Monday, September 19, 2005
heavy rotation:
808 State - Flow Coma
Dr. John - Memories Of Professor Longhair
Kanye West - Gone (Feat Consequence And Camron)
Lindstrom - I Feel Space Original Mix
Superpitcher - Tell Me About It
The Bravery Vs. M.I.A. - An Honest M.I.A.
Juliet (Jacques Lu Cont) - Would You Mind
808 State - Flow Coma
Dr. John - Memories Of Professor Longhair
Kanye West - Gone (Feat Consequence And Camron)
Lindstrom - I Feel Space Original Mix
Superpitcher - Tell Me About It
The Bravery Vs. M.I.A. - An Honest M.I.A.
Juliet (Jacques Lu Cont) - Would You Mind
People ask me why I still haven't gotten a cell phone. One thing is: I'm horrified everytime I see someone driving while on the phone (worse: a car full of people, all on their phones). Or whenever a conversation is interrupted by: I'm sorry I have to take this call.
I think much of my morality is a just an elaboration of what I find unattractive. That is, it's not so much based on a philosophy as an instinctive revulsion. It is organized around tableaus rather than logic.
"To the vegetarian Hindus, the quintessence of the odious Bribhatsa Rasa would be a painting of a man eating the raw heads of various animals."
- From "They have a word for it," by Howard Rheingold.
I also think of Slavoj Zizek's opening to "The Plague of Fantasies." But I don't have a copy on hand to quote.
I think much of my morality is a just an elaboration of what I find unattractive. That is, it's not so much based on a philosophy as an instinctive revulsion. It is organized around tableaus rather than logic.
"To the vegetarian Hindus, the quintessence of the odious Bribhatsa Rasa would be a painting of a man eating the raw heads of various animals."
- From "They have a word for it," by Howard Rheingold.
I also think of Slavoj Zizek's opening to "The Plague of Fantasies." But I don't have a copy on hand to quote.
So, Lady Sovereign has come under the wing of Jay-Z. I hope he rubs off on her.
Consider his recent appearance on the Mike Jones' "Back Then." Lyrically, it's a pretty uninspired performance by Jay-Z, heavily quoting himself. Yet he outshines his host with his playful delivery: he exudes personality and humor.
I think his breakthrough with and since the Black Album is the complete confidence that pervades his verses. The irony of most rapper's boasting is that it comes from a compulsive insecurity. Most lyrics are votive candles lit at the altar of self-love, worn smooth like a hope-chest handle. That is, it's a thing earned; possessed only by veterans.
Mos Def, I think is Jay-Z's equal in self-possession.
Common, on the other hand, is the exception that proves the rule with his blatant narcissism (which undermines his "enlightened" pose).
So, I hope that rubs off on Lady Sovereign. He's a good match for her: they both effortlessly toss of great singles, but don't really have much to say, and it leads to inconsistent albums. They both rely upon personality, wit and humor.
The downside is that Jay-Z's always had pretty flavorless production - and her production is the the first thing that being signed by him will change. She'll work with big names and receive fun but unmemorable tracks from them, just like he does.
He's not going to challenge her to be anything but sell records; she's already misstepped badly with "9 to 5" in trying to broaden her appeal.
On the other hand, I guess that what he recognized (and respected) in her was her personality - which suggests that it's unlikely that he'll try to shoehorn her into the sexualized female rapper stereotype, not that it would work anyhow.
The videos will be telling - they'll probably play up her ghetto credentials. She'll be rapping in a vacant lot with lots of hoodies waving fists: ghetto realism. That is, they'll market her like a black rapper. The other possibility, marketing her like a white indie artist is not very likely. I think of the videos of bjork (creative fantasy), m.i.a. (pop music template) or the streets (non-ghetto realism).
The problem with the black-rapper approach is that it's so limited. I only mention bjork because I think a pairing with Michael Gondry would work well.
As for producers, it's hard to say what would take her to the next level. I think of the M.I.A. album, The Streets, DangerMouse and Menta. Let's see: M.I.A. is a sham who's going to implode, The Streets apparently are already imploding (please don't), and has DangerMouse produced anything of value besides the Grey Album? Can Menta evolve along with SOV?
What about 9th Wonder? I'd love to see Jean Grae produce a track for SOV, but, like the Streets, she's seem caught up in her own work. What about someone coming from a totally different background, like the Avalanches?
Consider his recent appearance on the Mike Jones' "Back Then." Lyrically, it's a pretty uninspired performance by Jay-Z, heavily quoting himself. Yet he outshines his host with his playful delivery: he exudes personality and humor.
I think his breakthrough with and since the Black Album is the complete confidence that pervades his verses. The irony of most rapper's boasting is that it comes from a compulsive insecurity. Most lyrics are votive candles lit at the altar of self-love, worn smooth like a hope-chest handle. That is, it's a thing earned; possessed only by veterans.
Mos Def, I think is Jay-Z's equal in self-possession.
Common, on the other hand, is the exception that proves the rule with his blatant narcissism (which undermines his "enlightened" pose).
So, I hope that rubs off on Lady Sovereign. He's a good match for her: they both effortlessly toss of great singles, but don't really have much to say, and it leads to inconsistent albums. They both rely upon personality, wit and humor.
The downside is that Jay-Z's always had pretty flavorless production - and her production is the the first thing that being signed by him will change. She'll work with big names and receive fun but unmemorable tracks from them, just like he does.
He's not going to challenge her to be anything but sell records; she's already misstepped badly with "9 to 5" in trying to broaden her appeal.
On the other hand, I guess that what he recognized (and respected) in her was her personality - which suggests that it's unlikely that he'll try to shoehorn her into the sexualized female rapper stereotype, not that it would work anyhow.
The videos will be telling - they'll probably play up her ghetto credentials. She'll be rapping in a vacant lot with lots of hoodies waving fists: ghetto realism. That is, they'll market her like a black rapper. The other possibility, marketing her like a white indie artist is not very likely. I think of the videos of bjork (creative fantasy), m.i.a. (pop music template) or the streets (non-ghetto realism).
The problem with the black-rapper approach is that it's so limited. I only mention bjork because I think a pairing with Michael Gondry would work well.
As for producers, it's hard to say what would take her to the next level. I think of the M.I.A. album, The Streets, DangerMouse and Menta. Let's see: M.I.A. is a sham who's going to implode, The Streets apparently are already imploding (please don't), and has DangerMouse produced anything of value besides the Grey Album? Can Menta evolve along with SOV?
What about 9th Wonder? I'd love to see Jean Grae produce a track for SOV, but, like the Streets, she's seem caught up in her own work. What about someone coming from a totally different background, like the Avalanches?
Friday, September 02, 2005
Dj Zeph - Floorwax Featuring Raashan Ahmad
Dj Zeph - Frogs Featuring Azeem
Fennesz - Caecilia
Kano - Typical Me
Kanye West - Gold Digger (Feat Jamie Foxx)
Kraak And Smaak - Money In The Bag - Dh
Soulwax - Another Excuse (Dfa Remix)
Superpitcher - Tell Me About It
Three 6 Mafia - Stay Fly
Dj Zeph - Frogs Featuring Azeem
Fennesz - Caecilia
Kano - Typical Me
Kanye West - Gold Digger (Feat Jamie Foxx)
Kraak And Smaak - Money In The Bag - Dh
Soulwax - Another Excuse (Dfa Remix)
Superpitcher - Tell Me About It
Three 6 Mafia - Stay Fly
