Monthly Digest #9: January-February 2022
RIP Traxamillion, RIP Max Julien, RIP CPO Boss Hogg, Dilla Time Book, Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, Gizo Evoracci, Amber Mark, Raveena, E-40, Bun B, Master P, Jay Rock, Nhale, Jee Van Cleef, 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, in English and in French (my native language).
✍️ WRITINGS ✍️
Remembering hyphy legend Traxamillion:
“It’s my loss–it’s every rapper, it’s everybody in the Bay–it’s all our loss." — @TooShort
Wrote some words reflecting on @Traxamillion and what his production meant for the Bay. Made a playlist too. Peep the link.
The POW Traxamillion Mix | Passion of the Weiss
Actor Max Julien, star of the classic 1973 Blaxploitation film The Mack, has died. He played opposite a young Richard Pryor in the movie.
Named one of @Longreads top picks of the week: After surviving a lifetime of brutal obstacles, the 28-year-old rap star was stabbed to death backstage by a mob of anonymous invaders just before a concert.
buff.ly/3qMVHMe
Rest in Power to CPO Boss Hogg. He worked with Tupac, Snoop, MC Ren and others ambrosiaforheads.com/2022/01/cpo-bo…
"nearly everyone interviewed for this story identified demos that can’t be found online... The magic of the internet, of course, is that these rarities may very well resurface shortly after this article is published."
@mosreeves @pitchfork
BounceBackMeek. One of the best in Stockton rap’s first golden age. Grim slaps made to shake the rear-views of cars that don’t brake for red lights. Spoke w/ @MeekBlood2900 about what his success means to his Cambodian community in Louis Park for @SPIN.
Profiled @nhaleTNE, Nate Dogg’s son & one of LA’s most promising rappers, for @theLAndmagazine. He pens neo-G-funk that tempers ice-hearted macking w/ romance. We discussed his rough journey from division 1 football star to preserving his dad’s legacy.
thelandmag.com/nhale-the-next…
I had a v honest & transparent conversation with @raveena_aurora recently for @Dazed where we touched upon the themes which twirl throughout her latest album as well as how she still feels pigeonholed in an industry coming to grips with her artistry
Entretien ✍️
Avec plus de trente ans d’expérience dans le Rap, Jee Van Cleef a eu l’occasion de s’essayer, à peu près, à tout ce qui touche à cette musique
📚 BOOKS 📚
"Educational without being overbearing, emotional without turning saccharine, Dilla Time is a must-read not only for fans of Yancey, but anyone with a deep love for hip-hop or Black music, full stop." — @ringer
.@dancharnas spent years writing ‘Dilla Time,’ interviewing over 200 friends, family and collaborators.
We spoke to Charnas about his new book, Dilla’s relationship with Q-Tip, and wanting to recenter Slum Village and Fantastic Vol. 2 in Dilla's legacy:
bit.ly/34ep15A
Dan Charnas wrote another essential work of hip-hop history w/ his latest "Dilla Time."
@soundsommelier interviews him about his early years at The Source, working as A&R at Profile & for Rick Rubin, and of course, the legend of James Yancey
passionweiss.com/2022/02/03/an-… @dancharnas
J Dilla wasn’t known to give many interviews, and his influence has grown exponentially since his 2006 death. “Dilla Time” by Dan Charnas explores what drove him.
“Dilla Time: The Life and Afterlife of J Dilla, the Hip-Hop Producer Who Reinvented Rhythm,” by bestselling author @dancharnas, vividly outlines the ways in which J Dilla shifted the notion of rhythm in the digital age.
🎙️ PODCASTS 🎙️
As part of Dilla Week 2022, @Questionshiphop is joined by 'Dilla Time' author, @dancharnas and former guest/Detroit hip hop luminary, @Franknitt. The duo recount Dilla stories and Dan puts his hip hop knowledge to the test. Lots of overall Dilla geeking out in this one. Out Now🎤
RIP to my brother Traxamillion. We have been good friends/musical collaborators since the mid 90's. He put our hometown San Jose on the Bay Area music map. Trax was a fan of the podcast too. In that spirit I wanted to share this interview.
-DEM
open.spotify.com/episode/7tmvgX…
Aujourd'hui je suis super heureux de lancer mon nouveau projet 'Audiography, le podcast de curiosité musicale'.
J'y parle musique et de la curiosité qu'elle déclenche pour moi.
Le 1er épisode raconte l'histoire du morceau 'Let Me Ride' de Dr. Dre.
linktr.ee/Audiography
NO SKIPS WITH JINX AND SHEA 🚫⏭💿
Ep 31: Jay Rock "Redemption"🤲🏾
We talk Jay Rock's foundational role in TDE, when serious people have fun, Kendrick showing up for his friend, and why Future has the best guest verse (of course he does)
LISTEN: open.spotify.com/episode/3kCqkn…
Du World Class Wreckin' Cru, en passant par N.W.A. , Death Row, The Chronic, 2001, Beats ou encore le Superbowl 2022…
On vous dit tout sur la carrière du légendaire rappeur et producteur : spoti.fi/3C0MO5L
👀 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!
