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#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 @

#rewindreview: Double A.B. & Git Beats ‘Lungs Of Mahalia’ 2024

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  If looking for a HOP album that provides lyrics, concepts and production, look to Double A.B. & Git Beats ‘Lungs Of Mahalia.’ Often times certain M.C.’s can get comfortable in just showing how well they can rap which does not exclude Double A.B., but where he makes this release more than that are the concepts. ‘Lungs Of Mahalia’ will provide just enough street bravado to satisfy those that don’t want too much “left of center” music in their Hip-Hop. It also gives a couple joints to the ladies on the stand out ‘Sashimi’ and ‘Pimps Palace.’ Double A.B. expresses his love for the “greenery” on ‘Recliner’ while taking the time to wax poetic over his view of politics on ‘Justice.’ This is a well rounded album if closely listening and Git Beats provides some production that doesn’t keep the album stagnant while not succumbing to sounding current. That same production is complementary to Double A.B. as it fits his style and doesn’t overtake the listener’s attention to the rhymes. The album is not long and boasts some guest features that fit perfectly such as Prince Po, Eto, A-Plus, Homeboy Sandman, Young Zee and The Musalini on the aforementioned ‘Pimps Palace.’ ‘Lungs Of Mahalia’ is yet another cog in the wheel of the incredible year of 2024 HOP music. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Sashimi,’ ‘On My Way’ & ‘Recliner’ 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 @

#rewindreview: Rockwelz ‘LL2J’ 2023

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  On this release from Bronx, New York rapper Rockwelz, the listener will be transported to that same location with a soundtrack mirroring early 2000’s HOP music. Produced entirely by Nam Nitty with features from John Jigg$, The Bad Seed, M.O.U.F., J Waiters and The Musalini, make ‘LLJ2’ as “New York” as it gets in a modern day that seems to erase what the sound from the great Metropolis established. Rockwelz creates tracks that are not as street to where one can’t groove but don’t expect any “cookie cutter” tracks either. ‘LLJ2’ sounds like a love letter for those who love the Dipset and G-Unit era while giving a nod to L.L. Cool J’s style of hardcore lyricism with songs for the ladies. The latter part Rockwelz and Nam Nitty provide on a few tracks that go from not having enough time for the ladies on ‘Tick Tock’ to appreciating the special ones on ‘Around The Way Girl’ and the ones you can’t trust on ‘G.T.M.O.’ ‘LLJ2’ doesn’t establish itself as something that will be talked about years from now, but if one is looking for a break from standard “drill beats with doubled bass” and would like to return to a sound soon forgotten, press play. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Heavy’ & ‘Tick Tock’ 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 @

#rewindreview: Talib Kweli & Madlib ‘Liberation 2’ 2023

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  The second full project offering from Talib Kweli and the elusive Madlib is a long awaited release considering the cult success of ‘Liberation.’ Kweli has been utilizing Madlib on albums dating back to 2007’s ‘Eardrum’ and a year prior to ‘Liberation 2,’ Madlib was the sole producer on the even more highly anticipated sophomore album from Black Star. ‘Liberation 2’ picks up right after that and continues a pattern of Talib Kweli records that seem to be annual releases from the M.C. Kweli will always delve into a subconscious and social awareness but there are a few new moments of awareness that address his online activity and instigators. Also this time around, Kweli’s progeny make an appearance, with his daughter Diani on ‘Air Quotes’ and son Amani on ‘After These Messages.’ Madlib provides his signature sound of dusty grooves with obscure audio clips as connecting interludes with songs. Even more satisfaction for HOP listeners is the pseudo-return of the Lootpack with Wildchild featured on ‘One For Biz.’ ‘Liberation 2’ is a solid record but does not seem to hold the same strength as the initial ‘Liberation’ album. Madlib’s album making seems to be best for rappers who are bit more simplistic in their rhymes. Madlib’s production is like free jazz and with Kweli’s more straightforward rhyming it often doesn’t seem to fit as well on this release. The first ‘Liberation’ felt more like a spur of the moment creation which is why it worked so well but this album might be a bit too calculated and ironically is why it doesn’t work as well as the first. ‘Liberation 2’ still is effective in providing another argument that age in Hip-Hop is not an “Achilles Heal” as neither Kweli or Madlib sound like they lost a step. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘After These Messages,’ ‘Best Year Ever,’ ‘Air Quotes,’ ‘Nat Turner,’ ‘Richies Part Two,’ ‘One For Biz’ & ‘The Right To Love Us’ 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 @

#rewindreview: Configa & Tommy Evans ‘Jolicoeur’ 2024

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  Configa and Tommy Evans are two acts from the United Kingdom who came together for an uplifting of frequencies on ‘Jolicoeur.’ This thirty minute album is tailor made for the summertime as Configa provides production that makes listeners dance while Tommy Evans uses his voice as an instrument with a free flowing style to it. If one is a fan of the Native Tongues then ‘Jolicoeur’ will satisfy the auditory canal as the release’s title is also paying homage to De La Soul’s fallen member Dave a.k.a. Plug 2. This album is “vibes and stuff” so do not expect to hear complex rhyme styles or deep lyrical thought. Tommy Evans makes more of a case for his own life experiences and the joy from that with a fun delivery that almost speaks to the inner child in the listener. There are a few features with mainly vocal artist like Doella, Matthew Allman, VVN and others while expect to hear rhymes from Kyza and Speech from Arrested Development. Run ‘Jolicoeur’ for a spin or two and decide if Configa & Tommy Evans are in their own “Buhloone Mindstate.” What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Summertime’ & ‘The Water’ 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 @

#rewindreview: K-Rec, Checkmate & Moka Only ‘Inference And Hearsay’ EP 2024

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  This is a Canadian takeover with Vancouver British Columbia’s Moka Only and Checkmate free flowing over a diverse amount of beats from K-Rec. ‘Inference And Hearsay’ is a fifteen minute EP of showing HOP music ages like fine wine. Moka Only still sounds as fresh as when one first heard him throughout his storied career. K-Rec provides some standout moments with this release like the infectious title track and a sort of “180” moment of the sounds you expect to here from the D.J./producer with ‘Way2Lit.’ I initially thought Checkmate was a newer act, yet I began to realize his name was associated with Canadian Hip-Hop but could not quite put my finger as to where. Then low and behold the track that most Americans became introduced to Canadian rap artist was ‘Northern Touch,’ a posse cut of acts from Canada that got some lengthy rotation on B.E.T.’s ‘Rap City.’ Checkmate was on that track and now this EP comes full circle (no pun). With the length of this release, one will not waste their time, but the initial two tracks are a personal favorite while the last three are a bit darker in tone. K-Rec gives the tracks added flavor with cuts and scratches making ‘Inference And Hearsay’ in “fact” a solid addition to an incredible year of HOP music from it’s veterans. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Love Keep pt.2’ & ‘Inference And Hearsay’ 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 @

#rewindreview: Thonio & D.J. Kefran ‘In My Dreams’ EP 2023

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  QUANTUM LEAP RADIO was new to this duo when we received a promo of ‘In My Dreams’ EP. Thonio, who is from Buffalo, New York and D.J. Kefran from Paris, France provide a short twenty-five minute release compatible to Spring and Summer seasons. On this release Thonio raps about relationships, be it with women, social circles or himself. Rhymes are not too complicated and although this would be an underground release, it fits a more mainstream rap music audience. Thonio’s influences seem to be that of Young Jeezy, Lupe Fiasco etc., while D.J. Kefran provides a more basic music palette that fits the style and content provided by Thonio. ‘In My Dreams’ might not have the appeal to the “super-rap” fan but could garner some spins at the neighborhood backyard barbeque or kickback event. 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @

#rewindreview: Moka Only ‘In And Of Itself’ 2023

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  The Canadian “Energizer Bunny” never stops even when one thinks he is over rap music. Moka Only has… a lot of albums and it seemed that during and post COVID, the Vancouver BC, M.C. might have slowed down production of music. In 2023 he popped up again with ‘In And Of Itself,’ which for those who have been fans of Moka Only for the past 25 years, got that signature sound and feel that compliments him and listener’s ears. Moka Only always finds that balance between vibes and head nodding sounds that seems to uplift the frequency within one’s self, if not for a moment of euphoria, that never seems to get old. This album’s consistency tracks with what Moka Only does for his projects where there are not many moments you might feel one part of the album is better than the other. Although ‘I Do Rap’ is one of those merry moments Moka Only traps listener’s with snares, drums and subtle sounds, while using his own voice as an instrument to make one rewind the track multiple times. ‘In And Of Itself’ can be added to the pantheon of “Moke’s” albums but it really is a standout release among his latter chapter of projects. 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @

#rewindreview: Example ‘impulses’ EP 1997

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  When talking about Hip-hop in Houston certain names will always come up by default. Those names are just one side of what the great city has to offer though. For those like myself who grew up in the 1990’s surrounded by a certain sound from the city it was a surprise and proud moment to hear Example when listening to a local college radio show in Houston. ‘Slow Motion’ sounded like anything one would expect to hear on a college radio show back then but the difference was this song mentioning certain places in Houston. In 1997 this was rare to my ears and made me look into who this was. Kay, who went by “Dekay” at the time and D.J. Cipher made for this group Example, that seemed like they were speaking for that part of me that didn’t have a loud enough voice at the time. The music was what I wanted to hear, the content was relatable and for a younger me in my last couple of years in high school, there was a sense of the music not taking itself so serious but still having a positive frequency to it. For almost half a decade I didn’t hear this full release but when I did hear it, realized I actually heard all the tracks just in different spaces. This took nothing away from experiencing the eight track EP and simply made me appreciate the idea of being dedicated to releasing HOP music like this, as a physical medium, in a market not designed for the music provided. This really is a stepping stone for Kay as one can see how his rapping and production abilities have advanced over the years but nothing to look back at and be ashamed of. It’s more likely the reason ‘impulses’ has been re-released in the last couple of years, as for it to not be forgotten and display how a critical part to Houston Hip-Hop has evolved over the years for a particular generation. 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 (under “kpft in HD2”) Catch past episodes by searching and following @

#rewindreview: Roc Nation Presents ‘Humble Soles’ 2023

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  The lineage of what started from Jay-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ is still trying to branch out, regardless of the controversy, member changes and time itself. Roc Nation which has been a management avenue since the break up of Roc-A-Fella Records in the 2000’s, has had some great success but going into the 2020’s there’s a need for “new crop.” In 2023 Emory Jones who has been a long time collaborator and friend with Jay-Z, appeared on The Breakfast Club to talk about a project that would serve as way to introduce the newer acts under the Roc Nation flag. This would be described as a sort of “mixtape” which is hosted by D.J. Clue and in collaboration with Puma sneakers. For listeners that can appreciate or grew up on the sounds of HOP music in the 2000’s this compilation release will be a lot easier to digest, as much of the music is derivative of that time with added basslines and hi-hats to match current sounds. ‘Humble Soles’ vehemently provides exposure to a new crop of rappers not known to the public but have made names for themselves among a younger crowd like Kalen frfr and KenTheMan, while heavily spotlighting Huey V, RJAE and Tyre Hakim. Some familiar names provide grounding for this release like Vic Mensa, Rueben Vincent and Rapsody. I personally appreciated this release providing some insight to newer acts and their sounds but the “voice is an instrument” and many of the new acts on this release don’t possess a unique instrument yet. The music is standard for this time so maybe younger ears might look to this project over the years to come as their ‘Lyricist Lounge.’ or ‘Soundbombing,’ but those releases seem to connect with listeners due to the rarity of voices and ideas not just lyrical ability. If ever there was a time to find out if the new generation can rap, look to ‘Humble Soles’ for a few answers that might get the luxury of longevity in HOP music. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Tale Of 2 Legends,’ ‘Vic Chops,’ ‘Outsiders,’ ‘Cypher,’ ‘Derek Jeter’ & ‘Love Answers All’ 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 @

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