A compilation by former NWA member and electronic pioneer Arabian Prince AKA Professor X
http://www.stonesthrow.com/arabianprince
Innovative Life is the perfect comp to spin at a grimy summer after-party where nobody seems like they’re up to any good. It’s distinctly 80’s, darkly delivering punch to keep the bass-heads stepping and the base-heads nodding. Arabian Prince (born Mik Lezan) does not suffer from a lack of versatility, moods and beats equally crucial to the formation of 90’s dance music, techno and gangster rap. Admittedly, Lezan’s sound is not without a tinge of old-school camp on the precipice of its second generation, but the rich production remains relevant when nasty synth riffs and programmed drums are still often the backbone of electronic music. There’s no doubt that a compilation that fits a contemporary niche plays stronger than one mired in pastiche or ironic retrospect. Twenty years later, the Prince is still current, still slightly cerebral and slyly carnal, and still holding court.
Lezan’s work draws the label of electro-rap, and ‘electro’ correctly precedes ‘rap’ in the genre description. Despite contributing greatly in rap’s nascence, Lezan never intends for his work on the mic to carry a track, instead letting his monotone delivery of predominantly simple lyrics serve as a clear reminder to dance first and ask questions later. This sentiment is no more evident than in Let’s Hit the Beach, a deep start/stop blend of Martin Luther church organ and Martin Denny exotica. Additional vocalists include an outstanding un-credited female backing vocalist and Dr. Dre (on the NWA track Panic Zone) to fill in the gaps where Lezan’s rasp just wouldn’t be servicable.
There are plenty of other gems here too, including climax Professor X (Saga), a track that manages to be both catchy and edgy. The saga is electrically percussive enough to fall into a lock-step trance, Prince loudly boasting over slick and parsimonious production. My main criticism of the collection is that it does get a little repetitive, and frankly it is a little difficult to differentiate a couple of songs from each other. There are, however, enough beats here to come back for, and at an hour long you can let this one burn in the background.
If this recommendation wasn’t enough to persuade you, Arabian Prince also produced J.J. Fad’s smash Supersonic—you know, the track Fergie ripped off in Fergalicious.
Shake your humps like a Bactrian camel to Arabian Prince:
Listen to Let's Hit the Beach (zshare)
Listen to Professor X (Saga)
Listen to Panic Zone (zshare) by NWA ft. Dr. Dre
Listen to Supersonic (zshare) by JJ Fad
http://www.stonesthrow.com/arabianprince
Innovative Life is the perfect comp to spin at a grimy summer after-party where nobody seems like they’re up to any good. It’s distinctly 80’s, darkly delivering punch to keep the bass-heads stepping and the base-heads nodding. Arabian Prince (born Mik Lezan) does not suffer from a lack of versatility, moods and beats equally crucial to the formation of 90’s dance music, techno and gangster rap. Admittedly, Lezan’s sound is not without a tinge of old-school camp on the precipice of its second generation, but the rich production remains relevant when nasty synth riffs and programmed drums are still often the backbone of electronic music. There’s no doubt that a compilation that fits a contemporary niche plays stronger than one mired in pastiche or ironic retrospect. Twenty years later, the Prince is still current, still slightly cerebral and slyly carnal, and still holding court.
Lezan’s work draws the label of electro-rap, and ‘electro’ correctly precedes ‘rap’ in the genre description. Despite contributing greatly in rap’s nascence, Lezan never intends for his work on the mic to carry a track, instead letting his monotone delivery of predominantly simple lyrics serve as a clear reminder to dance first and ask questions later. This sentiment is no more evident than in Let’s Hit the Beach, a deep start/stop blend of Martin Luther church organ and Martin Denny exotica. Additional vocalists include an outstanding un-credited female backing vocalist and Dr. Dre (on the NWA track Panic Zone) to fill in the gaps where Lezan’s rasp just wouldn’t be servicable.
There are plenty of other gems here too, including climax Professor X (Saga), a track that manages to be both catchy and edgy. The saga is electrically percussive enough to fall into a lock-step trance, Prince loudly boasting over slick and parsimonious production. My main criticism of the collection is that it does get a little repetitive, and frankly it is a little difficult to differentiate a couple of songs from each other. There are, however, enough beats here to come back for, and at an hour long you can let this one burn in the background.
If this recommendation wasn’t enough to persuade you, Arabian Prince also produced J.J. Fad’s smash Supersonic—you know, the track Fergie ripped off in Fergalicious.
Shake your humps like a Bactrian camel to Arabian Prince:
Listen to Let's Hit the Beach (zshare)
Listen to Professor X (Saga)
Listen to Panic Zone (zshare) by NWA ft. Dr. Dre
Listen to Supersonic (zshare) by JJ Fad
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