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#rewindreview: Example ‘impulses’ EP 1997

Posted on by QUANTUM LEAP RADIO

  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 @fanlink.tv/QuantumLeapRadio

#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 @fanlink.tv/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Swizz Beatz ‘Hip-Hop Vol.2’ EP 2023

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  My listening experience with Swizz Beatz has been a rollercoaster ride for the last 25 years. Upon first hearing his production in my last years in high school, there would be moments where I liked it but more moments when I did not. It was an odd time because he was the backbone behind the success of D.M.X.’s first two albums and the production outside of the album was what I liked. Eventually Swizz Beatz would be the poster boy for the “fisher price keyboard beats” many criticized in the late 90’s and early 2000’s but by 2009 something about his production changed for me. The music started to feel like there was more “meat on the bones” and had kick to it that not only serviced the “fly by night,” only concerned with hits crowd but a traditional Hip-Hop ear audience as well. Fast forward years later and it’s time for Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary which leading up to this celebratory year, it was announced by Mass Appeal records that a select few beat makers would be providing short EP releases featuring past and present rappers. D.J. Premier handled Vol.1 while Swizz Beatz took the baton for Vol.2. Swizz Beatz offering starts off pretty strong with an upbeat banger, ‘Runaway’ featuring Nas that would have seemed to been a “hit” if released a decade or so earlier. The Lil’ Wayne featured ‘This Sh*t Right Here,’ could have arguably been received in the same fashion as well. By track three Swizz Beatz reminds the audience he comes from HOP music with ‘Take Em’ Out,’ a hardcore New York banger featuring Jadakiss, Benny The Butcher and Scar Lip and samples the drums of Boogie Down Productions ‘The Bridge Is Over’ and a hook which borrows from Onyx’s ‘Throw Ya Guns.’ Swizz Beatz version of ‘Hip-Hop 50…’ series still has an expectation that as a hitmaker he would connect with the popular, current or younger acts. Those tracks hopefully serviced the crowd it was meant for as I was not made a new fan but it presents part of those “50 years” of Hip-Hop music. With a rare Jay Electronica feature to close out this release I was a bit surprised at what I heard from Swizz Beatz offering to the ‘Hip-Hop 50…’ series. It’s not known whether this idea has been lost and there will be more as initially reported but D.J. Premier and Swizz Beatz have set a good barometer for what fans should expect. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Take Em’ Out’ 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

#rewindreview: Slum Village ‘F.U.N.’ 2024

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  Slum Village, a name that has been synonymous with truskool Hip-Hop, musicality and feel good music in Hip-Hop for the last 25 years, continues their mission on ‘F.U.N.’ With so many changes due to members passing over the years, one would think that Slum Village is just a shell of it’s former self at this point. What ‘F.U.N.’ does is establish that the name is bigger than the personnel and that as long as the mission is still the same, the out come will remain or “FUc& ya’ll Ni&&as.” The album features a slew of guest like Cordae, Eric Roberson, The Dramatics and Larry June but it does not sound all over the place. In fact what ‘F.U.N.’ manages to do is treat the guest like they are a symbiosis called Slum Village. Production is mainly handled by Young RJ who has been an official member of “SV” for at least the last decade, along with Karriem Riggins, Co Producer Mason and Abstract Orchestra. They all manage to keep this album cohesive and not stagnant in the music, while keeping the energy and sounds the audience has come to love from ‘Fantastic Vol.2 to the self titled album of 2005 but with a 2024 flavor. The biggest issue with this album is awareness. Slum Village has created a piece of art music that should be heard by not only their core audience but wider. It doesn’t seem to be enough promotion of this album for the caliber of music provided. ‘F.U.N.’ has only been out for a couple of months at the time of this typing and hopefully their will be more promotions before the end of the year. Slum Village has delivered once again and with a the year of 2024 providing some of the best HOP music from our veterans it would be criminal for this release to not be celebrated along with them. 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 @fanlink.tv/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Bhramabull ‘Evolution 5’ EP 2024

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  Enter Bhramabull a beat maker, producer from Los Angeles California who QUANTUM LEAP RADIO was introduced to though Digiwaxx’s ‘New Music Wednesday’s.’ His production has a vibe for those cruising down highways but also ready for the ear that loves music from the Griselda camp but with drums for that thumping feeling. To display his production, Bhramabull has a series of EP’s called ‘Evolution…’ On Part 5 of these releases the audience can get a true feeling of Bhramabull’s style along with some current heavy hitters in HOP’s underground. Expect to find verses from Big Twin, Raz Fresco, WateRR and The Musalini who is featured on ‘Fly,’ a song indicative of cruising down said highway mentioned earlier. Bhramabull is building his stock up and one should be ready to see his name featured on future releases from a myriad of artist in the HOP. Check out ‘Evolution 5’ and ponder who you would think he should collaborate with. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Rents Due’ & ‘Dust’ 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

#rewindreview: Mitchy Slick & Sir Veterano ‘Everybody Hates Mitch’ 2023

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  If you don’t know who Mitchy Slick is, it’s ok. He’s only been doing this “rap thing” for over twenty years now and among some of the biggest and most impactful names in the industry. I first heard the San Diego M.C. with Strong Arm Steady who also consisted of Krondon, Phil Da Agony and original member Xzibit. Mitchy Slick was clearly West Coast no matter what type of beat was on and it sounded like someone you would literally meet on the streets as opposed to just another “rapper.” In 2023 he linked up with Sir Veterano, a producer from the West Coast as well, who is very versatile in the production he creates. On ‘Everybody Hates Mitch’ it is clearly a West Coast affair with lush kicks and snares from Sir Veterano while Mitchy Slick takes listeners thru some “Dago nights” with narratives of street activities, partying and pimping. This might sound like standard “rap ideas” but the two create an audio atmosphere that puts listeners on the “left coast” of the country and not feeling overwhelmed with content. This is a straight forward album that is clearly not preachy, has catchy songs and a simplicity that keeps it in the same range as predecessor tracks like Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us.’ It was one of my favorite albums for 2023 so listen up and understand why ‘Everybody Hates Mitch’ because he is not like the rest of them. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘In My El Co,’ ‘Dago Nights,’ & ‘Keep Gettin’ Money’ 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

#rewindreview: Black Milk ‘Everybody Good?’ 2023

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  It is crazy to think that Black Milk is a veteran at this point, as he has always had a young spirit since he’s debut album ‘Popular Demand’ in 2007. Before that I first heard him on 2002’s ‘Dirty District’ compilation presented by Slum Village. In 2023 the rapper/producer provided ‘Everybody’s Good?’ which if one was just hearing Black milk for the first time would think he sounds like a new upcoming act. In the past my biggest issue with Black Milk was his obvious influence by Jay Dee a.k.a. J-Dilla on production and even rhyme style. This latest album truly finds Black Milk in his own bag and providing a refresher course on how HOP music can sound innovative and take risk with music. As a concept the album title asks is “everybody good” while tracks like ‘Yeah Really’ examine how often people might seem like everything is good but going through struggles. The genius of this record is how in totality it is a dark album but the music masks that somber tone, giving it a reason to initially be intrigued by the sounds but on repeated listens understanding through the lyrics why the album ask the question. Black Milk really establishes his production strength on ‘Everybody Good’ and keeps the features smart and to a minimum. You will only find Mick Jenkins, Quelle Chris and one of the most talked about lyrics from Phonte on this album on ‘No Wish. As well as vocal harmonizing from Rapheal Saadiq and Brandom Myster. This was my personal favorite album of 2023 and really had me asking what if Black Milk did an album for “…insert whoever’s name here.” ‘Everybody Good?’ is a new beginning for Black Milk in my opinion, that will possibly put him in higher regard for bigger acts in the future as well as recognition. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Yeah Really’ 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

#rewindreview: Benny The Butcher ‘Everybody Can’t Go’ 2024

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  Leading up to the latest album from Benny The Butcher was the anticipation of this being his first Def Jam release and only beats by The Alchemist and Hit-Boy. On paper this looks to be a classic in any year where “record labels” matter. The Alchemist has a specific sound and crowd that he pleases while Hit-Boy’s stock has grown exponentially as a premier beatmaker in the last few years among multiple genres of HOP listeners. While ‘Everybody Can’t Go’ is a solid release and doesn’t leave much room for folks to complain about “Benny” being stuck in one sound, it does not create the effect previous albums have had for the rapper. Benny The Butcher keeps the album to the point and straightforward like he is known to do which is an asset for the M.C. On this album he has a bit more features but they do not feel like they invade the record. Snoop Dogg, Stove God Cook$, Lil’ Wayne, Jadakiss and new comers like Babyface Ray and Peezy make appearances. While also leaving slots to Benny The Butcher’s Griselda and Black Soprano Family members Westside Gunn, Rick Hyde, Armani Caesar and Conway The Machine. Benny provides energetic tracks like ‘BRON,’ ‘Back Again’ and ‘How To Rap’ but there seems to be an underlying feel of something holding this release back. It’s probably just me and still living off the effect of his 2020 album ‘Burden Of Proof,’ cause ‘Everybody Can’t Go’ is not a bad album at all, especially if you are just wanting HOP music with no additives or preservatives. It reminds me of albums released in the year 1997 where many were solid releases but lacked a certain energy but at the same time a few of those albums ended up aging much better over time. Hopefully within that time we all “can go” and appreciate the album more. What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Big Dog,’ ‘One Foot In,’ ‘BRON’ & ‘Back Again’ 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

#rewindreview: Rawkus presents ‘Ego Trip’s The Big Playback’ 2000

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  Leave it up to one the most authentic labels and movements during the turn of the millennium, to curate a compilation of forgotten and underground HOP music from the 1980’s. ‘Ego Trip’s The Big Playback’ served as a soundtrack to Sasha Jenkins’ popular ‘Book Of Rap Lists’ that was published a year before. In that book Hip-Hop music was given a benchmark as to it’s origins and most influential acts and songs up to that point. Where this compilation album works is not only providing some HOP jams but also connecting the origins of names, who by the year 2000 were known but not so known for what they did on wax during the 1980’s. M.C. EZ & Troop’s ‘Get Retarded’ would sound familiar around this time as L.L. Cool J. had released a track called ‘Zoom’ a couple of years before which borrowed from this jam but not only that, M.C. EZ was in fact Craig Mack. Divine Force’s ‘Holy War’ had been slightly resurrected by Ghostface Killah’s ‘Mighty Healthy’ on ‘Supreme Clientele’ earlier that year. Also producer/rappers like Diamond D. and Ski have their earlier groups displayed in The Bizzie Boyz and Ultimate Force. Personally this album was a jewel that only added on to my knowledge at the time seeing as how I was slowly beginning to respect and appreciate HOP music pre-1988. A perfect combination of the popularity of “80’s Hip-Hop” that was being celebrated at the time thru various remakes and other compilation albums and the genuine effect Rawkus records was providing to their audience. The artwork and selection of music on ‘Ego Trip’s The Big Playback’ is one of the last Rawkus releases that displayed the initial and true reason that label was so necessary and a breath of fresh air for a lot of us. Almost like a ‘Lyricist Lounge Vol.0’ in the Rawkus discography. 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 @fanlink.tv/QuantumLeapRadio

#rewindreview: Blackliq & Mopes ‘Change Is A Choice’ 2023

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  ‘Choice Is A Chance’ plays like a personal journal with highs and lows of life as the main theme. The Richmond V.A. rapper Blackliq, teams with beatmaker Mopes on a therapeutic journey with a “bop” to it. Although a short album ‘Choice Is A Chance’ is heavy in recognizing the importance of family foundation, no matter the social circumstances. Blackliq opens up about his own dark times on ‘Therapy’ and also coming to terms with his responsibility to live life. Other moments Blackliq provides very relatable thoughts like we have all had concerning wanting to bring children into this world. On ‘Little Me’ the Richmond V.A. rapper looks at his own childhood and ponders if he could put up with that child and how hard it could be to raise him. He extends his thoughts of growing up with the descriptive track ‘Tooth’ which conveys a story of why his mother would hide her missing one, while only realizing in Blackliq’s adult life it was due to domestic violence. ‘Choice Is A Chance’ is a reflective album that might not be for the summer barbeque get together but a way for one to sit with the record and know that being human is not always so “black and white.” What did you think of the album? Singles include: ‘Strange Famous,’ ‘Therapy’ & ‘Little Me’ 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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