Soundbombing - Vol. III

As many hip hop fans will remember, Rawkus was once ruler of the underground indie label title. With memorable releases from Pharoahe Monch, Reflection Eternal, Blackstar and the highly acclaimed Soundbombing II, it seemed that as a label Rawkus was a true believer in unnderground talent, and was intent on bringing some fresh skills from the underground to educate the masses.

with the labels enthusiasm for underground MC's seemingly in decline, there has been a marked drop in the quality of their releases. The disappointment of the hugely anticipated Soundbombing III marked, for many, the death of Rawkus's credibility. Though the latest soundbombing compilation will undoubtedly satisfy a wider, more commercial audience, the avid hip hop fan will be very let down.

As far as the tracks go, there are literally one or two of any interest (a giant shift from the massive number of great tracks on soundbombing II). The production and mixing is poor at best, in contrast to J-Rocc and Babu's masterful turntablism on soundbombing II.

Hip hop fans, give this a miss, it will be a blight on your collection. Nelly, P-Diddy and DMX fans: you'll probably be satisfied.

In a world where the Ja Rule's and Nelly's rules the airwaves and media attention, Rawkus Records is obviously where we a;; look to when in the need of quality hip hop. And the lead-off single from Soundbombing III suggested that this is exactly what we'd be getting. "The Life" see's street hustler Styles pair up with street poet Pharoahe Monch for one of the best tracks of the year. The Ayatollah produced beat merges voice samples with gentle sighs and a deep bassline to set the tone for Styles to spit lines such as, "i'ma be right there when the soldiers a March/ i play my part/ in my heart it seem colder than March/ but on the flipside of things it's still warmer than June/ i have talks with the Lord and he'll be calling me soon". Showing he's worthy of his pairing with Pharoahe Monch, who sings the hook in unapologetic fashion.
The album also sees a return or so it would seem, to Mos Def. After giving us the classic "Black on Both Sides" in 1999, Mos has been quiet, leaving his fans nothing but the odd guest appearance to latch on to. I'm not quite sure what to make of "Freak Daddy" however, whilst it's anthemic guitar riffs will get head's nodding, it's lyrical content is just poor. Next up, Skillz follows suit. Over a sample of The Sugarhill Gang's "Rappers Delight", Skillz spits some strangely poor lines, which leaves you wondering what on earth has happened to Rawkus!
Luckily, things pick up courtesy of Kool G Rap and the Capone~N~Noreaga remix to the street anthem, "My Life". One of the album's highlights follows though. "Round & Round Remix" is more of what we have come to expect from the Soundbombing series. Method Man, Pharoahe Monch and Kool G Rap, who really shows his quality here. The master piece beat courtesy of Hi-Tek, plucks through a drum pattern which will make both head's nod and body's move. "Yelling Away" then follows in the same vein, combining roots soul and hip hop over a delicate harp and hand claps. Talib Kweli yet again shows why he is worthy of his critical acclaim of being the best rapper rapping today, "Look in the sky and I see Africa's eyes in it/ The land is dry like the cry infinite/ The tear we shed grow to fruit til the eye replenish". Kweli then carries on his brilliance on the album's stand out track, "Put It In The Air". The surprise pairing of inspirational Brooklyn native Talib Kweli with Compton pimp DJ Quik has to be heard to be believed. Surprisingly, the result is a funky beat courtesy of Quik over which Talib spits brilliantly clever quips. Talib Kweli makes his third appearance with The Roots on the riot-entyicing "Rhymes and Ammo". Kweli, Black Thought and Dice Raw try to out-battle each other which should please all.
Whilst most Rawkus fans will be disappointed with this album, i was happy to finally know there are rappers that care about our beloved genre. So for those of you bored with the Ja Rule braggadocio and every-other-artist bling blinging, buy this album.

Terrible album with only one good track by DJ Quik, Rawkus R.I.P