Normally, I only post about reading or books, but I feel I need to post the following. Consider this list:
Shabazz Palaces, Shabazz Palaces and Of Light; R Kelly, Untitled; The-Dream, Love King; Janelle Monáe, The ArchAndriod; Big Boi’s Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty; Erykah Badu, New Amerykah, Pt 2: Return Of The Ankh; The Clipse, ft. Cam’Ron, “Popular Demand (Popeyes)”; Alicia Keys, The Element of Freedom; Lil Wayne, “Swag Surfer” and “Single”; The Roots, How I Got Over; Solange, “Stillness is the Move”; Nicki Minaj, “Massive Attack”; Jay-Z, “D.O.A.” and “Empire State of Mind” (ft. Alicia Keys); Curren$y, Pilot Talk; Sade, Soldier of Love.
All of that was released in the past ten months, with the exception of the Shabazz Palaces EPs, which were released in June and July 2009 respectively, and to which my friend Charles Mudede tipped me off via one of his posts on the Stranger’s blog in December. This list demands serious listening.
This list is almost as good as a list of R&B and hip hop circa 1993. Refuse the verdict of lateness. Perhaps more on the idea of “lateness,” or late style, later.
