Ms. Fat Booty literally one of the greatest sample flips of all time. It’s one of those instrumentals that’s so catchy and accessible you forget how intricate it is from a producers/musicians standpoint. I’m forever astonished by it.
@@escribe154 1- Children's story, 2- Love's Gonna Get cha, 3- A Day in the life of Benjamin Andre, and many others but Ms Fat Booty is definitely one of the best as well.
Ayatollah is a great producer; his beats are the epitome of soulful. Check out his albums of you're interested. Tracks like "Blood Red Roses" and "A Soul Prayer" are so lush.
"I start to think and then I sink Into the paper --- like I was ink When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines I escape --- when I finish the rhyme" - Rakim
For the Song "New World Water", it is literally about water and it's importance. How people need it to survive, how precious it is (droughts), how we do not understand the importance of it, how corporations monetize/pollute it.
@@user295. No it is not. It is very literally about water. Not every song has a deep or double meaning. By constantly looking for for deeper meaning where there is none, you distort the song and overlook what is simply there.
Man... I love UMI Says. Definitely one of my go to songs when I need some comfort. You're right Yasin Bey is special. This album is special. Hip Hop is special. Bob on Both Sides.
@58:31 I appreciate how transparent you are. I think many of us have these same thoughts and feel helpless or like we're not doing enough. I concur with whoever left that comment. It's nice to come here, forget about bullshit, and re-live these classic albums. Your channel is therapeutic and soul cleansing. Keep it up! ❤
❤️🙏 I'm happy to be that. I want to be that. There's so much noise in the world. Moments of calm seem so rare. I find it to be a very special to help bring calm when I know how important those times are for me.
I saw Yasiin Bey in concert this year with Robert Glasper, Bilal, and special appearances by Common and Ghostface Killah. He killed it, performed a few of the songs on this album, completely gave us his soul on that stage. Best concert I've been to yet.
@@goose0078 This was a few months back, Robert Glasper was doing a residency at Blue Note Jazz Club and Sony Hall in New York City. He would have a slew of artists with him every night, but Yasiin did 2 or 3 nights with him during this run. I heard Black Thought came out during one of these also.
"New World Water" is one of my favorites, because it's literally about the impending water crisis we could face. It's not some 2 bit metaphor for something more general or typical that a bunch of other rappers have touched on. He went and wrote a rap song about water, taking it for granted, and losing access to it. It's a real topical lyric, and I've always felt emcees & songwriters ought to be stretching themselves more with regard to finding unique subjects to write about.
You are a very kind and considerate person. I feel the exact same way when listening to UMI says. The message can make music very powerful sometimes and I think Hip-Hop brings this out the most because there is a lot of serious topics and passion, people with experience who haven't had the most fortunate upbringing.
I liked the moment when you were trying to figure out from where you’ve seen DJ Premier’s name. I dont know that many DJs but if theres one to know it’s probably DJ Premier! He was huge back in the days. If I may suggest one album, Moment of truth by Gang Starr. Classic hip-hop album. Gang Starr being a duo formed by DJ Premier and Guru (RIP Guru)
i sincerely believe this too, and it really annoys me that fantano has echoed this sentiment before too, as I've had people tell me i only think this because he said it, which isn't the case lol
"Power from the street light made the place dark.." is a double entendre. In the early days of Hip hop there used to be street parties, where the dj would use the power from the street light to power his equipment. The pull from the equipment would dim the street lights. The other meaning is how the parties in the streets brought people outside for the love of music and dancing.
BOBS lol (Backs On Both Sides) was one of those albums that just got me through difficult times of my life. Especially Climb, during 2003-2005 I was in a lively city neighborhood but never felt so lonely. Seemed like I was partying every weekend then sitting on my stoop alone at 1am with a desperate cigarette (I only smoked when drinking), but although lonely could go through this album and feel part of a bigger community.
I listened this album SO MUCH back then, it certainly goes down among the most special hip-hop albums for me in my life. Big part of the soundtrack to my late teens and early 20s.
You have loved every DJ Premier beat you heard so far (who doesnt?!). My recommendation for you stays the same, try Gang Starr! Moment Of Truth album might be perfect to get into them. Btw, I think you might like the video from "Digging The Greats" called "The INSANE Musical Math of DJ Premier and Mos Def". it explains the song mathematics pretty well.
Your energy is needed in this space. Being a hip hop head and watching your reactions; helps me see life in another perspective and gives me hope that others love and understand the expressions of us.
This channel has to be meant for me because I literally just listened to this entires album front to back about 2 hours ago and now you’ve just uploaded it
If you haven't seen it yet I am sure you would enjoy Dave Chappelle's Block Party, featuring Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kanye, Dead Prez, Fugees and more. It's a great vibe
"Climb" is mysterious, but I always innately took it to be a poem about the natural wiring that draws people (especially young adults) out into the nightlife, searching for one another, searching for something bright and shiny, searching for communion, beauty, love, excitement, looking to mate, etc.
Music is where we come to escape from everything its the highest form of vibration to many of us. You're bringing positivity by experiencing music we appreciate, and baring it all in front of us.
yea, I get what that man was saying about your content, as someone being stuck in a position where they don't know what their doing with themselves, it's nice to just get away from it, and just watch someone enjoy and experience and the music i enjoy, and some times you will react to a new album or artist and it's nice to experience new thing as virtual as they may be. so thanks for the last year and a bit, your video are a pretty cool jam to watch. :) thanks.
"Fuck a bank...." Big Bank Hank was slang for a cat who is rich and flashy. He's saying he'd rather have a giant tank of fresh water than live lavish with luxury items. The song is LITERALLY about water! Water is LIFE.
This album is amazing, relistened to it and I forgot how good it was. Some of my fav tracks are Ms. Fat Booty, Love, Got, Mathematics, UMI Says, Do It Now, Know That, Hiphop and Speed Law. Enjoyed Brooklyn, May-December and Climb (for the vibe) as well. The whole album basically lol As for Busta Rhymes, you can't really go wrong starting with any of his first 3 albums imo. Tho keep in mind those first 3 have a loose theme of Y2K/"the world is about to end" so maybe it'll be a good idea to start with his debut but it doesn't ruin anything by starting with another of the first 3. Also that's the era of Busta Rhymes that you were talking about with the fisheye lens music videos, etc.
Hey, now we're talkin'. Yes!!!! I'm leaving this comment before watching the reaction, just to say this is my favorite hip-hop album of all time. The best ever, in my opinion, as is Mos Def's lyrical ability. I'm hype, I'm sure I'll have more to say after.
This was a great personal reaction. Appreciate it man for having the courage to share your honest thoughts, especially in the umi says section. Cheers ✌🏼
@@goose0078 collective of like minded hip-hop and neo-soul artists and their acquaintances that occupied the Electric Ladyland studio for much of the late 90s and very early 2000s. The four original members were D’Angelo, Questlove, James Poyser And J Dilla but it grew to include Common, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, The Roots, Q-Tip and Bilal. If you listen to the tapes they released around that time, they have a lot of ideas in common, they used to jam and participate in each other’s projects often around then, Pitchfork has a TH-cam video about it.
Yo. One of my favorite albums. Glad this album got you. The tangent was well done. I actually use this album to recharge. It makes you release and rethink. Great review. Pce ❤
“I’m tryna make a dollar out of what makes sense” is a double entendre cause it can also mean “out of what makes cents” and like I just love that it’s my favourite mos def line it’s from Know That
For the song Climb; My I interpretation has always been that it’s describing a club/party scene. How sometimes people go there looking for a sense of fulfilment they will never find there. How the drugs, alcohol and general atmosphere can lead to some really bad decisions. If you listen to the song from that angle you might get what I mean
"Olympic sponsor of the black gloc, gold medalist in the backshot" simply means hip hop's penchant for violence and celebration of sex. The overall context of the song highlights the dichotomy of hip how's growth, but also it's growing pains.
New World Water is about the commodification of water from a free and necessary element for life to just another source or revenue within capitalism. Also, he's touching on the impending shortage of water on a global scale while wealthy nations hoard it, other places don't have enough for basic life functions such as cleaning and cooking. The song was so ahead of its time. The only other person I heard talking about water in this capacity was my business professor in college.
I remember asking about a year ago about you doing a reaction to this album. And i mentioned how i listened to this album with my grandfather. So glad you finally got around to it. And i have no doubt upon relisten you'll really start to gel with this album.
you don't need something to turn your brain off. your brain is trying to tell you something. Listen to it. it might be painful, but it's gonna be worth it in the end. Trying to escape your own thoughts is a slippery slope.
This is one of my Top 5 albums for me. This was the peak of Hip Hop. Lauryn in 98‘, Mos Def a year later. The Black Star Album, Train of Thought, the whole Soulquarian era was so good.
Def revisit New World Water. Powerful message and song. Up there with Umi. Instead of buying a 20 year bond, a 20 year water tank would be a better investment for survival (see Flint MI, etc)
The song Brooklyn, on the beat changes. these are prominent songs from people from the Brooklyn area. The song is about how there's no place that bares resemblance. And also remember the intro where he was asking where hip hop is going. All of these titles are connected in one way or the other
The back half is such a contrast to the first half so I think it can take you by surprise. The first half is more straight forward(Though still genius) and the back half of the album is a little more abstract. "New World Water" is one you for sure have to go back to, though. That's one of people's favorites off of the album usually and the way it deals with the effect that water has on our world is pretty special. This isn't my absolute favorite album of all time but definitely up there, loved your initial reaction. This one gets better with some listens.
Oh since you mentioned RATM fun fact Yassin Bey was supposed to replace Zack as the lead singer but Zack was Yassin's friend and so he didn't want to take Zack job
Ms Fat Booty is one of my all-time favorites. Interesting fact Mos sampled an Aretha Franklin song, and when he approached her to inquire if he could sample the song, she said yes, under one condition - no profanity. Result is a hip hop classic song.
"hip-hop went from sellin crack to smokin it" is one of my favorite lines of all time. So many lines in here that predicted the future of hip-hop as well the US and the World.
Another really great review. Thanks for everything you do! I really enjoy these... And about quieting your mind... Have you tried meditation? 😊 Take care!
Day one of asking Big Roberto to review The Cold Vein by Cannibal Ox. Very forward thinking album from the early 2000s produced by El-P from Run the Jewels
In regards to your thoughts on UMI Says, and you mentioning thinking about whether you're part of a problem by not focusing on more pressing/significant issues, I understand where you're coming from, but I think it's very hard for artists/content creators to be aware of their own impact. I sometimes have to try very very hard to make the people most important to me feel a bit better, but it's always worth it. Every single time. Never forget that there's a lot of people who in getting to share your experiences, get to forget about the things that they've been fighting with and just get to feel human for a while. Maybe it doesn't solve a problem, but it helps so many get through to the next day, where maybe we can all try a bit harder to make the world better. With the growth and development of things like AI generated art and NFTs and ChatGPT, I've really come to spend a lot of time thinking about art and human connection, and there's something so eternally special about that little spark of humanity that we all have that lets us express and create and imagine and do all of that together. Art really is such an important thing, and you promote it and share it in a way that reaches people, and I think it's something that will only get to be more important moving forward. Never doubt the impact of what you're doing here, no matter how it feels to you.
Man you touch on some stuff in the middle of these listens that's so hard to both ignore or reply on in a TH-cam comment lol. It's heard and appreciated though. You're a good dude. Tangents make the world interesting. Grew up in the states, I'm American, but my roots are Nicaraguan, second gen. Lucky enough to be exposed to some interesting perspectives. If anyone knows modernish history, you'd know Nicaragua's is "interesting". Let's just say It's really hard not to be jaded, it's been torn apart from all political, and economic spectrums lol. Part of hip hops role imo, is to speak towards and ease the suffering caused from political/social/economic distress. So, keep talking your talk. Even if a song isnt inherently political, it's hard to imagine many rappers aren't touched by policy, and therefore their art. Especially Bey.
Dope and heartfelt review. This album is a masterpiece and in my opinion THE last great Hip Hop LP of the 90's. You should check out and do a video for Organized Konfusion "Stress: The Extinction Agenda" (1994) which is in my personal top 5 hip-hop records and is criminally underrated yet legendary.
Ms. Fat Booty literally one of the greatest sample flips of all time. It’s one of those instrumentals that’s so catchy and accessible you forget how intricate it is from a producers/musicians standpoint. I’m forever astonished by it.
Top 3 storytelling songs
@@escribe154
1- Children's story, 2- Love's Gonna Get cha, 3- A Day in the life of Benjamin Andre, and many others but Ms Fat Booty is definitely one of the best as well.
@@Sticks_of_Truth "Childrens Story" for sure number 1. I'd put Ghostface "Malcolm" at number 2. Number 3- "Kim" by Eminem.
Ayatollah is a great producer; his beats are the epitome of soulful. Check out his albums of you're interested. Tracks like "Blood Red Roses" and "A Soul Prayer" are so lush.
@@Sticks_of_Truthnah bro “dance with the devil” is by far the best storytelling song
The song sampled on Ms. Fat Booty was also sampled on JID'S the forever story and was meant to be sampled on Kendrick's DAMN
True classic track 👌
Which is why he said he heard the beat before lol
I really wanted to see his reaction to realizing this lol
@@randomgamerdude98 yeah and he was just telling him where he knows it from
JID ruined it
no he didn't@@felix3033
"I start to think and then I sink
Into the paper --- like I was ink
When I'm writing, I'm trapped in between the lines
I escape --- when I finish the rhyme" - Rakim
Is this from a track off 'Paid in Full' ?
@@bobthepoppop Yup. First verse of "I Know You Got Soul"
For the Song "New World Water", it is literally about water and it's importance. How people need it to survive, how precious it is (droughts), how we do not understand the importance of it, how corporations monetize/pollute it.
Yeah but the song is also very likely a double entendre
@@user295. No it is not. It is very literally about water. Not every song has a deep or double meaning. By constantly looking for for deeper meaning where there is none, you distort the song and overlook what is simply there.
And it was really amazing coincidence that bob was talking about rain and floods just before the song
The song is about (dramatic pause).... water. 💦.
@@Number016 true.
But Bob should also listen to Rappers Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang.
Gotta say bob, ur definitely the realest reactor on youtube no one goes as deep into the music and expresses as much emotion, much respect 💯☝️
Thank you 🙏
Man... I love UMI Says. Definitely one of my go to songs when I need some comfort.
You're right Yasin Bey is special. This album is special. Hip Hop is special. Bob on Both Sides.
Bob on Both Sides 🤣🤣🤣. Good name for the channel.
The sample in Ms. Fat Booty is also used in Surround Sound by JID! Might be where you heard it!
I was waiting for him to put it together lol. It’s great uses of the sample
@58:31 I appreciate how transparent you are. I think many of us have these same thoughts and feel helpless or like we're not doing enough. I concur with whoever left that comment. It's nice to come here, forget about bullshit, and re-live these classic albums. Your channel is therapeutic and soul cleansing. Keep it up! ❤
❤️🙏
I'm happy to be that. I want to be that. There's so much noise in the world. Moments of calm seem so rare. I find it to be a very special to help bring calm when I know how important those times are for me.
YES TOP 5 ALBUM EVERRRRR THE LYRICS ARE UNBELIEVABLE
I saw Yasiin Bey in concert this year with Robert Glasper, Bilal, and special appearances by Common and Ghostface Killah. He killed it, performed a few of the songs on this album, completely gave us his soul on that stage. Best concert I've been to yet.
Damn, what event was that? Saw him in the early 2010s with Talib doing Blackstar.
LUCKY! I've seen everyone you've named in concert but not all together on one stage. Sounds incredible! 🔥
@@goose0078 This was a few months back, Robert Glasper was doing a residency at Blue Note Jazz Club and Sony Hall in New York City. He would have a slew of artists with him every night, but Yasiin did 2 or 3 nights with him during this run. I heard Black Thought came out during one of these also.
Super jealous of this
seen him solo once years ago at sony hall in nyc, illest show
Going through some shit right now and seeing “rocker reacts to black on both sides” unironically cheered me up lol
Bless you Mr. Poppop
I hope things take a turn for the better soon 🍻
Right on Bob!
I noticed "UMI Says" was a track that hit you, you're not alone, because this masterpiece was meant to inspire.
I agree with the term masterpiece. It's exactly that, and it both inspires and calms me ❤️
One of the greatest songs to come out of that turn-of-the-millennium time period.
The chorus on "Love" is an homage to Eric B and Rakim's song "I Got Soul" (Word for word pretty much)
Gotta get some "Paid in Full"
You need to do Be by Common
Hell yeah
The Be intro is heaven in music form
@@default3252 fr, the entire album is
Yes
I love tht album top 10 for me
"New World Water" is one of my favorites, because it's literally about the impending water crisis we could face. It's not some 2 bit metaphor for something more general or typical that a bunch of other rappers have touched on. He went and wrote a rap song about water, taking it for granted, and losing access to it. It's a real topical lyric, and I've always felt emcees & songwriters ought to be stretching themselves more with regard to finding unique subjects to write about.
I totally get what you mean at 27:16 Love is easily my favorite song of all time it means so much to me sonically & lyrically
1:35:24 the sample you recognize is the same as Biggie Smalls used in “Who shot ya”
You give extremely articulate and insightfull commentary. I am so glad I found your channel
You are a very kind and considerate person. I feel the exact same way when listening to UMI says. The message can make music very powerful sometimes and I think Hip-Hop brings this out the most because there is a lot of serious topics and passion, people with experience who haven't had the most fortunate upbringing.
I liked the moment when you were trying to figure out from where you’ve seen DJ Premier’s name. I dont know that many DJs but if theres one to know it’s probably DJ Premier! He was huge back in the days. If I may suggest one album, Moment of truth by Gang Starr. Classic hip-hop album. Gang Starr being a duo formed by DJ Premier and Guru (RIP Guru)
Best hip hop producer alive. No doubt. Maybe even best producer in any genre alive
One of the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time!!!
New World Water is not only one of the best songs on the album, but also one of the best hiphop tracks of all time. Period.
i sincerely believe this too, and it really annoys me that fantano has echoed this sentiment before too, as I've had people tell me i only think this because he said it, which isn't the case lol
👍
Aw, umi says will do that to ya. Appreciate you, Bob.
"Power from the street light made the place dark.." is a double entendre. In the early days of Hip hop there used to be street parties, where the dj would use the power from the street light to power his equipment. The pull from the equipment would dim the street lights. The other meaning is how the parties in the streets brought people outside for the love of music and dancing.
this whole album is so amazing it’s insane
BOBS lol (Backs On Both Sides) was one of those albums that just got me through difficult times of my life.
Especially Climb, during 2003-2005 I was in a lively city neighborhood but never felt so lonely. Seemed like I was partying every weekend then sitting on my stoop alone at 1am with a desperate cigarette (I only smoked when drinking), but although lonely could go through this album and feel part of a bigger community.
There's a magic that exists in this album. I still can't place my finger on it just yet, but it's there.
I listened this album SO MUCH back then, it certainly goes down among the most special hip-hop albums for me in my life. Big part of the soundtrack to my late teens and early 20s.
You have loved every DJ Premier beat you heard so far (who doesnt?!). My recommendation for you stays the same, try Gang Starr! Moment Of Truth album might be perfect to get into them.
Btw, I think you might like the video from "Digging The Greats" called "The INSANE Musical Math of DJ Premier and Mos Def". it explains the song mathematics pretty well.
Your energy is needed in this space. Being a hip hop head and watching your reactions; helps me see life in another perspective and gives me hope that others love and understand the expressions of us.
This channel has to be meant for me because I literally just listened to this entires album front to back about 2 hours ago and now you’ve just uploaded it
Listened front to back for the first time ever, too. Excellent album.
If you haven't seen it yet I am sure you would enjoy Dave Chappelle's Block Party, featuring Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kanye, Dead Prez, Fugees and more. It's a great vibe
"Climb" is mysterious, but I always innately took it to be a poem about the natural wiring that draws people (especially young adults) out into the nightlife, searching for one another, searching for something bright and shiny, searching for communion, beauty, love, excitement, looking to mate, etc.
Never undermine your output into the world, you never know what it could mean to somebody else. Be you, do what you can when you can.
🙏
Loved the Umi says tangent. I remember listening to that as a kid, that song has always meant a lot to me.
"Umi Says" somehow always manages to get the most visceral reaction from any listener. Transcending tune on a fantastic album
It's a beautiful song. I played it for my wife today (with the lyrics up) and she got teared up over it too.
For me most def is theeeee goat when it comes to mc'ing
This album is so incredible man I almost forgot it was this good Jesus Christ
Music is where we come to escape from everything its the highest form of vibration to many of us. You're bringing positivity by experiencing music we appreciate, and baring it all in front of us.
❤️
Absolutely love your stuff Bob. Your positivity and insights are an absolute highlight every single week. Keep doing you we're all behind it
❤️
Pharoahe Monch "Internal Affairs" why haven't anyone requested that project to him. It's one of the best albums from the 90s.
yea, I get what that man was saying about your content, as someone being stuck in a position where they don't know what their doing with themselves, it's nice to just get away from it, and just watch someone enjoy and experience and the music i enjoy, and some times you will react to a new album or artist and it's nice to experience new thing as virtual as they may be. so thanks for the last year and a bit, your video are a pretty cool jam to watch. :) thanks.
"Fuck a bank...." Big Bank Hank was slang for a cat who is rich and flashy. He's saying he'd rather have a giant tank of fresh water than live lavish with luxury items. The song is LITERALLY about water! Water is LIFE.
This album is amazing, relistened to it and I forgot how good it was. Some of my fav tracks are Ms. Fat Booty, Love, Got, Mathematics, UMI Says, Do It Now, Know That, Hiphop and Speed Law. Enjoyed Brooklyn, May-December and Climb (for the vibe) as well. The whole album basically lol
As for Busta Rhymes, you can't really go wrong starting with any of his first 3 albums imo. Tho keep in mind those first 3 have a loose theme of Y2K/"the world is about to end" so maybe it'll be a good idea to start with his debut but it doesn't ruin anything by starting with another of the first 3. Also that's the era of Busta Rhymes that you were talking about with the fisheye lens music videos, etc.
Hey, now we're talkin'. Yes!!!! I'm leaving this comment before watching the reaction, just to say this is my favorite hip-hop album of all time. The best ever, in my opinion, as is Mos Def's lyrical ability. I'm hype, I'm sure I'll have more to say after.
The best hip hop album ever. Bars, flow, charm, production, music, beats, pocket, depth of thought, scope of thought, evoking emotions. Lo mejor.
You seem like a great dude, Bob. I appreciate your videos.
This was a great personal reaction. Appreciate it man for having the courage to share your honest thoughts, especially in the umi says section.
Cheers ✌🏼
He started off with calling the album ¨Bald on both sides''😍
UMI says is such a powerful track. Easily in my top 10 songs ever made.
Yup, agreed. I love everything about it.
one of my favorite albums, nice to see you hearing this
also, if you could listen to The Ecstatic by Bey as well, wow, what a fun album
you are definitely something positive.. i used to watch you react to albums i knew and now you show me new albums .. thanks bob!
So excited for this. Bob mentioned The Roots at the start - I wonder if he's heard of the Soulquarians
What's the soulquarians?
@@goose0078 collective of like minded hip-hop and neo-soul artists and their acquaintances that occupied the Electric Ladyland studio for much of the late 90s and very early 2000s. The four original members were D’Angelo, Questlove, James Poyser And J Dilla but it grew to include Common, Erykah Badu, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, The Roots, Q-Tip and Bilal. If you listen to the tapes they released around that time, they have a lot of ideas in common, they used to jam and participate in each other’s projects often around then, Pitchfork has a TH-cam video about it.
He has a reaction to one of their albums up
YES BOB this is a classic that doesn’t get talked about enough
that was a good ride through the album. i enjoyed that bob thank you
Yo. One of my favorite albums. Glad this album got you. The tangent was well done. I actually use this album to recharge. It makes you release and rethink. Great review. Pce ❤
I think some of those second half songs will grow on you!!
“I’m tryna make a dollar out of what makes sense” is a double entendre cause it can also mean “out of what makes cents” and like I just love that it’s my favourite mos def line it’s from Know That
Thank you for this reaction, especially the passage on Umi, which was very moving.
For the song Climb; My I interpretation has always been that it’s describing a club/party scene.
How sometimes people go there looking for a sense of fulfilment they will never find there. How the drugs, alcohol and general atmosphere can lead to some really bad decisions.
If you listen to the song from that angle you might get what I mean
"Olympic sponsor of the black gloc, gold medalist in the backshot" simply means hip hop's penchant for violence and celebration of sex. The overall context of the song highlights the dichotomy of hip how's growth, but also it's growing pains.
Loved your reaction for this one, Umi hits me just as hard for me too man
New World Water is about the commodification of water from a free and necessary element for life to just another source or revenue within capitalism. Also, he's touching on the impending shortage of water on a global scale while wealthy nations hoard it, other places don't have enough for basic life functions such as cleaning and cooking. The song was so ahead of its time. The only other person I heard talking about water in this capacity was my business professor in college.
BALD ON BOTH SIDES
bob looks like ray allen
Ive listened to Umi Says so many times but the way you talked about it just hit me hard man
One of my favorite albums!!
Special album. Incredible artist.
On second listen you get to hear how each songs production flows into the next perfectly
New 100 gecs album is out
Bob, you do more than enough. You uplift about 84 k people on a regular just by speaking your mind about music, and about life!!
I remember asking about a year ago about you doing a reaction to this album. And i mentioned how i listened to this album with my grandfather. So glad you finally got around to it. And i have no doubt upon relisten you'll really start to gel with this album.
If you can find a way to react to it, check out Yasiin Bey’s “The Ecstatic”.
you don't need something to turn your brain off.
your brain is trying to tell you something. Listen to it. it might be painful, but it's gonna be worth it in the end. Trying to escape your own thoughts is a slippery slope.
Excited for The Weeknd Thursday!!!
DJ Premier is a legendary producer and half of the group Gangstarr. I’ve said this before but you really should do their album Moment of Truth.
This is one of my Top 5 albums for me. This was the peak of Hip Hop. Lauryn in 98‘, Mos Def a year later. The Black Star Album, Train of Thought, the whole Soulquarian era was so good.
Def revisit New World Water. Powerful message and song. Up there with Umi. Instead of buying a 20 year bond, a 20 year water tank would be a better investment for survival (see Flint MI, etc)
Awwwww let’s go to church!!! Love every album he’s done. Ecstatic, True Magic, Blackstar, Dec 99th. Love you Yasiin!! This vid is gonna be some fun
New Danger!!!!!!!
Loved that new Blackstar as well!!!!!
Love you Bob!!!!!!!
Ecstatic is probably one of my favorite albums all time! Not really one I play around other people, but whenever I’m on my own it just hits so hard
You gained that much more respect from me when you mentioned Gojira 👏🏾. As for Yasiin Bey, you can pretty much always expect excellence.
The song Brooklyn, on the beat changes. these are prominent songs from people from the Brooklyn area. The song is about how there's no place that bares resemblance. And also remember the intro where he was asking where hip hop is going. All of these titles are connected in one way or the other
The back half is such a contrast to the first half so I think it can take you by surprise. The first half is more straight forward(Though still genius) and the back half of the album is a little more abstract. "New World Water" is one you for sure have to go back to, though. That's one of people's favorites off of the album usually and the way it deals with the effect that water has on our world is pretty special. This isn't my absolute favorite album of all time but definitely up there, loved your initial reaction. This one gets better with some listens.
Oh since you mentioned RATM fun fact Yassin Bey was supposed to replace Zack as the lead singer but Zack was Yassin's friend and so he didn't want to take Zack job
The chorus from “Love” is taken from Rakim’s “I know You got Soul” which also has many others MCs took over the years
Ms Fat Booty is one of my all-time favorites. Interesting fact Mos sampled an Aretha Franklin song, and when he approached her to inquire if he could sample the song, she said yes, under one condition - no profanity.
Result is a hip hop classic song.
Kanye tried to get around that with that Spirit in the Dark joint but it didn’t quite work, leaving the cursing half-in.
You should do bone thugs and harmonies “E. 1999 eternal” it’s a classic
The chorus in
“ Love “ are lines from a Rakim Rhyme on Eric B and Rakim’s song
“ I got soul “
This is one of my favorite albums of all time. Just celebrated its 25th year anniversary last week.
This album and MM... FOOD basically got me into hip-hop. I liked it before fs, but these really made me interested in finding more.
"hip-hop went from sellin crack to smokin it" is one of my favorite lines of all time. So many lines in here that predicted the future of hip-hop as well the US and the World.
yeessss yesssss yessss progress towards my request The Ecstatic 😂
Another really great review. Thanks for everything you do! I really enjoy these...
And about quieting your mind... Have you tried meditation? 😊
Take care!
Yes on the Busta album. You should do Extinction Level Event or Anarchy 100%
Ms. Fat Booty has the same sample as JID's "Surround Sound," which I believe is what you were reminded of.
Day one of asking Big Roberto to review The Cold Vein by Cannibal Ox. Very forward thinking album from the early 2000s produced by El-P from Run the Jewels
In regards to your thoughts on UMI Says, and you mentioning thinking about whether you're part of a problem by not focusing on more pressing/significant issues, I understand where you're coming from, but I think it's very hard for artists/content creators to be aware of their own impact.
I sometimes have to try very very hard to make the people most important to me feel a bit better, but it's always worth it. Every single time. Never forget that there's a lot of people who in getting to share your experiences, get to forget about the things that they've been fighting with and just get to feel human for a while. Maybe it doesn't solve a problem, but it helps so many get through to the next day, where maybe we can all try a bit harder to make the world better.
With the growth and development of things like AI generated art and NFTs and ChatGPT, I've really come to spend a lot of time thinking about art and human connection, and there's something so eternally special about that little spark of humanity that we all have that lets us express and create and imagine and do all of that together. Art really is such an important thing, and you promote it and share it in a way that reaches people, and I think it's something that will only get to be more important moving forward. Never doubt the impact of what you're doing here, no matter how it feels to you.
yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss finally finally finally this is one of the ones ive been most excited for for so long
Man you touch on some stuff in the middle of these listens that's so hard to both ignore or reply on in a TH-cam comment lol. It's heard and appreciated though. You're a good dude.
Tangents make the world interesting.
Grew up in the states, I'm American, but my roots are Nicaraguan, second gen. Lucky enough to be exposed to some interesting perspectives. If anyone knows modernish history, you'd know Nicaragua's is "interesting". Let's just say It's really hard not to be jaded, it's been torn apart from all political, and economic spectrums lol.
Part of hip hops role imo, is to speak towards and ease the suffering caused from political/social/economic distress. So, keep talking your talk. Even if a song isnt inherently political, it's hard to imagine many rappers aren't touched by policy, and therefore their art. Especially Bey.
You know why you love that love chorus cause it's From Rakim the God MC " I Got Soul"
“gold medalist in the back shot” is a reference to Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, “Olympic Sponsor of the Black Glock” is a reference to Gangsta rap.
23:33 When you reroute the electricity from a street light the light itself can go off
New world water is one of the most important songs that went over your head.
Dope and heartfelt review. This album is a masterpiece and in my opinion THE last great Hip Hop LP of the 90's. You should check out and do a video for Organized Konfusion "Stress: The Extinction Agenda" (1994) which is in my personal top 5 hip-hop records and is criminally underrated yet legendary.