Black Milk's Popular Demand (hope for hip-hop r)
gambit
906 Posts
Two days ago, I interviewed fellow Detroiter Black Milk for a new online hip-hop magazine (plug: www.dropmagazine.com). I am doing a column for them that relates to up-and-coming producers with conversations hovering about beatdigging. Well, that got strained in the colander, because the magazine isn't looking to just appeal to beatheads. They want to appeal to everyone. I changed up my questions I asked the young eMCee/producer. Actually, most of the beatdiggin' questions were off the record. I don't think it really matters what records he uses. I don't think it matters how many records he has or what types. I just want to let folks know that this kid is the real deal.Anyway, I'm transcribing the interview and I'm taking breaks while listening the copy of the album he gave me. Popular Demand is really, really solid. It grows on me upon every listen. It is the evolutionary Detroit hip-hop record I have been waiting on. It can't be plugged into any one sect of hip-hop music. It's not conscious rap. It's not backpack rap. It's not an instrumental record. It's not all about partying and b.s.I have felt for the longest time in the D we just waited for Dilla to do something worthwhile for us to talk about. Others have done notable work, but folks have passed on it. I still think the Platinum Pied Pipers record hasn't received the proper respect it deserves on a critical level. I am hoping that folks wake up when Black Milk's album drops next month.He recorded, mixed and mastered the entire joint in his home. That alone is scary to me. This shit sounds really good, at least to my untrained ear. I don't know if Fat Beats knew what they were doing when they got involved with this guy, but this may have been their best pick-up yet. I got lots of respect for most of the acts on the roster, but Black Milk has an appeal that most of their acts don't. He isn't a linear beatmaker. He can write hooks. He has the potential to be larger than the label may be able to handle. Then again, the music industry is not the same anymore. Black may never get large, but he will definitely grow to garner the respect that dudes like Pete Rock and J Dilla get. Shit, that is more than many of us can say.I just want to urge cats to check out this record by Black Milk. I don't gain anything from you doing so. I just get a strong sense of hope in quality rap music when listening to this dude. The 23-year wunkerkind has not even been exposed to that much yet. I mean, he recently got to go to Australia for the Red Bull Music Academy and meet Jazzman and also has been diggin' with Just Blaze. I can only imagine what travelling the rest of the world doing what he loves to do will do for his art.I hope the album title is prophecy for Black Milk. That kid deserves all the hype he may get.So anyway, you can peep my interview in the next couple of weeks or so. I am lining up some other cool folks to interview also. There will be some Strutters I plan to get at once the site is officially up.
Comments
His album shall be
The PPP album is decent but not next level. I wouldnt call it the next evolutionary step at all.
That is sweet he got to go to Australia, my mum is from Byron Bay Australia, I moved back to MI about 10 yrs ago!
I will be buying Popular Demand on wax when it comes out for sure!
Peace
DJ Zest
Black probably will get more looks, because his sound isn't so soulful that you feel bad if you aren't rocking the headwrap. It doesn't sound so grimey that you feel bad if you tuck in your polo and button-down shirts.
Popular Demand isn't that mainstream-sounding though. He has the ability to do that kind of stuff, but I don't think he wants to either.
"Pressure" and "Keep It Live" are my joints off of Broken Wax. But the simplistic "Home of the Greats," which is going to be on the limited edition 2nd disc with instrumentals from Broken Wax, is my favorite track by him so far. I recently found the sample to that. Interesting tidbit, Black had only recently realized that Dilla had used the same track.
Can't wait to cop those Black Milk instros, dude has got skills on the MP!
What about about that pyschadelic sorta guitar at the beginning of Eternal from Sound of the City?
Dilla rhymed on the beat with that same sample for SV Reunion...
Peace from Tragic City!
DJ Zest
Stand out joints for me: What Time is it and One man's mission
Peace
DJ
Zest
I thought I saw that it will be on vinyl also. it would be odd if fatbeats didn't press it on vinyl really. I'm looking forward to seeing the response to this album.
I didnt know there was an Instramental joint.
I also really liked Detroit Winter too!
Especially with this a couple doors down from my house:
AND
If you look real close on this house you can see:
At least it's not like Syracuse NY!
And no you're not seeing things, they really colored the snow pink and blue ???
Waajeed is another dope MI producer, any body hear his "Patty Hearst beat tape"?
Shit was crazy!
Peace
DJ Zest
i think he co-produced reunion (with young rj = br gunna).
hope gunna didn't break up. dirty district 2 is one of my most listened to new releases of the last 5 years. the production on that is ridiculous.
That beat tape is dope as hell! Waajeed is one of my favorite producers and I totally agree that PPP album is slept on just a bit. I didn't think it was amazing or anything, but all the 12"s they put out prior to Triple P were very good. That Ge-Ology remix of Act Like You Know is
I like PPPs, Black Milk, Frank and Dank, Phat Kat, House shoes. Ta'raach is ok. Any other Detroit cats i should be checking for? The 313 is killin it right now.
Waajeed-PPP projects
Trying to start catching up
Frank-n-Dank can be found mainly on various 12" that either say "Jay Dee Presents..." or "Jay Dee feat..." Frank-n-Dank put out an album, but I haven't heard it yet. Their first album got swallowed by MCA. That's got to suck. Dilla was the x-factor in their equation for sure though. I understand they still have access to his beats to use for their own personal projects, but I'd imagine they'll be trying to move on in order to succeed. I don't know though.
ive got broken wax and i cant stop playin it
and they will support it.
Invincible myspace
Finale myspace
They both came up here to Tragic City last summer, both super nice ppl, great MCs, put on a great show even though is was insanely hot here that weekend! Also:
Artful Dodgers myspace
Skrapz myspace
There is of course many more I am not thinking of right now...
Peace
DJ Zest
Popular Demand
CD & Double-Vinyl LP
March 13, 2007
http://www.myspace.com/blackmk
Loved the Marvin remix EP he put out last year.
nah seriously though he sounds interesting
Frank N Dank are pretty boring, but their album has its moments (most of which are Dilla beats)
"Three+Sum" is a good example of what I'm talking about.