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…”

Words By Contraâ„¢

“The greater the problem, the less likely one is to understand the solution.”-Mama Contra

I expressly refused to “review” this album because reviewing is almost formulaic: Give the highs, the lows, the pros, the cons, the overview and then justify the rating.

It’s like grading a paper.

Much as I understand that even art students get grades, great artists don’t get reviewed; they get discussed.

By no means am I saying that Blu and Taraach are the Leonardo Da Vinci and Raphael of Hip-Hop in ‘08. But if Hip-Hop has ever needed a Renaissance, a rebirth, this would be the time and these just may be the guys to do it. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »