Kwest Tha Madd Lad - "This is My First Album"

Kwest Tha Madd Lad, from Queens, released his debut “This is My First Album” on American Recordings (founded by Rick Rubin) in April of 1996.  The songs on the album were actually recorded between 1992 and 1994 but the album was shelved by American Recordings for 2 years. It didn’t matter much because “This is My First Album” is timeless material. The production consists of smooth beats from familiar sample sources and they are the perfect compliment to Kwest’s skillful, humorous and more often than not sexually charged lyrics.

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Chris: Admittedly, I was late to on Kwest Tha Madd Lad. I didn’t hear “This is My First Album” until 2002 when I was sent a couple of Kwest Tha Madd Lad songs over AOL Instant Messenger by a friend from the UK. Man, I was hooked! I found a used copy of “This is My First Album” at Hastings a few weeks later and I wore that CD out! I love the production and Kwest’s sense of humor, cadence and storytelling.

I wanted to come back to this album because I’ve always held “This is My First Album” in such high regard and I’ve always wondered why Kwest didn’t hit like I felt he should have.

Mike: I admitted knew nothing about Kwest Tha Madd lad until you recently put me on. Nearly immediately, I was drawn in by his unique flow and awesome choice of production.

Chris: I read in an interview with Kwest Tha Madd Lad that most of the producers that worked on “This is My First Album” were based out of the West coast. Does that surprise you?

Mike: That actually doesn’t surprise me, because the production sounds very different to me, which makes sense because I didn’t listen to a lot of west coast rap. No matter geographically where his production team resided, they brought it.

Chris: I guess they chose to work with West coast producers because they were cheaper, but I agree with you, they definitely brought it.

Mike: Any flaws or dislikes on “This is My First Album”?

Chris: Honestly, I can’t think of any. It’s not album with peaks and valleys. It’s pretty solid throughout. Even on more serious songs like “Herman’s Head”, Kwest’s storytelling ability is enough to keep you compelled. 

Any flaws or dislikes for you? And what did you think of Kwest’s abilities as a storyteller? Which sort of seems like has become a lost art in Hip Hop music.

Mike: I really like “Herman’s Head” too. Between his story telling and his off-color humor, at times this album does remind me of an updated “Great Adventures of Slick Rick”

Typically, I like albums that keep the total number of songs to 12-14. “This is My First Album” clocks in at 18, but I can’t complain. It’s a solid listen all the way through.

Kwest Tha Madd Lad – “Herman’s Head” 

Chris: Any stand out tracks for you?

Mike: I really dig “What’s the Reaction”, “Disk N Dat” and “Buttafewco”, just to name a few. Although I could switch out this top 3 easily, as the level of consistency on this album is high

Chris: I love “What’s the Reaction’. Kwest has said in interviews that he freestyled most of the songs on this album. He actually got his start in the game as battle rapper.

Kwest Tha Madd Lad – “What’s the Reaction” 

My favorite tracks are “Disk N Dat”, “Lubrication” and “Disnexone”. “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” by Brand Nubian is one of my favorite Hip Hop tracks of all time so you know I love that Bobbi Humphrey sample on “Disnexone”

Mike: It’s a magical sample, can’t blame the producer for reflipping that.

Kwest Tha Madd Lad – “Disnexone” 

Brand Nubian – “Love Me or Leave Me Alone” 

Bobbi Humphrey – “San Francisco Nights” 

Chris: Any parting thoughts on Kwest Tha Madd Lad’s “This is My First Album”? And why do you think Kwest didn’t catch on?

Mike: Very solid album that I will continue to bump steadily in the future.  As far as Kwest not catching on, it could be that he was interested in fame or pursuing a rap career. That’s total speculation, but also could explain is minimal output.

Mos Def - "Black on Both Sides"

Yasiin Bey a.k.a. Mos Def released his solo debut “Black on Both Sides” in October of 1999 on the now defunct Rawkus Records. It was well received by critics, receiving solid ratings from several reputable publications.  At the time, when “conscious” Rap music was the hot trend, “Black on Both Sides” was the model to live up to. The album features a who’s who of producers, including 88-Keys, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Ayatollah, Dave Kennedy, Diamond D, DJ Premier, Etch-A-Sketch, Ge-ology Mr. Khaliyl, Psycho Les and Q-Tip.  Many consider Mos Def’s “Black on Both Sides” to be the magnum opus of the Rawkus catalog.

*****Guest request Sean's (@bort_sampson_) 2nd appearance on Rewind

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Sean: I first listened to this album my sophomore year of high school. I had listened to Rap growing up, Snoop, Dre, Bone and whatever else was playing on 97.3 KISS FM during the early and mid 90s, but like many others, I fell under the spell of Alternative Rock.  For a number of years, I didn’t stop listening to Rap completely but definitely a whole lot less than I used to, but then our friend Rudy gave me a copy of “Black on Both Sides” one day and boom, my love for Hip Hop came right back. I consider “Black on Both Sides” a seminal album for me in terms of my musical tastes for the next decade or so, especially high school and college. It’s album that once or twice a year, I’ll fire up and listen all the way through and listen to certain songs on repeat.

Chris: Thank you for sharing, Sean. I can definitely relate. This album, along with many other Rawkus Records releases were in heavy rotation for me in high school. In fact, it was me and you, every Tuesday at the record store to cop the latest Rawkus release as soon as it dropped.

Sean: Rawkus in general was very influential for me. How many other labels dropped as many influential albums over a 5 year period as Rawkus did from like 97-02. Talib, Mos, Soundbombing, Lyricist Lounge, Big L, Hi-Tek, EL-P. Pharoahe, and more. You saw that razor blade logo and you knew it was going to be hot.

At the pinnacle, in my opinion, was “Black on Both Sides”

Chris: Definitely! I’ve always said that they need to do a documentary on Rawkus records or even a feature film

Let’s get into the album, what did you think of the production on the album?

Sean: I loved it! It was eclectic, with a little something for everyone – Pop, Soul, Funk, Rock N Roll.  I don’t necessarily listen to the technical aspects of production, but I know what I like and I like pretty much everything on this album.

Chris: The album has a long list of producers (88-Keys, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Ayatollah, Dave Kennedy, Diamond D, DJ Premier, Etch-A-Sketch, Ge-ology Mr. Khaliyl, Psycho Les and Q-Tip ) that contributed to the album, in your opinion, is this the formula for a good album or is  “Black on Both Sides” an outlier?

Sean: In this case, I think it works. The reason being, Mos is a very eclectic dude, so the wide varierty of beats worked because he’s covering a wide variety of topics. The lack of a singular sound behind the boards is, for me, what gives the album a singular sound. Typically though, I don’t think using several producers on an album works all that well, precisely for the reasons I think it works on “Black on Both Sides”

Mike: I think the lack of cohesiveness beatwise gives this album character. Mos steers a moving ship at a top tier level.

Chris: I think Sean makes a very interesting point about how Mos Def’s eclectic-ness is represented through the wide range of beats by the different producers he worked with and I have to agree with him, he does make it work. Upon re-visiting, I don’t think the album is a as strong production wise as I had remembered it being but it definitely works for Mos.

Were there any particular tracks that stood out to you all?

Sean: My favorite track by a hair is “Speed Law.” I love the beat, the flow, the energy. “Know That” with Talib is a banger too and “Ms. Fat Booty” obviously, also “Brooklyn”

Chris: “Speed Law” is great. Love the Big Brother and The Holding Company sample they used on that!

Mos Def – “Speed Law”

Big Brother and the Holding Company – “Promise Her Anything but Give Her Arpeggio”

Mike: My wife, Vanessa, says that “Ms. Fat Booty” is a great track because it honors a woman’s body, which isn’t typically done in Hip Hop music. It’s tasteful and for that I respect it.

Sean: Great beat, great flow, I love the sample they used.

Mos Def – “Ms. Fat Booty”

Aretha Franklin – “One Step Ahead” 

Chris: I think my favorite song is “Love”. The ill drum loop, the Rakim inspired chorus and I appreciate the subject manner.  The love of his folks manifesting into Mos’ love for music and making music. Also, the “Universal Magnetic, you must respect it” line is a throwback to his first single on Rawkus records from the original Soundbombing.

Mike: I’m gonna say my favorite track is “Mathematics”. I love how Premo flipped the Ghostface vocal for the chorus

Chris: What did you guys think was the best feature? I thought it was hands down Talib. It just makes you wish they’d make another Black Star album. As good as they are individually, I feel like they are never as good as when they are together.

Sean: I love that song so much! Maybe one of these days....

Mos Def feat. Talib Kweli – “Know That” 

Mike: Easily has to be Busta on “Do It Now”. It lends the album an aggressive voice to a low-key album.

Chris: What did you all think of Mos’ lyrics on this album, specifically the social commentary? I like the Psycho Les track “New World Water”. It’s the definitive track on the water crisis.

Sean: Very pointed. “Rock N Roll” is an interesting song, looking how black music is continuously appropriated by white America. This is very valid and worth talking about. The counter argument though is that once you put it out there, it’s out there for anybody. I think that music is such a great medium for people to talk about these topics because it has the potential to reach so many people.

Chris: Yes, I agree.  So did “Black on Both Sides” stand the test of time?

Sean: Yes.

Chris: I still like it but not nearly as much as I did back when I first heard it.

Mike: It has grown on me since I first discovered it. It’s a grown man’s album that I found at a young age. When I was younger, I was drawn to “battle” type tracks but now I can appreciate the introspective roller coaster like “Umi Say”.  All in All, “Black on Both Sides” was never a top album in my book and remains that way. It is a good listen but nothing that gives me the urge to re-listen.

Tha Alkaholiks - "21 & Over"

Tha Alkaholiks (E-Swift, J-Ro and Tash) are a California-based Hip Hop group that was founded in the early 1990s.  Mentored by the legendary King Tee, Tha Alkaholiks released their debut album, “21 & Over”, in August of 1993 on Loud Records. Tha Alkaholiks combine their hard but humorous liquor-inspired lyrics with E-Swift’s head-knocking beats.  “21 & Over’s” stellar production also gets an assist from Lootpack (Madlib, Kankick and DJ Romes), Derick “D. Pimp” Williams and also lists King Tee as a co-producer on several of the tracks. Although only 10-tracks and just short of 40 minutes in length, “21 & over” was a solid beginning to Tha Alkaholiks’ impressive catalog.

*****Guest Request Sean (@bort_sampson_)

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Chris: So let me first begin by telling you all about how I first heard of Tha Alkaholiks. I was a freshman at West Mesa and I was eavesdropping on two dudes arguing over who was better, Tupac or Tha Alkaholiks. Obviously, I had heard of Tupac but I had never heard of Tha Alkaholiks. The dude that was campaigning for Tha Liks was so passionate in pleading his case, I had to find out who these dudes were!!

Sean: I don’t even remember who I found out about them. I think I just happened to pick up “Likwidation” by chance and started vibing with them.

Mike: I heard of them via Xzibit, “Call it what you wanna call it”

Chris: So what was your guys’ impression of “21 & Over” before listening to it recently? I was a big fan of this album back in the day. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite Alkaholiks’ album but it was a great listen and it’s where I first heard of Lootpack, my introduction to Madlib.

Mike: I was too young to really “get” the lyrical substance, but I loved its sound. Before the revisit, I was scared I would think the party vibe schtick would be corny by my standards today. After re-listening though, I realized it's a fun album that should be glorified for its light subject matter. Not every album has to be "It Takes A Nation..."

Sean: I went in with a mostly blank slate, it had been many years since I’ve listened to it.

Chris: Let’s talk about the production, what are your guys’ thoughts? E-Swift had most of the production but The Lootpack also produced two tracks and Derick “D. Pimp” Williams had one as well.

Sean: One thing that struck me is how lo-fi some of the tracks sound, which was something I didn’t recall.  The beats are simple, in the sense they weren’t layers with 5 levels, and not great mic pick-ups. Sounded kinda grainy and removed. E-Swift definitely knew how to produce some fire beats.

Mike: Love the production. As Sean stated, it got a lo-fi vibe which I love with album of this era.  E-Swift’s beats are what make this a golden age classic. He brought a new style to the table. The album is really unique.

Chris: I agree with you, Sean. The one exception I would offer would be “Turn The Party Out” which is kind of a mosaic of different sampled elements in the Madlib style that we become accustomed to.

Tha Alkaholiks - "Turn The Party Out"

Chris: What songs were standouts for you guys?

Sean: “Only When I’m Drunk”, it worked for me because I think that it sounded like being drunk feels, if that makes sense.

Chris: That definitely make sense! Haha I remember when we would drive around listening to “Only When I’m Drunk”, taking turns rapping the parts of J-Ro, Tash, E-Swift and King Tee

Sean: “I get drunk and I stumble to the phone” is an all-time great first line!

Chris: Agreed!

Tha Alkaholiks - "Only When I'm Drunk"

Mike: “Last Call” is still my favorite. I still feel that it’s a classic hip hop track.

Chris: “Last Call” is dope, Mike! A lot going on production wise on that track as well. Did you pick up on the James Brown sample?

Tha Alkaholiks - "Last Call"

James Brown - "Big Payback"

Chris: What did you guys think about the lyricism?

Sean: I think that J-Ro and Tash are both criminally underrated MCs. Both have a distinct voice, nice flow and can put together some smooth bars

Chris: Good points. Their styles are so different, but they do complement each other very well. So what did you guys think of the album, now versus back then?

Mike: With all the praise, we’ve given this album, it’s not something I often think about giving a spin these days. Sonically, it’s a very well-crafted album, just not the vibe I yearn to bump daily.

Sean: I agree, Mike. It’s a good album to put on to sit out in a deck and chill but I’m not necessarily going to jam out to it in my car.

Chris: I still enjoy it as much as I did back then. The beats make me wish I had more bass in more car!