themucka : I think you're wrong about saying the Gangstaar formula is generic ....
To me there are 3 main Gangstaar periods :
The Jazz period 1989-1992 : definitively softer ,jazzier than today, drum breaks are used almost all the time, the sound is very organic...
The hard period...
pirell , I think you read my quote .... lol but I hear you ,
concerning Ras Kass , his last album "Rassassination" was pretty lame ... (lots of Rn'B tracks) , "Van Ghog " was never released ...
peace,
PHIL
GANGSTAAR's "The Ownerz" is the proof that classic albums can still be made in 2003... the beats , the lyrics are vintage Gangstaar to me ... I 've bought it like 2 weeks ago , it's still in my CD player !
LIL KIM's "The Jump off" , I just hate it simple and plain
I hate the music , the lyrics, and the attitude ...
makes me want to break that 12 inch ...(I only paid 4 EUR though)
I have to agree on that .... both have advantages...I'll always have a preference for turntables and I hope that vinyl will be forever... but if scratchable CD players can get the job done , then why not ?
There is just one thing I would criticize : on a CD player , the scratching sound...
K.O : Dre has become more of a "supervisor " than a producer since he hires musicians, Mel Man does the programming and that he buys "pre-made beats" from unknown producers....so saying that Dre's hand was all over the projects you mentioned would be exagerated... concerning the new Rakim...
I wouldn't say that French rap is "street" nowadays ....
It was back in the mid 90's ... but now it's pretty much mainstream with major labels and radios doing the bullshit...
Now it's sad to hear NTM members (one of the most hardcore rap act in France in the 90's) doing Rn'B songs.
....