Mad Skillz "It's Goin' Down" (1996)
1996 is the time most ppl considered to be hip-hop in its prime or as some would call it the final stretch of the "Golden Age." This was the time everyone who was coming out or dropping material were set to a certain standard (heavy drums, banging loops, samples, scratchin on the hook.) And as a result a lot of artists gave the fans a lot of dope shit and it was great for hip-hop, but with the transition of hip-hop to the next era alot of acts from said "Golden Age" got lost in the shuffle. One of them being my man Mad Skillz, who now just goes by Skillz. His debut on Big Beat entitled From Where???, was a solid and damn near classic. It met and exceeded the standard of the time with heavy named producers like Large Professor, Buckwild, Jay Dee (aka J-Dilla), Psycho Les, Nick Wiz, Clark Kent, EZ-Elpee and Sean J. Period. One of the singles chosen from this album was the It's Goin' Down EP.
Now this joint featured one of my favorite cuts, "Doin' Time In A Cypha" which was produced none other than Buckwild (no surprise really). The beat is real chill, with a simple drum pattern while Mad Skillz talks about the coming of age that every real emcee should go thru, which is doing time in a cypha and building with other emcees. In a day and age where myspace, ringtone rappers are a dime a dozen and paying dues don't really mean what it use to, this song is just a testament of the era that it was made in, when real really mean real! The other 3 bangers on this single are dope too, with 2 joints from Jay Dee ("It's Goin' Down" & "The Jam") and Nick Wiz doing "Tip Of The Tongue." "The Jam" is prolly my favorite among the rest, the beat has that vintage Jay Dee sound that reminds u of some classic Slum Village with the voices in the background and low bass. The instrumental for All 4 cuts is also included, so ya'll know what to do. Also feel free to leave comments and opinions, All bloggers love when their visitors add feedback and we're the same over here. Peace and Happy Labor Day! .............
Now this joint featured one of my favorite cuts, "Doin' Time In A Cypha" which was produced none other than Buckwild (no surprise really). The beat is real chill, with a simple drum pattern while Mad Skillz talks about the coming of age that every real emcee should go thru, which is doing time in a cypha and building with other emcees. In a day and age where myspace, ringtone rappers are a dime a dozen and paying dues don't really mean what it use to, this song is just a testament of the era that it was made in, when real really mean real! The other 3 bangers on this single are dope too, with 2 joints from Jay Dee ("It's Goin' Down" & "The Jam") and Nick Wiz doing "Tip Of The Tongue." "The Jam" is prolly my favorite among the rest, the beat has that vintage Jay Dee sound that reminds u of some classic Slum Village with the voices in the background and low bass. The instrumental for All 4 cuts is also included, so ya'll know what to do. Also feel free to leave comments and opinions, All bloggers love when their visitors add feedback and we're the same over here. Peace and Happy Labor Day! .............
posted by Tired-N-Broke at 2:34 PM
6 Comments:
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I dunno I wasn't really feelin From Where? And Still Don't. He took so damn long to follow it up but he did release some dope 12"s in the late 90's. I love Lick The Balls & Concieted Bastard. I would say Danja Mowf's Album is way better than Mad Skillz but thats me. Thanks for The EP.
DOPE!!!! ONE OF MY FAVORITE ALBUMS! NEVER GOT MY HANDS ON THIS!!!! MAD PROPS!!!!!
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Don't forget about the production from Diallo on "Tongues of that next shit" feat Kalonji the Immortal.
Although he wasn't properly credited as a producer for his work (credits for the song read horns programmed by Diallo) with Skillz taking the production credit but that track was one of the dopest on the album.
I just found your blog... seriousness. thank you.
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