Favorite rapper The Mighty Ha has brought me back to blogging. (Though most likely a one-off)
Chadio has been active on Instagram sharing many audio goodies including tracks from their unfinished second album Madagascar. Highlighting this one because it's heavy on Ha toasting, and declaring many times over his love of buttocks.
Was chilling with a homie the other night, and we happened upon this video:
What I remember most about this video is hitting that FF button on the VCR when going through video collections. The video we previously watched on YouTube brought a lot of laughter, and I was expecting the same here, but I was derailed and thrown into Hip Hop nerd/trivia mode.
Did y'all catch this?
Had no idea Yogi was around that long. Also, it makes this guest appearance seem a lot less random.
CRU - Bluntz & Bakakeemis
Now, someone find me Ha, so that I can interview him.
To be clear, I used the term loosely, for the most part including anything that hasn't been released commercially, but mostly focusing on those unmixed, un-mastered, tape hiss fests that were traded like baseball cards, pre-dating the MP3 explosion.
Many cringe the moment they realize the sound quality isn't close to meeting their standards, but while I do appreciate excellent sound, it has never been a deal breaker for me, especially with Hip-Hop. If there's a rhythm I can latch onto, interesting samples, and a competent mcing, I'm good. I'm just as comfortable bumping Scenario by the Beastie Boys, as I am with a track from 2001.
Sound politics aside, I think the biggest draw of demos is their historical, archaeological, anthropological value. (I think I just did a Hiero there) It's a great way to try to find some insight and clues concerning the history and development of your favorite artists.
DJ JS-1 has put together a mix containing over 3 hours of demo tracks. You might have already heard some (or many) of these tracks, but you may find a gem or two previously unheard.
"give em what they want, this is what they lookin' for"
Chadio, Yogi, The Mighty Ha
Favorite Rappers returns with a wild card, and I want to take a moment to remind readers that this is NOT a best rappers list, but a chronicle of rappers I’ve enjoyed listening to over the years. OK, enough plea copping, back to the program.
The Mighty Ha...MC or hype man?
This is one entry that is based more on presence than skill. Even his presence on CRU’s debut, Da Dirty 30 would be called into question by many. A number of people found him annoying at worst, tolerable at best. Personally, I loved every moment he appeared on the album.
Most of us were introduced to CRU in 1997; with their debut single Just Another Case, a favorite in NYC that received heavy rotation from Funkmaster Flex. Though Ha didn’t appear on the aforementioned track, his presence was felt on the b-side, Pronto. The intro to this track has Ha and a female vocalist doing an interpolation of Dennis Edwards’ “Don’t Look Any Further”. I believe Questlove once compared Ha to a cross between the Cookie Monster, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard. Ha as we know him may not have come into existence if Big Baby Jesus doesn’t release a classic album with his cousins and friends, but I still appreciate what he brought to their debut release.
CRU was often criticized for not being the most gifted MCs, but what I liked about the group was the way they put tracks together. Knowing that there was a possibility of Ha annoying listeners if used too often, they limited his mic time. He mostly earned his pay by providing hooks on tracks (“the one who brings the hooks with the rugged and the raw”), and often he could be heard in the background of tracks, his ramblings looped to accompany the beat and samples. Ha was also allowed to drop verses on a few tracks. Usually limited to about 8 bars or a simple back and forth with either Yogi or Chad, his limited time was used to great effect. You can’t tell me that his 2 eight bar verses on That Shit can’t stand up to the likes of say, U-God on Protect Ya Neck. I would even go as far as saying that Ha’s verse on Live at the Tunnel was dope. His solo track Lisa Lipps…well…as I mentioned earlier about Ha in general, you probably either hate it or tolerate it. I’m gonna play the kid from De La Soul is Dead and say “I kinda like it”
At some point during the recording of their second album, CRU parted ways. Chadio recently released a solo album, Yogi is still down with Diddy, and I believe Ha somewhere still lifting weights or something. If he’s ever ready to get back on the mic, I’m always down to hear more raps about blunts, bakees, lickin’ shots, buttocks, porn stars, chickenheads and the like.
