Get To Know: Backpackramento by Mahtie Bush

Being an ex Cali representative, we knew we had a nice Underground Hip-Hop and poetry scene featuring guys like Mantis, Orko, Bennie Heron, Jahsun, but we rarely gave credence to people outside of San Diego. It wasn't disrespect, it was just a real focus on our work. Now that I'm 2000 miles away, and older, I'm discovering the power of the North, Bay Area (not quite), Sac Town. I lived there for a minute with my pops, and oddly enough I discovered Digable Planets in Sac (yep DPs og backpackers, spiddyocks, sun moon and star, planet of Brooklyn). Gives you an idea of how long ago that was. Anyway, I got this link from Lou Slugga of MLS and anytime I can get a Roots allusion it takes me another level. The video is dope and I have to say it: ANTHEM! Check out Backpackramento by Mahtie Bush. Like the ish out of this video.

Get To Know, Again: Lou Slugga of MLS

A couple of months ago I reviewed a cd here named Sharpshootaz which was a new release by MLS. If I had to give a cd a rating out of 10, that album would have grabbed an 8 primarily on the strength of lyrics alone. This is a solo performance by Lou Slugga, a third of the group MLS.  Whenever I talk Hip-Hop I think about Guru of GangStarr and what he said about an emcee, it's mostly the voice. While there isn't anything that literally distinguishes (barks or whines) Lou Slugga from his peers, there is a consistency to his flow; like I've said about other artists on this site, sincerity is in his words and tone. Check out his solo live performance where he pulls a Q-Tip 'Dance on Glass; type acapella flow for about 40 seconds before jumping into a track that sounds inspired by some of that speed it up type sample by Kanye. The song is called Together. Lyrics!

Get To Know: Official Release Date

Certain artists generate a response that makes you honored to hear what they have to say. As I grow old in Hip-Hop, I'm starting more and more to seek out artists that mesh all of the elements together: dope tracks, lyricism, creativity and inspiration. In mainstream music the heart is missing. You can't listen to the songs and get that spontaneous "Oh ish son, listen to that and rewind it." Well there isn't a rewind anymore, but you want to hear that lyric over and over again. I found a few of these moments in the MLS Cd I reviewed last week especially on Hard and Target Practice, but with this guy every track seems to be a genuine ode to Hip-Hop. Lupe may be one of the best in the game today. No, he is one of the best in the biz today. Instead of talking so much listen to I'm Beaming and understand that real Hip-Hop is alive and well. You don't have to listen to weed narratives and excessive party anthems to get to it, it's right here. Lasers is dropping March 8th. Oh I thought this album was going to be called LUP-END? Anyway...