Loop Diggin’ Thursdays, News & Rants 02.09.06
Posted by Phil Watts, Jr on 02.09.2006
MF Doom vs. GM Grimm, Pete Rock finally responds to CL, and NEW & UPCOMING MUSIC!
"Put yourself in Danger runnin with a Mouse
Metal turned to braces, punch you in your mouth
Zev Love X used to be merry
The mask took control of you like Jim Carrey
Megalon tap him in the jaw knock it off him
MIC (Monsta Island Czars) gotta put your mask in the coffin
Mos Def, De La Soul, Roots cant revive you
When the bullets start flying who's gonna hide you
Rhymesayers, Stones Throw, Nature Sounds signed you
Make peace with you-
Zev, I tried too...
Doin songs with RZA
That's funny shit
I remember, you told me
That he bit ‘Tick, Tick'
You said Ghost was wack
You didn't like his style
2 faced and 3 headed
Bitch I'll pull your file
We've been through so much Zev
you was close to me
used to come through your house, buy your ass groceries..."
What a revolting development...
Those above quotes came from a recent MF GM Grimm diss record, entitled "Book of Daniel", directed at MF Doom. The two have had a love/hate relationship for over 10 years, most of which involved mishandling of money. It was reported that both Doom & Grimm have squashed their beef...but I guess the beef is back on again. Surprisingly, Doom fired the first shot on the first track of the DangerDoom album by saying he used to be a part a crew called "Midgets Into Crunk", a backhanded slap at the Monsta Island Czars, which Doom & Grimm was a part of. What's even more unnerving is that there's a section in Grimm's diss where he names all the people that helped Doom, the things they did to get to him where he is, and ultimately got screwed for it.
Now if this whole song is some bullshit, then Grimm needs to chill the fuck out. He has a 3CD set about to be released this year, and contrary to popular opinion, Processed Beef is NOT a good way to promote a record. HOWEVER...if this shit is true, then Doom has a lot to answer for, as he's made himself a worse sellout since the Black Eyed Peas.
Now don't get me wrong--I liked Doom ever since he showed up with 3rd Bass giving the "Gasface" to MC Hammer and Lyor Cohen, and I liked Grimm ever since he showed up on Kool G. Rap's "Take 'Em to War". I just wish that they would've both handled this behind closed doors instead of putting this business out on the street.
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Speaking of people that I like that shouldn't be beefin'...
It seems like every other column I always mention that CL Smooth interview where he lashes out at Pete Rock on some crazy shit. Problem is, for the longest time, we have yet to hear Pete Rock respond to that interview...UNTIL NOW.
Pete was interviewed by NYCNN.com where he was talking about his upcoming projects for 2006...and CL's name came up:
The summer of last year, on Allhiphop.com they kinda played with your words and got CL Smooth into getting kinda grimey on you, what do you think of his comments?
To me, that is so funny and it's so stupid, so immature for a grown man to speak like that of another grown man when none of the stuff is true in the first place. There's a lot of immaturity there you can see and listen. A lot of people that know me know that I'.m not that type of person and I'm not the type to have poor work ethic. I put out four projects after I left CL Smooth, he's put out nothing, so it's a joke to me. He hasn't put anything out without me. Not one single thing. My whole thing is like "When you wanna do something or it's time for you to do something you always came to me about it but you never been a man and stood on your own two feet and did your own thing" You understand what I'm saying? My whole thing is, the immaturity is never going to change, so I have to move on, that's my old life and it's all about my new life right now. I have a new artist that I'm working on and I'm working with a bunch of artists on the outside. 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, Tony Yayo, Jim Jones, Papoose. I'm working with all these cats, all the negativity is bullshit.
Are you guys in a position where you could work together or maintain the friendship?
Never! Never ever again and you can quote me on this. That's never gonna happen again, that's like I told you, it's my old life. I don't wish nothing bad on the man, I hope the best for him but I've moved on and that's that.
"Never! Never ever again and you can quote me on this..." On the surface, it's understandable why Pete would say this, especially after that CL interview. But when you realize that he has said the same thing in almost every interview ever since they both did "The Two" (SOUL SURVIVOR I), then you know that they'll both get their act together eventually and work on a new joint. Only difference is, we never got to know what CL thought until last year. Pete Rock was right about the immaturity, though, it it would be hard to work on a song, much less a whole album with a guy who keeps telling you the shit he said in that interview. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail and we'll finally get that reunion album.
Until then...they're both coming out with some good solo shit, so be on the lookout. As much grief as I have been giving CL, he does have some good shit on tap for his upcoming solo album and I have high hopes for it. You can check some of it out from his new website, CLSmooth.com. As for Pete, he's got plenty of shit in store too, as he's working with the Dipset and G-Unit. I'm not sure if he's still signed with BBE (which he dissed last year after the release of the SURVIVING ELEMENTS instrumental album), moved to another label, or started his own yet.
***
West Coast legend turned actor Ice Cube is hard at work with his comeback album, LAUGH NOW--CRY LATER. Considering that his last solo project was the forgettable WAR/PEACE projects (and an even more forgettable second WESTSIDE CONNECTION album with WC and Wack 10), this leaves many worried about whether or not he still has it in him to record a song, much less a whole album, with even a fraction of the passion that he had with the first three albums.
He was recently interviewed by AllHipHop about what he thinks about Hip-Hop in general, the importance of lyrics, and what he thinks about his old albums. In the interview, he gives his explanation for the title of his next album and what he's got in store:
"That's a title that a lot of the people in the penitentiary use; tattoos people get. It kinda describes their life when they were on the street and them paying for it now. You know, laugh (now), cry later is kinda the feel of my album. It's got, you know, the club bangers, the political records-which is the cry later kinda feel. It kinda encompasses that. You know I didn't want to do a whole political record and I didn't want to do a whole record where I was just trying to get it jumped off. You know so, it's a record that flows from kind of one tone to the next. Laugh Now, Cry Later really is the state of the world in a way. You know, you could say it's the state of the world, the state of America, the state of urban America. Now everybody's doing a lot of playing and nobody's really thinking about when God gonna make us pay for all this at some point in time. That's really what inspired me to make it that title."
I'm not sure what producers he plans on working with, even though he does plan on at least one or two Lil' Jon joints (because he's got to get some airplay to get noticed, right?) I really wish he'd do at least one track with Sir Jinx and DJ Pooh...that is if they have something left in the tank. In the end, it doesn't matter who hooks Cube up with some heat, as everything depends on whether or not Cube himself still has the goods. I'd like to be surprised and see the Cube of old (or some semblance of him) some back...meanwhile, I hope and pray we don't get another "WE BE THUGIN'" or "I PUSH RHYMES LIKE WEIGHT". And PLEASE, DON'T LET MACK 10 ANYWHERE NEAR THIS ALBUM!
***
I'm going to switch gears for a minute...
Hollywood Reporter recently revealed the news that a movie based on Marvin Gaye's life is in the works. LAW & ORDER's Jesse L. Martin has been given the monumental task of playing the late great music legend, while Lauren Goodman, who wrote the screenplay, will direct.
The movie, entitled SEXUAL HEALING, will focus on the early 80's, when Marvin went on his exile to Europe, where a Belgian promoter helps him get his career back on track.
I find this kinda iffy. Why just concentrate on the last chapter of his life without focusing on all the moments that came before? Marvin's life was nothing but back-to-back drama. From his troubled childhood with his overly strict father, to struggling years to get a hit in his early Motown career, to losing Tammi Terrell, to his troubled marriage with Anna Gordy, to his equally troubled marriage to Janis Porter (who was young enough to be his daughter), to drug problems, and label problems...and through all the troubles and all the successes and all the worldwide fame, he STILL couldn't get any respect from his father! Now, I don't know about you, but there's enough drama in his life to make 3 to 4 movies! For them to focus on just his last chapter makes the scope too narrow.
***
Now, on to some New and upcoming music
Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson is back with a new installment to his BABIES MAKING BABIES series, just in time for Valentine's Day! After all, "Valentine's Day can represent a few things: If you are in loveIt can be the best day on earth. Or this can be the worst reminder ever."
This one is entitled BMB2: MISERY STRIKES BACK---NO MORE BABIES. Whereas the first installment compiles some underrated bedroom classics, like The Isley Brother's "Sensuality", Heatwave's "Star Of the Story", and Michael Henderson's "Be My Girl", THIS installment is all about heartbreaks and breakups. Included here are:
Ohio Players "Our Love Has Died"
Al Green "How Can You mend a Broken Heart"
Delfonics "I'm Sorry"
Natalie Cole "Good Morning Heartache"
Bobby Womack "That's the Way I Feel About Cha"
Jermaine Jackson "You're Supposed To Keep Your Love For Me"
The Average White Band "One Look Over My Shoulder (Is This Really Goodbye?)"
So, if your girl played you out (or girls just won't even speak to you), this is the collection for you!
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Dilated Peoples' new album, 20/20, is set to come out Feb. 21. I'm hoping this effort is decent. The last album, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH was a completely mailed-in effort. The usually dependable Alchemist tossed them some bricks, and Ev & Rakaa sound bored as hell. The main highlight ("This Way") seemed less like ‘Dilated Peoples featuring Kanye West' and more like ‘Kanye West featuring Dilated Peoples'. I hope they get some of the fire back with this upcoming album.
The guestlist? Old buddy Defari shows up for some "Olde English", Kweli shows up for "Kindness for Weakness", dance hall reggae star Capleton shows up for "Firepower" and Krondon joins in on "Rapid Transit", which I'm feeling right now. Beatwise, it's the usual gang: Evidence, Joey Chavez, DJ Babu, and of course, Alchemist.
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Madlib‘s BEAT KONDUCTA series is headed straight to CD. Months ago, Madlib's BEAT KONDUCTA album was a 12" only release. March 7th, the instrumental series is headed to stores via a 2CD set. The instrumental series is a mish-mesh of different sounds, ranging from funky to jaxzy to just plain wonky. Like I said a while back, Madlib is LUCKY to work for a label that lets him do whatever the fuck he wants.
One thing I do want to know: WHEN IS THE NEW LOOTPACK ALBUM COMING OUT?!
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‘Slim Kid' Tre Hardson is about to release his second solo album, SLIMKID3'S CAFE. His first album was such a yawner. Aside from the Evidence-produced track, that album was head-lulling neo-soul bullshit. I really hope that he's stepped his game up this time around, especially after Fatlip came through with a solid album last year. Come on, Tre---don't nobody want to hear that weak shit no more.
SLIMKID3'S CAFE is set to be released on March 7th.
***
El Da Sensei, formerly 1/2 of The Artifacts, is about to release a new solo album called THE UNUSUAL. El sounds just is ill as he did when he first came out. I wish the same could be said about his former partner, Tame One. I do wish they'd both patch things up and work on a new Artifacts album. Oh well. This album boast production from Jake One, Saukrates, DJ Revolution and Illmind, with O.C. and Sean 'Ruck' Price contributing some guest verses. It comes out Feb 28.
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J-Zone (who just had a SPLIT SECOND of his "Money in the Bank" joint played on a commercial during the Superbowl) and Celph Titled combine to form the BOSS HOG BARBARIANS with the album, EVERY HOG HAS IT'S DAY. J-Zone and Celph share production duties (and vocal booth duties) in this album, which is filled to the brim with that ignorant shit people love. The Beatminers gives them a few beats, too. The album comes out March 14th.
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Murs & 9th Wonder return with MURREY'S REVENGE, the sequel to MURS 3:16. Murs is on the album cover looking like a bummed-out Big Daddy Kane (at least wear a shirt, man). I haven't heard any new joints off it yet, but I'm expecting the usual from 9th, which is bad news to some people, but good news to me. The album comes out March 21st.
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As for THIS WEEK...aside from J-Dilla's DONUTS, we have a few re-issues:
Pete Rock‘s SOUL SURVIVOR vol. 1 is back in print. This was Pete's huge comeback during the late 90's. This album featured Inspecta Deck, Method Man, O.C., G. Rap, Black Thought, MC Eiht, Common, the late great Big Pun (Feb. 7th marks the 6-year anniversary of his passing), the 80's R&B group Loose Ends, and the song that got EVERYONE'S hopes up for a new Pete/CL album..."The Two". If you don't have it...GET IT--NOW!!
Cypress Hill's first two albums are being released as a 2-pack. The set, sold under the name URBAN CLASSICS contains their self-titled debut, and the second album, BLACK SUNDAY. Not only were these guys a part of what made West Coast hip-hop dominant during the early 90's, their success paved the way for other Latinos like the Beatnuts, Fat Joe, Big Pun, and many others. From hits like "How Could I just Kill A Man", "Hand On the Pump", "Real Estate", "Ain't Goin' Out Like That", "Cock the Hammer" and the crossover hit, "Insane In the Brain". If you don't know about Cypress Hill when they were on top their game, I'd find this shit if I were you!
