'When Worlds Collide' -some of best in local hip hop

By Strings

Like a lot of folks, I can be a bit schizophrenic in my taste. One day I can be open to try nearly anything and other days, give me nothing but the familiar. That goes for food, television, movies and music.

When it comes to hip hop, usually I’d much rather hear EPMD, Gang Starr, Dilated Peoples, Eric B & Rakim, Robb Base, A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Slick Rick, old LL, Kool Moe D, MC Lyte, Run DMC, the Jungle Brothers… you catch my drift. But, occasionally, I’ll try a new flavor. For the most part, I haven’t been that interested in the “new breed,” especially the corporate “hip hop heroes” who shall remain nameless here. Still there are a few folks out there who grab and hold my attention—for example, NYOIL and Immortal Technique. (After all, I’m from the Gil Scott- Heron and Last Poets generation!) Oh yes, and there’s my all-time current day favorites—Andromeda. Nope, didn’t pick them just because they’re local and the folks behind the group—Brainstorm and DJ Polaris— happen to be dear friends of mine. They really are that good. So, anything they put out, I’m on it and never disappointed.

Given that, I admit to some mixed feelings about checking out “When Worlds Collide” by Fort Wayne’s The Urban Coalition. I was elated to find Andromeda among the groups that make up the UGC which also includes 219 (Barrage & Roc Vicious), Weather, Roleo & EDS, Big World and X. On the other hand, I found myself falling back into wanted the tried and true, especially knowing from experience how crazy it can be trying to manage a collaboration involving nine folks. And, while there’s some talented folks out there with regard to delivering the words, there’s not always the same level of consciousness in the content. With Andromeda, I had gotten used to serious, politicallycharged cutting edge lyrics and that’s my preference. (Bit of a qualifier here: Don’t get me wrong, I can be death on some of the “gangsta” stuff out there, but I have to admit to four past guilty very politically incorrect pleasures—Ice T’s “Power,” NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton,” Geto Boys’ “We Can’t Be Stopped” and Ice Cube’s “Amerikkka’s Most Wanted.” What the hell, add Cube’s “Death Certificate,” Willie D’s “Controversy” and Choice’s “The Big Payback” to that list.) So, I was curious as to what the mix would be like with one of my favorite groups mixing with others.

First off, it’s different. That’s a huge tribute to DJ Polaris’ skills as a producer. While I can hear a bit of what I’ve grown to love about Andromeda’s music, Polaris has created something noticeably different from what he does in his own group. What he has developed here is a diverse tapestry of beats, cuts, scratches and riffs that fit the mix of microphone talent. As always, however, the sound is perfect for the genre with just the right emphasis on the beat and grit of the bass without turning it all into mud. Of course, there’s plenty of interesting flavor on top too.

In case you’re wondering, Fort Wayne has it’s own hip hop flavor. Definitely born in the “crossroads of America” as Roleo explains, along with Brainstorm and featured rapper P.L. Lee, on “Endyana.” That’s not to say folks don’t have their individual styles:

• Roleo—straight up, little embellishment, just the truth, Ruth;
• Brainstorm—higher pitched, with an ever-present edge and lots of literary allusion;
• DJ Polaris—strong bottom, with plenty of historically context, even on a “local” level;
• Roc Vicious—frantic, with a real street edge
• Weather—somewhere in the middle of it all, with a penchant for demanding personal responsibility;
• Barrage—definitely the street vibe and one of the “rawer” voices on the collection;
• P.L. Lee—a little bit of rasp mixed in with consciousness request for folks to straighten up the game in the neighborhood;
• Schizo—a strong female voice who holds her own with flow and lyrics;
• Muad’dib—very clever, with a nimble delivery—kind of like the muad’dib of Arrakis and Muad’dib himself;
• V.I.C.—delivery with the smoothness of a true street poet.

The CD is full of the themes that make hip hop work. Yes, there’s a fair amount of the MC challenges and hedonistic desire (check out the brilliant “Pens and Needles” even if you aren’t into the braggadocio thing), occasional sexual references in places and political observations geared specifically for those who get there news from the hip hop great vine.

There are a number of standout tracks including the title track on which Roleo, Barrage, DJ Polaris, Roc Vicious and Brainstorm all turn in strong lyrics and some of their best delivery on the collection; the stunning “Poetry,” which benefits from some beautiful female energy thanks MC Schizo and renowned local singer Fatima Washington, who can stand on the stage with the best of the so-called new generation of divas that show up on MTV and BET; “Pathos,” a plea for adopting the posture of personal responsibility and a shout out to working folks, with Weather and Brainstorm delivering a chorus that features perhaps my favorite lyrics on the collection:

Weather: If I could get one man who’s mad to get up off his ass and take a stand

Brainstorm: Now that’s a beautiful speech

Weather: If I could get one girl to realize she needs go and grab a piece of this world

Brainstorm: Now that’s a beautiful speech

Weather: If I could get one boy to understand that it’s better to build than to destroy

Brainstorm: Now that’s a beautiful speech

Weather: If I could get one woman to stop all the foul [expletive] she’s doing and start moving

Brainstorm: Now that’s a beautiful speech

The track also features some of the most interesting music on the record.

There’s plenty of other good stuff here like on “Old School Beat Down,” which features, yeah, an old school beat down; “On The Regular,” with an inspired mix of MC including Barrage, Brainstorm, Schizo, Roc Vicious and Weather; and, again, “Pins and Needles” with a fine opening turn by Muad’dib. Oh, and don’t miss the intro that features a sample from the old sci-fi flick that gave title to the album.

All right. So I tried something different when it comes to hip hop and, well, I kinda liked it, if you know what I mean. Maybe some of y’all will too.

This is part of the December 23, 2009 online edition of Frost Illustrated.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.