Re: Tokyo 1995 Hip Hop Report

Ben List (zero_mag@cyborg.or.jp)
Sun, 17 Mar 1996 12:53:48 +1000


Yuuta Sasaki wrote:

> Admittedly, and with all due respect, I did find the first half of live
> stuff somewhat weak. The various rappers' seemed to try to hard to emulate
> some of their more well-known American counterparts, plus their rhymes made
> me cringe at times going on about how 'hard' they are and with references to
> sleeping-in and Chinese noodles. But boy, with that 20 minute set by Kemuri
> Prod., my attitude sure changed. The groups in the remainder of the tape
> seemed tighter and more 'unique-unto-themselves' as well. Kaminari, King
> Giddra (now I really have to get their album) and in particular Soul Scream
> were beyond words.
I wonder why it hasn't occured to me that they may be trying to "emulate
well-known US counterparts." Can you provide some examples of places where
you sensed this? (RIP Slyme and Mellow Yellow are occasionaly said to remind
people of the Pharcyde, but beyond that...)
Look a little more closely at Twigy and RIno... those two are amazing...

> Slightly NT - Kaminari, do they have any singles or albums out, or were they
> just a one-off project?
Kaminari member GK Maryan had a track on a recent compilation that was
cut as a 12" with a special Kaminari mix (where all the rappers participated).
I never saw it in stores and therefore never bought, but this one is reputed
to be incredible and is likely to be completely sold out. Also, "Shougen"
which appears on that video, will be released as a Lamp Eye track (which
just happens to feature rappers from Kaminari (+ King Giddra's "Zeebra"
and Buddha Brand's "Dev-Large"). Also, Kaminari member "You the Rock"
is releasing an album in April which is likely to feature alot of his
Kaminari members (this one is going to be interesting).

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