From the Mar 17 – Mar 23, 2005 issue

Music

My Philosophy

by Larry Mizell Jr.

"Here we come like the batteram/'damn, you from Seattle, man?'/like Carr, Christie, and Fields, that shake and rattle, fam." One word, two syllables: Framework. Remember this name--or fuck it, don't; it'll be ringing all up in your tympanic membrane soon enough, y'all. This Rainier Beach-bred emcee will soon be dropping Hello World, at which point fans of that shit Nasir Jones called "street-hop" will doubtless rejoice at the prospect of such a skilled practitioner residing within the county of King. "A lotta weight's on my shoulders/shit, my shorties want J's/these felony ways support em till they older"… No toy, he's been putting it down since the halcyon days of the Langston Hughes Arts Center open mics--and it definitely shows. His on-point flow, easy confidence, and expert songwriting make for a banging, consistent listen. This disc (entirely produced by beatmeister Bean One, boasting some of his tightest work yet) is definitely among the most thorough local debuts in recent memory, and I expect this cat will be doing major things in the future.

Don't miss Ayinde Howell opening up for Gift of Gab at Chop Suey on the 22nd; this will also be the CD release party for his American Hero Vol. I--My Life In LP.

"We everywhere…" Make note, folks--Nocturnal Rage are dropping their sophomore offering Way Out Your Mind… March 22, and recently shot a video for their single "Way Out" at their plush state-of-the-art studio downtown. Look for emcees PyroManiac, Caligula, and Fo'Feva to be up on radio, stage, and screen with their kick-ass live band that notably includes ex-P-Funk personnel and occasionally the legendary ex-Stetsasonic frontman Daddy-O. Say what you want 'bout these cats, and a lot of you have, but they're doing their thing, the way that they want it done.

Check Beso Del Sol on Thursday nights for their newest hiphop and old school night--featuring selections from homegrown platinum production triple OG (and X104 DJ) FunkDaddy… For those not up on game, Funk has been killlin' 'em since the days of wayback, from E-40's incomparable In a Major Way to joints for B-Legit, Sir Mix, and Mac Dre (RIP), among many others, not to mention his own stable of mic talent (Livio and Young Thyn, I see y'all!). Respect the architects!

Yo, Son! (and daughter)! Mr. Marcus Lalario is moving his world-famous club night once again, location-wise, from Neumo's to his new space, the War Room, the spankin' new club in the Pike-Pine corridor (the old Bleu). Night-wise, the weekly is back to its original Sundays, starting on March 27. Under the Needle's equally renowned, six-years-strong Drum & Bass Tuesday is also relocating to the War Room from the Baltic Room, as will b-boy-centric Monday nights with Circle Of Fire… so see ya soon at the newest contender for Cap Hill club supremacy.

See, I'm not insane… in fact, I'm kinda rational, when I be askin' you--since the living personification of hiphop himself, KRS-One, has at last graced our burg, does this officially mean we've arrived? As the dramatical one would likely say himself--Fresh for '05 You Suckaas!

hiphop@thestranger.com

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