Rasco's "The Unassisted"

Sub contents video/shows

1998-99 era

Hella MC'S-Fanatik featuring..

videos from BAS 1 LP "FOR THA MENTALLY ASTUTE"

new LP

Wild Stylus Release on CD

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/wildstylus

oakland. ca 2001

View Fanatik's EPK

Azeem EP "Garage Opera" 2001

(Clic on title to hear)





And then we heard Azeem. There was this EP and we didn't expect much, but putting our ears to any of the nine tracks, and we were happy that we had someone to listen to that had something to say. There are too many people out there that babble, or claim that in actuality, they don't babble, but we are just too stupid to understand it, as if we care about being called stupid. We rather pay attention to artists like Azeem. That come with honest music, that is just appealing to our mind, body, soul, neck and heart. That's why "Garage Opera" gets some urbansmarts.com props.




We enter the world with a short talking track called "Recyclism". The low booms and vibes of Fanatik carry Azeem who gives us his view on things, talking about the cycles life goes through, the circles people hop, the return to the beginning we are entrapped in. This spoken piece is giving the first blow to the karaoke hip hop out there, to the lack of true new thoughts, that are just chewed several times like a cow does chews it's food. With this we are already taken in, as we know that this will talk to us like an older friend we just respect. That's why we put the pen down, the dishes we were about to wash, we turn off the TV and put aside the mag, and listen. Listen to "Garage Opera Music", that opens with Fanatik strings, while Azeem progresses with his complex rhyme patters that make it more of an effort to follow his words, that still unfold to us like an ancient book of wisdom, also containing the punchlines like "some of us are falcons, you are just some m-seagulls".




With "The 27th Letter" the dopeness on the beat tip continues with Fanatik hooking up a shuffling scratching sound, with the deepness of vibe layers, that allow Azeem to talk less animated, but more hushed. This is also freeing itself from the ones that are holding it back with criticism, as well as acting as the ramp that is breaking through the mass of threat, helping it's people to follow the pioneer on the path it cut through the obstacles. Being given the short not credited interlude, that is featuring a beat and a speech, again conscious in the meaning it proposes, as well as asking for reflection, we then go into "Algebra Wind", that is at times talking about the messengers superiority, over a tame and relaxed beat, that is combined with the scratching of DJ Design. Taking in likeminded souls, "Saturn Finger" features Rational and Dave Dub, who go the way of talking about soldiers, that are whirlwinded around, built up and told about like legends. Being by himself again, "Fuccinemup" has us hear Azeem return to spoken matters, as he breaks down anger, what it does and what it prevents.




We then are treated to the last full track with "The Soniq Wars", a transmission from the emergency center, that is trying to protect sense, reason and fairness. Talking about esoteric emergencies, talking about the smell of fresh concrete, the turf of pride and fallen heroes as well as calling out hallow statues. And ending this EP, "Fat Lady" is a thank you card that is sneaking in the message to follow brethren of the Bay Area that will be heard but likely not taken as serious as it's meant. And maybe this can be said about the whole EP, that it's so short, that it's easy to miss it, too severely un-given shine too, that you might just hear about it for the first time now. But this world is not working on a 'everybody and everything gets all shine and props it rightfully deserves'. That's an utopia right there. But maybe this EP is also utopian in character, talking about all bads and all goods. However, as you let Azeem enter through the door, I advise you to let him sit down and have a good listen to what he has to say.


review: tadah

Kubiq "Kuboniqs"

:





From Planet Asia's crew School Yard Massive comes Kubiq, who has had our attention ever since his first 12-inch from last year. Time has come to check out his debut full-length "Kuboniqs" - an album with interesting potentials.

Kubiq's debut album "Kuboniqs" has just been released on Heratik and this full length effort follows after two pretty nice singles. We got our first dose of Kubiq back in October, "Neva U" b/w "2K" definitely revealed potentials and March's "Yeah" b/w "Personal" showed that Kubiq could be the next challenger for a pole position in the west coast underground scene. This Bay Area lyricist is from Planet Asia's old crew, School Yard Massive, and musically pretty much in the same in the same bumpin', b-boyin' sound schemes as ASOP, Lootpack, Rasco and PB Wolf.

"Kuboniqs" seems like a big album with its 24 cuts in total but don't get it wrong, only 13 of them are acutal songs - the rest are skits and interludes. A bad sign maybe, and puttin so many skits on an album sure as hell puts the pressure on the rest of the album. And well, Kubiq launches "Kuboniqs" safely with the 12-inch tracks "Yeah" and the very dope "2K". But this album's real smasher comes in "Visions", on which Kubiq is showing all of his skills over this rough beat from Fanatik. Actually, it's impressive to hear this combination and although Kubiq may not be the most lethal of MC's - he's proving how dope it can get with a word-playing flow with interesting lyrical content.

Kubiq has a few of his fellow School Yard Massive MC's representing on the album along with a couple of other nice guests, but just like in "Visions" - I think that Kubiq's coming out nicest alone when he's backed with a FAT beat from Fanatik. "Fall In Line" is another one of these joints on "Kuboniqs", a solid street hymn delivering both beats and scratches top notch. But oh well, "How You Feel" is a nice joint and although the beat here sounds quite average - it's exciting to hear when representatives from School Yard Massive (Turbin, Dab, Prism, Shake & Planet Asia) rips this verbal massacre off. Their natural, unconditional love for hip-hop is obvious and "Listen Up" is another joint that goes like this, Kubiq is joined by Shake, Kemet & Rasco (all doing great) for this rhyme-slasher. Word-wrecking, word-playing. There's a whole lot of talent possessed by Kubiq and his crew, that's for sure.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: having just one producer making the beats on an entire album is a good thing. Although it's pretty rare in these days, I definitely think that it creates a more solid, uniform sound. If it's a producer who's good enough to handle it, that is. And Heratik Production's Fanatik is accomplishing this with pride on "Kuboniqs". Cause this IS a strong album, and Fanatik is not only a dope producer having the ability to create his own original sound - he's also making very varied beats for Kubiq on this LP. Apart from a couple of obvious mistakes, such as the tired "Live That Life", the production effort put into this LP definitely couldn't be much better. Take Kubiq's duet with ASOP in "Fans Of Rhyme" (in my opinion this album's DOPEST cut) as the prime example. The beat here by Fanatik is just crazy raw, no half-steppin', just pure hard core hip-hop tunes. The musical roots are also kept close to hip-hop with a little help from some of the finest in west-coast DJ's - DJ Design (from Foreign Legion), DJ Zach Twist, Mkqszoplc, Architec (of Homeliss Derilex), DJ Quest (of Space Travelers) and DJ Gamma Ray. They're all on "Kuboniqs", completing Fanatik's musical experience and strictly blessing this album with a genuine, original hip-hop sound.

Of course, it doesn't help how dope the beats are if the MC isn't any good. But these two elements really comes together on "Kuboniqs". Kubiq is an MC with a whole lot of talent, and although he might seem to be floating away from his sharp lyrical flow on some joints, most of the cuts on this album is dropped with a lot of personality and honesty from Kubiq. And with cuts like "School Of Yard" and "Long Range", is Kubiq also showing his appreciation to his School Yard crew even though I personally like his own, individual gems on here. In conclution, "Kuboniqs" comes as a surprising, FRESH wind blowing. The album should pick up all fans of Cali Agents, Stones Throw and then some. Kubiq is not only carrying the torch on for the Bay Area hip-hop scene, he also manages to come with an attracting originality that makes you wanna get back to "Kuboniqs" many times. I get the feeling that this album will live a long life. That's strong, very strong for a debuting artist.



Review by Abnorm

1998 flashback from www.stinkzone.com

albums : 1998



1998 was the year California finally got its shit together. Releases by Rasco, Dilated Peoples, T-Love, Lootpack, Defari, Planet Asia, Krondon, and the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, as well as releases out of the East by Gang Starr, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Godfather Don, Yeshua da poED, High & Mighty, 7L & Esoteric, Rahsheed & Ill Advised and Sir Menelik all exude the good health of underground hip hop in 1998. You won't find many of these artists in your local Wherehouse... so start diggin' in the crates! If you must though, here's what's to be found on CD:


RASCO Time Waits For No Man
One of the strongest performances of all time is Rasco and Fanatik's "Unassisted". Bucking the recent trend of bolstering every song with a reputable cameo, Time Waits is a solo trip of the highest order. Rasco's not a player or a roughneck... just a guy who happens to KICK ASS on the mic. Though many of the tracks lack the punch to keep up with Rasco's aggressive lyrics, "What It's All About" and Me & My Crew prove that Rasco has finally achieved the success he has worked hard for.

PLANET ASIA EP
Rarely does the cutting edge of hip hop production and vocals collide so brilliantly as on this EP produced by Fanatik. Hailing from Fresno, California, Planet Asia will draw you into his orbit with tracks like "On The Corner" (pt.1&2), "Handlin' My Business", "Kalidascope", and the industrial-tinged "Schoolyard Riders". Aside from this EP, Planet Asia's incredible freestyle rotations and a sparkling nebula of collaborations should have you all tuned in to the fact that he is one of the brightest stars in the underground galaxy.

T-LOVE Return of the B-Girl
Two breakthroughs on one album. First -- and I've gotta be straight up about it -- is that this is the best solo release by a female MC that I've ever heard... by a long shot. Second, the EP's strongest cut, the anthemic "L.A. To Brooklyn", really bridges the gap between New York and Los Angeles hip hop. That's mostly because This Kid Named Miles has such a jazzy, New York-influenced production style. But also because two of New York's finest MCs -- Siah and Yeshua da poED -- make their first appearance on an album recorded in Los Angeles. Another prodigious Brooklynite, Kool Keith, also makes a strong appearance on the title cut, "Return of the B-Girl". And now let's all get very excited for this b-girl's next return.

GANG STARR Moment of Truth
Guru and Premier "update their formula" and the result is the most consistent album of 1998. Longevity has lead to maturity. Premier has further refined his sublime balance of melodic subtlety and rhythmic authority on tracks like "Above The Clouds" (featuring Inspectah Deck) and "What I'm Here 4". The lyrics and dialog do get a little weak in spots. But Guru now seems less concerned with his status and more focused on giving sound advice and perceptive insights to fellow members of the hip-hop community. Get deep into Gang Starr at Sean's Massive Hip-Hop Site.

ALL NATURAL No Additives, No Preservatives
The most solid album to emerge from Chicago since Common's Resurrection, Capital D and Tone B. Nimble set the record straight from track 1. A very conscious effort. Maybe even too conscious. The rough edges and idiosyncracies that set many artists apart are notably absent. Still, this is an exceptional album, with cuts like Fresh Air, Phantoms of the Opera, It's O.K., and Thinkin' Cap showing All Natural's mature lyrics and often laid-back style.

MIXMASTER MIKE Anti-Theft Device
From deep within his anus (that's Uranus to you Earth people), MMM The Serial [Tracks] Killer drops a load of stinky surrealism right on your head. Lots of sequencing and familiar samples. But also the mindbending scratches, breaks, and cuts that have made the Skratch Picklz turntabling's current pioneers. For a "DJ" album, Anti-Theft Device is exceptionally listenable, and covers a nice range of styles, emotions, and realitie.

STRETCH ARMSTRONG Lesson 2
Though this "mix-CD" lacks the juggling and scratching of Premier's Reality Check or Rhettmatic's mix (below), Stretch blends nothing but the finest underground joints of 1998. Representing not only the East Coast, but also West Coast artists such as Dilated Peoples and Defari, Stretch's CD is a good slice of hip-hop in 1998. Strong cuts include High & Mighty's "Open Mic Night" and Rahsheed & Ill Advised's "Redd Hott".

THE WORLD FAMOUS BEAT JUNKIES Volume 2
When combined with Primo's Reality Check from '97 and Stretch's Lesson 2, you can rest assured that you've heard some of the dopest hip-hop of the last two years. Rhettmatic wanted a mix-CD that wasn't just a bunch of crossfaded singles. What results is a mix that runs the gamut of DJing, with an emphasis on West Coast artists. Highlights include Show & AG's "Spit", Rasco's "What It's All About", the stomping "Hoes To Doe" by the Foot Soljaaz, T-Love's "I'm Comin" and "The Rules" by Krondon. Don't feel bad if you've been sleeping on this shit... only recently has the West Coast witnessed such a strong surge of underground talent.

Nac One LP "Natural Reaction"

Fanatik's latest produced LP
(clic title to hear samples)





Bay Area graffiti artist and emcee Nac One (Berkeley, CA.) has been appearing on mix tapes and performing with artists like the Fugees, Nas, Abstract Rude, Freestyle Fellowship and Living Legends since the early 90's. In 2001, with his graffiti/emcee crew FSC, he released the independent classic cd Oneness.

For his national solo debut album Natural Reaction Nac One has teamed with east bay producer Fanatik - best known for his work with Azeem, Planet Asia, Rasco (the hit song "Unassisted") and the instrumental project Phanatik Beats (the first record released on Stones Throw). Heavily influenced by artists like KRS-One, Organized Konfusion and DITC (raps golden era '88-'93) Nac One spits lyrical gems over Fanatik's bomb bap style of beats. Ill concepts, lyrics and rhyme delivery are apparent on songs like Streak, Hand Crafted and Mega Rats... Nac One and Summertime Joint are party jam tracks and songs like Get Mine, I Run Styles and Winter Again will appeal to the underground crowd. Natural Reaction, soon to be a hip-hop masterpiece, will be embraced by lovers of independent hip-hop music worldwide

Planet Asia EP (2005 remastered)

(Clic title to hear old version)





In Production to be released on New Andallus Records this spring

On The Corner (Part 1)
Handlin Business
Cali Breeze
Moonlight Melodic Rush
Kalidascope
Schoolyard Riders
Perfection Is Done Featuring DJ Vin Roc (5th Platoon)
On The Corner (Part 2)

Bas One-"For the mentally astute" LP

KLASSIC MATERIAL:
SPOTLIGHT ON BAS-1
by Arthur Jefferson

Talking to Oakland emcee Bas-1 is like talking to a historian of Hip Hop. He is a reflection of the culture in its entirety. From graffiti to breaking, emceeing to DJing, Bas-1 is a manifestation of Hip-Hop from the roots. More than anything, the dreaded lyricist is a breath of fresh air to many people who remember Hip-Hop music at a time when it was about creative styles and lyrics and hypnotic beats. With his latest album titled For The Mentally Astute "A Theory Of A Throw-Up" out on Heratik Records, Bas-1 is a true shining light in this era of monotony.

Bas-1 has a history of involvement in Hip-Hop as rich as the culture itself. Growing up in Oakland, California, Bas-1 has been a fan of Hip-Hop music since its early beginnings. Breaking since late '81 to early '82, he developed skills as a popper and locker in the Bay. Around 1985 Bas-1 began to rhyme and shortly to follow would be his ability to master incredible skills as an emcee and reputation to verbally slaughter rappers with his highly creative lyrical content. Bas-1 gained top respect as a battle mc. Although he has been tagging in the Oakland scene since junior high school, it would be later that Bas-1 really went in depth with the art of graffiti and began to deal with highly respectable writers such as Crayone as well as crews such as TMF. Scratching also became an interest to Bas-1. He learned to scratch, and to this day he still holds a firm ground.

No stranger to paying his dues in the Hip-Hop game, Bas-1 has been putting in hard work over the years. He joined the Style Elements crew around early 1997 and has also had the chance to tour the world with dancers from the world famous and legendary Rock Steady Crew. Bas-1 worked with producer Dion Evans (of 2-Pac fame) in 1989-1990. He has been featured on numerous mix tapes by famous deejays such as DJ Q-Bert and more. Not only serving as an MC, Bas-1 has also put in work producing. "I produced a guy named Shing02. He's from Japan, signed on a Japanese label. He did a song with EL-P from Company Flow", says the multi-talented lyricist. The vocals of Bas-1 have also been on various breakbeats by DJ Swamp as well as a list of other incredible DJs. This is a pretty impressive resumé.

The state of Hip-Hop today is a far cry from the glorious days of the past. Bas-1 is a witness to the turns that the music has taken. "I truly think that independent rock sounds more close to the original sound of the 80's," says Bas-1. "As far as jungle, trip-hop and trance, that all stemmed from where we were with Mantronix. If it weren't for Mantronix, you wouldn't have any of that. That's what the Bay Area is. The Bay Area is reflective. We're a mirror image of those who used to listen to what our sound was." Maybe that is the reason Bas-1 took the time to perfect his album as well as his art. Before hip-hop artists were making millions of dollars, they were basking in the richness of its culture. "If you really know Hip-Hop, I don't care if you dress in a three piece suit or if you're butt naked, you're Hip-Hop. You know it. Then there are those who think they are Hip-Hop because they rock saggy, baggy pants and a back pack and they think they are Hip-Hop," says Bas-1. If there is one thing that is certain, no matter the state, Bas-1 is determined to keep the true elements of Hip-Hop culture alive.

For the Mentally Astute "A Theory Of A Throw-up" is a masterpiece for those who appreciate Hip-Hop music in its purest form. Produced by Fanatik (Planet Asia, Kubiq and more), the album's musical content compliments Bas-1's vocals perfectly. One highly notable aspect of "A Theroy of A Throw-up" is the arrangements of the songs. The moods of each song blend really well to the next. There are guest DJ's that scratch on the album such as DJ D-Styles, DJ Spair, DJ Quest and many more. Bas-1 demonstrates why he is one of the most versatile lyricists out of the Bay by flipping rhyme style after style. This is music for the writers, dancers, emcees and DJs. This is Hip-Hop. "I happen to do rap music and I just happened to have lived where I lived, when I lived it and how I lived it, which made me part of this culture in the manner that I am in."

 
email Arthur Jefferson at: artsvibe@yahoo.com

Seismic Activity (off da richter 1)

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1997 tremmors
View Fanatik's EPK

Another Brother with a Book... all in the same few months too?? Congratulations Jeff!

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop:
A History of the Hip-Hop Generation
By Jeff Chang
Introduction by DJ Kool Herc

"Hip-hop is the voice of this generation. Even if you didn't grow up in the Bronx in the '70s, hip-hop is there for you. It has become a powerful force. Hip-hop binds all of these people, all of these nationalities, all over the world together."
—DJ Kool Herc, from the Introduction

Forged in the fires of the Bronx and Kingston, Jamaica, hip-hop became the Esperanto of youth rebellion and a generation-defining movement. In a post-civil rights era defined by deindustrialization and globalization, hip-hop crystallized a multiracial, polycultural generation's worldview, and transformed American politics and culture. But that epic story has never been told like this. From the gangs of the late 60s to the icons of the new millennium, from the Ghetto Brothers and Universal Zulu Nation organizations to the hip-hop activists, Can't Stop Won't Stop presents the hip-hop generation in all its grime and glory with breadth, wit, and style.

Based on original interviews with DJs, b-boys, rappers, graffiti writers, activists, and gang members, with unforgettable portraits of many of hip-hop's forebears, founders, and mavericks, including DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Chuck D, and Ice Cube, Can't Stop Won't Stop chronicles the events, the ideas, the music, and the art that marked the hip-hop generation's rise from the ashes of the 60s into the new millennium. Here is a powerful cultural and social history of the end of the American century, and a provocative look into the new world that the hip-hop generation created.