Tag: New York

audio review : Hip Hop Lives ( album ) … KRS-One + Marley Marl

audio review : Hip Hop Lives ( album ) ... KRS-One + Marley Marl

A KRS-One and Marley Marl MC/DJ collaboration would’ve been a wonderful thing in 1989 or 1990 when they were at their artistic peaks. This album comes nearly two decades late. Actually Marley still has skills when it comes to making vintage rap beats. It’s KRS-One who’s fallen off a cliff with a bombardment of wack hooks and lazy rhymes. Hip Hop Lives, but The Blastmaster seems to be doing his best to kill it.

my rating : 2 of 5

2007

Masta Ace’s Other Side Of Town or LL Cool J’s Cheesy Rat Blues : Which song is better?

Masta Ace's Other Side Of Town or LL Cool J's Cheesy Rat Blues : Which song is better? Masta Ace's Other Side Of Town or LL Cool J's Cheesy Rat Blues : Which song is better?

These are songs by, at least in the case of LL Cool J, rich men portraying the role of bums. LL plays himself gone broke; he has the Cheesy Rat Blues; while Masta Ace simply goes by the name of Joe; a student slash panhandler from The Other Side Of Town. Both songs were released in 1990. Both are produced by Marley Marl. That means he made the music.

The beats are damn funky, but Town’s, with its splendid bassline and organ breaks, sounds a little better to my ears. Masta Ace’s raps are also more poignant and better composed technically, but LL Cool J is funnier and thus more entertaining, especially during the second half. His “back of the bus”, “who this” and “know how to get busy” lines are classic.

my vote : ?