[Comp/Article] THE LIFE & TIMES OF PHIFE DAWG

With the tragic passing of one of hip-hop's legendary punchline kings and rhyming sports enthusiasts music fans all over the world has been grieving since the news of Malik Taylor's passing hit the internet last week. Taylor was a man of many names, but to most people he was known as Phife Dawg from the group that perhaps was THE epitome of '90s Hip Hop, A Tribe Called Quest. I can't think of any other MC that elevated himself from a rather mediocre spitter (in my honest opinon) on "People's Instinctive Travels..." to a quick, witted, well flowing, and unique wordsmith in just a little over a year. But that is exactly what Phife did in time for "The Low End Theory" (1991) where he played a significant role and would be the beginning of Tribe including stand-out tracks featuring Phife as the sole emcee (these include one of my all time favorite songs in "8 Million Stories"). For a jazz fanatic such myself I'd have to say that A Tribe Called Quest probably came closer than any other hip-hop group or artist (including other worthy players such as GURU, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Digable Planets and Buckshot LeFonque) in actually chanelling the esthetics and spirits of jazz and seemingly effortlessly transcribing it into a Hip Hop language. Phife and Q-Tip often used their distinct voices in the same way an alto sax player like Cannonball and a tenor player like 'Trane either built tension in "dueling" each other or built on each other solos/verses. Not to mention the call-and-response nature of so many of their classic hooks, a main staple of american black music dating all the way back to the plantation field and becoming an important part of both jazz and blues ... And that's just in speaking about the vocal part of the group's legacy. Tribe truly introduced the power of the low end to Hip Hop, with their heavy use of the acoustic bass (or stand up bass if you will) to fantastic effect... not to mention their heavy reliance on the Fender Rhodes electric piano which instantly recognizable sound had helped define jazz since the late '60s and been especially important in soul jazz and early jazz fusion - two subgenres that would become extremely important as sample sources in Hip Hop over the coming years. But it was Tribe (and a few others like Showbiz and DJ Premier) who really started that trend. Hell they even got Ron Carter to play on "The Low End Theory"!

While some people unflinchingly give too much, sometimes all, credit to Q-Tip alone for Tribe's success story I would go as far as call that straight up blasphemous. I don't buy that for a second. Q-Tip was of course the defacto leader but his claim that he produced all of those records solely by himself I feel are strongly revisionist history - check out a track like "La Schmoove" by Fu Schnickens or the amazing remixes for BDP's "We In There" and that Ice Cube joint that Ali Shaheed produced all by himself. Or why not go back to the HHC interview with the whole group that ran around the time of "Midnight Mauraders" where both Ali and Tip was asked and answered the question what they used when producing their music. And it's a safe bet that up and until "Beats, Rhymes & Life", Phife had suggestions for additions to the music as well - that's just how it works within a group. The whole thing about Tribe could never have come from any single man of the crew, but was the result of thee great, yet different minds came together. In their 10 years as a functioning, working unit this powerhouse trio released five albums - four of them being extremely good, while their last album showed a group struggling to keep it together which is not to say that it doesn't have it's selection of bangers. Although it probably never would have happened either way it is now certain that that final Tribe reunion album will definitely never happen now, and that is a sad confirmation.

But I do hope that Phife recorded enough material and was close enough to finalizing his sophomore solo album which he constantly mentioned in interviews over the last years. The first single, the DJ Rasta Root produced "Dear Dilla" was both a heartfelt dedication to a fallen comrade and an incredibly dope track that spoke to any true hip hop conniseours. As most fans are likely to have whipped out their Tribe albums during the past week, I have a feeling people are still sleeping on Phife's original 1999 debut "Ventilation: Da LP". Released in the same year as Q-Tip's "Amplified", it's easy to see why Tribe didnt have a chance of continuinig post "The Love Movement" at the same time as the differences between the albums sheds light on why the latter album lacked a coherrent sound. While Q-Tip was obviously interested in going a more commercial route, with a stripped down sound without the lush Fender Rhodes sounds and sample heavy jazz esthetic mentioned above, Phife kept it as real as his love for The Knicks for his project. Interestingly enough Jay Dee played a major role in the production of both LP:s (creating four songs for "Ventilation" and its singles) but Phife would complement his work with slamming cuts by Pete Rock (including the criminally overlooked "Melody Adonis", a boom bap manifesto which also featured a Beatminer on the turntables), Hi-Tek, Supa Dave West, Fred Wreck and least succesfully Rick Rock. While it's not a perfect album by far, it is still well worth several listens and was ample proof that Phife could do it on his own although it in a way did show that he sounded best in a grou setting. The same can be said about Q-Tip and "Amplified", and Shaheed's subsequent Lucy Pearl LP the following year. What all three projects truly proved was that each member of A Tribe Called Quest were dope on their own but when they came together as a unit that they truly made miracles happen. Don't forget that!

Though Phife Dawg was quiet the last few years, barely even making guest appearnces (save for some excellent contributions to Slum Village's last two albums and a banger for producer Oh No), he had already left his mark on hip-hop as a culture, on hip-hop as a music form, and on hip-hop as an art form. I hope more people will start to realize how integreal he truly was to A Tribe Called Quest, a group that is often held in the highest of high esteem and often top countdowns of the genre's greatest groups of all time. So while we continue to bump Phife Dawg's music over the coming weeks, let us bump "Ventilation: Da LP" and its B-sides, let us bump Tribe's "People's Instinctive Travels...", "Low End Theory", "Midnight Mauraders", "Beats, Rhymes & Life" and let us bump "The Love Movement". But why should we stop there?!

For your listneing pleasure and in honor of Malik Taylor, also known as The Funky Diabetic and The 5 Foot Assassin, I have put together a compilation of some of his work not appearing on either of the albums mentioned above. It also excludes remixes unless it feature a unique verse by Tha Dawg, such as on the "Stressed Out" single version. Included are tracks ranging from his breakout year, 1991, and up until his final single - the previously mentioned "Dear Dilla", which takes on another dimension of sadness now thaat he himself faced a somewhat similiar fate at a way too early age. Included are production work and additional vocals by musicians such as Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Q-Tip, Consequence, Chi-Ali, Black Sheep, De La Soul, Diamond D, Pete Rock, Chip Fu, Whitey Don, Oh No, J Dilla and Slum Village but there's no question that this is Phife's show all the way. Included are also most of the rare underground 12" EP:s he released throughout the years. YOU'RE ON POINT PHIFE!! REST IN POWER!!

01. "Ya Heard Me"? [prod. by Dilla] [1998]
02. "If Men Are Dogs" (1997)
03. "Brooklyn / Queens AllStars" (1997)
04. "Pains & Strife" (w. Diamond D & Pete Rock) [1997]
05. "Scheming" (w. Slum Village & Posdnous) [prod. Dilla] (2010)
06. "Push It Along" (w. Slum Village) [prod. by Dilla] (2013)
07. "Miscallenous" [DJ Hi-Tek's Luv Boat Mix] (1999)
08. "La Schmoove" (w. Phife & Ali Shaheed) [1992]
09. "Let The Horns Blow" (w. Chi-Ali, Black Sheep & Dove)
10. "Artical" [Original Posse Mix] (w. Whitey Don & Chip-Fu) [1992]
11. "Game Day" (Ft. Rodney Hampton) [prod. by Dilla] (1996]
12. "Diggy Diaect" (w. Hawkeye) [prod. by DJ Rasta Root] [2003]
13. "U Know U Want It" (w. Charlie & Rose) [prod. DJ Rasta Root] (2003]
14. "Who Got The Funk" (w. Scientists Of Sound) [prod. by Q-Tip] (1995)
15. "Dues N Don'ts" (w. Jesse James) [prod. by Oh No] [2008]
16. "Thought U Wuz Nice" [prod. by J Dilla] [1996]
17. "Dear Dilla" (The Closing Statement) [prod. Rasta Root] [2012]

BONUS TRACK
18. "Stressed Out" [Baby Phife's Version] [prod. by The Ummah] [1996]

PHIFE DAWG - "CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALIK TAYLOR" 
[mirror link]

[EP] MED / MADLIB - "Classic - The Outtakes"

In celebration of the release of the new MED / Blu / Madlib collaboration (see post below) I've dug up a gem from MED's Soundcloud page that I never saw catch the buzz it should've. Medaphoar came up with Madlib in Oxnard and been an integral part of Madlib's career, appearing as the only guest emcee on projects like 'Lib's excellent Blu Note remix album. Madlib has also been the main producer of MED's two first albums, "Push Comes to Shove" (2005) and "Classic" (2011). The latter project is what this post pertains to, as an "outtake reel" of almost 15 minutes of previously unreleased material was made available for free streaming via MED's Soundcloud page a couple of years back. Featuring seven tracks originally recorded for "Classic", with guest apperances from Aloe Blacc, Oh No, Steve Arrington, and Pok, this makes for a gripping listen and a perfect addition to throw on following your next listen to the original LP. And did I mention that all of the music included here were produced by Madlib? Much of these beats, in slightly altered form, ended up on other projects created around the same time - most noticeably Guilty Simpson's "OJ Simpson" and the Strong Arm Steady LP. If you missed out on this set the first time around... TURN IT UP! [illest track - "Hold U Down", damn!]

[Video] GANGRENE Ft. SEAN PRICE & HAVOC - "Sheet Music"

Gangrene just put together a video in tribute to Sean Price and his apperance on the sickest song from the duo's latest banger "You Disgust Me". "Sheet Music" is a Heavy posse cut with a grinding funeral organ and pounding drums where Sean P, ALC, Oh No and Havoc go head to head. Video isn't anything to write home about but it's good that they getting this song more attention at this moment! SEAN P!!!!

[Stream] GANGRENE - "You Disgust Me"

 Alchemist and Oh No is back together again for another serving of that nasty ass Gangrene shit. These two legendary producers and ocassional spitters really bring the heat on their third full length which they have given the fitting title "You Disgust Me". While Oh No is pretty cool on the mic, ALC is not very interesting but it really doesn't matter since the guys have a sick rapport with each other and it's all about the production and overall atmosphere on these Gangrene discs. Heavy on bass, distorted jazz samples, turntable attacks and vocal clips about floating feces, fans of "Gutter Water" and "Vodka & Ayahuasca" will definitely not be let down... Guest spitters include usual suspects like Fashawn, Your Old Droog, Action Bronson, Evidence, Havoc and Sean Price. "You Disgust Me" hit stores this coming Friday (order it @ UGHH), but already know you can stream the entire project below. TURN IT UP!

[Album] ALCHEMIST x OH NO - "Welcome To Los Santos"

The Grand Theft Auto series has always prouded themeselves on excellent soundtracks to accompany the gaming experience. For GTA V, which drops tomorrow for PC, they are taking it one step further as the Gangrene brothers Oh No and Alchemist has been left fully in charge to produce the original soundtrack. The game has been out on various consoles since 2013 which has allowed ALC and Oh to really soak in the atmosphere of the adventure that is "GTA V - Welcome to Los Santos". The fourteen tracks deep album features new music by Freddie Gibbs, Action Bronson, MC Eiht, Danny Brown, Killer Mike, AB-Soul, Curren$y, Kokane, and many more. But don't expect a straight up hip-hop album, as the two Ayahuasca loving producers draws inspiration from a wide range of different styles and sounds to create something totally unique. It's definitely a dope listen though, so don't sleep on this one! You can stream the entire album via the YouTube playlist up top and NPR or purchase the digital download from iTunes if you want to pay your dues.

PURCHASE "WELCOME TO LOS SANTOS" @ iTUNES

[Album] Compilation - "MMG - Persona"

Let's continue on the Mello Music Group theme right now. A while back we got some slamming single from an upcoming MMG compilation called "Persona" featuring exclusive songs from a host of the fat roster of the respected indie label, often collaborating with other respected underground artists. Emcees and collaborations on here include a lot of interesting things; how about Oddisee & Phonte, yU & Nottz, Apollo Brown & Ras Kass (produced by Apollo Brown, so almost a "Blasphemy" bonus track), Apollo Brown & Masta Ace, L'Orange & Kool Keith, Red Pill & Oh No, and many more. Very dope compilation that YOU NEED TO HEAR! You can stream the album for free via MMG's Bandcamp where you can also purchase a HQ download of the allbum.

GANGRENE - "Play It Cool"

Alchemist and Oh No's "Play it Cool" is a collaboration with Earl Sweatshirt and Samuel T. Harring. and is the first single from Gangrene's upcoming LP "Welcome to Los Santos". The GTA V affiliated soundtrack will be released on CD, digital and vinyl as a joint venture between Mass Appeal Records and Rockstar Games on April 21. A week before that fans will be able to hear much of the new music within the game which drops April 14. Sounds pretty damn cool:

"Welcome to Los Santos features fresh tracks inspired by the series first original score, composed by The Alchemist and Oh No in partnership with Woody Jackson and Tangerine Dream, to create a uniquely ambitious album. Featuring guests from across the musical spectrum including Earl Sweatshirt, Little Dragon, Phantogram, Freddie Gibbs, Killer Mike, Tunde Adebimpe (of TV on The Radio), and Samuel Tö Herring (fom Future Islands), The Alchemist and Oh No weave together a musical journey that covers every corner of the fictional world of Grand Theft Auto V".

[ALBUM] DIAMOND DISTRICT - "March On Washington: Redux"

2014 was finally the year that Diamond District, the Washington trio consisting of XO, yU and producer/emcee Oddisee, Their album "March On Washington" was right on time giving the current status of what the hell is going on with the US (and here in Europe as well).  Welll-received by fans and critics alike, it was great to hear the trio going in again and much needed. And it was only yesterday that they released their remix album titled "Redux" to iTunes. The remix project features big names like Large Professor, Diamond D, Nottz, OhNO, Black Milk, DJ Skizz and more. Sounds very interesting, stream it or purchase it below. TURN IT UP!

DURAG DYNASTY - "All Types Of Shit"

When Tri-State, Planet Asia and Killer Been hooked up with producer The Alchemist and formed the Durag Dynasty, releasing several incredible street singles, which was about to be followed up by the full-length album "360 Waves" I was absolutely flabbergasted. While the album was really ill it didn't quite live up to my ridiciiously high expectations but it was definitely a very stellar outing, both from a production and lyrical standpoint that took some time to grow. Now the trio is back with a new song, produced by OHNO, called "All Types Of Shit". Check it out up top, and it will be interesting to see if this is a first street single from a new album or if it's a song that didn't make the first LP. Either way, I can dig it!

[Album] DILATED PEOPLES - "Directors Of Photography"

Oh shit, here is one that I've been eagerly anticipating! I'm talking about the new Dilated Peoples album, "Directors of Photography", the LA trio's first project as a unit since 2006:s "20/20". Released to stores next Tuesday via Rhymesayers, but already now you can stream the LP in its entirety via Pandora - if you live in the US that is. With both lead singles being crazy ill, a tracklist with guest features from Defari, Gangrene, Sick Jacken, Vince Staples, Aloe Blacc, etc. and Dilated being Dilated this should be a great listen. Be sure to pre-order the 2xLP or CD @ UGHH.

01. "Intro"

02. "Directors"

03. "Cut My Teeth"

04. "Defari Interlude"

05. "The Dark Room" (Ft. Vince Staples)

06. "Good as Gone" [prod. DJ Premier]

07. "Show Me The Way" (Ft. Aloe Blacc) [prod. Jake One]

08. "Figure it Out (Melvin's Theme)"

09. "Let Your Thoughts Fly Away"

10. "Century Of The Self" (Ft. Catero)

11. "Mr. Evidence Interlude"

12. "The Reversal"

13. "Opinions May Vary" (Ft. Gangrene)

14. "Trouble"

15. "LA River Drive" (Ft. Sick Jacken)

16. "The Bigger Picture"

STREAM "DIRECTORS OF PHOTOGRAPHY" @ PANDORA (US)

[Video] PRINCE PO & OH NO - "1st Word to What Was Last Said"

Queen's legend Prince Po and West Coast beat master Oh No hooked up earlier this year for a collaborative album called "Animal Serum", an interesting project (with a few less inspired tracks) to say the least. Prince Po proved that he's still the lyrical beast he's always been, like on this gem from the LP - "1st Word to What Was Last Said". Cop "Animal Serum" @ Nature Sounds.

M.W.P. / OH NO / SMOOVTH - "Blood Diamonds"

M.W.P. is an up-and-coming producer for his lead single from his upcoming album hooks up with both Oh No and Smoovth of Tha Connection for a soulful single entitled "Blood Diamonds". Dope track; stay tuned for more info on M.W.P.'s upcoming project, sit back and enjoy the music.

[Album] SKYZOO & TORAE - "Barrell Brothers"

Skyzoo and Torae finally gets together for an official album which is especially exciting as these two cats represent a younger generation of really talented East Coast emcees and they both broke into the industry around the same time. From what I've heard so far the album, "Barrell Brothers", is structured around Sky and Tor spitting seriously ill shit, building off each other's energy, over high powered boom bap bangers supplied by the likes of DJ Premier, Oh No, Black Milk, !llmind and Khrysis. The entire album steams for free @ DJBooth (where you can also purchase the downlaod) while the CD now ships from UGHH and other retailers.

EDIT - Be sure to also check out "Got It From Here", a bonus track for iTunes and the forthcoming vinyl release produced by Apollo Brown. Actually one of the strongest cuts of the project for me.

[Video] PRINCE PO Ft. P. MONCH & OC - "Smash"

Prince Po and Oh No decided to bring a set of visuals for the latest single from their recent, DOPE, "Animal Serum", and I'm glad they picked what might just be my favorite joint on the entire record. "Smash" sees not only Organized Konfusion reunite again but also OC who featured on several early O.K. releases back in the day so this is really some nostalgic ish. It's also interesting that this is the second "Organized Konfusion" video we've gotten in a short amount of time, starting with Marco Polo's "3 O'Clock"...  I would so love a reunion of these guys, but then again, who wouldn't?

[Video] KONFIDENT - "Fire in The Hole" [prod. Oh No]

Oh shit, this is some gully shit right here... LA emcee/producer lets loose of the video to his guitar driven funk monster "Fire in the Hole", produced by Oh No. A true banger in the same vein as their previous collaboration "Bogarts" which also featured Sean Price. Expect to hear this on Konfident's upcoming "Ape Shit" LP. Play this one LOUD!

[Video] PRINCE PO / OH NO - "Machine Rages"

As I said many times, Oh No is one of those producers that keep getting better with each release, and Prince Po has been one of my favorite emcees since I first heard him on "Organized Konfusion", "Stress" and subsequent solo albums. With the just released "Animal Serum", Po's and Oh No's respective verbals and production really brought out something unique and fresh and is the definite purchase of the year thus far. Just check the video for "Machine Rage" above. The CD and digital versions is out now via Nature Sounds and iTunes, respectively.

PRINCE PO / OH NO / P. MONCH / OC - "Smash"

Prince Po and Oh No just came through with their much anticipated "Animal Serum" LP, and they did not dissapoint one bit. The most insane joint on the entire LP that Organized Konfusion fans all over the world have been dying to hear is "Smash", the reunion not only between Monch and Po, but also between the two and OC - "Fudge Pudge" over the dirty funkiness of Oh No! While the album drops on April 1 on wax, the CD is out now and can be bought @ UGHH.

PRINCE PO / OH NO - "Toxic"

The highly anticipated collaboration album between Prince Po and Oh No, "Animal Serum", hits stores on February 4 via Wandering Worx/Greenstreets and Nature Sounds. The second single from the LP just landed and if "Toxic", the previous "Bearz" and the tracklist which has now been revealed (check below) is anything to go by, this could be even crazier than I'm expecting it to be. Can't wait to hear track #7 especially - when was the last time we heard that trio of greatness together?

01. "Lamina Mures Intro"
02. "Machine Rages"
03. "U Already" (Ft. Saafir & Rockness Monsta)
04. "Keep Reachin'"
05. "1st Word to What Was Last Said"
06. "Where U Eat"
07. "Smash" (Ft. OC & Pharoahe Monch)
08. "Visionz"
09. "Wavy" (Ft. Sadat X)
10. "Toxic" (Ft. Oh No)
11. "Bearz" (Ft. Roc C)
12. "U"
13. "Starflyer Milez"
14. "Givitiup"

KOOL AD / DEL FUNKEE HOMOSAPIEN / LADYBUG MECCA + KOOL NO / OH NO

Kool A.D., one third of the experimental NYC hip-hop trio Das Racist, is preparing a new album entitled "Word O.K.", during the process of putting it together a lot of tracks didn't make the final cut. In light of that Kool A.D. is releasing an additional mixtape/album called "Not O.K." via his official Bandcamp. Producers and guests include Thelonious Martin, Del Tha Funkee Homosapien, Ladybug Mecca, DJ AV, Oh No and more. I haven't listened to the entire album as Das Racist never really been my cup of absinthe, I am posting the Oh No and Del/Ladybug Mecca tracks respectively below.

 

PRINCE PO & OH NO - "Bearz"

Never one to stay in his comfort zone for too long, legendary Queens emcee Prince Po now snnatches up the strunged out production talents of Oh No for the long-player "Animal Serum", due February 4. The first leak of the project has just been unveiled by Nature Sounds and is called "Bearz". Dirty as shit, this might just prove to be Po's most captivating solo project yet!