Music
Prodigy – The H.N.I.C.
Prodigy, a,k.a Albert Johnson, ½ of the rap duo Mobb Deep has passed away today as a result of complications from sickle cell anemia. Revered as one of the hardest emcees to hail from Queens, Prodigy’s rhymes about street life and growing up on the “41’st side of things” in the notorious housing complex Lefrak City in Queens, N.Y. left many intrigued and wanting to partake in his sordid lifestyle (albeit in rhyme only.)
Rappers like Nas provided a platform for Prodigy and many other Queens emcees to be taken seriously in the early 90’s.
Mobb Deep in turn also opened doors for others like CNN, Cormega and many others hailing from the Q Borough. It was only fitting then that news of Prodigy’s untimely passing was initially communicated by Nas himself.
No stranger to drama, Prodigy had his fair share of run ins and altercations with other noted hip hop emcees. From Keith Murray to Saigon to the most infamous Jay- Z Summer Jam debacle, P was a consistent patron to whatever variety of beef hip hop was ready to serve.
Prodigy and Mobb Deep reached the pinnacle of their success during the golden era of hip hop music. That essentially means no hip hop fan alive then wasn’t a fan. If you were in any club in the 90’s, there were 3 songs that had to be played in order to make that event complete; It’s All About the Benjamins, Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See, and Shook Ones from Mobb Deep’s classic second album The Infamous.
Prodigy’s struggle with sickle cell anemia made him the poster child for that ailment much like what Phife Dawg was for diabetes. Both emcees became stark reminders that although we would love our musical heroes to remain unscathed, only their contributions will ultimately stand the test of time.
From doing it for the “little duns” to keeping it thoro, Prodigy will forever be remembered for some of the hardest rhymes in hip hop. With an ever looming realization that he could be “stabbed, shot or whatever”, Prodigy still managed to become one of hip hop’s favorite sons and made it clear to all that whatever you are going to do, do it all the way. Even if it’s a criminal endeavor, just always remember to go hard because “ain’t no such things as half way crooks”.
Rest in Peace Albert Johnson, November 2, 1974 – June 20, 2017
Janita’s newest album Here Be Dragons is another in a progression of finely crafted hymns for the empowered. Whether by love, as in the silky “I Do,” or by subverting expectations, in the Beatlesesque “Not What You’re Used To,” Janita draws on lessons learned during a positively unique career that spans decades and continents. We caught up with Janita on the heels of her latest single “When It’s All Up To You” to find out three songs she’d love to have written.
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Elliott Smith — “L.A.”
This is one of my favorite songs by Elliott Smith. I listened to the full album Figure 8 a lot while I was writing the songs on my new album, and it was a huge influence on me both melodically and lyrically. This song in particular has also informed some of the production choices we made later, like the heavier guitars you hear on my song “Not What You’re Used To.”
“L.A.” is incredibly melodic, but there’s an elusive, haunting quality to it. It feels like you’re always trying to reach it, catch up to it somehow. The backing vocals accentuate that feeling. In my mind, the song paints such a vivid picture of the ephemeral, fickle nature of L.A., and the similarly transient nature of the main character. Elliott Smith himself? I don’t know exactly how he does (did) it, but I’m certainly in awe of it.
Radiohead — “There There”
So hypnotic. So badass. Could the production possibly be any cooler? The melody is intricate and beautiful, and I can relate to the lyric from every which angle: as the singer, as the one being sung to, and whether in love relationships, friendships, or with total strangers. The subject matter simply comes up in life in so many ways all the time… I recently tried to express similar notions as I was writing a song, only to remember that it was already done here perfectly. Goddammit.
Punch Brothers — “Julep”
This song is simply magical to me. It’s made me bawl my eyes out at a Punch Brothers concert two separate times. It’s like that viral video that was circulating some years ago of a baby moved to tears when her mom sings a sad tune. I’m that baby when it comes to this song. It simply hits some sort of primal button in me and keeps pressing it until the very end.
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While you’re at it, check out Janita’s video for “Digging in the Dirt,” a funky and faithful rendition of the Peter Gabriel classic.
Jay Som’s Melina Duterte and Palehound’s Ellen Kempner join forces as Bachelor – a musical powerhouse whose new record Doomin’ Sun drops May 28th on Polyvinyl.
Kemper and Duterter recorded the album during two weeks of mutual appreciation in California. Three visceral singles have been released in the lead-up, including the Pixies-flavored “Stay in the Car” and the sprawling “Anything At All.”
Bachelor has also announced the Doomin’ Sun Fest, a one-day livestream featuring Tegan & Sara, Courtney Barnett, Adrianne Lenker, Jeff Tweedy, Japanese Breakfast, Julien Baker, and more.
Two men that look suspiciously alike meet outside a fictitious Brooklyn hot-spot – six feet apart.
MC Krispy E: Very nice to meet you. (squints) Have we met before?
Electronic Device: Maybe?
MC Krispy E: Is the rest of the band joining us?
Electronic Device: (pause) I am the rest of the band.
MC Krispy E: You are Electronic Device? What’s that about?
Electronic Device: Uhm, yeah, it’s like a pen name. You know what that is, right?
MC Krispy E: I have some idea.
Electronic Device: It was actually the name of one of my dad’s companies back in the day before…
MC Krispy E: (looking at his watch) Wonderful. So… it says here you have a new single called “All Things Come to an End” inspired by the death of your brother.
Electronic Device: Yeah, after my brother died I recorded songs as a form of therapy in his old bedroom in Staten Island.
MC Krispy E: And now I read that you have cancer. Am I supposed to feel extra sorry for you?
Electronic Device: Uhm…
MC Krispy E: It sounds like this album is going to be super depressing.
Electronic Device: It’s not, I swear. I was looking for some happiness while recording these songs, there’s not much of an agenda beyond that.
MC Krispy E: What kind of music is it?
Electronic Device: I wasn’t really thinking about influences while recording, but listening back I hear some Concrete Blonde, some Cracker.
MC Krispy: So bands no one is interested in?
Electronic Device: What the hell, man?
MC Krispy: Sorry, it’s almost like I can’t help it. What’s the single about?
Electronic Device: I hate saying what a song is about because everything is up for interpretation.
MC Krispy E: Humor us.
Electronic Device: I can say that “All Things Come to an End” has multiple narrators, some of which are unreliable.
MC Krispy E: (stares)
Electronic Device: And that one day I was at my Dad’s house and when I turned the corner into the hallway my Dad thought I was my brother for a moment, which was super sad because of course I couldn’t be.
MC Krispy E: And then you wrote a whole song about that.
Electronic Device: I guess so. When you put it that way…
MC Krispy E: (yawning) Tell us when the single come out.
Electronic Device: The single is out now. The album comes out in 2021.
MC Krispy E: Well, good for you. And good luck with that cancer thing.
Electronic Device: Yeah, you too.
MC Krispy E: Thanks. What?