Karriem's Beats Makin' Me Fiendish

The title of this post is taken from a rhyme from the track "Quills" by The Roots, which appeared on their 2002 album Phrenology.  It was the first time I'd ever heard the name of Detroit jazz drummer and producer Karriem Riggins.

I knew he was popular within hip hop production circles, but I never really knew much about him.

But I was recently tipped off on this latest record he has released entitled Alone Together, and I gotta say I'm feelin' it immensely!

This album lives right at the cross-section of hip hop and jazz music, and will bring delight to fans of instrumentals and beats.  The first comparison I drew was to J Dilla's Donuts album.

What I like about this record is the fact that with 34 tracks in total, you'll always discover a new track that you dig, so it always sounds fresh.  This is what you've come to expect from a Stones Throw release.

A super-dope record indeed.

-Turnbull

JJ For Guv'nor: Jneiro Jarel + MF DOOM = JJ DOOM!

image via guardian.co.uk

SHOULD you call it a comeback?!!?  That answer's up to you.

Either way you slice it, I've returned to the blogosphere.  Its been a long time since I've been here....had a lot on the go over the summer.  Hit up the Osheaga Festival in Montreal (aka Mount REAL!!)  Man, do I ever love that place.  Nicest city in this great country IMHO.

And my cohort in crime Paqman tied the knot earlier this month.  Congrats again....was honoured to be a part of it!

Anyway.....the point of the post is this:

Hip Hop Legend Lost: RIP Adam Yauch aka MCA

image via spinner.com

Music fans across the globe are mourning the loss of hip hop legend and Beastie Boys founding member Adam "MCA" Yauch.

MCA was one of the dopest MCs in the history of rap music, and was influential in making the genre the worldwide musical force that it is today.

It's not only his musical contributions that garnered him so much respect, but Yauch's passionate support of the fight for freedom of Tibetans also made him legendary.

You will be missed.

-Turnbull

Friday Flashback - Dreaming B.I.G. Edition

The Notorious B.I.G - Sky's The Limit (Featuring 112)

Heading back to '97 with this one, when Bad Boy ruled the world and hip hop music was attaining unprecedented popularity.

One of the more underrated album tracks from Notorious B.I.G.'s everlasting classic Life After Death LP.

-Turnbull

New DOOM Track with Jneiro Janel Hits The Web-Waves

(Photo via consequenceofsound.net)

The Villainous Villain has dropped a gem on us with a new track from his upcoming team up with Jneiro Janel, a producer know for his eclectic mix of sounds from various genres. The full length album is due to drop in May on Lex Records and will be entitled "Key To The Kuffs".

In Which We Provide An Update On Elements of P&B Cool

(Photo via flickr.com)

I got inspired listening to some old records last week. I was dying to write about it, but didn't have the context or a good reason to post up on it. So I passed it by Turnbull and we both agreed that we need to show our love for the back catalog. Least to say that we were both in like Kanye West and an "artsy" nude female photo shoot. We are proud to present the "Dig On" series, which will be a bi-weekly post that explores the classic albums that shaped our music tastes. You can expect the first volume this Sunday, and it will alternate with the always wicked Friday Flashback.

(Photo via thecrashcity.com)

In other news, we added a new link to our approved blog section. TheCrashCity is a great site that brings together news with a focus on Hip Hop and R&B culture. Please make sure that you head on over and show them some love!

Finally, we are going to beef up some of the pages available on the blog with some additional content, particularly the "About Us" page. Get your subscription on to make sure that you stay in loop, whether it's via RSS, email, tumblr, twitter, facebook, google+ or a good ole bookmark in your inet browser of choice.

We always love receiving comments or feedback on what we're doing, so take a minute to drop us a line (paqman@paqmanandbull.com or turnbull@paqmanandbull.com). Think we missed out on an important story? We are open to ideas for posts. Wanna see more on a specific topic? Let us know. Do you think we should be more like Perez Hilton? That will never happen. Having said that...

-Paqman

Chef Raekwon Is Cooking Up Canadian Home Brew, Sets Up Shop in Toronto

(Photo via swaggnews.com)

Due to Drake and the Bieb's success on the international stage, Wu-Tang Clan member Chef Raekwon has taken his culinary skills north of the border for a piece of the action. With a newly purchased Toronto waterfront condo in hand and an office on Yonge Street for the newly minted Canadian wing of his Ice H20 record label, he's eager to sign some Canadian talent.

From Canoe.ca:

"What brought me here is because of the fact the city is so rich and filled with talent that's being overlooked, Alright you got Drake who made it but there's still more people here. And if you really look at the table chart of Canadian artists that made it out of here, the majority of them, you could say were successful

[....]

So my thing is we want come in and diffuse anything that's not real, anything that doesn't associate with real hip-hop. We want to be the one that says, 'Yo, we want to help build and build a bigger and better industry.' I'm just like. 'Yo with talent from Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec,' who's paying attention?'

The first artist signed to his stable is local MC JD Era. Raekwon thinks he's the real deal, but he wants the young MC to crawl before he balls:

"We got him, how can I say, in training. But he's in a great space right now. Next year, we're counting on him coming through and making an impact but it's about having your business together first. You being an artist that people can say, 'Yo, you're paying your dues.' You can't just come in and run to the top."

Rae also rhymes off on how much he loves Toronto in the piece. Could other Canadian business ventures be in his future? The full article can be found here. Take time to watch the video embedded in the article, even if it's just to see the Chef rocking a Blue Jays cap.

-Paqman

Heavy D Dead At The Age Of 44

(Photo via chartstats.com)

Some sad news for a truly positive MC. Dwight Arrington Myers, widely know as Heavy D, has passed away today. No details on the cause of death but reports state that it was not foul play.

More details to come as they become available.

-Paqman

Rap Genius: Hip Hop Lyrics Socially Explained

(Photo via rapgenius.com)

The tag line, which is borrowed from Biggie's legendary track "Juicy", says it all: "If you don't know, now you know." Think of it as "The Meaning Behind Rap Lyrics for Dummies". Rap Genius is a socially powered hip hop lyric wiki that explains the story behind rhymes. The site can be found here.

Friday Flashback - Smooth Good Friday Edition

The Roots "What They Do"


Your "How To" guide for making the perfect Hip Hop video.  Taken from their 1996 classic album Illadelph Halflife.


Happy Good Friday too all.


-Turnbull

Next Up: Theophilus London

TL preps for his bright future ... with shades on.
(photo via lowefactor.com)

I first heard about this MC/singer/songwriter/producer named Theophilus London when I read a write-up on him in the December 2010 issue of GQ Magazine.  The one-page feature heralded the Brooklyn, NY native as a performer to keep your eyes on in the upcoming new year, and also talked about his unique, 90's-inspired fashion sense ... dude rocks the old school "Game"-brand snapback baseball hats with oversized shades, Gucci blazers, loudly-coloured dress shirts, and white buckskin shoes.

However, the thing that intrigued me the most was how the article described his music, "as if an MC stole the mic at an 80's new wave dance party and rhymed over New Order and The Cure - with some Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba thrown in." 

I immediately decided to investigate.