Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Where Are They Now:: Craig G. & Marley Marl
The Deal
Ok, here's the debut post for a new section here on the hill. Basically, it's a companion feature for OSM: we're gonna follow Nas' lead and post on any new music that we come across from the Golden Age MCs we all loved. I've talked before about posting any and all new music from any old school MC that either Ack or I loved, and so I've finally got around to doing just that. So if you've got any suggestions for artists you think we should feature here, send them our way. But let's get to the debut edition of WATN here on herohill...
Who:: Craig G. & Marley Marl
I know I'm not alone, but I've always viewed Craig G. as one of the Golden Age's more underrated MC's. He's a natural who makes MCing sound easy, and a legendary battle rapper. The legendary Marley Marl, if I need to tell you who he is, well then you're on your own.
Why:: Well Marley has earned the right to bend ears no matter what he puts out. If his next collab album is with Skee-Lo, I'm still going to check it out. As for Craig G., I still consider his second album, Now, That's More Like It an old-school favorite of mine (U R Not The 1? Classic). He was on The Symphony. Oh, and he wrote most of the battle raps for 8 Mile, and I know you loved the 8 Mile.
What:: Operation Take Back Hip Hop
Last year's collaboration album between these two juice crew legends is intended to do exactly what the title implies: put wack MC's in place and bring real hip hop back to the forefront. I didn't hear this album until early this year, but it's a perfect candidate for the debut of this here section.
Highlights:: Marley's production: Marlon is still the master of beats that are essentially minimalist, but still knock just perfectly. Today's beatmakers would do themselves a favour by giving this a listen - sometimes less is in fact more. Guests are kept to a minimum, but Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, Talib, Sadat X & KRS all make welcome appearances. Notable tracks: Reintroduction, We Gets It In, All Seasons, Stay In Ya Lane & Not A Word. Craig is still one of the best at kicking the battle raps, but to his credit, he never comes across as a bitter old-timer just hating on the new MC's - his lyrics are thoughful throughout the album:
Operation take back hip hop's begun
My fun comes from fake thugs being shunned
A lot of these false profiteers had their run
What happened to miuzi weighs a ton? Are we done?
Verdict:: The Dopest Duo to come out of Queensbridge still has it, in my opinion anyway. "Real hip hop" has been said so much that it's beyond cliche at this point, but I'm not sure what other phrase works better. Anyway, this is the kind of thing I mean when I use that phrase, so give it a listen.
Ok, here's the debut post for a new section here on the hill. Basically, it's a companion feature for OSM: we're gonna follow Nas' lead and post on any new music that we come across from the Golden Age MCs we all loved. I've talked before about posting any and all new music from any old school MC that either Ack or I loved, and so I've finally got around to doing just that. So if you've got any suggestions for artists you think we should feature here, send them our way. But let's get to the debut edition of WATN here on herohill...
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I know I'm not alone, but I've always viewed Craig G. as one of the Golden Age's more underrated MC's. He's a natural who makes MCing sound easy, and a legendary battle rapper. The legendary Marley Marl, if I need to tell you who he is, well then you're on your own.
Why:: Well Marley has earned the right to bend ears no matter what he puts out. If his next collab album is with Skee-Lo, I'm still going to check it out. As for Craig G., I still consider his second album, Now, That's More Like It an old-school favorite of mine (U R Not The 1? Classic). He was on The Symphony. Oh, and he wrote most of the battle raps for 8 Mile, and I know you loved the 8 Mile.
What:: Operation Take Back Hip Hop
Last year's collaboration album between these two juice crew legends is intended to do exactly what the title implies: put wack MC's in place and bring real hip hop back to the forefront. I didn't hear this album until early this year, but it's a perfect candidate for the debut of this here section.
Highlights:: Marley's production: Marlon is still the master of beats that are essentially minimalist, but still knock just perfectly. Today's beatmakers would do themselves a favour by giving this a listen - sometimes less is in fact more. Guests are kept to a minimum, but Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, Talib, Sadat X & KRS all make welcome appearances. Notable tracks: Reintroduction, We Gets It In, All Seasons, Stay In Ya Lane & Not A Word. Craig is still one of the best at kicking the battle raps, but to his credit, he never comes across as a bitter old-timer just hating on the new MC's - his lyrics are thoughful throughout the album:
Operation take back hip hop's begun
My fun comes from fake thugs being shunned
A lot of these false profiteers had their run
What happened to miuzi weighs a ton? Are we done?
Verdict:: The Dopest Duo to come out of Queensbridge still has it, in my opinion anyway. "Real hip hop" has been said so much that it's beyond cliche at this point, but I'm not sure what other phrase works better. Anyway, this is the kind of thing I mean when I use that phrase, so give it a listen.
MP3:: Craig G. & Marley Marl - We Gets It In f. Talib Kweli
MP3:: Craig G. & Marley Marl - All Seasons
Labels: Craig G, Hip Hop, Marley Marl, Where Are They Now
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