Kool G. Rap, one of the nicer wordsmiths to emerge from hip hop’s “Golden Era,” has maintained a fairly low profile over the years, popping up every now and then with folks like M.O.P. and Rick Ross, but this is changing as he is returning to the scene with a new album. The Queens-bred MC, whose signature lisp, complex rhyme schemes and storytelling ability surely ranks him among the genre’s finest, re-emerges with “Sad,” a visual hood commentary over a bluesy/soul-dripping track laid down by Supa Dave.
While it’s great to hear from a legendary MC who is one of my personal favorites, something about this track doesn’t completely sit right with me. Perhaps it’s the levels, to my ears, it sounds a bit unmixed, as if the vocals are a bit overpowering, amplitude-wise. Could just be me. Nevertheless, “Sad” is definitely enough to make me “Happy” about Kool G. Rap’s upcoming Riches, Royalty & Respect album, which is “coming soon”.
Give it a listen and let me know what you think.
[audio:sad.mp3]Download/Listen: Kool G. Rap – Sad
And as proof of my respect for KGR’s artistry (as well as a thinly-veiled plug to satisfy my own narcissism), check out how I personally paid homage to the Juice Crew veteran, back in my “I-still-like-to-spit” days. Hopefully, I did him justice.
Manny Faces – (Dipset) Symphony [Freestyle]
[audio:mannysymphony.mp3]