dedleg.com

My ongoing love affair with Sean Daley, aka Slug, aka Seven, aka the vocal half of underground hip hop darling Atmosphere, has been pretty well documented on this blog. The rest of my experience with Slug can be found buried in public records. That restraining order doesn’t stop me from listening to the music, Sean — shoulda thought of that!

Anyway, like so many rap wunderkinds, Slug has dabbled with as many side projects as substances… which can have addictive results — for both him and his listeners, depending on which half of that comparison you’re talking about. Such is the case with Felt, Slug’s ongoing collaboration with Murs of Living Legends, who’s not too shabby at putting together a good 16 either.

Murs and Slug - photo via urchicago.com

To date, the duo have released three separate albums, each featuring a different producer stirring their own distinct mixture of loops and instrumentals into the brew. This keeps things fresh, by occasionally forcing the emcees out of their comfort zone, and simply by hearing them rap over beats that may be atypical of their usual style. Felt’s first album was produced by The Grouch (of Living Legends), their second album was produced by Ant (of Atmosphere), and their third album was produced by Aesop Rock (of… himself), so each release has an individual sound, which makes them a lot like Lucky Charms or Pokemon — a golden recommendation I dare any critic to best.

Each album has been named after a different female actress (Christina Ricci, Lisa Bonet & Rosie Perez) and each features two songs named after other celebrities (Suzanne Vega, Rick James, Morris Day, Marvin Gaye, Kevin Spacey & Paul Reubens). I have to imagine this is intentional, if only because a coincidence of that magnitude would split my brain in half almost immediately.

Originally, the title of the first album was decided based on a wager between the two rappers over who could sleep with Christina Ricci first — to date, neither has been successful. Which, I suppose, is why they move on to new actresses every couple years. Like Rosie Perez for example… who you may know as that “adorable little cop” from Pineapple Express:

To be clear, the only real reason I posted that clip was for the two seconds when Rosie Perez shoots the hapless bystander in the arm. That’s what you get for wearing an over-sized windbreaker, dickbag!

I’ll leave you with one last track, from The Hood Internet’s recent mash-up album of Felt 3 and Tobacco’s latest journey into the realm of psychedelic indie rock, Maniac Meat. Thanks to the mind-bending beats, the 5 track EP is pretty much complete insanity and boy, does it ever have its hooks in me.

That was a music pun, I don’t know if you guys got that or not, what with the super obvious italics all up in your face. But I couldn’t bear to see it go to waste in case you’re less of a nerd than I am.

Rappers I couldn’t live without (an incomplete list)¹:

Atmosphere (Slug)

Slug - photo via blogs.creativeloafing.com

So I’m an emo backpacker. So what.

Seriously though, maybe he doesn’t do it for you if you’re not a clinically depressed husk of a human being — but nobody could rap about self-hatred, alcoholism, and relationship problems with the humor and charisma that Slug delivers. With his highly developed, conversational style of story-telling, it’s easy to relate to his raps… at least for me. Non-husks need not apply.

The Gift of Gab

The Gift of Gab - photo via amoeba.com

His skill level is indisputable. That’s all there is to it. Whether it’s in Blackalicious, The Mighty Underdogs, or on his solo albums, he’s awesome on every track. Gab is a master of his craft, a true innovator… a magician.

Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock - photo via delarge.co.uk

I like that photo of Aesop Rock because he looks totally crazed. And I like Aesop Rock because he’s experimental and has a huge vocabulary… and well, he’s totally crazed. He may not suit my daily needs as well as some other names on this list. He may not be nearly as accessible, but he’s unlike anybody else, and in a music industry as flooded with generic noise as ours is, that counts for a lot.

DOOM/MF Doom/King Geedorah/Madvillain/Victor Vaughn/ad nauseum

DOOM - photo via blog.hopeglory.com

Just since some people wear a mask don’t mean they did nothin’ automatically - DANGERDOOM

Drunk, horse from too many blunts, slurring and rasping his way through relentless punchlines and nostalgic pop culture references, Metal Fingers Doom is unmistakable. And yeah, I guess the multiple personalities and big silver mask might also have something to do with that.

Chali 2na

Chali 2na - photo via theagencygroup.com

While there are other more prolific and adventurous emcees I could put here (Del was a serious contender), 2na Fish elevates any group song he’s on. “The verbal Herman Munster” works best in a b-boy group, with his distinct baritone voice and fast flow peppered with literary devices. His solo work is occasionally routine, and lacks that certain chemistry he had with the other Jurassic 5 dudes. But nearly all of his parts in Jurassic 5 before the whiff that was Feedback are flawless and entrancing.

Just think about Jurassic 5 — they would have kinda sucked without 2na. Set, point, match.

Sorry Del. If we were talking about hip hop albums, 3030 would top the list. Plus, there’s always room for one more… I’m just tired and this post is overlong as it is. So, instead of officially putting Diesel on the list, I think I’d rather just do as Del does, and smoke some BMs — Bob Marleys, that is.

¹All current champions are subject to change.

Just think about it. Or, I guess, let the post’s tags do all the thinking for you.

Great song too, b-t-dubs.