Gifted Gab, “AND 1/Hurricane G” (Crane City Music)
Let’s talk about a great local emcee: Gifted Gab. Cause and Effect, which came out on 4/20 (ayyyyyyyyy), is the Central District rapper’s latest release. Gab sings a lot on this album and sings well. But I still gravitate towards one of her rap songs: “And 1/Hurricane G” is so fucking good—it’s two songs in one. The first half, “And 1” is hectic, with Gab shooting lines over record scratching by Seattle DJ Vega. It has a ’90’s flavor to it, using words that I had to look up in the dictionary (“I’m from the city that gets busy with the hydroponics/Niggas been blowing major chronic since the Lakers beat the SuperSonics”).
The second half of the track, “Hurricane G” slows things down a bit, bringing in a fat, bloated bass line and some smoky, sexy keyboard action. Even Gab’s cadence eases up but is just as incisive, pointed, precise. She spits and weaves in and around the music so effortlessly, casually. It’s almost like she’s just talking to me over her shoulder. I’m sweating just listening to her.
Seattleites will have the opportunity to see Gifted Gab perform Cause and Effect on April 28th at Crocodile. She’ll be joined by the aforementioned DJ Vega, The Cause and Effect band, and frequent collaborator/equally savage MC Blimes. In meantime, check out “And1/Hurricane G” below:
