Various Artists - Soundbombing (October 14, 1997)

The Soundbombing series served as Rawkus Records mixtapes showcasing the talent on the label. At one point, Rawkus actually had the most enviable lineup, if not the best-selling. Mos Def, rapper turned singer turned actor, was prominent on the scene, as was his frequent partner in rhyme, Talib Kweli. Backpackers sweated every 12-inch that Company Flow dropped. And angry white rapper R.A. The Rugged Man. (I don't have anything to say here about him really, I just like his name.)

Picking up this album was like getting your quick fix of the hip hop that you felt that you should be listening to, even if you bought it in the same transaction as a Jay-Z album. The rappers featured here were frequently lauded by music critics, most of whom didn't actually listen to hip hop in the first place. That's not to say there aren't some gems here, though.

The entire "mixtape" is mixed by DJ Evil Dee of Da Beatminerz. The reason that name may not look familiar to frequent readers is simply because, in my Originoo Gunn Clappaz review, I never actually named any of Da Beatminerz. That's right, I like going off on tangents.

1. INTRO (EVIL DEE/BRICK CITY KIDS)
It's a mixtape, so I'm inclined to give this rap album a pass. I hope Evil Dee doesn't repeat that "Evil Dee is on the mix, c'mon, kick it!" mantra, though; that could get annoying real quick.

2. FLIPSIDE (R.A. THE RUGGED MAN)
The Rugged Man once released a song called "Every Record Label Sucks Dick". You just have to admire the stones of a guy who loves to bite the hand that feeds him. No, really. Admire.

3. FIRE IN WHICH YOU BURN (INDELIBLE MC'S)
The feel good club banger of 1997!

4. LUNE TNS (COMPANY FLOW)
I already heard this on Company Flow's own Funcrusher Plus. Still like it.

5. NIGHTWORK (SIR MENELIK a/k/a CYCLOPS 4000)
Used to be a close affiliate of Ultramagmetic MC/all around insane guy Kool Keith (a personal favorite, naturally). I think he calls himself seventeen different names on this track.

6. ARABIAN NIGHTS (SHABAAM SAHDEEQ)
Sounds like a low-rent Kweli, which is strange, because in 1997 Kweli was the low-rent Kweli.

7. FORTIFIED LIVE (REFLECTION ETERNAL FEAT. MOS DEF AND MR. MAN)
Reflection Eternal was the group Kweli was in before Black Star formed, made up of himself and producer Hi-Tek. Classic track.

8. SHOW ME YOUR GRATITUDE (L-FUDGE)
Um...why should I?

9. TILL MY HEART STOPS (R.A. THE RUGGED MAN and 8-OFF)
For some reason, this reminds me of early Mobb Deep, except with an angry white rapper instead of a ballerina. (Yes, I brought that shit back!)

10. SIDE B FREESTYLE (MOS DEF and TALIB KWELI)
I'm sure this title made more sense on the cassette release. This freestyle is weak.

11. SO INTELLIGENT (SIR MENELIK a/k/a CYCLOPS 4000 and KOOL KEITH)
As a guy who believes Keith only sounds good over beats by either The Automator or Kutmasta Kurt, let me say this: I prefer the Automator remix over this shit. And yes, I think I'm smart, dammit.

12. EMPIRE STATERS (B-ONE)
Nothing special here. The s-ong isn't any g-ood.

13. IF YOU CAN HUH... (MOS DEF)
Less polished Black Star shit here.

14. UNIVERSAL MAGNETIC (MOS DEF)
Gooney-goo-goo? Mos, what the fuck are you talking about?

15. WHAT IF? (L-FUDGE FEAT MIKE ZOOT, TALIB KWELI, SHABAAM SADEEQ, and SKAM)
Some of the most awkwardly named emcees in rap history get together for a passable collabo track.

16. MY CROWN (BLACK ATTACK)
Sounds like a low-rent CL Smooth, which is strange, because in 1997, Kweli was the low-rent Kweli.

17. 2000 SEASONS (REFLECTION ETERNAL)
See track #13.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Soundbombing is a decent label sampler/mixtape which collected the Rawkus vinyl singles that were floating around, into one fun-filled jewel case. Also, this makes me feel less guilty about writing about Timbaland's debut album. You don't hear any new output from the majority of the artists anymore, but that's natural; on any mixtape today, how many artists are still around after a year?

BUY OR BURN? This CD is kind of rare, if I am to believe Amazon. But if you can, buy this shit and educate yourself on what magazines and internet forums tell you hip hop is/was supposed to sound like.

BEST TRACKS: "Fortified Live"; "Till My Heart Stops"

-Max

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