Tyler the Creator – Chromakopia

Tyler’s an interesting character. I couldn’t and still can’t get into his earlier stuff when he was really pushing the limits during his horror-core phase, confused about his sexuality, masculinity, identity, and stirring shit that has left a stain. Yet he’s done some growth, owned his shit, and redeemed himself. Tyler’s redemption arc is one of the most iconic pop twists. Yet what lingers now is a weird fan base of those that were into that (mostly hyper masculine white bros), kids that didn’t know about it and being recently shooketh, and folks who have forgiven.

I’ve written before about Tyler being Bowie-esq. Tyler had contemplated this being his last album and disappearing from music for awhile. Then stopped doing the Noid character sharing the costume carried the weight of the feelings and thoughts during the making of the album and not wanting to feel that now.

Listening to this album takes me right back to the concert, still one of the best shows I’ve seen. It’s been 1 year since Chromakopia dropped with the vinyl finally released to celebrate the anniversary. The packaging and design is top notch as one would expect from Tyler. It’s spread across two discs (grumble...two discs...grumble). Admittedly the 2 discs means the bass on this is +++.

It’s a highly personal album and is best heard in full. Ultimately, Chromakopia is a love letter to his past, home town, and blackness. Reflecting on his personal growth, it’s to those he loved, hurt along the years, to the little confused kid, and an insight into the toll of fame on one’s mental health, all woven together by narration of his mother Bonita through sound bites "taking a bunch of shit….told me as a kid”.

This album was a grower after being in love with Igor for so long. But now it’s up there with my favourite albums.

#Tylerthecreator #Chromakopia #hiphop #soul #Vinyl #records #nowplaying #nowspinning

Bon Rock - B Boy (Oh La La) 

Bon Rock aka Keith Rodgers was a radio DJ and one of the first to be released on Tommy Boy. After coming to the attention of French Disco producers he released Street Dance and this album was first released in France. It doesn't include Street Dance oddly but does contain the hit Searching Rap.

I first heard Searching Rap via a Soul Jazz compilation and realised it contained a sample from my much-loved disco track "Searching to Find the One" by Unlimited Touch. I later discovered it also contains a sample from Ripple's "I don't know what it is but it sure is funky". I happened to pick up this album by chance some years ago. I was browsing a little record store in an Tarntanya // Adelaide arcade. It had good stuff but the owner at the time was intense so browsing was always a bit tricky. (It's since been taken over and a more relaxed experience). This was there for $30 I think. I discovered much later it goes for crazy prices on Discogs. 

My partner commented today this is the most Tom Tom Club sounding hip hop album and I think that's pretty apt.
 
#hiphop #bonrock #KeithRodgers #bonrock&therhythmrebellion #nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records 

Queen Latifah - All Hail the Queen

I always liked early hip hop as a kid but this wasn't cool in my home town - it was all about Cypress Hill and Tupac etc. Hip hop in my growing suburban town had a racist, class bias and narrative around it - particularly if you were a young woman. That's a long-complicated story.

Skip forward to 2007 and I first heard MIA Karla and that blew my mind. I thrashed that CD and reconnected with my interest in hip hop - particularly female artists. Shortly after I picked up an excellent cd comp by Soul Jazz records "fly girls" - all female fronted hip hop from 80s & 90s. I was re enjoying tunes from my youth and new discoveries with a shame free experience. Sounds crazy but it was liberating. Funny how music and time / place can do that. It's one of my favourite compilations still this day.

I picked up this repress today which has been on my want list for years. I didn't specifically want a colour pressing, it's just what was available.

This album is killer from start to finish and feels good to finally own a copy on vinyl. I heard my neighbour who was out the back give a cheer when Ladies First came on.

#hiphop #QueenLatifah #nowplaying #nowspinning #vinyl #records