#rewindreview: Jungle Brothers ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ 1988

  This is the beginning of a movement that would go one to create offspring and sub-genre’s within music for generations to come. ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ is often forgotten as the “lead-off runner” in the Native Tongue legacy because the Jungle Brothers had a more subtle debut. This album is sort of the “experiment” or “T-Model Ford” to what members of a Native Tongue would expand and improve on within a years time. Sammy B, Mike G. and Africa Baby Bam made up the Jungle Brothers, who one could here the influences of the The Furious Five, The Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron to name a few. They were a different animal in a time of HOP music that was still very gold chain, leather jacket and name brand sports shoe driven. Jungle Brothers represented a real part of Hip-hop Culture that was more grounded, fun and left of center. ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ is a consolidation of those attributes on wax, while keeping the content simple, and a groove ripe for those late high-schoolers and early college attendees. The album is produced by the Jungle Brothers with Africa Baby Bam and Mike G. providing the lyrics. An early Q-Tip is the only feature on this album to make ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ a cohesive product of whatever the Jungle Brothers were set to provide. The title track of the album which was the lead single starts this album off with a sort of familiarity. Jungle Brothers had been dropping singles and making music for this album since 1987 so songs can sound dated if one was introduced to the group through their video singles like myself. The magic of this release as it plays repeatedly you tend to not hear that dated distinction. If anything the issue with the album is that it is mixed low and the quality of how they recorded this release was definitely limited. This quality also gives the album character as the Jungle Brothers don’t take themselves too seriously on the album and the songs have provided memorable quotes that have been used throughout the lifetime of HOP music afterwards. ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ has grown in popularity over the almost forty years since it’s debut. ‘I’ll House You’ was one of the first crossover hits of House music and rap, that would dominate HOP music’s more popular sound as “Hip-House,” for at least the next three years. Jungle Brothers have never been the biggest hit makers but were able to garner the respect of what has made this genre of music exceptional since it’s inception, which is individuality. A testament to how music and movements can fertilize seeds of creativity that might have been looked down on or looked over. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Jimbrowski,’ ‘Because I Got It Like That,’ ‘I’ll House You,’ ‘On The Run’ & ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ 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: Apani B. Fly ‘Story 2 Tell’ 2003

  To me Apani B. Fly (Emcee) is one of the most unsung voices in HOP music. This is because in a multiverse she is as big a name as Talib Kweli, El-P or a Mos Def. Something happened in our reality where a force unseen created a series of events which prevented “Apani” from becoming one of the most respected rappers and elite woman M.C.’s. Of course this is my fantasy version of events because I was such a fan. I first recognized Apani B. Fly on a mixtape called ‘Hip Hop Independents Day Vol. 1,’ which was mixed by D.J. Eclipse. It was a track called ‘The Woman In Me’ that at the time was a bit odd for a person such as myself, who likes to “soundbomb,” blasting the song loudly the way I did. It was one of the best tracks on the mixtape though but also “connected a dot,” so to speak to the first track on the mixtape from the Polyrhythm-Addicts, which I heard previously on a college radio show. She was in this group and clearly one of the stand out moments of that particular song ‘Not your Ordinary.’ I was becoming a quick fan of this rapper. Towards the end of 1998 her name was next to some of the best underground HOP music acts at the time like Blackstar, Pharoahe Monch, D.J. Spinna and others. Rawkus records was bubbling heavy at the time and truly serving their core audience. With the turn of the millennium being one of the biggest pushes for women rappers; as there would be a “first lady” of the many rap record labels, I figured it was only a matter of time for Apani to be that for Rawkus. This never happened and always had me thinking that the missed opportunity to present her to the world through Rawkus was an error on epic levels. As the years would role by I would still hear Apani B. Fly on features here and there but it felt like her light had dimmed. It was refreshing to come across a release called ‘Story 2 Tell’ which was seemingly an Apani B. Fly album. I say this only because I was very aware of releases at the time and this album I had not heard about. My question became if it was official or did someone just put together songs from the M.C. in the file sharing era the album was released in. ‘Story 2 Tell’ was in fact official but the caveat was it was only released in Japan with no retail in the United States. This for me created a bittersweet moment as I was glad to finally hear a project from “Apani” but would it have the same care had it come out through traditional means. ‘Story 2 Tell’ is a proper way to provide any new person discovering the rapper how talented she is. Apani B. Fly always had a style that was a perfect balance of hardcore while not trying to sound like a man, with a delivery and voice that was so unique, yet reminiscent of early women voices involved in rap music. Apani provides a variety of stories on this record ranging from aspiring tales of being a musician, independence, discovering love and heartbreak. Production is handled by a tight group of beat makers like rapper Celph Titled, Da Beatminerz, Mr. Dibbs, D.J. Spinna and Japanese producers Tamashie Creations and Hiro. The album is a solid listen but I feel it was still pasted together and maybe the sequencing of songs keeps it as simply being an overseas niche release. I would have loved to hear more production form Da Beatminerz, and everyone could always use more D.J. Spinna on their albums. However if this is all I was able to get as a release from Apani B. Fly, I’m not disappointed. Her presence alone provided the experience I had yearned for in those first couple of years of discovering the M.C. Hopefully for those who discover the “time capsule” she’s in, will also see a glimpse of that multiverse where Apani B. Fly is a hall of fame rap legend. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Abracadabra’ 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: The Beatnuts ‘Stone Crazy’ 1997

  It took me a while to get into the sophomore album from The Beatnuts. Their debut album ‘Street Level,’ had provided a certain sound and production style from the duo that I wasn’t prepared to leave by the time ‘Stone Crazy’ released. Psycho Les and Juju claimed, and were a part of the Native Tongue crew but were way more “street” in their content, and this album really leaned into that lane. The Beatnuts are not a “scary” act and the majority of the street content is more fiction sounding than real but the listeners feel the energy. The Beatnuts can also be a bit comical and juvenile which can keep the listener from not taking them too seriously. Prime example is the two lead singles from the album. ‘Do You Believe’ which I initially didn’t care for, grew on me over the years with it’s story of the streets not needing to be trusted. Meanwhile the next single ‘Off The Books’ had a fun vibe while Juju, Psycho Les, Cuban Link and Big Pun traded lyrics over one The Beatnuts first and biggest hits. ‘Stone Crazy’ has a sharp and edgier sound in the production but it is so consistent throughout the record that you have to give respect to their evolution within a three year period. Most production acts always sound better when they rap over their own beats. This usually sounds like beat makers “living out a dream” of being a rapper, but with The Beatnuts one tends to forget that they are in fact playing two roles. “Les” and “Junkyard Ju” clearly like to rap even if just streams of thought and lyrics for rap sake. This album seemed to be the start of them developing a formula for turning their dual abilities into hit making. Listeners might find the song ‘Gimme Tha Ass’ very familiar as Will Smith’s ‘Men In Black’ song from the movie of the same name, used the same sample from Patrice Rushen’s ‘Forget Me Not.’ This was always a confusing time for me because both songs came out the same year but were drastically different in their purpose. It’s a possibility that if The Beatnuts were able to be the sole users of the sample that year, they might have had two hits on this album. Clearly the song was overshadowed by the “Wackmasters” as Psycho Les called them when I asked about this situation a few years ago on the Digiwaxx New Music Wednesday platform. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Find That,’ ‘Do You Believe’ & ‘Off The Books’ 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: Da Beatminerz ‘Stifled Creativity’ 2024

  Not to be left behind during the golden years for veteran’s of rap music, Da Beatminerz returned with their first album in twenty years. D.J. Evil Dee and Mr. Walt have been staple’s for “raw rap” since their induction in HOP music with Black Moon’s debut album ‘Enta Da Stage.’ Thirty years later the production team was still creating and brought along a myriad of rappers, for a long play formatted release. ‘Stifled Creativity’ runs like a compilation album with Da Beatminerz solely behind the boards. This is truly an album for those who can appreciate the atmosphere HOP music during the mid to late 1990’s. Features are vast and include veterans such as Ras Kass, A.Z., Keith Murray, KRS-One, Al Skratch and members of Boot Camp Clik. The album does not stay in “the 90’s” with features and provides listeners with acts who made their name in 2000’s like StaHHr, Bishop Lamont and Apathy, while also giving a platform to those rappers that grinded their way through the 2010’s like Mickey Factz, Ruste Juxx and Rasheed Chappell. Da Beatminerz make no attempt to compromise their sound for the sake of gaining younger ears. There can be a disagreement with that path but one has to wonder why? To not have a commercial appeal and still have a respected name after thirty years, it’s safe for one to assume Da Beatminerz know their core audience, and met that audience in the same place with this album. A place that for Da Beatminerz includes production that is very heavy in sample loops, with rappers who know how to rap, and beats that tend to hold back the fullness of the music. A style Da Beatminerz have been using since Black Moon’s ‘War Zone’ album. ‘Stifled Creativity’ is made with the idea that physical purchasing is still an option. It has the play length of many compact disc albums of yesteryear, so be prepared to get a full listening experience. This type of execution for making an album can be a good or bad thing depending on what the listener expects, verses what they have been conditioned to hear over the years. Ironically Da Beatminerz will not have their creativity stifled with this project. 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: People Under The Stairs ‘Stepfather’ 2006

  People Under The Stairs were one of the most consistent acts in HOP music for about fifteen years. From their debut album ‘The Next Step’ in 1998, this group chartered a unique experience for listeners salivating for a more grounded, genuine, and vintage sound in rap music. By the year 2006 “PUTS” had marked their territory within the “underground Hip-Hop” scene. Fans knew what to expect from the group but they also ran the risk of being trapped in their own proverbial “black hole.” ‘Stepfather’ to me is the first time the group steps (no pun intended) outside of their usual brand of music. Yes it is still the People Under The Stairs with cool out sounds and showing respect to the “old school,” but songs seem to stand out more on this album. ‘Pass The 40’ takes a more electronic and simple approach that is away from the much bigger and analog sound “PUTS” usually provides. ‘Tuxedo Rap’ is the uptempo track one could expect to hear from the group, but interpolating Michael Jackson instead of the more obscure samples “PUTS” tend to favor, suggested this album might have been intended to reach a larger audience. This doesn’t mean that the album suffers from this, but that Double K. and Thes One were self aware of not getting trapped in making the same album over again. The execution of ‘Stepfather’ felt more polished and “PUTS” put together some audio moments that’s hard to forget. ‘Eat Street’ plays on the Fat Boys moment of clarity in the movie ‘Krush Groove,’ that those who just like to eat can always relate to. ‘LA9X’ is that moment on all their albums for just riding in a car on a nice day while also paying homage to some of Los Angeles’ legendary Hip-Hop acts. ‘Flex Off’ however is one of my favorite tracks from them as a group. Taking a quote from Queen Latifah, and building on some of the most “People Under The Stairs’ production,” keeps the song as a monument in ones audio memories. ‘Stepfather’ is one of those albums that helps bring in a new crop of listeners. For me it was not their best album but one of their best executed releases. The intro to this album is a welcoming mat from People Under The Stairs, to new and old fans. This musical journey would be new but the core mission remained the same. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Tuxedo Rap’ & ‘Pass The 40’ 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: Gang Starr ‘Step In The Arena’ 1991

  If one was not born, not paying attention, or simply was not into HOP music between the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, a good barometer for how fast the sound changed is Gang Starr’s first two albums. ‘Step In the Arena’ was released in early 1991 and was a complete contrast to their debut album ‘No More Mr. Nice Guy’ in 1989. The sound and look of Hip-Hop seemed to change drastically from within that year and a half. Of course this change was positive for the music, and although subtle to ears back then it is a clear evolving when looking back. Guru and D.J. Premier seemed to be getting it right on ‘Step In The Arena.’ The album sounded more consistent and confident. Guru was providing ‘street knowledge’ while D.J. Premier was showcasing his responsibility to help lead this duo to new heights. They were becoming the perfect combination and setting a standard for how HOP music should be received and respected. As a kid seeing videos for ‘Who’s Gonna Take The Weight?’ and ‘Just To Get A Rep,’ was like “knowledge being born,” to coin a phrase. One song provided an outlook on worldly events, and either foresaw or was simply a warning to how the past predicts the future. The other song was the greatest lesson in universal law, and the consequences of ones actions. Gang Starr was beginning to master putting the “medicine in the candy” for those listeners who might have thought acts like Poor Righteous Teachers or KRS-One was too “preachy.” An error of judgement made by too many listeners even today, but I digress. This sophomore release is judged as “classic” by many but personally I think is simply a solid album. The best was still yet to come and Gang Starr gave a taste of what was next with songs like ‘Check The Technique’ and ‘What You Want This Time?’ These tracks felt like D.J. Premier starting to really experiment with the music which he fully leans into on their next album ‘Daily Operation.’ The direction with ‘Step In The Arena’ was clear, and would really set the tone for this legendary duo, while establishing an expectation and responsibility listener’s had for their rap favorites. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Just to Get a Rep,’ ‘Take A Rest,’ ‘Lovesick,’ ‘Who’s Gonna Take the Weight?’ & ‘Step in the Arena’ 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: Smoke DZA & Benny The Butcher ‘Statue Of Limitations’ EP 2019

  This marks the first time I listened to a whole release involving Benny The Butcher. At this time the Griselda crew was making heavy noise that was starting to be undeniable. Smoke DZA was another name that had been buzzing in my ear for at least a decade prior to this release, although I finally got around to hearing him on the Pete Rock produced ‘Don’t Smoke Rock’ album. The collaboration of the two rappers might seem arbitrary but the pairing was so in sync one would have thought they were a veteran group. ‘Statue Of Limitations’ is a quick twenty minute EP that gives the HOP listener a exhibition in rapping with a street edge, over undeniable “truskool” beats. Benny The Butcher and Smoke DZA trade rhymes like Jadakiss and Styles P., with such effortless style. The EP also features Styles P. and the remaining Griselda members, West Side Gunn and Conway The Machine. The glue to ‘Statue Of Limitations’ is the legend Pete Rock who handles all the production on the EP. In the past decade Pete Rock has shown up and kept his name and skill relevant, for many rappers old and new. However this release often gets forgotten in the discography of “Pete.” Possibly because of how short the release is or being that both “Benny” and “DZA” drop so many releases themselves that this EP has not had the chance to “breathe” the way it deserves. It can be argued that this should have been a full album, regardless of the fantasy street themes it relies on. The pairing of Benny The Butcher, Smoke DZA and Pete Rock might be something that needs revisiting soon. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘By Any Means’ 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: Maspyke ‘Static’ 2005

  In my close to 40 years of listening to HOP music, there have been albums deemed classic, good, great, and their opposite. What I find even more rare are those albums that are one’s “favorites,” but if only more people knew of said album it would be in the classic, good, great category. For example Slum Village’s ‘Fantastic Vol.2’ was fortunate enough to be heard by the right people and right amount of ears, or it would be in that unsung greatness category. Maspyke’s ‘Static’ falls into this lane for me. In 2005 while on 90.1 F.M.’s ‘Late Nite Snax,’ we were able to get a promo copy of this album and I personally could not put it down. I had heard this group briefly before 2005 on a mix CD presented by Echo Unlimited, called ‘Underground Airplay.’ Their voices I was familiar with but the idea that they possessed the ability to put together such a unique piece of music was lost on me. Maspyke is a three man group comprised of rappers Tableek Hanif Jamiyl a.k.a. “H-Bomb,” and producer Roddy Rod. Tableek and Hanif glide over the production with a free flowing style that turns their voices into added instruments on this record. However it is Roddy Rod who turns ‘Static’ into one hell of a listening experience. These beats are heavy and abstract while not going too left of center. The production is infectious and no one’s ears are safe from being caught in a constant state of headnodding and an often “scrunchy face.” ‘Static’ does not let up from start to finish and I believe is one of the most underrated releases that came out in the 2000’s. The worst part about this album is that it feels like a wasted effort because Maspyke seemed to put their best foot forward on ‘Static,’ when it didn’t seem like a burden to them, but yet fun, original and genuine. There was never a follow up to this album and I hope it wasn’t due to fatigue of creating and not a large enough audience hearing. I can say that without a doubt I heard, and to this day ‘Static’ is a hidden gem that so few have been privileged to bear witness. What di you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Step’ & ‘Lightly Anxious’ 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: Paul Wall & Termanology ‘Start Finish Repeat’ 2023

  This collaboration seems so arbitrary but fit right into the random partnerships that have appeared in HOP music for the last 15 years. I always likened it to internet access creating no borders among music. Still I am always fascinated by some of the alliances that have been formed to make music. Paul Wall and Termanology are from two separate corners in my world. Hearing this collaboration brought me back to the days of ‘Late Nite Snax.’ A radio show I was apart of between 2004 and 2006, where we would play Termanology on this listener sponsored station, while Paul Wall was still getting rotation on terrestrial radio. I wasn’t a listener of Paul Wall and so hearing about a collaboration with “Term” seemed like it would be an “oil and water” mix, but something happened in 2022 that caught my full attention. A track called ‘Recognize My Car’ dropped from “Wall” and “Term,” that was over an old but not as known Pete Rock beat. This particular track from Pete Rock is an underground favorite of mine that was not used for any other song outside of one Pete Rock’s many instrumental albums. I respected this move from Paul Wall and Termanolgy. For “Term” this didn’t seem to “out of the box” but to hear Paul Wall on this was almost surreal. In late 2023 the two rappers release ‘Start Finish Repeat.’ It still took me a minute to get to this record because in the back of my mind I thought it would feel “forced” and out of place. Well as a man I can admit I was COMPLETELY off. Literally from start to finish of this album, one will want to immediately put it on repeat. Paul Wall and Termanology created a project that is worthy of the days of buying physical records. There is “meat on the bone” with ‘Start Finish Repeat.’ Their contrasting styles keeps this album from being monotonous while also having some of the best production any HOP head would want to hear. One can’t really go wrong when Statik Selektah is mainly producing your album, but when he is not Large Professor, Diamond D., JR Swiftz, Cartune Beatz and Buckwild pick up the baton. A.Z., Big K.R.I.T., Sheek Louch, C.L. Smooth, Bun B., Nems and Peedi Crakk all show up to share microphone duties as well. This album is a recipe for success and they sequence the songs to grab you early on. The pace doesn’t let up until about the “final act” but the album closes out strong with the title track. There is simply a sense of respect for HOP music throughout this record which is maybe why I was so drawn to it when I got around to listening. It was my favorite album 2023 and goes to show that surprises can come in varieties when it comes to HOP music. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Talk About It,’ ‘Do It For The Ghetto,’ ‘Houston BBQ’ & ‘Wall Paper’ 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: Shad ‘Start Anew’ 2025

  I got a taste of this album with ‘Bars & BBQs’ (no pun intended). A laid back track that found rapper Shad showing off his wordplay ability, with the first verse rhyming only words that start with the letter “B.” To me this was a new act who respected the art of rhyme, which these days is starting to appear a bit more as opposed to just a decade ago. I came across Shad on social media and he looked familiar, like someone you know, but just haven’t seen in a while. Before this album released, two more singles dropped in ‘Islands’ and ‘K.I.S.S.’ At this point I was interested and felt that Shad not only was talented but was intentional about the type of sound he was providing. Still where have I seen this guy…? ‘Start Anew’ releases and although I did not get to it on the first day, when I finally locked into the album it was satisfying. With only thirteen tracks and about thirty-five minutes long, Shad manages to put together an album ripe for spring season. Production is handled by many with names like Theory Hazit and sndtrk but it all manages to fit the theme of the album. Shad makes this album a journal on his perspective of life through ‘Happiness’ regardless of the obstacles and ‘Sacrifice,’ where him and Homeboy Sandman look back at the challenges that made them stronger. Features also include Rax Fresco, Jon Kobongo, Chantae Cann and pHoenix Pagliacci. An album with so much ingredients that fit within a short period of time could not be made by someone just getting on the scene. Who is this Shad guy, and why with every listen and look at him, he seems familiar…? It then hit me that this is the same person who hosted a thorough look at Hip-Hop music and the different regions it expanded to, on Netflix’s ‘Hip-Hop Evolution.’ Not only that but apparently Shad is one of Canada’s most popular rappers, who has been putting out music for the last twenty years. Everything began to make since to me as the collaborations, content and decisions on ‘Start Anew’ was made by a seasoned veteran. Canada has had some of the most respected M.C.s who have been respectful of HOP music throughout the years, such as Moka Only, Kardinal Offishall, K-OS, Ghetto Concept, Saukrates and Choclair. Shad ads to this incredible group of individuals and ‘Start Anew’ is a reflection of this. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Slanted’ & ‘Rain’ 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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