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If in June Tablet celebrated publishing its 100th issue,
then this month is all about looking toward the future. On
both the local and national fronts, hip hop is developing,
and I just can’t help previewing what artists have up
their sleeves.
“Christopher” is the latest release from Sleep
of Oldominion, and if you haven’t already, it’s
recommended that you start digging underneath the couch
cushions for enough change to cop it. Now on Up Above
Records, he is in the creative company of everyone from the
Visionaries and J5 to the Beatnuts and Jay Dee. The same
spitfire delivery from 2002’s “Riot By Candlelight” is
again present, but when coupled with introspection that is
accessible, the layered rhymes possess much more momentum.
Noticeably tighter production from Vitamin D, Maker, Pale
Soul and Smoke complement this new direction, and tracks
laced by Abstract Rude and Masta Ace make the album an easy
listen. Chicharones is his lighthearted project with
Josh Martinez, and the combination is part smartass, part
geek and highly amusing. Together, they take seriously the
job of shit talking over some chill summertime beats that
are destined to make their way to both backyard barbeques
and hipper-than-thou gatherings. See the duo with Grayskul
at the Vans Warped Tour (admit it, you’ve been before,
too) on July 9 in “Seattle” at the Gorge or on the 10th
in Portland.
Blackalicious is preparing to drop their fifth album,
“The Craft,” later this fall. “Nia” is an absolute
staple for any head, and 2002’s “Blazing Arrow” marked
their major label debut on MCA. After MCA folded, Anti
Records picked them up and it’s hard to imagine they’ll
come with anything other than progress. George Clinton,
Floetry and Pigeon John guest on the 15-track album, and you
can check the single “Rhythm Sticks” this summer.
Although a little premature for definitive predictions, the
Quannum camp is buzzing excitedly about the release, and in
the upcoming months, label mates Lateef, Lifesavas and
Lyrics Born will all be rocking shows in the Northwest to
hold you over.
“Girl Tonight,” the first single from Twista’s
upcoming album, hits the airwaves this month. “The Day
After” features production from—get this—Scott Storch,
Timbaland, Kanye West and the Neptunes. So it’s going to
be a little on the slick side, but I do have to give it up
to Storch. He received an ASCAP award for best songwriter of
the year, and whether in front of or behind the boards, he
blazes other beat-makers in terms of articulation and
professionalism. Twista is also an ASCAP recipient for “Slow
Jamz,” the song from “Kamikaze” that just wouldn’t
quit. And he doesn’t slow down off the record either. The
Chi-town native handles additional production on the new
joint, and plans to release a full-length with his group, the
Speed Knot Mobstaz.
From Shaolin to el barrio, RZA has launched Wu-Tang
Latino with Ray Acosta, former executive of Musica
Latina at UBO. While Latinos continue to make big moves in
US politics, many musical gaps remain, and the label will
combine hip hop and reggaeton with hopes of uniting the
sounds favored by regional communities. Reggaeton, the
Spanish version of dancehall with hip hop overtones, first
appeared in Puerto Rico and Panama in the early ‘90s and
has since spread rapidly. So far, artists Rameses, Ruster,
NP Killah, Shown Black and Gil debut as the starting lineup
on the premiere mix tape in August. Looks like Dave
Chappelle will have to revisit that racial draft skit....
 Oh
No and Diverse start their month-long tour in
Seattle on July 6 at Chop Suey, followed by an appearance on
the 8th at Doug Fir in Portland. Of course you know by now
that Oh No is Madlib’s younger brother, whose talent and
work ethic matches the rest of his family’s. The Shape
Shifters and 2Mex also hit Chop Suey on the 18th,
and it’s a great opportunity to hear what other crews on
the Left Coast have been crafting for nearly a decade.
And now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: the
Fugees are recording a new album. 1996 was dominated by
“The Score,” and since then L-Boogie, Pras and Wyclef
have avoided one another, which explains why they’re
tight-lipped about the forthcoming record and its release
date. Eggshells aside, if they can get it together, every
cat on the block will be found in their Mitsubishi, eatin’
sushi, bumpin’ Fugees.
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