The Real Music

.net

I'm in no way a hip-hop connoisseur, I am often put off by the money, girls and gangster attitude displayed by the vast majority of acts out there today. To me, good hip-hop, rhymes with old hip-hop. I need to go back to the late 80s and early 90s to find beats that I dig. What I really enjoy in those retro bands was there capability to add soul and emotion, other than sexual arousal, in their sound and lyrics.

Maxilla Blue are a fairly new arrival in the hip-hop scene, releasing their first outing back in 2008. Their third album, simply entitled Maxilla Blue Vol.3, was released this year. They come from the isolated lands of Des Moines, Iowa, probably most famous for the aggressive nu-metal of Slipknot. The band is a trio composed of producer Aeon Grey, DJ TouchNice, and MC Asphate. Maxilla Blue have a sound that is reminiscent of the old school days of the early 90s but have a unique quality forged by their life events and environment that is particularly different from that of the West and East coasts.

The music of Maxilla Blue Vol.3 is simply amazing. The beats and loops often have a 70s soul and funk vibe, making them more than just a backing track for Asphate to rap over. Some of the instrumental tracks are even standout parts of the album, "Fire & Rain", or the oriental inspired "Crane Style" for example. As for Asphate's flow, it's simply unreal, he's easily one of the best rappers I've ever heard. His rhymes fit the beats perfectly creating an overall music that takes control off your body as you find yourself bouncing to the rhythms. DJ TouchNice pops up every couple of minutes with intense displays of turntabalism that recall the prowess of Eric B. on Paid in Full. The trio offer song upon song of pure quality that will have you coming back for more over and over again. In my opinion, this is easily some of the best hip-hop to be released since the 90-93 trilogy of albums by legendary band A Tribe Called Quest. It's a bold statement indeed, but I stand by it.

How Maxilla Blue haven't become the main focus of hip-hop fans around the world is puzzling. At a time when the genre is tainted by the likes of 50 Cent and Kanye West, they are the needle in a pile of manure. Trust me, if you like hip-hop, these guys will have you bopping like you haven't in years.

F. Declercq 17/08/12