music matters

Song
The Story Behind The Pain by Tumi and the Volume

Back story
Tumi and the Volume is a South African group that has recently reached an international audience.  In 2002, MC Tumi Molekane met a Johannesburg-area house band during an open mic poetry night and the group was formed.  They are a musically and lyrically progressive band, who Mos Def calls “The Roots of Africa.”  Enough said.

Why this song
This song showcases Tumi’s conversational MC style, and the group’s musicality, including jazz guitar and yes, a trombone solo!  This track is from their self-titled album, recorded in 2005, released locally in 2006, and finally available worldwide in 2009.  If you like world music and hip-hop, this is a group worth exploring.

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Song
Auditorium by Mos Def

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Back story
Mos Def (born Dante Terrell Smith) is an actor and MC.  He became a respected MC in the 90s, mainly in the underground hip-hop scene.  He formed a critically-acclaimed rap group, Black Star, in the late 90s with fellow MC Talib Kweli, and has been part of the ‘socially conscious’ rap scene ever since.

Why this song
This song is from his most recent release, The Ecstatic (on Downtown Records).  It features a striking Indian lounge-style motif (including strings and flute), as well as world rhythms and hip-hop beats, all put together by producer Madlib.  There are dozens of interesting samples as well as guest MC Slick Rick, rapping about a US soldier in Iraq.  Any time people suggest hip-hop lacks musicality, complexity, or a coherent message, I point them to such songs.

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