Black Milk - Tronic: Album Review

Release Date: October 28, 2008
Record Label: Fatbeats
Featured Artists: Dwele, Royce Da 5’9", Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, DJ Premier, Colin Munroe, Fat Ray, Melanie Rutherford, AB

Review by: Kas

I would best describe Hip Hop as stagnate right now. A whole genre saturated with auto-tuned, alien voiced, sing-song hooks and faux creativity. You can’t even look to your favorite artist to come with anything worth the customary, conformational, Hip Hop head-nod right now. Enter Black Milk’s Tronic to semi-crash this musical strip club year and get up on da main stage to make the people say “yeah!”

The title of the album mos-def describes what you will hear once you press IPod on your IPhone. WARNING: This is not Sound of the City and nowhere near what you heard on Popular Demand. We have taken-off from the skyscrapers of chopped-soul-sample city and landed on a skillfully crafted electronic landscape dotted with lyrical vacation homes. Again… I must reiterate… Sound wise… This is not Sound of the City or Popular Demand. Black has matured as a producer and his sound has progressed to a point where he can soulfully stake his claim to a portion of Hip Hop’s future. Yet at the same time, Tronic is nothing groundbreaking and doesn’t really come with anything to far away from the electronic trend of today’s Hip Hop. When listening to this album, you might think to yourself: “Self… I feel like I have heard this vibe before…” Well, you would be completely within your Hip Hop right to think that maybe J. Dilla (R.I.P.) was looking down over this project. We lost arguably the best Hip Hop producer to ever do it, when Dilla lost his battle with lupus in 2006. But, his impact on Hip Hop lives on through Black Milk and Tronic is a Hip Hop symphonic eulogy in some ways. I have always felt that Black Milk’s production is built from the same frame as Dilla (which he has never denied) and Tronic is a confirmation of this for me. It’s as if he channels Dilla on a few cuts, e.g. Bond 4 Life, Hold It Down, Hell Yeah and Overdose, just to name a few. Though Dilla’s genius will never be duplicated; Black is doing his best to keep that “your favorite producer's, favorite producer” vibe alive and well. Is he the heir? I don’t think so… I believe it is more of him just making good Hip Hop music that we Dilla fans really enjoy.

The futuristic boom-bap beat universe that Milk has constructed is furthermore enhanced with that recognizable, syllable hostage-holding flow we have all become accustomed to coming out the “D.” Detroit is known for their lyrical terrorist, who spit Jihad on Hip Hop for their city and Black brings his vocal bomb laden vest on Tronic. Black Milk is known throughout Hip Hop for his beats, yet I believe he is underrated as an Emcee. Most producers that rhyme in today’s Hip Hop to often come off inexperienced or lazy on the lyrical side. Lyrical laziness has never really been a factor for Black Milk. He proves he is a formidable Emcee on joints like Losing Out, where he is paired with Royce Da 5’9 and The Matrix where he holds his own with Sean Price and Pharoahe Monch.

As you look back on this year in Hip Hop, don’t be so quick to banish 2008 to the auto-tune gamma quadrant of our musical universe. True, good music was hard to locate and didn’t seem to want to make contact with us; if you listened closely, it was still out there. Tronic landed on this planet formally known as Hip Hop in an effort to terraform its martian landscape. Though I’m not sure it fully succeeded, it did make 2008 Hip Hop a little more habitable for me. It was breath of, if not fully fresh air, then 100% oxygen from a rebreather. If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and go cop this album. It makes a nice addition to any Hip Hoppa’s library.


The highpoints of the album are:

Give The Drummer Sum: The lead single with dope snares, kicks and an ill Quasimoto influenced hook.

Without U (feat. Colin Munroe): Nice commercial sounding record… Feeling the message of the whole song… Munroe comes correct on the hook, as well… Can you say Matthew Santos on Lupe’s Superstar??? Mos def could hear this one on the radio, TRL, 106 & Park… Blah… Blah… I don’t know if it is the indie label thing or whatever… But, I just don’t understand why records like this don’t get shine???

Hell Yeah: Hard Hip Hop record that Black says originally was a remix to Overdose (HipHopDX Interview)... Drum programming is crazy and has an ill horn hit sample throughout the record that sets the vibe for the lyrical onslaught.

Overdose: Banger!! DJ Dez kills the hook with a M.O.P. sample…

Try: Classic Black Milk… It’s the only record where he utilizes those soul samples that he is known for… Dope record.

The Matrix (feat. Pharoahe Monch, Sean Price, & DJ Premier): Another banger! Milk, Price and Premo do their thing and it was really nice to hear Monch finally spit again, instead of all that singing… Yuck!

If I had to say that the album staggers, it would be on one track…. Bounce, but solid word-play makes the record listenable. That’s just my opinion though….

I give Black Milk’s Tronic a 4.5 out of 5

One

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Wazzup 2000 vs. Wazzup 2008

True... True...



Good look Andy... Share

Al Quaida Leader Calls Obama a House Negro

So now we have Al-Qaida calling our president elect a house nigga... LOL... Are you kidding me? See now, I know there is a part of the black community that may think the same way. Just like there are those in the black community that feel as if he isn't black enough (e.g. not of slave blood, half white and half black, etc...). There are also those that have said the same thing about any black person in a power position or black person who isn't the stereotype... Ball-player, drug-dealer, entertainer, cook, janitor, etc... Is this all we are relegated too?

There have always been those that feel that if you are black, successful and in a position of authority.... Then you Sir, are a house negro. You must be that "liked one" that they allow to live among them. I have always been at odds with this flawed ideology. The house negro was created by the white slave owner... It was just another mind-game to keep us hating each other. It was ploy that kept control over us.... The field negroes hated those slaves that worked in the house, because they were treated better then the field negroes. Most of the house negros were fair-complected (lighter skin tone) or had the slave owners blood running through them. We hated them and envied them at the same time. But what we failed to realize, is that at the end of the day, we were still all slaves. We were slaves that would never unite and rise up against the slave owners, because we hated each other. This self-hatred still manifest itself today in our "hater" mentality. We still like to hate on anyone who we feel gets ahead or finally "makes it"... The "Neo" that doesn't fit the stereotype. That is the slave mentality that has kept us in chains for thousands of years. That way of thinking has to change... It is nothing more then psychological warfare that was used by slave owners and now being employed by Al-Qaida.


Mr. Al-Zawahri,

Here is some F.Y.I. homey,

There are no more house niggas.... Because there are no more slaves...

Church

Kas

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Al-Qaida No. 2 insults Obama with racial epithet

CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida's No.
2 leader used a racial epithet to insult Barack Obama in a message posted Wednesday, using a demeaning racial term implying that the president-elect is a black American who does the bidding of whites.


The message appeared chiefly aimed at persuading Muslims and Arabs that Obama does not represent a change in U.S. policies.
Ayman al-Zawahri said in the message, which appeared on militant Web sites, that Obama is "the direct opposite of honorable black Americans" like Malcolm X, the 1960s African-American rights leader.


In al-Qaida's first response to Obama's victory, al-Zawahri also called the president-elect - along with secretaries of state Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice - "house negroes."

Speaking in Arabic, al-Zawahri uses the term "abeed al-beit," which literally translates as "house slaves." But al-Qaida supplied English subtitles of his speech that included the translation as "house negroes."

The message also includes old footage of speeches by Malcolm X in which he explains the term, saying black slaves who worked in their white masters' house were more servile than those who worked in the fields. Malcolm X used the term to criticize black leaders he accused of not standing up to whites.


The 11-minute 23-second video features the audio message by al-Zawahri, who appears only in a still image, along with other images, including one of Obama wearing a Jewish skullcap as he meets with Jewish leaders. In his speech, al-Zawahri refers to a Nov. 5 U.S. airstrike attack in Afghanistan, meaning the video was made after that date.


Al-Zawahri said Obama's election has not changed American policies he said are aimed at oppressing Muslims and others.


"America has put on a new face, but its heart full of hate, mind drowning in greed, and spirit which spreads evil, murder, repression and despotism continue to be the same as always," the deputy of al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden said.


He said Obama's plan to shift troops to Afghanistan is doomed to failure, because Afghans will resist.


"Be aware that the dogs of Afghanistan have found the flesh of your soldiers to be delicious, so send thousands after thousands to them," he said.


Al-Zawahri did not threaten specific attacks, but warned Obama that he was "facing a Jihadi (holy war) awakening and renaissance which is shaking the pillars of the entire Islamic world; and this is the fact which you and your government and country refuse to recognize and pretend not to see."

He said Obama's victory showed Americans acknowledged that President George W. Bush's policies were a failure and that the result was an "admission of defeat in Iraq."

But Obama's professions of support for Israel during the election campaign "confirmed to the Ummah (Islamic world) that you have chosen a stance of hostility to Islam and Muslims," al-Zawahri said. Share

Shorty Lo and TI's camps Rumble at Awards Show

SMH.... Nigga moment

Please Hip Hop... WAKE UP!

Kas

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Shorty Lo and TI's camps Rumble at Awards Show

By Tai Saint Louis

http://www.allhiphop.com/.../2008/11/24/20722485.aspx

Radio One's fourth annual Dirty Awards ended abruptly this evening when two separate altercations erupted reportedly between rapper Shawty Lo and members of the Grand Hustle camp tonight (November 24). An eye witness told AllHipHop.com that the tension between the two crews mounted during Shawty Lo's performance, which included a diss version of Grand Hustle artist Yung LA's song "Ain't I."

As Lo performed his version with a chorus "Don't I," an audience member identified by an eyewitness as Capitol recording artist Alfamega, allegedly threw a chair onto the stage. At that point, witnesses say another artist signed to the T.I.-helmed label stormed the stage, at which point authorities proceeded to break a fight.

T.I. himself took the stage shortly after the fight to accept an award following, a reported private conversation with Shawty-Lo, in which the Grammy Award-winning rapper/actor allegedly insisted once again, that the two end their long-running beef. He proceeded to denounce the violence and negativity and assured the Dirty Awards audience that he did not condone the fighting.

Shortly thereafter, however, a second fight broke out as T.I. performed his verse from "Ain't I," allegedly substituting some lyrics with verbal jabs at Shawty Lo, with whom he has had an unpleasant relationship throughout the year.

Towards the end of the performance, another member of the Grand Hustle camp allegedly jumped off stage and assaulted a man witnesses said was Shawty Lo's brother. Police officers then halted the awards show, using pepper spray to end the fight. While the Dirty Awards audience was immediately evacuated, witnesses say other altercations may have occurred outside of the event. More details as this story develops. Share

President Bush Pardons John Forte

With a new administration about to take over in about a month... Could we finally see the government about to revisit our ridiculous drug mandatory sentencing laws?

Kas

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President Bush Pardons John Forte

By Charlie Rem

http://www.allhiphop.com/.../2008/11/24/20721874.aspx

President George W. Bush has pardoned rapper John Forte, an affiliate of the Fugees, who has been serving prison time for smuggling drugs, sources told AllHipHop.com.

Forte was one of 14 persons that Bush has pardoned or granted commuted prison sentences.

This wave of White House pardons is Bush's latest, as he has less than two months in his presidency. A pardon cannot be overruled.

Forte was arrested at Newark International Airport in 2000 and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and conspiracy to distribute. Police caught him accepting a briefcase with about $1.4 million worth of liquid cocaine in it.

Forte was hit with a 14-year sentence in a federal penitentiary under minimum sentencing laws even though it was his first offense and he was a non-violent offender. He began his bid in jail in 2001 and has fought the laws vehemently.

Through the ordeal, he maintained his innocence and turned down a plea deal.


John Forte has released two albums, Poly Sci and I, John.

John found an ally in legendary singer Carly Simon and her son Ben Taylor, both close friends. Forte lived at Simon's estate in Martha's Vineyard for about six weeks in 1999 and even spent the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with the family. Simon and Taylor have lobbied on Forte's behalf since he was incarcerated.

Much speculation has been made of others Bush may opt to pardon. Most of these involved those that government employees that may have unjustly interrogated suspected terrorists in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.


A pardon of these cases would severely impede president elect Barack Obama from investigating such crimes. Share

KRS-One Rhymes About Obama

You still must learn!!!!!

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Flint rapper MC Breed dies at 36

Just another classic example of why we need universal health care. Dude couldn't even pay his medical bills... SMH! Why should we have to put on benefits and fund raisers for the funds to save a life? A price should never be put on life; but it is everyday in our great country. Things need to change, man...

R.I.P. Mr. Eric Breed

Peace

Kas

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Flint rapper MC Breed dies at 36

Adam Graham / Detroit News Pop Music Writer
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081122/ENT04/811220438

Influential Flint rapper MC Breed, who was one of the first Midwest rappers to emerge onto the national hip-hop scene, has died, his manager has confirmed to The Detroit News. Breed was 36.
Breed, who scored a hit with his 1991 lo-fi classic "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'" and later collaborated with a young Tupac Shakur, was found dead on Saturday at a friend's home in Ypsilanti, according to Darryl Morris, Breed's manager. No further details were available as of press time.

Breed, whose given name was Eric Breed, had recently been wrestling with health issues and was admitted to a hospital in his adopted home of Atlanta in September after suffering from kidney failure, according to reports. The rapper was put on life support, according to reports, and had only 30 percent functionality of his kidneys. Plans were put in place to throw a benefit concert for the rapper to raise money for his medical bills, but they were put on hold when his condition seemed to improve.

Breed's biggest hit was "Ain't No Future in Yo' Frontin'," from his 1991 debut album, "MC Breed & D.F.C." The song sampled Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce" and the Ohio Players' "Funky Worm" and found Breed not only bragging about his hometown of Flint but also stating his goals for the highest office in the land. "If I was the President, then I would state facts," he rapped, "you leave it up to me, I'll paint the White House black."

Breed bolstered his cred when he collaborated with Shakur on "Gotta Get Mine," the lead single from his third album, 1993's "The New Breed." The song came just as Shakur was just starting to earn his bad-boy-of-rap reputation, and it reached No. 6 on Billboard's Hot Rap Singles chart.

Over the course of his nearly 20-year career, Breed also worked with Too $hort, the D.O.C., Warren G and more. While never achieving full-fledged mainstream success, Breed was respected in hip-hop circles for his work ethic and his lucid, scratchy-voiced flow.
He recorded 13 albums, and released an album a year between 1991 and 2001.His final album, "The New Prescription," was released in 2004.

Detroit rapper Trick Trick says he looked up to MC Breed.
"I salute him for everything he did," Trick said Saturday. "It was good to see him break out of Flint. It gave a lot of us hope, like, 'We can do this, too.'"

Breed's career cooled considerably in recent years, and he spent eight months in prison for a parole violation that was a result of unpaid child support. In April, a Flint judge sentenced him to 60 days in jail as a result of owing more than $200,000 in unpaid child support to three different women.

You can reach Adam Graham at (313) 222-2284, or at agraham@detnews. com.

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