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High Science (Malik B and Dj Easeback)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Aphillyation "United Snakes of America" (1996)
I remember going to a Roots show in the late 90's, and them bringing out Dice Raw to drop a verse in the middle of their set. He came out of the wings with a mic in his hand, ripped the verse on some hype shit, then broke out. It was raw, and at the time, it seemed like that was exactly how you should do a guest verse. He upstaged Black Thought during that song (can't remember what it was at the moment), it was like a f*cking whirlwind. I mention this because Dice Raw is a member of Aphillyation, which I know nothing about beyond this twelve; and on "Had R.E.M.", he produces a similar performance:
Aphillyation "United Snakes of America" 12"
The twelve hosts three cuts, "United Snakes of America", "Had R.E.M.", and "Puppetmaster". I've always pushed the needle to "Had R.E.M." Like the dark, almost spacey vibe with the plodding hi-hats and snare (while the kick gives it some bounce). Every cut on this record is essentially a posse cut (as the label says, Aphillyation consisted of Merdah, the Philly Titans and Dice Raw). "Had R.E.M." shines about 3/4 of the way through the track when Dice Raw blazes into it:
Yo, enter my constellation
The continent reviles(?) your consonants
flow at a constant...fluctuation
Dice Raw brings the flow and energy that seems to be missing from the previous MC's and blows everyone else off this track. He ended up with more verses on Roots albums, but anyone run into other Dice Raw records? This one includes the three cuts mentioned, as well as the instrumental for "United Snakes of America".
SIDE NOTE:
Dice Raw is only featured on the single "Puppet Master". The emcee the reviewer is refering to on the single "Had R.E.M. " would be Dj Easeback. - Twelve Inchers -Djespionage
Philadelphia Underground hiphop legends combined forces to bring forth one the dopest albums of the year. Perhaps you read about Broady Boy Ace in the december 2000 issue of the Source magazine, him and his Crew the Black Opz were featured in an article. OR maybe You Saw DJ Kid Swift Touring with Mc Schoolly D, or heard his cuts feautered on the New Smut Peddlars album. Cipha Born of Aphillyation recently Dropped a Single featuring Chief Kamachi and The Roots. THese Artist and more came together to form this Album: Homemade Hiphop VOl. 1.
So Look out for The Cook out. PEACE......
- CD Baby
'Like the previous two "Back To The Underground" mixes this one contains mostly mid 90s independent hip hop tracks. Some are well known others not so but I tried to make a mix that I can still listen to in the future and not get bored with it. At this place I would also like to thank all the peeps who blessed me with their knowledge over the years especially Indyvinylz, Deerhunta, Alkuttraz, SkratchMyNutz, Top-Notch, GHH and Funky09.
Hope y'all enjoy the mix.'
SIDE NOTE:
Track 11-Aphillyation - Cried Da Tuff Guy - VInyl Addicts
Discography
Malik B
Organix! (1993) Cargo Records
Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995) Geffen
Illadelph Halflife (1996) Geffem/MCA
Things Fall Apart (1999) MCA
Game Theory (2006) Def Jam
Rising Down (2008) Def Jam
Street Assault (2005), F.D.M.E.
Psychological EP (2006), F.D.M.E.
Dj Easeback
United Snakes Of America/ Had R.E.M./ Puppetmaster
12inch (1996), Echo International
Inoculation EP (2009), Famous Records Corp
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Bio
Malik Abdul Basit is a hip-hop artist who was a member of The Roots from the early 1990s to their 2000-2001 tour.[1][2] He has released one EP, entitled Psychological on emcee Haak Blast's publishing company "Future Blast Publishing". Malik B aka Malik Blunt, is a rapper who appeared on the first three albums released by The Roots.
On The Roots' album Phrenology, Black Thought dedicated a song to Malik B entitled "Water". The song details how Thought and Malik B met one another and eventually became essential in the development of the Roots.
On The Roots' seventh studio album, Game Theory, released in August 2006, Malik B returned to the group,[3] appearing on three tracks, including the title "Game Theory" (track 3, listed as 116 on North American releases), "In The Music" (track 5, listed as 118 on North American releases), and "Here I Come" (track 8, listed as 121 on North American releases). The nature of his relationship with the group was indicated by the fact that his tracks were billed as "featuring Malik B". In the liner notes, The Roots thanked Malik B, adding the statement: "Welcome Home". Malik B is also featured on two of the tracks on The Roots' 2008 album Rising Down, "I Can't Help It" and "Lost Desire".
Malik B was featured on MC Solaar's 1994 album Prose Combat in a smashing duet with the French/Senegalese rapper.
Malik B also released a solo project entitled Street Assault which was created by Malik B and F.D.M.E's Emcee Haak Blast to start a buzz for Malik B's solo recordings. However, it became bigger than expected. Because of "Street Assault and the Psychological EP", Malik B has been featuring on The Roots albums since Game Theory (though he was once a permanent member since joining up with Black Thought and Questlove back in their college days, featuring on the albums, Do You Want More?!!!??!, Illadelph Halflife and Things Fall Apart).
Dj Easeback grew up in the Logan section of North Philly. He began fully embracing every aspect of the hip hop culture as a local dancer and rapper but it wasn’t until he started assisting local DJ’s at neighborhood house parties that the connection was made and his journey of becoming a profoundly innovative hip-hop producer began.
The understanding of production as an art was key. Ease viewed himself as an artist and began taking in every aspect of the production art form. He was a permanent fixture at most local studio sessions including ‘Shadsious’ (Jive, signed early 90’s) and Three Times Dope (Jive, signed late 80’s). He furthered his knowledge by enrolling at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri, as a Multimedia Communications major. It wasn’t long before Ease made his presence known on the streets of St. Louis by becoming the ‘go-to’ guy for the underground hip hop scene. By infusing the St. Louis jazz scene with the grittiness of his already established hardcore sound, it was a blend few could refuse.
After blending all of the elements of hip hop, jazz, newborn ska and grunge, St. Louis had to offer; Ease received his Degree and returned to Philly. With a mature well-developed sound and a new outlook on music and beats, Ease hit the studio with a vengeance.
Dj Easeback began by developing and producing songs for Logan valley emcees ‘Aphillyation’ aka APN (Tommy Boy 1996), Dice Raw and Mars Co-op (Roots-MCA 1995), Mike Knox (G-UNIT Philly) and Dutch (Major Figgas and Dutch & Spade), leading to the production of his major Philly underground classic “United Snakes of America /Had R.E.M.”. He then moved on to tour alongside Roots crew members, Mars Co-op, Malik B and Flo Brown, working on the unreleased group project ‘Phila Fifth Dynasty’ and formulating Nahmean Recordings (formerly Illamuse Beat Works) with local New York mix tape DJ, Redd Rokk. After a brief stint producing music alongside such acts as Red Spider, Terror Squad and Pretty Ugly at Manhattan’s Soho Studio under Legendary DJ/ Producer Stretch Armstrong, Dj Easeback hi
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