Two of my favorite Philly emcees spitting straight bars. It’s pretty safe to say that I’ve been a Roots fan since Organix and over the years bumping into the crew art parties and shows. They naturally led me to Bahamadia once researched other Philly lyricist and so on…
I had no plans of doing a duet, but late nights spur the wildest of thoughts in the studio. This beat could have gone with the 40 or so acapella’s that’s in the library but somehow got caught up in a Philly Cheesesteak of meaty lyrics.
We fuck with real bars over here and oldschool beat aethestics when it comes to production. Dope samples, banging chops and thumping kicks is a start to a delicious sound.
Blacks Thought lyrics are from an acapella Roots track and the Bahamadia was a random freestyle on stage that was twisted to work. The lyrics by both were chosen for it’s intensity and equal power.
Bahamadia at one point, ended up spitting some ole crazy rapid in ya fucking dome bars. Then Thought, came back with a philosophical heater that let heads know that he ain’t going no where anytime soon.
It’s from one of Rocafella’s original producers, Ski aka Ski Beatz. I know the brother is busy getting ready for the new release, so the call and package was pleasant gift.
“Hell yea”, i’m thinking! The snippets have been bananas, can’t wait to rock this.
I get the speakers ready then change to headphones for an immersed experience.
It’s an early MP3 preview of the full “Switched On Bap” album coming out July 6, 2018.
The 27 min long promo copy hasn’t been broken up into individual tracks yet.
I dont mind that at all, as it’s easier to feel the track as a story playing out, enjoying it’s tale narrated by it’s composer.
You know Ski as the producer of Jay Z’s “Dead President” & “Feelin It“, as well as a member of Original Flavor. The early 90’s rap group that earned their place in the culture with dope bars, dope beats and an early appearance from the young Jay Z who had a rapid fire flow on their classic track “Can I Get Open“. Other notables include Mos Def, Jay Electronica, Joell Ortiz and Jean Grae.
Production includes Camp Lo’s “Uptown Saturday Night” album. That joint had straight heat on it, which further cemented Camp Lo’s position in Rap Culture.
Peep him on Mass Appeal’s “Rhythm Roulette”:
Ski was on fire then and he’s still on fire now. The latest project is a sonic kaleidoscope and boy does this process get deep.
As Switched On Bap began, you immediately hear his recent transition into the world of modular synthesis.
What exactly is that world like?
Well, imagine taking a single note of sound and fine tuning it for hours/days perfecting the right pitch/noise and then building off that over and over to create what will eventually be one song.
This sound is unique to the engineer’s ear, translated to the end user (which is you and I).
It’s a world beyond our normal construct.
Time doesn’t exist there, there is only the execution of thought.
Too deep? Then your not ready for that seldom treaded sonic road. A Rabbit Hole of the mind that Ski is navigating through with a soulful integrity.
Ground Wires: has the analog feel that can’t be duplicated with digital equipment. The frequencies are virgin pure, the difference can be felt when compared to it’s bastard cousin the compressed and imperfect digital sound.
The track has a west coast feel and drives real heavy. Any L.A. emcee would have a field day with this joint.
Katana Electric: oh my lawd, the name is perfect and melodically seducing. That patch, emits its analog voice like a cry. Just fucking beautiful. Light up, have a drink, fuck, meditate, whateva… it all goes when that joint is on.
Air Ride: Feels like im floating, solid headphones captures the ambience and spatial distance of the synths. Yea, this is some real chill shit right here.
Douglas Park: another in ya ear funk joint with so much goodness it makes you have that “stank face”. Every pass is entertaining and meticulously well thought out. The drops are delicious and the heart of this track, the low bass is the soul. That lil harmonica type ish and gated phase is straight nasty… son i’m done, dat shit crazy.
K Dot: head got that constant bob, to this track. When the vocals are not present, tracks become a gorgeous soundscape, where it’s up to the artist (aka producer) to create a masterpiece. Sure you can be minimal, nothing wrong with that. But you also have the option to be great and create an experience that only you can create. Thats what we have here ladies and gentleman. This sound cannot be duplicated.
Circuit City: sounds like its name, creating a cinematic world that’s delightful and charming. It’s the blissful pride of the synths at a high. It’s like the bonus round in the video game of life.
When Spring Pull Up: oh my gawd. Music at times becomes edible and everything about this is right. The beat is smooth the lead controlling it’s course like a well prepped meal. The keys are the conversation around the table, the lead the host Ski and the trinkling down sound is positivity vibrating higher. This is an R&B soul singers dream right here. Like an Amy Wine house meets Jill Scott vocal vibe would kill this.
The Rabbit Hole Theory: every track is visual and it’s own sonic world. This is what analog world sounds like once it goes to that very lonely and excitingly secluded place in the music realm. A place rarely traveled for it’s location is a long and treacherous. It drives some men insane, while others find the balance in and out of both dimensions.
Sneaky Feet: is a foreign urban jungle, banging hard. The sound is so clean and crisp, salute to the mixing, mastering.
Quantum Shy: is a mellow feel good joint. If you never heard a song that say’s emits a thank you feeling, you will when you hear Quantum Shy. You can here the producer rounding off the journey with the easy going pace. Ski is saying thank you for the experience, the journey, the prayers, the circuitry and the listeners.
Go check this project out when it drops July 6, 2018.
It’s perfect for cruising in the whip, working out, rocking the crowd or just chilling out.
The Brooklyn Word’s opinions are just that and based off the art of Rap. We are unbiased, unfiltered and unapologetic. While we love the culture, we do not feed into the bullshit or culture vultures that plague Hip Hop today! – Crown Heights, Brooklyn
So with that, let’s get it poppin!
I Thought About Killing You: aight, I have to be open minded but listening to the intro is a bit morbid. This is beginning to sound like the new energy of Hip Hop that’s emotional.
The beat is interesting and then comes in tougher later. It’s a hard trap’ish vibe with lyrics that match. After listening to Black Thought’s solo project, adjusting back to musical reality is crucial to sharing an unbiased opinion. This isn’t what I was expecting.
Yikes: the energy is maintained, matching the earlier tracks vibe. The track feels angry and all over the place as far as the lyrics go.
All Mine: aight, this minimal beat is hypnotic and infectious. Millennial’s will get it immediately, older 90’s heads will feel a way cause it’s not like College Dropout.
Wouldn’t Leave: Ok, now we talking. This is the first musical track that is starting to resonate, the anger is passing and becoming reflective. The hook and singer gives it soulful chills. It’s not a club track, but if you can relate to Kanye’s wild out sessions, than I guess you got yaself a new anthem.
No Mistakes: my energy is draining and i’m feeling sad even though I’m watching game 2 of the finals. Cleavland has 64 and Golden State 72 dammit. I need more drive in a track, i dont want to feel so down while listening. The beat is fire tho…
Ghost Town: sounds like old Kanye coming in, uh oh. Ok Yeezy is singing, it’s getting real. He’s a Gemini, I’m a Gemini, I’m remaining optimistic and open minded. Even though I feel like driving off a cliff. This is the perfect album to OD on or commit suicide. Hey, I know that sounds kinda bad but I’m just interpreting the energy. Time to go to the next track…
Violent Crimes: oh man, it’s the same thing. I swear if you listen to this drunk and depressed, you might do some foul shit. Aight I’m done, can’t listen to anymore. I’m sure the complete project is artistic and creative but honestly I’m not feeling it.
The album was touted as a future masterpiece but it doesn’t have much that real Rap sustenance that fans can relate to. Hip Hop culture vulures and sad people that rock smokey eyes, will have a field day tho. I honestly wouldn’t trust any music blog or individual that is like this joint is a classic and award winning.
It’s nowhere near any of the following:
Sure every new work has it’s own identity and no we don’t expect one’s artistic projects to all sound the same. This one is simply depressing and not the type of album I’d want my child listening to. This doesn’t change our opinion about Mr West as we’re real Rap heads and his early contribution to the culture was significant.
Things took a change and so did the quality of his music. He was no longer the happy Polo Bear that we remembered.
NEW YORK – MARCH 31: (U.S. TABS OUT) Rapper Kanye West performs on stage during MTV’s Total Request Live at the MTV Times Square Studios March 31, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images)
What I do appreciate is him separating his energy to create something different for Pusha T. If Nas’s album completely different from both Pusha T and his, then yes he is a true musical creative.
Time will tell, in the mean time peep our version of what we were expecting from Kanye new project. Using pretty bad audio from an interview we remixed him doing “Gorgeous” acapella…
All eyes are gonna be on Nas at the middle of this month and then the rest of the Good Music team. We’ll be there as well to keep you posted, keeping it straight 100, and that’s The Brooklyn Word.
Aight, here we go… “Stream of Thought” is now out and this is our breakdown of the concise yet powerful 5 Track release:
TWOFIFTEEN: the intro and quick speed switch-up is always a nice touch. The beat comes in real smooth, with the kicks/snares knocking harmoniously with the melody.
The balance of rhythm and rhymes is music perfection. One doesn’t overpower the other, actually, I never heard a rhythm that overpowers Black Thought. He seems to meld into the spiritual core of the rhythm, acting as a lead instrument automatically.
The lyrcis are poignant, perfectly delivered and full of quotables and nods at social issues, politics, race and entertainment. Some are readily understood, the majority are hidden and have to be deciphered for self… we discuss, culture but don’t give our cultures full blueprint. FOH!
9TH VS THOUGHT: boom bap at it’s finest. 9th does it again, this production has more attitude as Black Thought spits with intensity. One has to admire his command of the language and ability to twist words like Mclaren and sounding it out like Mac Lauren.
This track is a lesson in the art of Rap, not hip hop. He’s speaking effortlessly as a Professor of the game, directly to students. The 9th driven track speaks with beats that mimic Thoughts sentiments.
Thought’s speaks is more than self admiration, rather facts to be contended if one dared. His confidence comes from knowing that there aren’t many that would publicly aim darts. He has perfected all aspects of the emcee game without ghost writers and never really stopped training aka lyrical sword stays sharp and well maintained.
DOSTOYEVSKY feat. RAPSODY: the beat comes in hard and heavy. It’s not a crowded sound but built like a gun ready to lick lyrical shots at hip hop mental’s across the globe. This isn’t a fluff release, every bar has meaning and nah, no wack filler verses at all.
Rapsody rounds out the banger with bars that hold it’s own when versed up with Professor Thought. She’s direct and apologetically dexterous with her grammar. Love her wordplay and the way she rides the rhythm.
This is real fucking Rap, it’s not Hip Hop my peoples.
MAKING A MURDERER feat. STYLES P: ok, we got the Fela flip coming in strong. Makes me wanna drink a Corona while smoking a freaked Black. I feel like I’m in Belly and shit, playing out the Tunnel intro.
It’s a pleasant throwback feel that perfect for the clubs and any party.
Thought is just relentless with the offbeat flow that threw itself back on beat with the tempo. Then Styles P bussing off with that grimey smooth flow. These are the things that rap dreams are made.
What’s really fucked up is, i’m listening on some wack speakers right now and I know the bass is hard hitting and with that analog thump. Kinda pissed that the first listen is subjected to such shitty acoustics, but it is what it is. That track is still fire tho…
THANK YOU ft KIRBY: damn that snare is sweet. The final track is a soulful feel good, thanking everyone respectfully, who has contributed to his growth. Head nodding happens innately as the production carries you through the semester with Professor Thought and Professor Wonder.
Journey on and experience your personal interpretation of “Streams of Thought” by supporting real Rap.
To say Vashni Korin’s work as a director is dope is an understatement. One must first digest the content and then make a sound interpretation based of innate feeling. So with that, let’s peep the video she directed for Brooklyn native and certified emcee Cavalier.
Aight, now let’s lightly analyze the energy of the video.
Cavalier spits a tale intertwining various social issues, while paying homage to his Brooklyn culture as Vashni captures moments of culture not privy to outside minds. Her fluid flow of the camera, immerses non intrusively with Cavalier, creating strong imagery in each frame.
The woman exude power, direction and beauty tastefully. While the men confident display leadership and strength. Both genders dressed impeccably is simply stunningly stylish. Cavalier is seen throughout the video paired with two stylish sista’s which to us, can symbolize the unity of the black man and woman having each others back to get the job done.
Every figure in the video plays an important part within the community and building it up. Vashni’s visual story doesn’t sell out the culture, rather uplifts it and the role of everyone within it.
Here is another video from Cavaliers “Private Stock” release shot by Vashni Korin.
Another gorgeous display of Nola energy, style and movement. The imagery in Holla Kid is more intimate and plays out like an instrument. The styling is dope and have that southern classy swag which sets it apart. Details matter with this director which takes pride in the final product. Storyboard P makes an appearance which perpetuates the smooth movement of events, playing off the laid back flow of Cavalier.
She is definitely one of those directors to keep an eye out for…
In less than a week, one of Hip Hop’s most lyrically revered is releasing his first solo project with one of the culture’s most talented producers. We anticipate it to go down as as an essential classic.
Tariq Trotter aka Black Thought is joining forces with 9th Wonder & The Soul Council on production, to strike back at the culture with “Streams of Thought“.
This is so dope for so many reasons, here are our top 5:
90’s heads been waiting for this since “Do You Want More”
Black Thought did a 10min Funk Flex freestyle and broke the internet.
His freestyle was better than most albums that came out after 2000, and has since been the pinnacle of what a true emcee is.
The Soul Council is composed of some of the best soulful audiophiles in the business and with 9th at the head, there is no way it won’t get a Grammy nod (early prediction).
Cause Kanye’s album is dropping the same day.
With all that’s happening in the culture these days, “Streams of Thought” is a refreshing breathe of fresh sound in a polluted and non lyrical time. Spitting bars that matter is more of relic, slowly gaining steam with picky millennial ears.
The recent Pusha T, Kanye & Drake drama has brought some attention to the ancient art of subliminal battle rhymes.
The above drama has separated itself from the sing songy and androgynous energy of today’s youthful rhymes, which lack the finesse of the ancient art. It’s currently touted on media sites as a Clash of the Titans type of match, which put’s word structure, wit and delivery ahead of commercial standards.
Well if that’s the case, the culture has no choice but to add a new neutral contender, who is merely an opponent as a result of sharing release dates and not by subliminal lyrical jabs being thrown/returned.
Black & 9th enters the ring with”Stream of Thought” and one can only Wonder? Can Thought and 9th overshadow the clout chasing shenanigans pushing many artist today or will it get lost in the dust of “the machine“.
The Brooklyn Word predicts, it will reign supreme to real culture heads. Once Nas’s album drops later in the month, heads will have time to properly digest all the recent albums. While we feel the culture will agree that no album is fucking with “Streams of Thought”, we understand the commercial heads will side towards Good Music (no hate, we love Good Music).
Honestly, it’s just intuition and prediction, it’s not like we actually know fa sure. We haven’t heard a track from Thought & 9th, Nas or Kanye (aside from Poopity di scoop).
I think Nas is gonna be an iconic banger, but after many years and mental growth I’ve realized that Black Thought is better than Nas as an emcee. I doubt you’ll ever see Nas battle Black Thought and if so, I doubt he could keep up with the amount of material that Thought has as well as daily experience, as Black Thought stays on the grind with the Tonight Show, touring and lectures. The man has no time to relax and chill. Shit, it’s been almost 30yrs and we are just now getting a solo project lol… thats a hard working muthafucka.
Follow the The Soul Council & Black Thought on Instagram: @ejones_music @khrysis @kashdntmkebeats @ampmusic @9thwondermusic @blackthought
Enjoy our own little remix to vintage Black Thought while we wait for the tasty sounds from 9th and The Soul Council… and thats The Brooklyn Word.
The Brooklyn Word 