorgeous,’ ‘Outta Da Blue’ & ‘Fire’ 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”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Torae & Marco Polo ‘Midnight Run’ 2023

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  Torae has been a name that if one has been paying attention to HOP music for the last twenty years, has at least heard of in passing. He comes from that class of rappers like Skyzoo, Supastition, Saigon etc., that had no problem showcasing skill but who never quite crossed over to the “major league.” Marco Polo is in a similar situation as he has been making HOP music about the same time but the collaboration of both has seen better results for both. With Marco Polo’s unabashed Hip-Hop beats and Torae’s brazen talent to rap, the two return for their second album since 2009’s ‘Double Barrel’ with ‘Midnight Run.’ On this the listener will need to be able to appreciate the art of rapping and traditional HOP music as a back drop. Within a quick thirty minute span Torae and Marco Polo provide a soundtrack for hardcore Hip-Hop, ripe with lyrics that often metaphorically describe Torae’s passion as a “life sentence” on ‘Life Behind Bars.’ ‘Grey Sheep’ enlist veteran Dres of Black Sheep, to plant a flag for the rap fan and artist who have aged well within Hip-Hop’s lifespan, while ‘Days Of Your Lifetime’ serves as the “blue or red pill” rappers have the responsibility to provide to an audience. ‘Midnight Run’ is a simple album with no room for extra fat but is more for die hard fans. If a crossover audience wants to hear Torae they might have to look to bigger acts as my theory is he is apart of the “ghostwriter” community, and I think we have heard Torae’s pen on some recent veterans album,s but “what happens in fight club stays in fight club.” What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘The Return’ & ‘Reloaded (intro)’ 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Killer Mike ‘Michael’ 2023

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  After a decade of rebuilding, rebranding and establishing his presence within HOP music, Killer Mike returned back to the roots of his music with the heavy introspective ‘Michael.’ Since the release of ‘R.A.P. Music’ in 2013 Killer Mike has garnered an audience 180 degrees from the audience he came in with. There is no issue with this but an act like Killer Mike doesn’t seem the type to “forget where he came from.” ‘Michael’ is unapologetically southern in its approach, from the music, to the stories and colloquialism that help the listener understand who is Michael Render. Production is mainly handled by No I.D. with tracks from Cool & Dre, D.J. Paul, longtime Run The Jewels collaborator Little Shalimar and others. Features are plenty but fit the idea and execution of this album that include Ty Dolla $ign, Cee-Lo Green, Mozzy, Future, Currency, El-P, 2 Chainz, a bigfoot on the mic sighting from Andre 3000 and others. Killer Mike showcases his ability to keep audiences interested with his commanding voice and rapping ability while showcasing the dichotomy of his personal life. Tracks like ‘Motherless’, Something For Junkies’ and ‘Shed Tears’ provide the pain and struggle one will hear on this album while ‘Spaceship Views’ and ‘Talk’n That Sh!t!’ allow complete turn up for those complaining in the back. “I add a motherfu..er so you ignant nig..s hear me,” is a Lauryn Hill quote that best describes this album. Killer Mike understands the idea of meeting people where they are and this is why the album works. The music might not sound ideal for the messages one will hear but those tuned into this frequency of music should be able to enjoy the “medicine within the candy.” Killer Mike deserved the accolades and awards for this album as one can tell he put a lot of effort into it. Only those who continue to lose against real music complained when he was recognized for it. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Run,’ ‘Talk’n That Shit!,’ ‘Don’t Let The Devil,’ ‘Motherless,’ ‘Down By Law,’ & ‘Exit 9’ 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Roc Marciano ‘Marciology’ 2024

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  Roc Marciano has created a lane that has roots in Raekwon’s ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx’ album, but takes the most raw parts of that album, mixed with an almost spoken word like tongue from a street pimp. ‘Marciology’ continues the ever growing discography from the New York rapper that gives fans exactly what they expect. Drumless beats provided by “Roc Marci” himself and lyrics equipped with so many one liners and punchlines, it challenges listeners to come back for more repeat plays. This is far from an album that will gain a crossover audience though. At times ‘Marciology’ sounds like an album that doesn’t match the “street energy” that surrounds it. In another era of HOP music this album would have been looked down on by “street cats” but in 2024 ‘Marciology’ can be ‘Art Basel’ in Miami, when the culture is trying to figure out what’s next. For me the downside to this album is that it doesn’t play well as something to drive to, and rarely has cuts that you can play out in a mix due to the drumless nature of the music. This isn’t the goal of Roc Marciano and his true fans understand this which has given the M.C. the space to create this unique lane over the years. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Gold Crossbow,’ ‘LeFlair’ & ‘BeBe’s Kids’ 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Sach ‘Sach 5th Ave.’ 2004

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  Continuing in the tradition of his former group The Nonce, Sach carried out an abstract composition of words and thoughts that even twenty years later is still being deciphered. ‘Sach 5th Ave.’ is the third release from Sach as a solo artist and was produced entirely by Omid. On this album the listener hears Sach exclusively as there are no features from other rappers, but are witness to a unique listening experience. Sach has always had a simple means to his delivery but on this release he utilizes a more spoken word style which to the untrained ear may seem as though he isn’t rhyming. Instead he uses his lyrics as parables with off-kilter execution to which Omid’s ominous yet often upbeat production compliments well. With all that being said ‘Sach 5th Ave.’ still feels a bit more straightforward than its predecessor ‘Suckas Hate Me’ from 2002. Cool out one time and take in one of the West Coast unsung heroes and veteran staples in that area’s underground scene. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Joy’ 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Nas ‘Magic 3’ 2023

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  Recently a post online mentioned how Outkast’s ‘Stankonia’ is now twenty-four years old and just twenty-four years prior to it’s release, the drastic change and evolution of the sound of HOP music. Can it really be said that the “music” of Hip-Hop has drastically evolved since the year 2000? It can be seriously argued that it has not but maybe the music evolving was simply the first stage of Hip-Hop’s growth. What has clearly evolved in HOP music in twenty-four years is the veterans that have continued to make the music. Since A Tribe Called Quest 2016 album ‘We Got It From Here…,’ it seems a renaissance or quite possibly an energy drink was put in rappers who had been in the game since the late 1980’s and 1990’s. In 2024 that motivation and energy has continued emphatically but the run of Nas might have been the new “energy drink.” ‘Magic 3′ marks the final album in the Nas and Hit-Boy series which started with the subtle comeback of Nas’ with the album ‘King’s Disease.’ ‘Magic 3’ serves as a send off to this collaboration and finds Nas giving himself flowers but not in an egotistical way but more as an official autobiography at times. Hit-Boy brings Nas back to what we love him for with the production and as a theme to all the ‘Magic…’ albums the one feature on this is Lil’ Wayne on the very hype ‘Never Die.’ Regardless of what many have thought about the last Nas run, what can’t be denied is how he added another stamp to his legacy. This is the second stage of Hip-Hop music’s growth and where unlike sports, you don’t need legs to keep you in shape, just ideas, a voice and a little magic. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Fever,’ ‘I Love This Feeling’ & ‘Sitting With My Thoughts’ 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @https://linktr.ee/QLEAPRADIO

#rewindreview: Nas ‘Magic 2’ 2023

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  The fifth installment in the Nas & Hit-Boy saga was either overkill for some or a gift. ‘Magic 2’ comes off a stellar run of the ‘King’s Disease’ trilogy but even more a sequel to one of the most surprising and satisfying albums from Nas in years, ‘Magic.’ The question is was there a need for a ‘Magic 2’? The first installment played like an homage to ‘Illmatic’ with just nine tracks, one feature and a simple but effective focus of just beats and rhymes. ‘Magic 2’ plays like an apology for all those who could not accept or understand the nature of ‘Magic.’ From the opening track ‘Abracadabra,’ the Nas fan in me felt nervous that he was regressing back to playing to current and industry standards. ‘Office Hours’ brings back hope and although I initially was skeptical seeing 50 Cent featured on the track listing, I actually enjoyed his verse while many, who are fans of 50 Cent felt disappointed. The verse felt weird as it was very short and kind of reminded me of Saafir’s guest appearance on Casual’s ‘Fear Itself’ album. Almost as if the rapper could give more effort but chooses not, like he’s mere presence on the record is enough so maybe this was the 50 Cent fans’ issue. The majority of the album rides the line of keeping the traditional HOP music fans, and people who want to hear Nas over what the average beats rappers of the last 12 years have produced satisfied. Of course this to me is where the album is unnecessary and leans into the criticism of Nasir Jones over the years. When Nas sticks his landings it is GREAT but when trying to bridge gaps it just sounds like turkey without seasonings. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Motion’ & ‘Black Magic’ 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @fanlink.tv/QuantumLeapRadio

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