Monthly Digest #3: July 2021

RIP Biz Markie, Geto Boys Reloaded, Scarface, E-40, Kurupt, Trackademicks, Memphis, Stockton, Leon Bridges, Mereba, Summer Of Soul Documentary, Funkadelic, etc.

Welcome to the latest edition of my monthly digest where I share cool and interesting stuff I’ve been reading, watching or listening to lately.

---

✍️ WRITINGS ✍️

Rolling Stone @RollingStone

Biz Markie brought wit and wisdom to rap and beyond for 30-plus years, whether freestyling, beatboxing, rocking the party, or making booger jokes. Rob Sheffield remembers the diabolical genius of rap’s old-school joker king.

rol.stFarewell, Biz Markie: Remembering the Wild-Style Chaos and Diabolical Genius of Hip-Hop’s Old-School Joker KingWhether freestyling, beatboxing, rocking the party, or making booger jokes, the late New York MC brought wit and wisdom to rap and beyond for 30-plus years

Rolling Stone @RollingStone

Biz Markie was "not just a rapper or a record-maker, but a true entertainer," his longtime friend Mike D tells us. Read the Beastie Boys member's moving tribute to the "completely unique musician."

rol.stBeastie Boys’ Mike D on Biz Markie: ‘Not Just a Rapper, But a True Entertainer’“Once, he was doing a DJ set opening up for us, and the power suddenly cut out,” D remembers of the “Just a Friend” rapper, who died Friday. “He didn’t miss a beat, human beatboxing and singing”

PHAROAHE MONCH @pharoahemonch

Vinyl Saved My Live. A tribute to Biz Mark. A true story written by yours truly.

spin.comVinyl Saved My Life: A Tribute to Biz Markie | SPINI envisioned an overcrowded Chinatown, and those glazed shiny ducks rotating around in the display windows of the restaurants. I remember feeling mournful

Rex Chapman🏇🏼 @RexChapman

If you don’t do anything else today, please read this tribute from @questlove to Biz Markie. Rest, Biz…

Otto Von Biz Markie @Passionweiss

An examination of '90s Memphis rap as seen through the prism of the late "Lost Futures" and "Capitalist Realism" scholar, Mark Fisher. One of my favorite pieces that we've published on the site. Brilliant work from @PaleSutler.

passionweiss.com“Is It Me or Society? I Can’t Tell:” Memphis Hip-Hop and the Slow Cancelation of the FutureWalker Armstrong analyzes the ’90s Memphis hip-hop scene through the “lost futures” perspective of cultural theorist Mark Fisher.

. @HaroldBingo

havent written anything in over a year but when @Passionweiss asked me for a piece on the latest stuff outta Stockton, California thats been catching my eye, i couldnt resist. hope y'all enjoy

passionweiss.comThe 5 Rappers Helping Stockton, California Forge Its Own Regional Rap PathFrom EBK Young Joc to Javn2900, Harold Bingo does a deep dive into the most original voices coming out of California’s Central Valley.

Rated R&B @RatedRnB

.@leonbridges opens up about his winding path to discovering his sound on his new album.

ratedrnb.comHow Leon Bridges Found His ‘Gold-Diggers Sound’ on New Album: InterviewGrammy-winning singer/songwriter Leon Bridges opens up about his experience recording his third album, “Gold-Diggers Sound,” which is out now.

Vox @voxdotcom

Here’s why Questlove’s new film #SummerofSoul (in theaters and streaming on Hulu) is a total blast to watch — and why it matters so much.

vox.comSummer of Soul tells an important, forgotten story — and it’s a total blastLost history comes to vibrant life in Questlove’s new documentary, and it’s a total blast to watch.

Relix @RelixMag

.@questlove's directorial debut, @summerofsoul opens tomorrow in theaters and on @hulu. Relix publisher Peter Shapiro interviews him about his Sundance-winning documentary in our latest cover story. Check it out:

relix.comQuestlove: The Soul of SummerPhoto credit: Daniel Dorsa Relix Publisher Peter Shapiro and Editor-in-Chief Dean Budnick speak with The Roots’ Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson about his

The New York Times @nytimes

George Clinton and his Parliament-Funkadelic collective’s third album, “Maggot Brain,” was a psychedelic blast of freewheeling protest music. As the LP turns 50, listen to tracks from the album as well as the music that fueled it — and was inspired by it.

nytimes.comBefore & After Funkadelic’s ‘Maggot Brain’Funkadelic’s third album was a psychedelic blast of freewheeling protest music. As the LP turns 50, we look back at the music that fueled it — and that was inspired by it.

---

🎙️ PODCASTS 🎙️

Black Effect @BlackEffectPods

🚨AVAILABLE NOW!!🚨 It's the premiere episode & @jprincerespect joins the show as the very first guest of Geto Boys Reloaded! They talk about the early beginnings of Rap-A-Lot Records, how ‘Geto Boys’ was created & more!! Click here: blackeffect.com/links #BlackEffect

Page Six @PageSix

New episode of the @JalenRose: Renaissance Man Podcast out now. Listen to the full episode with special guest @E40 trib.al/3CGG37X Apple: trib.al/56PpAqA Spotify: trib.al/6LDLHX9

Black Effect @BlackEffectPods

Today for Black Music Month, we're recognizing @E40 - an icon in the rap game and one of the greatest of all time‼️ In this episode, he joins @Jeezy to discuss how community influences music, longevity as an artist & so much more! blackeffect.com/links #ReSession #BlackEffect

Dad Bod Rap Pod @DadBodRapPod

New episode! This week we mourn Biz Markie in the first segment and then we have an amazing interview with @kurupt_gotti. We delve into Kurupt's legendary career including his most iconic verse and new project with HRSMN. Listen here linktr.ee/DBRP via @StonyIslandPods

Pendarvis H. @OGpenn

Before Hyphy Music, there was Mobb Music. And before that, there was Funk Music. Here's a lil hip-hop history lesson from the producer who made THEE remix of "Tell Me When To Go," @trackademicks. We still goin' dumb... #Rightnowish.

kqed.orgA Hyphy History with Producer Trackademicks | KQEDBefore Hyphy Music there was Mobb Music, but Funk Music laid the foundation.

---

👀 VIDEOS 👀

---

I hope you enjoyed all the content above.

If you did, tell your friends (your momma and your cousin, too):

First time reading Kick’s Groove newsletter? Check out the full archives.

Also make sure you subscribe to get every new edition delivered straight to your inbox. It’s free and you won’t have to worry about missing anything!

You can follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Questions? Ideas on how Kick’s Groove could be better? Email me.

And if you really value my good ol’ handcrafted music curation, you can make a one-time donation on my Buy Me a Coffee page. Thank you for your support 🙏

Ok, it’s a wrap, see you next month!