What's New In Dart's iPod #98 AKA The Magic Is Gone

This week also contained a fair amount of drama, intrigue and tragedy. While my Patriots managed to beat Atlanta I've failed to post about it on Armchair Linebacker. I saw a couple of movies this past week that I posted reviews to and I should also post them on Nerd With Swag some time late tonight. The Boston Red Sox finally clinched a spot in the postseason and look forward to facing the Los Angeles Anaheim Angels...again. October looks to be another excellent month in music as we had quite a few excellent albums drop in September. Next week's review blog is already looking great.

I'm still reeling from the fact that we buried Grandmaster Roc Raida of the world famous X-Men/X-ecutioner this week and I'm continuing to pray for the quick recoveries of Hex Murda, Kon of Kon & Amir, Kutfather & DJ Hideo. Remember that the Hex Murda benefit will be in Detroit on October 17th and feature damn near all the illest cats in Detroit Hip Hop (hence Hip Hop, period). I also announced that January 1st, 2010 I'll be making my final post on Poisonous Paragraphs. I'm proud of what I've done with this blog but I'm sure your Blackberry's, PC's & Macs will all appreciate the decision later on in 2010. Trust me on that.

The thing that further plunged a knife into my Hip Hop heart is that the legendary radio DJ Mr. Magic of Mr. Magic's Rap Attack show passed away recently. 2009 is really trying my fucking patience as of late. This man's impact on the global culture of Hip Hop and Rap music cannot possibly be measured and I don't have the talent to pay him the proper tribute or homage in one short paragraph. He will be missed. I continue to honor his memory by supporting the music he helped the New York, the United States and the world as a whole to love as much as he did.

This week I'll be reviewing four new projects that recently hit the 'net/bloggerverse and/or will be landing on store shelves soon in the following order: BK-One with Benzilla "Radio Do Canibal", Fat Joe "J.O.S.E 2", Hudson Mohawke "Butter" and The Undergods "Canibus And Keith Murray Are The Undergods EP". For those of you new to this blog, I don’t rate albums on a scale or assign them a numerical value out of 5 or 10, instead I merely answer the all important question of “Is it worth buying or not?”. Here's how my recently revised "Cop It Or Not" ratings system breaks down below:

Opinions be damned. This particular project has no redeeming qualities whatsoever and should come with a Surgeon General's warning and/or a biohazard sticker. It should only be handled by hazmat teams or bomb/demolitions squads. To quote Common & Canibus, this album is your worst nightmare squared.


Oh No! This CD is a drink coaster/table balancer/doorstop/gerbil/hamster room divider/frisbee/discus/makeshift shield/last ditch choice for a visor/alternate shuriken choice. Sell this shit to whoever is dumb enough to buy it from you.

Maeby (Maybe)! Depending on your own set of personal preferences you might like this joint. Give it a listen first to see if it's in your lane or not.


Mos Def! Cop the album when it drops...'Nuff said.

I miss Mr. Magic... © Nas


Best Joints: Ivan Tiririca, Gititit, Mega, Caetano Veloso, The True & Living, Here I Am, Tema Do Canibal, Philly Boy, Blood Drive, A Day's Work, Face It, Love Like That, Hyldon, Blue Balls, Eighteen To Twenty-One, Call To Arms and American Nightmare

Hot Garbage: N/A

Dart's Take: This is essentially a Rhymesayers Entertainment project where Brother Ali's DJ hooked up with producer Benzilla and they crafted a gang of gems based on Brazilian Samba, Funk and Jazz rhythms. The line up of emcees includes some of the best in the games today, namely Brother Ali, Slug, Black Thought, Scarface, Aceyalone, Myka 9, Abstract Rude, The Grouch, Murs, I Self Devine, P.O.S. & Toki Wright. This project bangs from beginning to end and it's surprising more people weren't talking about it before.

I have no choice but to give the extra dope "Radio Do Canibal" a mos def. This was a refreshing album and there was no doubt in my mind that I was hearing one of the best albums of the year as these beats married with these bars met my eardrums. Cop it from Fifth Element Online for only $9.99 as it drops on October 6th. You won't be disappointed in the least.





Best Joints: Joey Don't Do It, Congratulations, Ice Cream, Okay Okay and Blackout

Hot Garbage: Winding On Me, One, Aloha, Put Ya In Da Game, Porn Star, Cupcake and Music

Dart's Take: This album ranges from being downright embarrassing & unlistenable to a'ight. If you have an album of 12 songs but only 3 songs on it do you feel comfortable playing without headphones in front of other people then it's safe to say that your album is a fail. Fat Joe is a member of D.I.T.C. This album is chock full of speedboat music and crack slingin' tales a la Rick Ross. Just one problem: I FUCKIN' HATE RICK ROSS. I give "Jealous Ones Still Envy 2" an oh no. I might need a hospital bed next to Curtis Jackson after listening to this bullshit.






Best Joints: Shower Melody, Gluetooth, Joy Fantastic, 3.30, Trykk, Fruit Touch, ZOo00OOm, Acoustic Lady, Rising 5, Just Decided, No One Could Ever, Velvet Peel, Tell Me What You Want From Me, FUSE, Star Crackout, All Hot and Black n Red

Hot Garbage: N/A

Dart's Take: Hudson Mohawke has been featured on Poisonous Paragraphs several times in the past. Whether we're talking about his instrumental vinyl 12's, his projects as one of the Heralds Of Change, his "Polyfolk Dance EP" or his collaboration with Nadsroic from this Summer ("Room Mist EP") I've enjoyed what I've heard form Hudson Mohawke up until right now..."Butter" is just more collected heat to nod your head to. It took me about 2 1/2 hours to get through my first full listen. It even includes some of my older favorite Hud Mo bangers!

If you include his collabs with Olivier Daysoul (someone arrange a meeting between him and Bilal STAT) or his pairings with Dam-Funk then this album is bananas and I don't see it getting kicked out of my iPod Touch for a long ass time. I couldn't even tell you a track I didn't like off of "Butter". I guess I have to give it a mos def, too. Cop it from Warp Records when it drops on October 27th. Pre-order it here






Best Joints: 129, Show Em What Crazy Is, No Brainer, Gotta Be Real, Stop Frontin, Rise of the Machines and Show N' Prove

Hot Garbage: N/A

Dart's Take: Keith Murray & Canibus formed a group called The Undergods and dropped an EP on September 29th. I didn't get a copy until about Monday and let me say that while I was skeptical of the pairing they actually sound pretty good together. I think it helps that Canibus' lyricism is still as ferocious as ever and Keith Murray held his own as well.

The production was also handled by Erick Sermon & The Beatminerz mostly so that certainly helped. There was nothing wack on this album but 'Bis was murdering shit while Murray was just holding up his end. While this EP didn't suck, it wasn't mind blowing either (although I did have to rewind quite a few Canibus verses & laugh at some Keith Murray metaphors). Best I can do is give it a maybe, be pleasantly surprised and hope the full length is good as well. Check it out at least first on Amazon





Late Passes (For Doz Dat Slept):



Projects I'm Looking Forward To Reviewing Once They Leak...I Mean Drop in 2009:

Rhymefest-El Che

Jay Electronica-Act II: Patents Of Nobility
Jay Electronica-Abracadabra: Let There Be Light
Big Boi-Sir Luscious Leftfoot, Son Of Chico Dusty
Pac Div-Grown Kid's Syndrome
Blu-God Is Good
Drake- Thank Me Later
Alchemist & Oh No are Gangrene
Eternia & MoSS- At Last
B.O.B.-The Adventures Of B.O.B.
Billy Danze-Behind Gatez
AG & O.C.-Oasis: Together Brothers
Lil' Fame & Termanology Are 1982
Baatin-Titus
Phat Kat and Elzhi are Cold Steel
The Beatnuts-The Planet Of The Crates
Ski Beatz-Half Man, Half Amazing
Evidence-Cats & Dogs
Statik Selektah-The Hangover


Rest In Eternal Peace Mr. Magic AKA Sir Juice. Fuck you, 2009!

One.