People always ask, "DMC, what does it mean?"
D's for never dirty, MC for mostly clean...
Darryl "DMC" McDaniels is a legend—one-third of one of the greatest crews in rap history. So I really hate to slam his current output; however, "Just Like Me," the lead-off single to his long-threatened Checks Thugs and Rock 'n' Roll album—featuring, of all people, Sarah McLachlan—rips Harry Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle" for its hook, and is far worse than you think. Part of it is how bad D's voice sounds these days (reminiscent of a rapping Damon Wayans), the shape of which he's alluded to in the past. Well after Run-D.M.C.'s heyday (even after their Pete Rock–assisted comeback single), around the time their execrable Crown Royal was made, Darryl Mac voiced concerns about the damage years of constant touring had done to his voice box, as he's one of the yellingest mufuckas in hiphop history... So at least there's some excuse there. The album's timed perfectly to tie in with the airing of his VH1 special DMC: My Adoption Journey, the documentary of McDaniels's tracking down his birth family, which I have yet to see. All I know is, Rev Run has a reality show, and dropped an album not very long ago—and, I don't know if I've yet admitted it in this public forum, but I thought it was pretty good. The guitar wankery of DMC's Hendrix-ripping "Watchtower," however, complete with bland anti-something lyrics, indicates that D is not gonna do as well by their considerable legacy. I will, however, still probably attend DMC's performance at Chop Suey Friday, March 10, which also features Framework and dRED-I, just so I can be sure. I owe the dude that much.
Speaking of debts... If you love Seattle hiphop, then, goddammit, you owe Vitamin D some of your time—specifically, this Wednesday, March 15, when he's again throwing, yes, the best shit in town, the Big Tunes beat battle at the War Room. Come hear the livest local lab rats tear it up on the production tip and cheer like a Stan for your favorite. Last time, the incomparable Bean One won the title. This time, Bean will be going head-up with six other competitors, as well as the other previous slap-champs Kuddie Mak, Smoke, and Sabzi. Who will walk away with the crown? The suspense is killing me. Don't spend all your loot going to trendy import-model meat markets and ironic hipster-hop parties; take my advice and save five bucks for that real hiphop.
Oh, and speaking of Sabzi (who will be doing double duty at this year's Sasquatch Festival with his crews Common Market and Blue Scholars), come to Queen Anne to check the new Saturday night at the Mirabeau Room, "The Loft," featuring the talents of Sabz and Marc Sense, mashing up disco, '80s, and classic hiphop for alla the grown folks. So dust off the Members Only and roll them sleeves up, pimp.
