by Samuel L. Chesneau
Just when you thought the mix-tape game was oversaturated, a number of talented Seattleites are out there trying to get theirs. B-Mello's crew Block Burners just released Block Burners Mix Tape, featuring Mello's Street Sounds counterpart Redskin and a couple of other comrades, including this Philly cat by the name of MC Lut. If you aren't familiar with Lut, it's time to wake up--he blazed a featured spot on the Sharpshooters' new 12-inch remix, "Love Walked Past" (Light in the Attic). I'm really digging Lut's stuff--he's got flavor and charisma, and he comes hungry on the mic.
Never one to sit around, DJ Scene just followed up the recently released Fuck the Frail Shit Vol. 2 with Vol. 3. The new mix-disc features a variety of local and national talent and includes some exclusive songs from his crew the Boom Bap Project, as well as stuff from Unexpected Arrival, Cancer Rising, Block Burners, and Byrdie, together with the latest underground bangers you won't find in stores. With Jinx Da Juvy from Def Jam playing host, a grip of Jake One-produced tracks, and Scene's own custom mixes, this disc (and Block Burners) has been bumping my hard drive since I got it.
C-Rayz Walz has been one of the hardest-working emcees in the New York underground for quite some time now. He's built a sizable fan base over the years on the battle circuit, but his exposure has been upped by appearances on MTV's Direct Effect and BET's 106 & Park Freestyle Friday--where he was undeniably robbed of victory. The man has ill punchlines, crazy mic presence, and a brash delivery--they don't call him "Crazy Walz" for nothing. He won't hesitate to say anything. C-Rayz put out a pseudo album in Singular Plurals, but it wasn't until signing with Definitive Jux that he finally got the distribution he'd always lacked and was able to reach beyond the typical "New York rapper with skills" demographic. C-Rayz is kinda like a younger Redman--when the Hit Squad was still in effect--with all kinds of over-the-top lines. On "Floe," the opening track of his new album, Ravipops, he breaks down his style by admitting, "my freestyle eats my written," and that he "don't just rhyme, [he] can flow."
C-Rayz is currently on tour with Raekwon the Chef of the Wu-Tang Clan, and they'll both be performing at Chop Suey this Monday, October 6. I don't know what Raekwon was thinking, having C-Rayz open for him--the last time I saw the Chef perform live was at the Bohemian, when he rocked with Black Anger and was so high he forgot his lyrics. (Not to worry, though--the legions of Wu-fans knew his lines by heart and were able to help him out.)
This Tuesday, October 7, is another big day for releases in underground hiphop, with Hieroglyphics' new joint, Full Circle , the Soul Position (Blueprint & RJD2) full-length 8 Million Stories, and the Jaylib (Madlib & Jay Dee) album Champion Sound all set to drop. That's not even mentioning the major-label album that I'm most anticipating--Ludacris' Chicken & Beer, which should dominate the airwaves with a couple of tracks before his next soundtrack work does.
There's a new night at the Baltic Room on Wednesdays that sounds like a grimier version of Jumbalaya, called Sample. The weekly features John Wicks on the drums, Joe Doria on the keys, and Carlos Tuloss on bass, with DJs AMS & Mug Frosty spinning a cappellas while the band plays the instrumentals live. I haven't had a chance to check this one out yet, but hearing breakbeats live with the occasional emcee flowing definitely sounds interesting if you're looking for that laid-back, chill vibe.
Finally, I want to send out an APB on B-Self (from Tribal Music), whose contribution to the Seattle music community has been sorely missed. Where you at B-Self? Come back with the heat you dropped in the '90s--I know you have it in you.
REQUIRED LISTENING
1. T.I. feat. Kanye West, "Doin My Job" (Atlantic)
2. South Circle, "Attitudes" (Suave House)
3. C-Rayz Walz, "Guns & Butter" (Definitive Jux)
4. Sharpshooters feat. MC Lut, "Love Walked Past Remix" (Light in the Attic)
5. Dilated Peoples, "Marathon" (ABB)
6. Just-Ice, "History" (Fat Beats)
7. Baby Blak, "Economix" (BBE)
8. OutKast feat. Ludacris, Konkrete, & Big Gipp, "Tomb of the Boom" (LaFace)
9. Paris feat. Public Enemy & Dead Prez, "Freedom Remix" (Guerrilla Funk)
