Anyone excited for this one? I am ambivalent. On the one had, I love that we will hear from Erykah again. On the other, Al is not the one I want to hear behind the boards. This first joint - filler hopefully - is not it.
1. "Excited for a new Badu project" In response to Reply # 0
Don't hate Al but I was surprised she was working with him. I honestly really liked the beat on the first single but not sure about the vocals. I kept waiting for the real singing to drop. Kind of seemed like sampled or background vocals. I still enjoyed it but not quite what I'm hoping for. Whole thing gave me Dilla - Nothing Like This vibes.
this is one of those songs where i try to reserve judgement until i hear it in the context of the whole project. i'm trying to do that MORE because sometimes artists/labels don't pick good singles but when you hear it in the body of work it's way better.
5. "RE: this right here " In response to Reply # 3
>this is one of those songs where i try to reserve judgement >until i hear it in the context of the whole project.
"The Realest" is one of my favorite Uncle Al and Mobb joints ever so hearing it again here (even w/ the beat switch mid-way) was initially disappointing. But like you said, depending on where and how it lands in the context of the full album it might magically all of a sudden make sense.
__ I don't like the beat anymore because its just a loop. ALC didn't FLIP IT ENOUGH!
Flip it enough? Flip these. Flip off. Go flip some f*cking burgers.(c)Kno
Allied State of the National Electric Beat Treaty Organization (NEBTO)
Badu's every move, post-Mama's Gun, has often had fans hesitating at first.
Folks forget how divisive New Amerykah I was when it dropped, or even Worldwide Underground to some extent.
And (imo) every time she has delivered, even if we've sometimes needed some time to catch up.
She has no missteps in her catalog. Her weakest joint is probably the mixtape, and that's not because that was bad but because it felt a little light. Like, it's still a great listen from top to bottom.
So I have no doubt this will be legit and am super hype for whenever it drops. Will be a holiday in our house, lol.
But the 'You can't use my phone' joint was the first misstep IMO. I love the analog girl, and her catalogue is unimpeachable, but that one didn't have any replay value.
21. "Agreed on all points" In response to Reply # 2
It’s funny cuz on X, all the younger heads are straight up trippin off 1) the use of AI for the single’s visualizer, and 2) the reuse of The Realest beat.
They’re all kinds of mad because they feel they should have paid a real artist & think old heads are out of touch for cosigning that shit. I could care less. I know this project will be fope & unique unto itself. Alc is great at bringing out a different dimension or level with established artists & letting them shine, and as you mentioned, Badu has no missteps. Her art is an authentic expression of her & sometimes takes a moment for the world to catch up to.
Also, it’s as if folks never heard Mary J singing over classic Hip-Hop breaks. This is not that & kinda lackluster, but i think it was a teaser. I’m positive they’re holding back from dropping sll the heat they have stockpiled.
There's definitely differences but now I'm wondering if that's what the whole project will be. Maybe they picked some of his beats to rework. Could just be this one though. Not rare for Badu to make great tracks with existing beats.
9. "Beat knocks - we already knew that from the first time" In response to Reply # 0
Xxxplosive/Bag Lady has already been discussed.
Remember Mariah Carey - The Roof, which was Trackmasters sampling Shook Ones? That knocked too, IMO.
I feel like there’s other examples of similar or somewhat connected situations of an R&B song over an already classic hip hop beat or a sample of an already classic hip hop beat.
Dre did something similar on that Marsha Ambrosius album - lots of classic hip hop beats either sampled or replayed or interpolated on there.
I like this for what it is, and am interested in how it fits into the bigger picture of the album. Alchemist still makes full albums that are well constructed and thought out.
10. "RE: Beat knocks - we already knew that from the first time" In response to Reply # 9
>I feel like there’s other examples of similar or somewhat >connected situations of an R&B song over an already classic >hip hop beat or a sample of an already classic hip hop beat. >
Yeah, I'm kind of surprised people are calling this lazy, or acting like they're trying to put one over?
If anything, it comes off kind of fly from Badu: "I'm going to do my thing over one of your BEST beats and make it fresh."
Are we still in hip hop or what?
(Now the AI cover of the single, that's lazy -- and cheap, lol.)
11. "RE: Beat knocks - we already knew that from the first time" In response to Reply # 10
>>I feel like there’s other examples of similar or somewhat >>connected situations of an R&B song over an already classic >>hip hop beat or a sample of an already classic hip hop beat. >> > >Yeah, I'm kind of surprised people are calling this lazy, or >acting like they're trying to put one over? > >If anything, it comes off kind of fly from Badu: "I'm going to >do my thing over one of your BEST beats and make it fresh." > >Are we still in hip hop or what? > >(Now the AI cover of the single, that's lazy -- and cheap, >lol.) >
Now THAT is some bullshit. First of all, the cover is wack. Second of all, there’s so many artists who would LOVE to have that spot that you could look out for, that would come up with something far better and more memorable.
I know we talk about LB on here a ton - I thought it was cool that Joe Scudda, who apparently had gotten really into painting, did the artwork for Pooh’s - To Dream in Color album.
Fuck AI. Let an artist, a photographer, or shit….your guy that’s now into art or photography get a shot at it.
18. "I saw pics of this show" In response to Reply # 16
Thanks for posting the link, watching it now and it is EVERYTHING
Badu doesn't get the respect she deserves for her live show. If you've seen her several times over her career, you know how much work she puts into reinventing shit.
Ugh, brilliant.
She has said several times that one reason she doesn't release more music is she feels like her live show is her art. This sort of document helps that make more sense.
it's frustrating that she doesn't to albums regularly, but I get it. the lives are a a whole experience where she can connect with her audience in real time.
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