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Fitting that on the same day we drop our latest installment of our (mostly) monthly “5 Reasons Why New York Hip Hop Doesn’t Suck,” our inaugural entrant into this illustrious lineage, Homeboy Sandman, drops the video for “Calm Tornado,” (my personal favorite) off his critically acclaimed album The Good Sun.
There is not much more we can say about Homeboy Sandman than the good stuff we’ve already said. The fact is, when speaking to people who want to know more about what we’re doing with the site, and who we think personifies the potential of the New York City area hip hop scene, Homeboy Sandman is almost always the first name I utter.
To me, the Thievin’ Stephen-produced “Calm Tornado” is an almost plaintive commentary on Homeboy Sandman’s resistance to conformity, in hip hop, and perhaps, the world, delivered with a verbal prowess typical of the intelligent and pleasantly verbose wordsmith, over a ethereal vocal melody that meanders over a headnod-inducing baseline/breakbeat combination. Even when taking to task those with pre(ill)conceived notions of what a rapper should and should not do, as many “underground” artists will, Homeboy Sandman never crosses over into whining complaint, rather, he straddles the line between lecture and lament, fervor and frustration. Visually, the blend of archival footage mixed with scenes of tense drama, create a smart syncopation, helping turn the entire song into a grand double entendre, again perhaps juxtaposing feelings for his craft with thoughts on a more worldly scale. In any event, as with many of Homeboy Sandman’s material, his “comments are anything but commonplace.”
Take a look-see at the video for Homeboy Sandman’s “Calm Tornado,” by Surealphobia. If you aren’t already familiar with Homeboy Sandman, it’s a fine start.
Also:
“5 Reasons” honorees Homeboy Sandman [June, 2010], and Kalae All Day [October, 2010] – O.G.LYRIKALBOOKBAGGER [Video]
Kyle Rapps ft. KRS-One, Homeboy Sandman – Love, Love
Homeboy Sandman – The Essence [Video]
Homeboy Sandman Live – HomebaseNYC x PutMeOnIt CMJ Showcase [Video]
Homeboy Sandman Live – Opening his album party, The Good Sun [Video]
Homeboy Sandman Live – Lightning Bolt, Lightning Rod, Album release party, The Good Sun [Video]