Anderson .Paak: Come Down

“And you talking all that shit, now come on

You gonna have to back it up”

If you are a writer...every line, every word, syllable and flow matters to you.  You want them to hear it all.  To quote one of the greats:

“INHAAALE, my rhyme is kinda fat reminiscent of a whale” –Q Tip

Enter Anderson .Paak…yes, the “new ” R&B artist.  Have you listened to his songs?!?!?! His words!?!?! This brother got bars!!! What’s amazing is that everything...from the sound to the lyrics have purpose…cause it is.  He has a catalogue to prove it.  This brother is gifted.

Now, if you’re a casual listener…you’ll still love him.  Beats are fiyah.  1st and last bars of every verse are iron clad…but just hear me when I say “sit with the songs for a while”

It does something to you. The Production/Musicianship is so thorough.  Lyrics are shady…yes, oh yes! He meant to do you dirty like that!

“Can't see her with this pitch black Gucci frames on

Let me take these bitches off

Let me get the full scope, hold up

Huh, full screen, HD, let me take another picture”

Just…listen.  But if you listen, sit.  Cause this shit will hit you hard.  I prefer his album “Venice” but “Malibu” is a great follow up.  You can’t really be disappointed with an artist that takes his sound this seriously.  He’s authentically fresh.  It’s surreal.  Do me a favor though.  Don't say he sounds like anyone.  When you realize how long he’s been doing this on stage it can make you wonder if he's influenced others but...I digress.  C'mon sun.  He’s not new.  He’s just new to you.  N’ that’s cool.  Just stay a while.  Inhale.

“Whoa, cool beans, cool beans

That's a whole lot of reefer

Let me help you with the pre-roll”

From the album "Malibu". Out Now! iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/malibu/id1065681363&app=itunes Spotify: http://open.spotify.com/album/4VFG1DOuTeDMBjBLZT7hCK Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=Malibu Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Anderson_Paak_Malibu?id=B562fkkr2nawzqrty3v5vr2x7fe OBE / Steel Wool / Art Club / EMPIRE

A Tribe Called Quest: We got the jazz/Buggin out

Raised in a single parent household, I've proudly said for years that A Tribe Called Quest raised me.  No hyperbole.  I was blessed with an older brother that liked the Native Tongue sound more than Gangster Rap and the rest is history or...me.  I listened to that A Low End Theory album like they were the gospel - psychics or prophets who gave me the blueprint on how to navigate Jamaica Queens.  So I listened ...figuratively and literally. Songs like "Excursions" and "Everything is fair" to "The Infamous Date Rape", I went to that album when I didn't think I had someone to talk to or learn from...

"Competition dem try fe come side way

But competition they must come straight way

Competition dem try fe come side way

But competition they must come straight way" -Phife "We got the Jazz"

I learned more from this album than any class in middle school, high school, or college.  So hearing Phife's passing was like hearing a family member die.  I've no intention to belittle his actual family members.  My condolences and I will forever keep you in my prayers.  Please know that your blood gave life all across the world.  In this case, a lil black boy that grew up in Queens.

"Me sweat another? I do my own thing

Strictly hardcore tracks, not a new jack swing" -Phife "We got the jazz"

I used to argue with my brothers all the time with who was better....Tip or Phife.  We flip flopped all the time.  Older I realize...it never mattered. They were perfect together.  N' Phife...well Phife IS Queens...Phife IS Knicks...Phife is...Phife is...sigh.  Phife is raw man...always will be.

"No shame in my game cause I'll always be the same

Styles upon styles upon styles is what I have

You wanna diss the Phifer but you still don't know the half

I sport New Balance sneakers to avoid a narrow path" -Phife "Buggin Out"

I stare at this post..hoping I say the right words...but...there are no words. A great man is resting in power.  N' it's felt all across the world.  We love you Phife.  It's not in the songs post but I'd like to share one of Hip Hop's best bars that was written by Phife from the song entitled "The Infamous Date Rape". 

“All of a sudden, her sugarwalls tumble down like Jericho

She's hotter than Meshach, Shadrach and Abendego” -Phife "The infamous date rape"

Rest in Power brother.

A Tribe Called Quest's official music video for 'Jazz (We've Got) Buggin' Out'. Click to listen to A Tribe Called Quest on Spotify: http://smarturl.it/TCQSpot?IQid=TCQBO As featured on The Anthology.