Nickelus F & Shawn Kemp - Trick Dice
Nickelus F & Shawn Kemp - Trick Dice
A lesson on the importance of the producer in hip hop:
Nickelus F put out a solo album just last month called Triflin’. Listening to that record, it’s obvious that Nick is a talented MC. But the generic trappy production and lack of progression in the beats just makes everything, even the vocals, fall flat.
A week or so later, this record comes out. And it’s produced by Shawn Kemp. Shawn Kemp, aka Lil Ugly Mane. Lil Ugly Mane, who proved his virtuosity earlier this year with Third Side Of Tape.
And it’s fantastic. Full of boom-bap beats, ambient and jazzy textures, and sounds that recall the sample-delic records of golden age hip hop. All of this backing a passionate and athletic MC with a dynamic and inventive flow.
Why such a difference in quality? Well, Kemp explains better than I could on his Bandcamp page:
I feel like its important for a producer to work against the MC as much as it is to work for them. I think especially when you have a MC that's as versatile as Nick you need to challenge that skill and really try to get the most original content out of them.
Listen to it. Streaming via Bandcamp below. It’s split into sides instead of tracks, so if you’re going to listen to just one, I’d suggest Side B.
Highlights: Oedipus Rex • Gold Figaro • Bathory Motives
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