First came the original found on the Nuclear Evolution album, then the snippet of “Love Czars II” & now we receive the full version of the second incarnation. And for this we are thankful. Read the rest of this entry »

Looks like a handful of eccentric enigmas got together as Jay Electronica (along with Ta’Raach) got together with SRCP to create a part two of “Love Czars,” originally featured on the group’s latest album, Nuclear Evolution. Read the rest of this entry »

Art by the homie Eric9

Not much to say that hasn’t already been said about this.

All fans of Mr. Yancey and his music should quite enjoy this. Anyone who isn’t familiar or appreciative of Dilla’s work, should definitely download this and get some knowledge. Rootzilla is a beast at mixing and blending, and he did Dilla’s work justice with this one.

A sequel is on the way and the tracklist is after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

One hour of Ta’Raach and Blu You playing some of their favorite joints from all genres, ranging from The White Stripes to Public Enemy…with a little LL mixed in.

CRAC – wCRACradio

Props to Sweeney Kovar on this linkage.

The Piece Talks in stores now.

Previously Posted — “C.R.A.C. Holes, Cotton and Mr. Big Fizz” | “C.R.A.C. Knuckles…”

Pic By Kyla, Graphics by P

Ta’Raach and Blu might be the hardest people in Hip-Hop to get a hold of. Last time I ran into Blu was at the Pete Rock vs. Primo show a few weeks back and when I saw him I was so happy I did a shuffle.

“Whoa! I get a little dance?!?” he asked.

“Of course!” I said. “You have no idea how hard it is to get at you. You and ‘Raach.”

“Whaaaat?” he said, and he side-smiled like “Who, me?”

Here’s the thing with Ta’Raach and Blu — neither of them has a car or phone. Technically Ta’Raach has a phone, but not one that I’ve been able to get him on. It’s a wonder these two dudes get a hold of each other.

Despite the frustration of trying to contact them, I developed a hypothesis as to why they stay just beyond arm’s reach. First of all, when you do actually see one or both of them it makes you do a little dance. Second, it adds to the enigmatic aura that is C.R.A.C. Knuckles. Third, and most confidently, it makes them the two least uptight people I know.

In this age when we’re all glued to our Blackberry or Sidekick, constantly receiving emails, text messages, phone calls & bulletins, it’s hard to imagine taking a breath and saying, “Fuck it. I’ll be there when I be there.” That said, I’ve never seen Blu without an ear-to-ear grin on his face, or watched him turn a blind eye to dap. I’ve never seen Ta’Raach stress over stage time or wristbands. But I have seen both dudes give love where love is given, take time for those who ask for it and laugh full-bodied at each other’s jokes as well as their own.

“Yooooo!” Ta’Raach gave me with a hug when I ran into him and Blu on another night. “Blu told me you were here, but I didn’t believe him.”

“Why wouldn’t you believe him?” I asked.

“Because Blu lies all the time.”

“Whaaaat?” said Blu, giving the “Who, me?” side smile.

“You do!” said Ta’Raach. “Blu lies, like, for fun. Just to see if he can.”

“Nah, I do not!” said Blu.

“Quit lying. You lying right now!”

“Man!” I said. “I told Blu I’m ready to do this interview when you are. I want to talk about ‘Cotton’.”

“Oh shit! You want to talk about ‘Cotton’?? We can talk about ‘Cotton’!” Read the rest of this entry »

About a year and a half ago during an interview with Aloe Blacc, solo vocalist and one-half of the group Emanon alongside producer Exile, the name Blu came up on multiple occasions. I hadn’t heard the name, but it stood out in conversation. Every time the name was spoken, praise followed, and while one might have expected hints of competitiveness from an MC whose producer had been working with a different MC, it was not the case. Aloe spoke of the kids energy, charisma, and lyrical prowess in abundance, and gave no reason to believe he was anything less than the next. About a year later while doing an interview with MC/producer Ta’Raach he arrived joined by three individuals, one of which was the highly coveted Blu. He was quiet and laid low in the cut, conspicuously unlike other gassed up “about-to-get-on” MC’s. Between Aloe and Ta’Raachs’ cosign, he had to be official. Come to find out, there is no better feeling than not being lied to or mislead.

Produced entirely by fellow Los Angeles native Exile (think Mobb Deep’s “Pearly Gates”), Blu’s Below The Heavens is the kind of debut that sparks bright careers. It’s not hard to draw parallels to other great albums from previous eras, and like those acutely crafted pieces of works, Below Is The Heavens is on point and right on time. Penned like an autobiography of sorts, Below The Heavens journeys through life’s joys and ills, contradictions and convictions on a level that anyone can relate to and feel. His passion and sincerity is unwavering throughout, and while dealing with real issues he has fun at the same time, disbanding from the preachy or monotonously serious and dull role. Catalyzed by an amazing collage of chopped up loops, punching drums and soul clinching melodies, Below The Heavens is an example of the complete album that should be the norm, but shines brilliantly in contrast to the reality. It’s clear that Blu and Exile went to great lengths to connect all the dots, and their commitment to the artistry is beyond admirable.

It’s only the beginning, and already taking on a handful of side projects and collaborations, Blu is undoubtedly a name that will be around for years to come. Take note, and most importantly take a listen. It should only take on.

TSS: What’s going on man?

Blu: Chillin, in the car heading to a meeting and then after that going to rehearsal for the show tomorrow. I’m working with a band so we’ll see.

TSS: Is that for a side project or something?

Blu: Nah, it’s all Below The Heavens material, but we’re just doing live versions of some of the songs.

TSS: Damn, so how many pieces is it?

Blu: Two. Fender Rhodes and drums.

TSS: Does Exile playing anything or is he just DJ’ing?

Blu: Well he does an MPC section for most of the shows, like he’ll get down and just…it’s just a crazy set, I don’t really know how to explain it. He’ll just get off, drums, samples, everything and chop it right there.

TSS: Dude is true master of the MPC.

Blu: Yeah, DEFINITELY.

TSS: Alright, so for the unaware can you introduce yourself, let em know how old you are, where you’re from and all that.

Blu: Ok, I’m 24, from all different areas of Southern California from LA, Inglewood, Long Beach, Piedro, just all over.

TSS: So when was your introduction to hip-hop, and what did it mean to you back then?

Blu: Oh shit, we’ll I was listening to rap before hip-hop, but the first song that made the difference was when I heard “I Used To Love H.E.R.” But I heard that after I was listening to It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot… Yeah (laughs). That was like mid-high school, and before that I was into Al Green and gospel music.

TSS: When people think of LA, they think N.W.A., G-Funk, and maybe Freestyle Fellowship. So that wasn’t your reality growing up then?

Blu: As far as hip-hop?

TSS: Yeah, just the environment.

Blu: Well by the time I got into it it was all freestyle, the Blaze battle and that shit, Supernatural vs. Juice. I was just into freestyling, everybody was freestyling, but it was after Freestyle Fellowship, like the era we were in, were just hyped off the battles on TV and shit, so it was a little different. Cannibus was the shit, and Chino XL.

TSS: You hint at in the album, but throughout high school you were a ball player then?

Blu: Yeah, somewhat. Something happened every year, broke my ankle, got kicked off, or grades, just one of the three.

TSS: So was it was hoops first, and then rap as a hobby?

Blu: Yeah, and by 12th grade it just took over. That’s when it was like I like rapping, and I don’t give a fuck about basketball because if I wanted to go pro I would have had to play three years already.

TSS: You might have already touched it, but was there a certain album that changed your perception of things?

Blu: Uhh, One Day It Will All Make Sense was probably the first album that changed my perception of everything. Yeah… Read the rest of this entry »