Blogwatch - June 2011

(What a great rework of a classic King T album cover)

Well, another month passes us by and as the weather starts to heat up, so does my monthly round up of all the best features from across the many blogs and websites that the internet offers us.  June was a pretty good month with a variety of gems:

Masta Ace Interview
This was written a couple of years back, but I've only just stumbled upon it and as its a timeless interview it's just as interesting today as it was back then.  Ace reflects on some of his back catalogue, Kane getting dissed at his own birthday party, working with other artists and a whole bunch of other ish!  Get stuck in.
http://www.unkut.com/2008/08/masta-ace-the-unkut-interview/

Big L's brother insists the movie will be released this year
For any Big L fan, this documentary is long overdue.  L's bigga bro gives the low down on what we should expect when the documentary is finally released.
http://www.sohh.com/2011/05/big_ls_brother_still_street_struck_despi.html?

King Tee - Going Way Back
Money B (you know, the guy from Raw Fusion and Digital Underground) does a regular radio spot on Rapstation.com called Going Way Back where he only plays material released before 1999.  This month he caught up with west coast legend King Tee from the Likwit Crew.  Check out his podcast for an hours worth of classic King Tee cuts and an interview.  For the full track list follow the link.
http://moneyb69.podomatic.com/entry/2011-06-15T02_01_49-07_00

DJ Lord Ron - Black Moon Dedication
DJ Lord Ron of the mighty Zulu Nation has put together a nice little Black Moon dedication mix.  It's a free download and worth checking out if you're a Buckshot fan.
http://preservingtheculture.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/preserving-the-culture-mix9-by-d-j-lord-ronblack-moon-dedication-6-20-11/

What does it take to make you whyl?

For most people a can of Brasso inhaled rapidly will do the trick, for Ace, Buckshot and Special Ed, living in Crooklyn was enough. A classic video where you can almost smell the crime, of which Special Ed seems to be particularly aware as he spends most of his verse looking round like he wished the car they were tied to was travelling much, much faster. And he was inside it!

Three legends on the microphone in my opinion, i feel in particular that Special Ed didn't get his props. He had a very different style, which sounds as fresh now as it does then, and was always positive on the microphone, without making the listening feel that they'd accidentally walked into a sermon staffed by an overbearing local youth worker.

Ace was, and continues to be, one of my favourite. His lyrics were always on point, his stories always kept me interested and painted a picture that invited the listener into his world and offered you a comfy seat next to the TV. His first album, 'Take a Look Around' is a very good place to start if you fancy catching some of his insightful rhymes. Musically he was very versatile, so if this doesn't fit the bill for you, one of his later masterpieces might!

Buckshot has a flow that is instantly recognisable, and its great to see him still recording today with all manner of noted producers. 9th Wonder in particular suited his style i felt.

Firearm to your, i'm sure, gorgeous face, who would you chose as you your favourite of all time? I have to stay that is the second hardest question after, would you like to be buried or cremated? I still don't have an answer to either. Do you have any thoughts? Primarily to the first one really. I don't have a particular interest in the second unless i'm apologising profusely through teary eyes and your legs are sticking out awkwardly from under my car.

If you are interested in a copy of the video, here it is:

Crooklyn Dodgers (35mb)