For fans of Golden Age Hip-Hop, the legacy of Ol’ Dirty Bastard looms large. But none of that matters to ODB’s son, Bar-Sun Unique Jones, AKA Young Dirty Bastard.
All in all, the 2022 version of the Taiwan Beats Showcase has proved to be integral to the region’s growth and continues to demonstrate Taiwan’s importance to the overarching independent and alternative scenes. I am of the opinion that the showcase will continue to serve as a proving ground for young and old artists alike, as they gain greater exposure and subsequent entry into the western zeitgeist.
Every now and then a musical artist comes along who completely rocks your world and turns everything you thought you knew about music upside down. For me, that artist was King Krule.
A French artist, CODE Le Rappeur began his musical quest writing lyrics at thirteen years old, after becoming awash in a wave of hip-hop music through the Grand Theft Auto Soundtrack, and listening to his brother’s computer’s speakers bombing mixtapes.
The golden era of Hip-Hop spawned a myriad of great MCs, DJs, producers, and groups. Unfortunately, when the Hip-Hop scene exploded many talented artists never received the exposure they deserved. One such case and point is Hip Hop veteran Dooley-O.
Darko The Super has managed to take everything we love about 1980s Electro-Hop, 90s Golden Age Hip-Hop, and 2000s Vaporwave, and merge it all into one ultramodern, futuristic, forward-thinking tour de force. Great White Buffalo is a record we are going to be talking about for years to come. With these tracks laid to tape, and now unleashed unto the world, its legacy is soon to be formally cemented.
2X Grammy Winner Daru Jones is one of the most respected drummers of his generation who has recorded, performed, and toured with an eclectic mix of renowned artists and producers.
Marc Smith AKA DJ Emskee is one of the true legendary DJs out there today, and he has been since the mid-80s. Marc’s take on record collecting (hoarding?), as well as his refreshing views on social media’s impact on music and the industry as a whole, were truly enlightening.
Somewhere beyond the depths of our reality and comprehension, DOOM is sitting back behind his mask and smiling. Wherever he is, I hope DOOM has an audience and that he’s still creating art the only way he knows how. At the very least, I hope the big man is at peace and resting. I know this…the next time I hear thunder, I will be wondering if that’s DOOM out there somewhere from the beyond sending beats our way.
