ILL Vacation - The Mighty Underdogs
It's kind of amazing that Lateef the Truth Speaker and Gift of Gab haven't collaborated on a full-length disc before. Both rappers were original members of the Soulsides/Quannum crew up in Davis, CA, and both have seen wide ranging success in the hip-hop world (Lateef with Lyrics Born as Latyrx and on Fatboy Slim's "Wonderful Night," Gab solo and with Blackalicious). Sure, the Oakland duo had gotten together for the occasional track, most notably on Lateef and the Chief's 2004 number "Best of Me." But the Mighty Underdog's Droppin' Science Fiction (just out on Definitive Jux) is the first time that the pair has swapped lines for a full LP. And they're not alone either, as Headnodic of the SF's Crown City Rockers is along for the ride as producer.
So, how is the disc? Well, it's a little too smooth to these ears, but the uptempo stuff is damn good. Personally, I've never been super-impressed by how fast (damn fast) Gift of Gab can rap. I prefer when I can actually understand what he's saying, because he usually has a lot to say. But, oddly enough, the best tunes on Droppin' are the silly ones. Like "ILL Vacation," in which the pair are joined by Lyrics Born in describing their crazy island getaways, or "Monster," which can only be called "haunted house funk," or "Doglude," in which Headnodic builds a slinky soul instrumental out of samples of canine barking. And then there's the most old-school song, "UFC (United Flow Champions)," with cuts by DJ Shadow and a Joe Piscopo mention, which is always a sign of enduring quality.
With the Mighty Underdogs joined by fellow locals Zion-I, who have a new disc coming out in January, this should be one cool show.
The Mighty Underdogs, Zion-I, Sumkid @ The Grand Ballroom on Saturday, November 22; doors 8 p.m., tickets $20-$22.
With the Mighty Underdogs joined by fellow locals Zion-I, who have a new disc coming out in January, this should be one cool show.
The Mighty Underdogs, Zion-I, Sumkid @ The Grand Ballroom on Saturday, November 22; doors 8 p.m., tickets $20-$22.
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