Thursday, August 30, 2007

Not As Seen On MTV: J Dilla and C-Rayz Walls

I'm not exactly interested in being on the "cutting edge" of hip-hop so much as just discovering good music. Case in point: here's two music videos I just discovered, neither of which are new. You very likely haven't seen them either since I get the impression they've been played nowhere...

First up, C-Rayz Walz, a rapper I personally have looked over although I've enjoyed the Def Jux stylings of Cannibal Ox, Aesop Rock, and (for a few albums) Murs. Now that I've seen this I'm probably gonna pick up the album, despite the fact that it's several years old. This video is quite simply awesome. Presenting: Blackout by C-Rayz Walz





Also on the menu is a personally favorite, J Dilla. From his posthumous release Rough Draft and also available on the compilation Chrome Children is a very repetitive, yet completely wonderful track "Nothing Like This." The video is wonderful and unusual like the song, and made me particularly excited because for some reason I had been hoping someone would do an animated feature with Dilla's production as soundtrack. I wish I would see more experimental videos focusing on the content, style, and feel of the song rather than simply showcasing the artist or creating a "mini movie" for them to star in. "Nothing Like This" by J Dilla ladies and gentlemen: