December 3, 2003
A-List
HIP-HOP
Soul Position
Hip-hop pairings simply don't get much better than this. Not since Talib Kweli recruited DJ Hi-Tek to complete the Train of Thought collaboration has an MC/DJ hookup hit with the full-on force of Soul Position, the newest project between RJD2 and Blueprint.
Even more impressive is the fact that the relatively unknown MC Blueprint emerges from this combo as the MVP. Considering that the traditional role of a DJ is simply to lay down a suitable backdrop for an MC's spits, this wouldn't initially seem like such a coup.
But RJD2 is no traditional DJ, and he's currently riding a wave of incredible creativity and popularity. Soul Position by no means suggests RJ is slipping; it's simply a matter of Blueprint stepping up to the plate and flat-out crushing one into the next area code. From the tongue-in-cheek "Jerry Springer Episode" to the economic commentary of "Fuckajob," 8 Million Stories, the first of hopefully several offerings from Soul Position, is chock-full of Blueprint's lyrical meanderings and syncopated inflection.
Oddly enough, the standout pieces on the disc are three connected musical exercises--alphabetic aerobics of sorts that feature Blueprint's flawless flow as he rips through alphabetically arranged lists of cartoons, fads, fashion statements and candies of the '80s. Truly outrageous. (Joshua Valocchi)
7:30pm. $8. All ages. With Illogic + DJ Przm. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. 800.594.8499. www.r5productions.com
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