Typically, when we think of Pro Black, prideful, conscious rap, KRS-One tends to triumphantly erupt from our souls as the poster child and is highly regarded as a top 5 emcee…probably more like top 3. It doesn’t take much effort or digging to get into a conversation about this man or his greatness. Buckshot’s name may not have the same resounding name recognition for someone who isn’t heavy into the game. It’s not because he’s not an ill emcee, but the byproduct of being a part of such lyrical assassin groups as Black Moon and the Boot Camp Clik. While grinding on the underground scene, those that are familiar with his work were ready to celebrate when they heard that these two verbal samurais were working on this project together.

1. Survival Skills
Featuring DJ Revolution; Produced by Illmind
If this is the tone for the album, I’m ready to be excited. This isn’t about glossy production and bounce, this is about returning to bass, beat, and intensity. Now, I’m sure we may get some polish and pretty effects later, but this one comes off like one of the hard hitting NY throwbacks. You also get a taste of what could be ahead with Blastmaster working this track and his flow to his advantage and Buckshot Shorty playing the Geeche Suede to his Sonny Cheeba with a smooth sound and style that works with KRS brash lyricism. The hook throws me a little, but the lyrics and track are too fly to ignore…shout out to some old school scratching.

2. Robot
Produced by Havoc
This is the lead single for the album and I can’t even pretend to like the melody of the hook. The message is one that I’m sure we will hear a lot more of in the near future (and I welcome that). Havoc keeps the theme feeling from the first track as our duo do a job of blending and not competing while both offering some of the illest commentary on the current state of the industry.

3. The Way I Live
Featuring Mary J. Blige; Produced by Black Milk
Anthem, period. The production on this joint is fantastic and Mary J. proves again that she’s one of the best to do this Hip-Hop hook thing. KRS literally destroys this song with his insightful lyrics and inspiring flow. Hell, this may be my new alarm in the morning. This is one of the best songs I’ve heard this year. If this one doesn’t make radio, all the execs need to be fired. Sometimes, things are ready for the radio because they NEED to be heard, not because they are designed to be played on the air.

4. Clean Up Crew
Featuring Rock (of Heltah Skeltah); Produced by Illmind
The track is cool, still hard hitting, but something about this one doesn’t really grab me. Lyrically, it’s ok. The concept is pretty straight forward, as you see the title, but it comes off overdone to me. Like, the analogy of cleaning, cleaning supplies, janitors, etc, gets a little boring to me after a while. It’s creative and I get it…but yeah. You’ve got to hear it, I guess the best way for me to say it is that it’s creative, but not as clever as I’d expect or hope for.

5. Oh Really
Featuring Talib Kweli & Geo (of Blue Scholars); Produced by Marco Polo
Talib! Oh shit, I’m ready…for him to only be on the chorus? Yeah, that’s all we get. Hey, I was hoping he was going to do his thing. Again, a tough track that plays the proper role and lays the foundation for offerings like this one from KRS, “I’m naughty by nature/raunchy by nature/forty by nature/y’all corny by nature/meanin’ all y’all naturally wack/and I’m naturally dope like coke before crack/but really, I’m more like the weed in this rap/and these new jacks are more like the seeds in this rap”.

6. Connection
Featuring Smif-n-Wessun; Produced by Moss
We still get grit on this one, but with a healthy dose of dark ominous chords in the background. This song is one of the missteps on the album for me. The song becomes boring and at 5:23 seconds, it’s too long to sound like this. The one thing I will mention is KRS line at the end of the song…damn…damn meaning GOOD!

7. Runnin’ Away
Featuring Immortal Technique; Produced by Black Milk
I hate to be lazy or come off like I’m on some bullshit, but Immortal Technique did some unmentionable shit to this song. Really, I don’t even want to cloud your this song review with talk about the other shit, Immortals offering wore the paint off my rewind. Just take a listen at the bottom.

8. Think Of All the Things
Featuring K’naan; Produced by DJ Mentplus
There are certain things you all know about me at that I need in albums. I don’t pretend to be the almighty scholar on all things Hip-Hop, and I Will Not Apologize for how I evaluate albums. You all know that I am a stickler for lyrics, beats, hooks, production and flow of an album. I LOVE this song…aside from KRS singing. The message is fantastic, but I have trouble with it on this album or at least hear. It just seems odd right here and now.

9. One Shot
Featuring Pharoahe Monche; Produced by Nottz
This beat drives me crazy, and not in a good way. It’s set on the down beat so you can’t really nod where you’re used to nodding…you’ll get it when you hear it. It’s not as jarring with further listens but it has yet to resonate with me. Monche is another of of those guys that doesn’t get the notoriety that he deserves in the business but unfortunately, I can’t say that he offered anything to change that. He’s only on the chorus. I do like the structure of this song and the lyrics offered as well.

10.Amazin‘
Featuring Sean Price & Loudsmouf Choir; Produced by Khrysis
Y’all know about the love the Fro’ has for the Justus League, so shout out to Khrysis right out the gate. I should probably listen to this again and count how many times they say amazing since that is the concept of the song…but oddly enough, it doesn’t get old. I’ve never heard one word sound like so many different words as I do with KRS stressing different portions of the word and the words before and after it. Buckshot continues to prove that this album is collaboration and not a competition as he lends a different sound but flow that is second to none.

11. Hear No Evil
Produced by Khrysis
Definitely a different sound on this track. Appropriately I feel like the resounding, rejoicing, triumphant horns are recruited to play at the name and theme of the song. This song is good, the track stands out on this one though.

12. Murder 1
Featuring Bounty Killer; Produced by Coptic
Another decent song, another song that doesn’t really flow with the album. Bounty is relegated to the hook and not intermingled enough to get this one over for me.

13. We Made It
Featuring Slug (of Atmosphere); Produced by Illmind
The thing that I think is most important to note about this song is how differently each emcee approaches the topic of “made it.” KRS comes with a story of life from seed to success, Slug speaks about his personal struggles and triumph in life, and Buck speaks about his motivation to be successful and make it. This is a really good song for any aspiring rappers to check out.

14. Past, Present, Future
Featuring Melanie Fiona & Naledge (of Kidz in the Hall) ; Produced by 9th Wonder
Miss Fiona will be dropping her album next week and if her vocals on this one are any indication, if you like the feel of Amel Larrieux silky voice, we need to be on the lookout. 9th Wonder is on his shit as usual, and just like most of the previous 13 tracks, lyrically, this song is really good. It’s good to see Naledge getting some shine as well.

Bottom Line:
This album is feature heavy, but that is a bit misleading. With three of the features just being on the chorus (when both of them should have been spitting) and the rest doing a pretty good job of blending with the album, it doesn’t come off as feature heavy as it is…if that makes sense. This album seems to get looser as it drones on and a lot of the grit and grime gets polished and cleaned up by track 14. There are hiccups which I attribute more to my own ideas and what I want rather than them being bad tracks. The lyricism on this album is really dope and inspiring as well is the structure of some of the songs. In a industry that tends to go with verse, hook, verse, hook format, this team offers some different set ups and interesting collaboration and subject matter throughout. All in all, this album is probably going to be a must have for those that love either KRS or Buck, but I don’t know that it will win any new fans or make a big commercial splash. To that matter, I haven’t decided if that’s more a commentary on the state of music or about our desire/disdain for hearing things that are different to what we like…or maybe just me.

nappyPicks: “The Way I Live”, “Survival Skills”, “Oh Really”, “Amazin”, “Runnin’ Away”

Download: KRS-One & Buckshot feat. Mary J. Blige – “The Way I Live”

Download: KRS-One & Buckshot feat. Immortal Technique – “Runnin’ Away”

I don’t know if you know this, but we get A LOT of music submissions. It is plenty of people out there making music, some of it is good, some of it is GARBAGE. You don’t have to worry about that with this one. This is from one of our long time readers, a guy by the name of Jeff Johnson. No gimmicky nicknames, just his government.  He hails from Atlanta, Georgia, but he isn’t your typical ATL emcee. Notice how I used the word EMCEE. He puts you in the mind of Talib Kweli, with a shot of Common. Jeff has been a dedicated reader for over 3 years and he has been doing his thing in the music game and has done songs with Blu, Co$$, Immortal Technique, and Large Professor just to name some cats that he has gotten it in (PAUSE) with. Enough of me talking, here is the video (which HE paid for) “Breezin’” featuring T-Kiss. Also check out his Hoodlums, Scholars, and Heretics mixtape, which we provided below. Who knows where the next Independent Spotlight is coming from, it could be you! Send all submissions to  nappyafro at gmail.com!

Download: Jeff Johnson – Hoodlums, Scholars, & Heretics

1. Babylon
Featuring Howard Jones; Produced by T-Ray
At first it’s your usual self-righteous album intro, then the choir begins to sing and the drums/heavy metal instrumentals sets in. As a warning, a large part of this album contains heavy metal either in the chorus, hook or in the instrumental or maybe in all three. He actually features a metalcore singer on this track too. The instrumental on this song is really abrasive and annoying, I did not feel it added anything to this track. The lyricism itself heavily outshines anything T-Ray (nice name by the way jackass) could have ever hoped to accomplish. The chorus is sampled from a song which is in a completely different tempo so it doesn’t really mesh all that well. But despite all of those negatives, when Ill Bill flows he turns everything upside down with his insane lyricism. And the track appropriately ends with the theme of “Anatomy of A School Shooting” carrying over.

2. Doomsday Was Written In An Alien Bible
Produced by Ill Bill
The first time I heard this song I was quick to label it as weak because of the simplistic beat and awkward flow. But after a second listen, I found the genius of the second verse which is among the best I’ve ever heard. All the other aspects of the song are pretty average. The hook is in typical Ill Bill style, long and wordy, which makes it difficult to identify.

3. Trust Nobody
Produced by Ill Bill
Way too heavy of an metal influence for my liking. The flow was off, the beat is very quick and choppy which makes the lyrics very difficult to decipher. And when you do get to the lyrics you’ll discover that they are pretty weak compared to the above material. This was a delete/skip for me.

4. A Bullet Never Lies
Featuring Vinnie Paz; Produced by DJ Lethal
Ill Bill and the Jedi Mind Tricks collective have done some incredible work together, specifically Vinnie Paz (the anchor of Jedi Mind Tricks) and Ill Bill have done some great work. The production on this trick is pretty good, although the hook seems really forced and repetitive. Ill Bill once again turns in an average verse, and I believe he gets outshined by Vinnie Paz on this track.

5. White Nigger
Produced by Ill Bill
I heard this track for the first time back in late ‘06, I’m sure it had been floating around the internet for even longer than that. But I instantly fell in love with this track for the raw emotion and pure logic throughout. I could do without the first 30 seconds but the rest of the song is VERY good. Ill Bill narrates this story about how he grew up in Brooklyn as a white Jew who was attracted to Hip-Hop. Even though the title doesn’t suggest it, this is actually a track denouncing racism, and I believe it is very effective. Probably the best song so far. It’s comparable to “Peace Sells” from his first album.

6. My Uncle
Produced by Ill Bill & Sicknature
Another raw emotional song, this one is about how William grew up around drug abusers. I do like this song, but if it were executed differently (maybe minus Ill Bill yelling) it would be on a different plane of greatness. Still a song you should definitely check out though.

7. Riva
Featuring HR & Darryl Jennifer; Produced by Ill Bill
If you can possibly ignore the first 45 seconds of singing, moaning, and singing through nasal cords… you will reach a tribute song for Ill Bill’s daughter (I think). But it is more of an insult than a tribute; I’m still grimacing after listening to this song.

8. War Is My Destiny
Featuring Max Cavalera & Immortal Technique; Produced by Ill Bill
Minus the demonic singing on the hook this would have been a decent song… Ill Bill sounds very comfortable and at home over this instrumental, although I can’t say the same about Immortal Technique who sounds out of place over this beat. I found this to be one of Immortal Technique’s weaker verses and probably his worst collab with Ill Bill. Maybe a delete, definitely a skip.

9. Society Is Brainwashed
Produced by DJ Premier
No that’s not a misprint, Primo produced this track and Ill Bill definitely knows it. He comes out blazing and flows lyrical FUCKING murder all over this dark instrumental. The only downside of this track was the out-of-place vocal sample on the hook… otherwise an impeccable song.

10. This Is Who I Am
Produced by DJ Muggs
Two big names in a row… two amazing lyrical performances in a row. On this track Ill Bill explains his career in the rap game and all the shit he’s had to go through to just achieve a little bit of underground hype. He rides the beat for a solid two minutes and then Muggs lets it ride out at the end. A really good hook for a change too.

11. Too Young
Featuring Hero & Slaine; Produced by Darp Malone
A very innovative beat, with elements of violin (I think) and soft piano. The first verse starts off slow, Ill Bill’s verse is fire, then the last verse is pretty hot too. I wasn’t really feeling the hook on this track either.

12. Pain Gang
Featuring B-Real & Everlast; Produced by Cynic
This is probably as close to Hip-Hop heavyweights that Ill Bill can put together, both B-Real of Cypress Hill and Everlast of House of Pain have been out of the spotlights for a good 10 years. B-Real had the huge hit “Insane In The Brain”, and Everlast had “Jump Around”, it’s kind of a shame that most people will only recognize them because of these songs (it’s a shame that some people still won’t recognize them). Once again the hook is terrible on this track, and it really upset the great lyricism by both Ill Bill and Everlast… Everlast was on some Immortal Technique shit here. B-Real has always been a pretty weak lyricist and he definitely gets shown up here, and I would have to say it’s pretty even between Everlast and Ill Bill; both turn in great verses.

13. U.B.S. (Unauthorized Biography Of Slayer)
Produced by Necro
When I saw this song on the track listing I instantly thought it was a lame idea… I didn’t really like Nas’ biography of Rakim (”U.B.R.”) … but Slayer? Well, I was wrong, this beat is simply put amazing, and it helps me drone out Ill Bill’s boring lyrics. I wonder who he thought would enjoy this song?

14. Coka Moschiach
Featuring Raekwon The Chef; Produced by Ill Bill
Raekwon murders Ill Bill on this track. This is probably William’s weakest verse off the whole album and it does not come at a good time. Rae has been putting in work lately, I’m beginning to think Cuban Linx 2 (when it comes out) may not be the disappointment it will inevitably be.

15. The Most Dangerous Weapon Alive
Produced by Necro
Once again, this song starts off slow with a lackluster first verse, it is helped out with an above-average (yet not spectacular) hook… and then the last verse is ill as fuck. I’m beginning to wonder why Ill Bill didn’t have Necro produced the whole album for him.

16. Soap
Interlude… can’t say it’s worth your time, but it does set up the next track pretty well.

17. I’m A Goon
Produced by Ill Bill & Sicknature
This is more of what I was hoping for from this album, less metal and more turntabling… Sicknature’s influence on this track in turn makes it more DJ Premier rather than Killswitch Engage. I really enjoyed this track, I can’t pinpoint what it was specifically, but it was really well produced and the lyrics were on point.

18. Only Time Will Tell
Featuring Tech N9ne, Necro, & Everlast; Produced by DJ Muggs
Necro starts this track off in an incredible manner spitting an fiery verse, then Tech N9ne ruins the second verse (but I’m biased), and Ill Bill sounds incredibly awkward on the last verse. Not a good way to end this album.

Bottom Line
Huh… this album was a very mixed experience. I did not enjoy most of the heavy metal sampling/chorus work on this album. I did however enjoy the “Unauthorized Biography of Slayer”. Even though this album is only 60 minutes, you will have to listen to it again to uncover much of the symbolism behind Ill Bill’s rhymes… or to analyze most of his political and revolutionary tirades. The wide range of guest features on this album adds to it’s greatness but also subtracts from it’s playability. When Ill Bill does songs with like-minded artists it sounds real good, but when he features unorthodox metal singers on his choruses it just sounds out of place. The production is also pretty shaky, there are a good portion of the songs which are well-produced. But for some reason, the songs I disliked, for the most part were all produced by Bill. At the same time, the Primo and Muggs tracks were great, Necro did a great job and Sicknature helped out too. Not a bad album, but it’s filled with holes and mistakes. But that’s just my opinion.

nappyPicks: “White Nigger”, “Society Is Brainwashed”, “This Is Who I Am”, “U.B.S.”, & “I’m A Goon”

Download: Ill Bill – “Society Is Brainwashed”

We at it again; time for another edition of The Numbers Game. It’s here where we talk about who sold what in the past week. In this edition, we have 4 debut but only 2 in the Top 50 (And only 1 is a Hip-Hop/Rap album). Three 6 Mafia does surprisingly well, Dwele does respectable numbers with his 4th album, while Bobby Digital & Immortal Technique land in the 100’s (Is Digi Snacks still a 4 Star album now King Jerm?). Oh yeah, and Wayne’s Tha Carter III continues to dominate. I’ll let you see for yourself…

#2 Lil’ Wayne/Tha Carter III (Last Week: #2) – 209,000; Total: 1,526,000 (Platinum) [3 Weeks]
#5 Three 6 Mafia/Last 2 Walk (Last Week: NA) – 77,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#7 Usher/Here I Stand (Last Week: #6) – 52,000; Total: 806,000 (Gold) [5 Weeks]
#10 Rhianna/Good Girl Gone Bad (Last Week: #7) – 47,000; Total: 1,354,000 (Platinum) [56 Weeks]
#11 Plies/Definition Of Real (Last Week: #5) – 43,000; Total: 325,500 [3 Weeks]
#22 Chris Brown/Exclusive (Last Week: #25) – 19,300; Total: 1,647,000 (Platinum) [34 Weeks]
#25 Mariah Carey/E=MC² (Last Week: #23) – 17,300; Total: 1,063,400 (Platinum) [11 Weeks]
#35 Dwele/Sketches Of A Man (Last Week: NA) – 14,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#38 N.E.R.D/Seeing Sounds (Last Week: #20) – 13,300; Total: 117,000 [3 Weeks]
#42 Ashanti/Declaration (Last Week: #21) – 13,000; Total: 155,400 [4 Weeks]
#99 Immortal Technique/The 3rd World (Last Week: NA) – 7,500; Total: NA [Debut]
#111 RZA/Digi Snacks (Last Week: NA) – 6,700; Total: NA [Debut]

He’s probably the most decorated unheard of rapper in the history of Hip-Hop. He also is very angry. Immortal Technique IS the mad rapper. He’s not mad from hate, but mad about the state of all things political. Tech makes his moves on the underground scene with songs and topics that are usually too socially risky for radio. With the title of The 3rd World, I wonder if this is more of the same.

Death March
Featuring & Produced by DJ Green Lantern
Lantern hosts this mixtape/street album and does some scratching on this track that sets the tone. An ominous sounding, march worthy beat is dressed with heated lyrics about the treatment of those from “3rd World Countries” as well as naming names. It’s a pretty dope song that keeps ya head in motion.

That’s What It Is
Produced by Spectacular
A seamless transition into Lantern offering up some comedy. HOLLA! Don’t you get tired of hearing niggas say that shit all the time? Why don’t you shut the fuck up and rhyme nigga! Well, he’s right. Anyway, this song is Hip-Hop. We have some well done scratching, dope vocal contributions, and a relentless beat. Add to that, lyrics that mention King Tut, Oliver North, and Icarus in the same flow. That’s some lyrical dexterity for ya’ ass.

Golpe De Estado
Featuring Temperamento & Veneneo; Produced by Southpaw
I had to look up as much translation as I could for this song, which is not in English. You can tell by the track that features an incessant beat and a family of horns and trumpets that mimic triumph from the outset to the sunset, that this track is not for play. Translated, it’s hard to tell if it’s wizardry of lyrical manipulation that likens a musical revolution to a real life coup and revolution by the people OR if he is really trying to insight a revolution. Whatever he is trying to inspire, he does speak the truth. When they control business and culture/Music becomes commercial garbage.

Harlem Renaissance
Produced by DJ Green Lantern
As a man that grew up in Harlem, Tech takes time out this track to do a little teaching about one of the greatest time periods for brown people ever. Correction, it is an important time in the history of the country, but especially for brown folk. The track is more musical, along the lines of an R&B type feel, but still really simple. Its okay, I think more could have been done on such an important track, but it’s not bad. The talk of gentrification and our historical importance is wrapped up with a sound byte at the end that says “…people of Harlem, they are the natural allies of the oppressed people of the world…We spend money with the wrong people, we are looking for love with people that don’t love us….”

Lick Shots
Featuring Chino XL & Crooked I; Produced by Southpaw
Southpaw comes back with a nice track. This beat keeps it simple and respects the street, revolutionary lyrics of this track complete with some gunfire in the background. I didn’t even really notice the gunfire in the background until I listened really closely, well done Southpaw. The chorus is rough and grimy, “Lick Shots Lick Shots Lick Shots for the revolution!” but not necessarily good. Chino and Crooked I max out their appearance and really outshine Tech on this one.

Apocrypha (Interlude)
Produced by Sick Jacken of Sick Symphonies

3rd World
Produced by Green Lantern
Damn. Tech paints an eerie picture of his birthplace and those 3rd World Countries that we claim to have an idea about, but clearly we have no idea. A lot his anger is explained here and at the same time, he does some teaching as well. This is a helluva single.

Hollywood Driveby
Featuring Psycho Realm & Street Platoon; Produced by Shuko
Over a track that reminds me of “Smile” by Scarface, we hear Immortal lashing out at the rap game and the many fakers in the biz. He talks about industry slaves, lyrics with no substance…and revolution. I dig the song, the ill ass intro verse and scratch work done on Psycho Realms verse and Street Platoon is not to be outdone either. Yet another well done cameo appearance.

Reverse Pimpology
Featuring Mojo
I’d rather be rich and unhappy than broke and pitiful…nice intro verse to the song. Immortal acknowledges that he spits much conspiracy theory but sticks to his claims of validity in the next lines. The track is well done and is more of an R&B sound. There is an unexpected deep bass drop in the track that somehow manages to make the shit even better. Another well produced track from top to bottom, no complaints here.

Open Your Eyes
Produced by Mes One
Enter the spoken word. There is a track playing in the background along with a spooky sounding vocal, but this is just Immortal Technique talking over a beat. Interesting to say the least…and Immortal, I think you may have finally made the black list with this one fam. If Mandela is on our terrorist list, I GOTTA think you are on that shit fam.

The Payback
Featuring Diabolic & Ras Kass; Produced by Bronze Nazereth
FEMA, we haven’t forgotten. From the offset, you know wassup…as if the title was somehow misleading. This song is not so much about revolution as it is about retribution and reaping what you sow. Oh, and for those that don’t know WHY folks say WE made Bin Laden, turn this joint up.

Adios, Uncle Tom (Skit)
LISTEN TO THIS SHIT

Stronghold Grip
Featuring Poison Pen & Swave Sevah
Personally, I don’t like much about this song. I get it, but I just don’t like the execution. The track sounds horror movie inspired and seems to get annoying by the end of its 4:04 mark. Poison Pen and Swave Sevah do okay, but nothing to write home about.

Mistakes
One of my favorite tracks on the album. The track and hook would coax you into feeling happy and lighthearted about subjects that are anything but. Tech is up to his usual tricks here. He takes only a breath to go from once scenario to the next as we see a “lighter” side of Tech.

Out On Parole
Lantern mixes another winner. The beat is plodding and dominant and dares you to sit still. A lot of the songs here seem to be yin and yang in terms of subject and music, but this one seems to be better matched. It’s hard to find anything bad to say about this track.

Crimes Of The Heart
Featuring Maya Azucena
This track really exemplifies the difference in this album and Immortals previous work. The production is much better and explorative with Tech’s sound. Maya pours it on with her vocals and ads the perfect amount of soul to this winner. Immortal does some more of his dope storytelling on this one about people and situations….to make it short and sweet. I think that the track will win him a few new listeners.

Rebel Arms (Hidden Track)
Featuring Da Circle & J. Arch
This song is dope as hell. More shots fired over a more traditional sounding beat. Lyrically, amazing. I won’t ruin this one though. You NEED this song.

Bottom Line:
Once you get passed the fact that Immortal, who seems to have taken aim at the commercialism of Hip-Hop (and others), used DJ Green Lantern for this album, you realize that the production value is the biggest winner in all this. With a consistent message of revolution, respect, skill, government abuse, etc., one would imagine that you would get tired, but the tracks keep it fresh. Immortal has, somehow, stepped his game up even more than previous albums and with well placed cameos, this album is solid and should be in the running for album of the year, here at least. It’s really refreshing to hear this album over the beating that Hip-Hop has taken in the past few years. This album may be 3rd World by affiliation, but its 1st Class in my book.

nappyPicks: “That’s What It Is”, “Harlem Renaissance”, “Reverse Pimpology”, “Payback”, “Mistakes”, “Out on Parole”, & “Rebel Arms”

Download: Immortal Technique feat. Mojo – “Reverse Pimpology”