From the Oct 28 – Nov 3, 2004 issue

Music

My Philosophy

by Larry Mizell Jr.

Anybody who's experienced the fall season change here can attest to that certain eldritch gloom the town reacquires right around this time of year... If you could take that eerie moody feeling, mix it down, and press it on vinyl, you'd probably end up with something sounding like Oldominion's brand of hiphop. So it's only appropriate that you head down to the appropriately spooky Catwalk on Friday, October 29, to catch "Beaver's Annual Halloween Costume Party," featuring Oldominion's premier mic pugilists Grayskul, the ineffable Barfly, and the American Gothic stylings of Azrael, not to mention a host of others, including those goddamn math rockers New Mexicans. I caught this party last Halloween, and gotta say--well, judging from what I remember--it was definitely the proper way to usher in the fall. Grayskul, Barfly, and Azrael just got off tour, sharing the stage with the likes of the Shapeshifters and De La Soul, and of course the 'Skul is soon heading out on tour yet again, this time with one of the biggest mufuckas I've ever seen, Cannibal Ox's caustically cryptic Vast Aire. Vast dropped a solo on Chocolate Industries this past year called Look Mom, No Hands. Featuring one of my favorite joints to smoke to, "Viewtiful Flow"(laced by that Jake One character), LMNH was a deceptively scattershot syllabus that, while holding a number of gems, regrettably lacked the laser intensity present on Can Ox's now-iconic Def Jux debut, The Cold Vein.

Can I just say for the record that I'm feeling the new Mos Def shit? I must, however, thank Charles Mudede for letting me attend dude's October 18 show in his stead. It unapologetically rocked the fuck out--"Pretty Flaco" brought a gritty live show that tried its damnedest to feel intimate despite being at Benaroya Hall. That said, The New Danger is an eclectic, moody sophomore effort from Mos--a heady, willful work that sneers at the six-plus years' worth of exorbitant expectations, and showcases the considerable breadth of an Emmy-nominated jack-of-all-trades.

Damn, y'all... in this next week, we find out who the next chief of this bloodthirsty nation is.... Do yourself a favor, peep out the incomparable Saul Williams on Election Day, November 2, at Neumo's--his searing commentary, whether delivered via spoken word or belted out with his band, is bound to be good for the soul--something we all need, whatever the outcome of that day. And dammit, I shouldn't have to tell my of-voting-age area hiphop heads but just in case--y'all mufuckas better vote! I know, KRS-One said that "voting in a corrupt society adds more corruption" and even Brand Nubian's Lord Jamar expressed to me his lack of faith in our electoral process... and who could blame him, or you, for feeling the same after 2000's Great Swindle? But fuck it--use your vote and your voice, just in case... and ready yourself and your fam for what's next. In the immortal words of Nasir Jones, "Whose world is this?"

hiphop@thestranger.com

Buy Tickets for Other Events