KHB has never been interested in the hype-over-substance world of here-today/gone-tomorrow mixtapes, so it is only fitting that our sole contribution to the medium opts for a different template. Instead of jumping on instrumentals from the latest pop-rap radio singles, we decided to see how our previously recorded verses would hold up when synched with classic beats from hip-hop's past. In particular, beats from A Tribe Called Quest, hence the name of the project. The results surprised us, and we think you'll be pleasantly surprised as well. Mixed by our very own DJ OneL, "A Tribe CalledBastard..." makes for a blissed-out trip down memory lane with some new friends.
Die-hard Milwaukee hip-hop group KingHellBastard continues to deliver raucous boom bap and potent lyricism on their latest release from Uni.Fi Records. The album comes off a stellar 2009 which saw KHB receive constant airplay on 88.9 WYMS and 91.7 WMSE and led to the group winning Artist Of The Year and Video Of The Year in the Radio Milwaukee Awards, a trend which continues in 2010 with 88.9 already adding the first single "I Believe" to their rotation.
Building upon years of riotous performances and international collaborations, KHB brings out the heavy artillery on the 8-song record with appearances from Sadat X of the legendary Brand Nubian, Def Jux affiliate Akroabatik, Raashan Ahmad from Crown City Rockers, Stricklin from hip-hop supergroup EMC, and blazing cuts from The White Shadow of Norway.
Starting off with a veritable explosion of sonic energy and a thunderous verse from Akrobatik on the song "Clubber Lang", MCs Dana Coppafeel, Shemp, and DNA waste no time heralding their return with steely-eyed conviction over a heart-stopping beat from producer Reason, accented by the nimble bass playing of LMNTlyst and deft scratching of resident DJ OneL.
Keeping the intensity high, the record hits a celebratory note with the second track "I Believe" featuring an exuberant verse from crowd rocker Raashan Ahmad over joyous horn blasts and breakneck drums from Reason and a blistering scratch coda from White Shadow. Side A closes with two slices of serious funk, the booming bass of the White Shadow produced "It's The Crew Again" featuring the unmistakable voice of Sadat X, and the certified G-Funk banger "North Coast" featuring a hilarious verse from fellow Milwaukee native Stricklin.
With Side A dedicated to showcasing some of the collaborative efforts KHB have generated from constant touring, Side B allows the group to stand on it's own considerable talents with three songs from in-house Uni-Fi producer, The White Russian. First is the kaleidoscopic "PhD" where the MCs weave in and out of the verses as the beat builds up in layers of shifting soundscapes.
Next comes the fist-pumping ode to hip-hop's golden age "A Tribe Called Bastard", where each MC references quotables from the past over a beat that could have been at home on a tape deck in 1988 and recalls classics like "Scenario" and "The Choice Is Yours".
Lastly comes the heartfelt hometown anthem "Ma'waukee", an introspective look at the blue-collar roots and hardscrabble character of the Midwest set to a soulful and exultant beat that has already proven to be a show-stopper during live performances.
"DANGER" Music Video by KHB from Uni-Fi Records on Vimeo.
"No guns on your waist like it's 88..."
