Rhymefest
Chicago, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Spin Magazine Reviews "El Che" - Spin Magazine
The reader discusses politics and music with rap superstar. - The Reader
Chicago rapper Rhymefest
Twitter name: RHYMEFEST
Sample tweet: which would you rather be - house vs. field slave?
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-twitter-celebrity-entertainment-pg,0,5266372.photogallery?index=11 - LA Times
n light of the sudden, tragic death of pop music legend Michael Jackson just hours ago this Thursday afternoon, it's worth revisiting this dedication album from Chicago rapper Rhymefest. Rhymefest, the Grammy-winning writer behind Kanye West's hit, "Jesus Walks," dropped this album early last year for free digital download. The Man In The Mirror sees Rhymefest rapping on top of production sampling from Jackson's extensive catalogue. Interludes mixed in-between songs splice audio clips of Jackson with responses from Rhymefest, cleverly creating the illusion of conversation between the iconic singer and the idolizing rapper.
Strictly from a musical standpoint, the album is dope. Mark Ronson, producer behind retro-soul singer Amy Winehouse, lends his direction here, stamping this project with the throwback sound that's become his schtick. Add to that equation the classic hits of Michael Jackson and you have a very funky, very soulful affair. Rhymefest is a great emcee who is often hilarious, insightful, and emotionally affecting. He sticks to kinda standard conscious rap topics like calling out fake gangsters. But he approaches it, not by attacking gangsters, but by relating to them, delving into their psyche, and disarming them. It's a fresh take on what's become a tired topic in itself.
Also worth noting is that the album highlights Michael Jackson's talent and accomplishments as much as it does Rhymefest's, making this a genuine dedication (instead of a shameless exploitation of MJ's hits). Often, the beat blends back into the original Jackson sample and Rhymefest lets that ride out (or vice versa). When "All That I've Got Is You" turns back into the Jackson 5's "Maybe Tomorrow," you get to vibe to a young MJ serenading for a minute and Rhymefest is right there with you happily geeking out to how great the song is. "All That I've Got Is You" is also one of three instances (along with "Breakadawn" and "Coolie High") where Rhymefest jacks the beat from some other hip-hop classic that sampled MJ. This works to give you a sense of Jackson's influence on hip-hop history.
As affecting as the music are the interlude conversations between Rhymefest and Jackson. You can tell Rhymefest is a huge fan of MJ himself as he plays out his fantasy studio sessions with the legend. Of course, Rhymefest being a joker, he can't help but poke a little bit of fun at Jackson's ...... eccentricity. But ultimately, these interludes humanize Jackson in a way that most media has forgotten to do in recent years. In particular, "Mike The Mentor" recontextualizes what is likely Jackson's defense of his cosmetic surgery decisions into an exploration of racial identity politics. Obviously, Rhymefest twists Jackson's words into a different message from what Jackson originally meant. But it somehow gets to the core of MJ's child-like idealism and tries to defend his views as much as a loyal fan would. It's real and it's affecting.
Rhymefest is a truer fan of Michael Jackson than most of us, including me. The fact that he released this dedication album before Jackson's passing makes his sentiments that much more honest and powerful. In the next few weeks and in June 25's to come, musicians will no doubt release tribute upon tribute to the late pop icon, many of which will be nothing more than exercises in cashing in on a famous dead guy. Admittedly, even as I write this article mere hours after news of his death, I feel a little guilty. This album stays untouched from any of those concerns. It preserves Jackson's legacy by reminding us how that legacy came to be built in the first place.
You can download The Man In The Mirror for free at Rhymefest's online store (no purchase necessary). You can also preview/stream the entire album before downloading it. - Examiner.com
"I just have a problem with ignorance being the overwhelming trend [in Rap music]," said Rhymefest. "You need ignorance. I like ghetto music - I like all kinds of music. It's just that when that is [the only thing you hear on radio], that's a problem." Previously, Rhymefest has worked with Kanye West, Lil Jon and Ol' Dirty Bastard. His new album, El Che features Little Brother and Saigon. - HipHopDX.com
Konee Rok directs the 'first-ever 3D music video' for Rhymefest's single "Say Wassup" f/ Phonte on the hook. As indicative from the still, the video's basic concept involves a real-life hand drawing a series of cartoons that animate on their own. The caricatures of Fest and Phonte are pretty accurate, which is entertaining in itself to see. Some well-known cartoons are used brilliantly to match the lyrics in Rhymefest's verses, most notably Quagmire from Family Guy (giggidy) in the first and Mrs. Jetson in the second. Unfortuantely, I can't get the full experience since I don't have 3D glasses (and I wouldn't know if you can keep them after watching Avatar because... well, I still haven't seen Avatar :-/), but if you do, I'm sure your curiosity will lead you to find them and put them on here. El Che drops tomorrow, June 8th. - Chicago Now
Discography
El Che (released June 8, 2010 on dN|Be Ent.). Blue Collar LP (released on J Records in 2006). Mixtapes: Man In The Mirror, The Manual, and DANGEROUS 5-18.
Photos
Bio
Che Smith is a revolutionary artist, writer, and activist. Popularly known as Rhymefest, the South Side Chicago native has been a trailblazer in music, television, and politics.
Emerging from humble beginnings, Rhymefest has managed to rise from substitute teacher to global educator. After permanently trading in his janitor uniform for a microphone, Rhymefest has been a vocal advocate for Hip Hop artists worldwide. In October 2006, Fest became the first rapper to meet with the United Kingdom's Conservative Party. As he sat down with David Cameron, the Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition, Rhymefest was able to convince the political figure not to be an enemy of all things Hip Hop. More recently, Rhymefest has traveled with Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas), Rep. John Conyers (D-Michigan), and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Georgia) as a proponent of H.R. 848, the Performance Rights Act.
As an emcee, Rhymefest is the total package. Few rappers can brag about defeating the lyrical wizard Eminem in one breath, and in the next, stake claim to music's most coveted prize, a Grammy. From battling off the top of the head, to penning classic hits, Rhymefest is one of Hip Hop's most dangerous emcees. A two time winner of Scribble Jam (1997 and 2003), Rhymefest came into the national spotlight after co-writing Jesus Walks with his childhood comrade Kanye West. Fest contributed significantly to West's debut, The College Dropout, co-writing songs like All Falls Down as well. The two also collaborated on Rhymefest's breakout single Brand New, off of 2006's critically acclaimed Blue Collar LP. From scribing 16s for legends like Queen Latifah and Lil Jon, to lacing his own tracks with extraordinary energy, Rhymefest is a powerhouse behind the scenes and in the limelight.
In front of the camera, few artists have the charisma and stage presence that Rhymefest naturally exudes. Taking the stage on Nick Cannon's Wild'N Out, Fest has one of the most memorable lines to date, as he freestyled "The black team, a real hard team to deal with, what the hell is this? A little baby Will Smith? I don't understand, by all accounts, Nick Cannon, get out of here, you need to Roll Bounce!" With humorous outbursts like these, Rhymefest thrives on late night television. On Last Call with Carson Daly, Fest blessed the national TV audience with an impromptu freestyle during his performance of Fever. Rhymefest has also been a welcomed guest on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live and even voiced a puppet on Comedy Central's Crank Yankers.
Outside of his political activism, songwriting, and television appearances, Rhymefest has been hard at work perfecting his highly anticipated El Che album. Finally liberated from major label red tape, Hip Hop lovers should expect to hear an unfiltered Rhymefest, free from the corporate suits and oppressive ideas of the prevailing record industry. Che is partnering with dangerousNEGRO Entertainment (dN|Be Ent.) as the flagship artist, and will enjoy full creative control over his projects. On June 8, 2010 Rhymefest released his long anticipated El Che album on dN|Be Entertainment. The album has received rave reviews with an XL from XXL and an 8/10 from Spin Magazine. Visit www.ElCheTheMovement.com for the latest updates on Rhymefest.
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