Monday 16 October 2017

Nas was a gun, Open Mike Eagle is a block of flats

"My other name is 3-9-2-5
Make sure that my story's told
Sixteen or so stories high
Constructed fifty five years ago
Winter weather, yeah here we go
Chi Town in my building code
Stood here for ten million snows
Wind is chilled and all in my bones"


Open Mike Eagle - Brick Body Complex
(From Brick Body Kids Still Daydream album; 2017)



This one appeared in last month's wrap up, but definitely deserves its own post. As me nan used to say, a well executed rap song/video about a Pertinent Issue™ is worth a thousand of yer little thinkpieces. Dunno enough about Project Blowed to know where/why/how this song fits into their lineage, but I do know that it soars where most Open Mike Eagle songs are content to flap about in oblique formations under the guise of Unapologetic Art Rap.

Wish there was more eccentrics on wax who made 2017 backpack-rap as good as this and Quelle Chris' Buddies. Quite like When Cats Claw by Shabazz Palaces too.

21 comments:

RIP Sean Hughes, 1965-2017. said...

Finally some actual quality Rap music. Had almost given up on this blog. OME is/was part of Thirsty Fish/Hellfyre Club/Swimteam/Alpha Pup/probably a dozen other collectives and indie labels. He did an entire album with UK beatmaker Awkward. When he's good he's sublime but as you say, he can vere off into oblique ramblings.

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

Everyfing I post is "actual quality RAP music", m8. It's just your taste isn't as advanced as mine.

Very much dig this OME song too.

d said...

here Mart you have any thoughts on that kickstarter it involves Jeru

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

What kickstarter is that?

Roman said...

The Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes album was great, this didn't gel as much. Will definitely add Billy Woods' Groundhogs Days to the 4/20 playlist (https://youtu.be/BttvWTOPtBY)

Anonymous said...

Nobody wrote very well about the Shabazz shit! Cats claw is a diss track and it is withering.

Tesse Wolfson said...

The kickstarter you get to when you click on RIP Sean Hughes, 1965-2017's username!! (I love when I have relevant information for The Martorialist comment section)

Tesse Wolfson said...

PS: don't forget to check out Thomas's new post about "world" rap music on my website!!! http://www.noonediesforever.com/2017/10/celebrity-guest-post-bladee-is-my-new.html

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

You've saved Thomas from the Hades of Orange County moshcore.

Lmfao @ Psycho Les & Jeru. Might be an even most mismatched couple than Paul & Courtney in Neighbours.

d said...

What I think of when i see the name Jeru is Beatnuts style levity n FUN. Dunno how it woulda turned out in 2017 but the Liks + beatnuts was a p perfect combo

d said...

plz dont leave again Thomas

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

Every time Les raps about fat arses or Daisy Dukes there's gonna be a Jeru ad lib telling him women should respect themselves or talking about yeast infections.

step one said...

Les: Buyin out the bar ain't nothin
Got the VIP on lock we thuggin!

Jeru: drink responsibly!

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

😂

Shapey Fiend said...

Nocando has another album out. Didn't enjoy the production on it as much as his last one but it's got it's moments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94Bxhhmm0FA

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

I thought that was quite good until something about his voice/delivery made me think of Eminem.

Anonymous said...

you like milo at all? the rapper, not the fascist nonce (no project blowed)

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

I vaguely know of him. What's some good shit of his?

Social Justice Worrier. said...

Milo Who told you to think full album:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0faXaFXb2wE

Jeru and Psycho Les's kickstarter bombed. Sad.

Molloy said...

Nocan definitely has an expressed an appreciation of contemporary Em so that's not far off. I blame battle rap, which he was more creative than most at.

First album is still the better one. Was notable at the time for having very progressive alt beats with odd rhyming punchlines. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMUjo1jGKEk

Kelvin Mack10zie said...

That's much better