I hear it all the time ... Hip Hop is dead. Trap killed it. Without digging it's easy to accept - with artists like Lil Xan, and all those face tattoo mumble rappers who aren't worth mentioning. Post Malone at least tries to pay homage to the past. But if you just dig beneath the surface, you will find artists like Skyblew. This guy is positive like Raury, walking tall like Camp Lo and doesn't need autotune to sound good. His production is on point.
Skyblew is a bit of a mystery. He grew up in Alabama but currently resides in Chapel Hill, NC. Not much else is known about him other than his influences are Common, A Tribe Called Quest, Lupe Fiasco, Nujabes, 2Pac, De La Soul, Scapegoat Wax, Blue Scholars, New Radicals, Common Market, Michael Jackson, Arrested Development, Sade, and Amy Winehouse. He's the kind of artist that get's me excited to hear everything he's put out.
Here we go .... check out ... back in the day or whatever. It's the orginalistastic moombastic Stakes is high from De La Soul. For those who know, check it. For those who don't .... have a listen.
featuring Common
0:00 Intro
2:36 Supa Emcees
6:15 The Bizness Featuring Common
11:58 Wonce Again Long Island
15:37 Dinninit
19:58 Brakes
24:05 Dog Eat Dog
27:45 Baby Baby Baby Baby Ooh Baby
29:52 Long Island Degrees
33:19 Betta Listen
37:47 Itzsoweezee (HOT)
42:35 4 More
46:54 Big Brother Beat
50:37 Down Syndrome
53:42 Pony Ride
59:09 Stakes Is High
1:04:39 Sunshine
Common aka Lonnie Lynn has been in the game for quite a while now ... and his done it all from music, to acting, modeling and putting out a clothing line. He's been invited to speak at the White House, amongst some controversy, and he's been involved in a feud with West Cost rap group Westside Connection on some lyrics in "I Used to Love H.E.R.". Rumor has it that he's dropping a new album in 2013.
Despite everything that he's done, I still think his second album Resurrection is his greatest work. Enjoy this track from that album - Communism which is still as fresh as the day it was made.
