The tags of time,an expression used to describe change.And thats exactly what this compilation does.One listen and its clear the tags of time in hip hop are changing,and taking interesting twists.And compared to a lot of the stale uninspired cds from artists with little or no skill at all,that sitt and collect dust in record stores and unsatisfied customers collections alike,TAGS OF THE TIMES 3 is like zeus breathing fresh life into the rap game.If your a hip hop head in any shape or form,this cd IS FOR YOU.Find it and buy it folks.
The cd starts off with a lil collabo between the living legends grouch,and and artist called l’roneous and elusive,who combine to form the ill group dream weavers.This song starts off with a killer feel good vibe,and lyrics to match. The hook in the song states “They say are music aint to dance to, I like to think we make are music so so special,you feel that?”,and its clear they made this song very special. It cathes you in the groove like flies in spider webs,and draws you into the lryics off all the artists who shine equally.Another classic song on this comp. is atmospheres “between the lines” which a lot of people have heard,but its a very welcome addition. One song thats truly amazing is mikah nine’s “FIRST THINGS LAST” which has a piano beat,that sounds like someone stroking the keys in order,and he flows with the piano perfectly,when the piano stops so does his flow,and he starts up again when the piano picks up. Aesop rock also pays a visit on “WISE UP”,as soon as the song starts theres a sample that says “NOW HEAR THIS”,shortly after aesop rips the track just as good as any of his best works to date,in other words another gem from big aesop rock.
There are two songs on this comp. that really got my attention. The first one is a god like collaboration between mr.lif, company flow, eligh, murs, scarub, bms, and 3mg which I first heard around the time of the September 11 attack.Its mr.lif’s verse that made me wonder if he can predict the future, “I’ve got two underpaid educators on the faders,mad about the salaries of baseball players, a nation of thugs waving guns at the mayor,the meek on their knees cold praying for savior, enable the outlast disease that plauges ya,scientists with remedies save them for lata, in god we trust written on the paper,which soon will burn as humans learn to upgrade advance, but wade too far in the waters of chance,stress reaches to the heavens,its arms take the form of nuclear bombs, and when their weary,they drop and crush theory, laying to waste everything you held dearly, death is nearing ,at this point you see clearly,united by peril,just scream if you hear me.”
When I heard this verse around 9-11 it made me think,it really meant something to me and shows how clever and aware mr.lif is.The song has some wicked bass,and also gets riped by el-p,with a phat verse which is always welcomed,and a wicked verse from eligh of living legends.
The second song that stood out to me, is called “CONFESSIONS OF THREE MEN” by (my favorite rapper) Dose One,shingo2,doc maxwell, and kirby dominant. It starts off with dose one setting the mood for the song which is over 11 minutes of story telling,where each rapper plays a part,as dose one narrates inbetween each mc’s verse.
Other songs of mention,scarub’s cut featuring tiombe lockheart called”FREAK WHAT YOU FEEL”.This song has one of the most uplifting beats ive ever heard,with a combination of deep bass,and a soothing pianos.Scarub’s lyrics are like easy listening to the mind and ears,tiombe lockhearts voice is one of the most beautiful youll ever come by,and together they make this song one youll want to listen to over,and over.Buck 65’s “PACK ANIMAL”,aceyalone’s”FUTURE ROCKERS”,and spoon,of a group called (Iodine),his song is called “ANTI-CHRIST”and I believe has a sample from carmina burnoff a classical artist,which was also featured in the movie Excalibur,and the commercials for John Madden football 2002.
Over and over,sums up this cd,because youll have this in your cd player of choice till quite possibly the tags of the times in the year 5000.The artists who contributed are all so different,which makes every song sound fresh.Listening to this cd is never boring,or dull,its an experience,that anyone who likes hip hop,should do themselves a favor and hear it.The “TAGS OF THE TIMES 3” is a work of art,and should be displayed in every hip hop heads collection.
Reviewed By TONY SOKOLL for HipHopHotSpot.Com
