Aquatic Son (Midwest Konnect / Sway Heavy Records)
What are your top five albums that were released in 2011? (in order 1-5)
Top 5 albums of 2011 is a tough one.
#1-Kendrick Lamar-Section.80
That was an amazing album. A lot of people slept on that joint. It’s not really super-duper-hip-hop-backpack-conscious but he does have a lot to say and he covers a lot of issues that people go through. I have mad respect for Kendrick because his rap is so human. He raps about his flaws and man’s flaws while most other rappers just talk about how perfect their lives are.
#2-Phonte-Charity Starts at Home
That was a really good album. Production-wise it was especially dope. Swiff D SNAPPED on that shit! Also, Khrysis and 9th Wonder murked on tracks as well. Phonte has always been one for great beat selection. So if you are looking for clever wordplay as well as fresh bangers I would say Charity Starts at Home is a must have.
#3- Skyzoo-The Great Debater
A lot of people sleep on Sky. He is a super talented lyricist. In fact a little bit too talented at times. Meaning a lot of times his shit goes over people’s heads. But when you do that research and figure out what he’s saying it’s like DAMN SON! He’s one of my favorites, and he got some real heat on the production on that joint as well.
#4-Stalley-Lincoln Way Nights: Intelligent Trunk Music
Again it’s not super-duper-backpack but the beats are raw and he has a nice style. It’s exactly as described; intelligent trunk music. He’s got a few dope concept tracks on there, as well as some nice word play and inspirational lyrics. Not sure what’s going to happen now that he’s fuckin’ with Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, but I really hope he stays true to this sound. Also, if you’re not familiar with Stalley, though it’s not a 2011 release, the Mad Stalley project is definitely worth a liste—Stalley rhymes and all Madlib production. BANNANA’S!
#5-Elzhi-Elmati
Though the production is really nothing new—considering its all remixes of Nas tracks—El held it down lyrically, as usual. He never comes sub-par, and is in fact, one of, if not my favorite emcee of all times. I just really wish he would work on his beat selection, as well as getting nicer—feature producers and other emcees. He seems to fuck with the same people and that’s cool—Black Milk is one of my favorite producers—but I want to see him flex on another style every once in a while. But the album is definitely worth listening to.
What band did you discover in 2011 (can be a brand new band or an older band) that had an impact on your life? What made them significant?
No answer.
How will you remember 2011 (in terms of music)?
In terms of hip-hop, 2011 was pretty average to me. I wasn’t surprised by much of anything—only mildly excited by the aforementioned Top 5. I mean I’m not sure if it’s just a lack of creativity going around or what but I’m not hearing much new shit these days. A lot is being recycled. Though there are a few artists that I like the direction they are going, for the most part the game is kind of like unflavored oatmeal; especially around the Twin Cities area. Everyone is on Rhymesayers dick trying to sound like them. People just need to be themselves.
What can we look forward to from you in 2012?
I’m actually working on my first solo project. I’m not totally sure what to call it yet because a lot of things are still in the air, but the project will probably be titled Son of Poseidon. It will be between 8 and 10 tracks, and you can expect most of the production to be from me. I have 2 joints that aren’t produced by me so far, and I’m not going to say any names as far as who those tracks are done by. You’ll just have to wait! Besides that, Midwest Konnect is working on a mixtape as well as an album. So be on the lookout for some new heat from the Sway Heavy camp.
What records are you looking forward to most in 2012?
No answer.
What did you expect to be huge in 2011 which never made it?
I kind of thought the Jay-Z and Kanye’s Watch The Throne project was going to be a really big deal but as it turns out it wasn’t that deep. I mean, sure they are doing the whole tour and they are getting a lot of radio play but I’m assuming that is all attributed to payola because myself and A LOT of people weren’t feeling it so much. Sure there were like 2 or 3 joints on there that where dope that I play regularly but for the most part the album was kind of booboo; especially on Jay’s part. His verses were SO sub-par compared to Kanye. The album sounds like Jay was thinking, “Oh well I’m rapping with Kanye, so I don’t have to be to lyrically intensive.” And Kanye was like, “Oh shit, I’m doing an album with Jay! I’d better step my bars up.” So you got this replacing of roles to where Kanye is kind of on top lyrically. It was off-putting to say the least. I feel like Jay Z is getting away with doing less and less these days. Like, somewhere along the line he realized that he didn’t have to sell records anymore, and for the records he did put out he didn’t even have to say shit for cats to buy it. So not only did he stop putting out music as frequently he also just stopped giving a shit about the content of his bars. I guess that’s what being a multi-millionaire does to your work ethic.
