The former, a rap group from Gainesville, Florida (Against Me!'s home town) consists of two MC's and two producers (I believe), with thoughtful and *gasp* sometimes politically tinged lyrical content to compliment. To be honest, I haven't grasped the meaning of most of the
lyrics/listened enough to tell you how well these two MC's spit, and if it really is intelligent subject matter, but that should be evidence of how engaging the actual music is. Not lame, rehashed samples from hit songs that were big 30 years ago (ahem KANYE, TIMBALAND), but noodling acoustic guitar and bongo break downs found on the excellent track 400 years, or the upbeat piano found on the cheerful song Maintain. To be fair, from the lines that do standout, one can be assured the subject matter is far from the 'Where my bitches at/HUWHAAAT/get crunk' drivel some MC's spit and have the audacity to claim as 'gangsta shit'; talking about
living life, shots at mainstream music and the like are just some topics CYNE touch on. CYNE, which appropriately stands for Cultivate Your New Experience, bring a fresh take on the stale genre hip hop has become (in the mainstream). Devoid of idiotic gimmicks, ridiculously stupid subject matter and unfortunately, the publics eye, they stand a head above other artists in the sputtering genre - for those who know about them. Spread the word!
Looking at Jahbitat's myspace, you can already tell this guy isn't...well...normal. A quick look at his interests will quickly affirm this, if the picture of shaggy Simon Williams-among-the-weeds didn't tip you off yet. If your music is influences are as diverse as his, from narwhals to mountain goats and tapirs, your music better be organic, earthy and soothing to reflect that. Which he does, quite effectively. I stumbled across Jahbitat's page through CYNE's myspace, and after letting the instrumental music play in the background while I looked up funny pictures on the interwebz, I realized I had found the perfect background music. Soothing, and not at all imposing itself on the listener, I believe Simon Williams (or rather Jahbitat, his real name doesn't seem to suit the stripped, down-to-earth nature of his music. Bad puns ahoy!) has created music that truly reflects the very essence of nature and how we see it in our modern, changing world - constantly soothing in the background and not imposing in the slightest, but upon further inspection, amazing and almost ethereal in its beauty.
With all the wonders and creations in our world, we sometimes take for granted the scenery, in favor of the convenience of the streets and skyscrapers we frequent, but there are moments of pure bliss we get from truly appreciating nature, and this unique artists awakens and replicates this appreciation in us through his music. While some of his tracks muddle on, there are instances where you are taken aback - beautiful piano melodies, mixed with driving hip hop beats leaves the listener awestruck, which is an amazing feat for any artist. My initial impressions of this artist are just from the tracks on Jahbitat's myspace, but if I ever get a hold on an album of his, I'll write up my thoughts about it. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.
I think the lesson today, which many of you already know, is that if you dig deep enough, treasures underground surface and surprise you - and I know the work it takes to dig up and uncover the artists is paid back tenfold by the satisfaction of spreading the word about their music.
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