v

oh and hell yeah a classic. DJ Screw rules but also Z-Ro had a run as one of the greats. Not a family friendly track but homie was singing the hook and rapping like he was the South's Pac on this whole album. and one of the top of all time, Scarface, has a verse.

I really really like Open Mike Eagle too. Super consistent, funny, thoughtful. I don't get how he hasn't crossed over more. He does a bunch of podcasts too. His What Had Happened Was show talks to one hip-hop person for an entire series about all of their work. The Prince Paul series in particular was fantastic.

    Allez Al Saw Open Mike on tour with Paul F. Tompkins, of all people. Good shit. Tompkins did standup, Open Mike rapped a couple tracks, there were sketches and stuff with Tompkins and some other comedians.

    I find it more difficult to stay up to date on underground hip-hop than punk. Like the actual good shit that's being released, seems like it takes more effort to find. So much modern hip-hop is straight-up trash. But there's still good stuff if you dig.

    7 days later

    see-saw.fun's evan minsker Awesome! I did not know a new one was in the making. It had been quiet for too long already.

    It seems pretty hard to obtain Billy Woods records here in Europe. He releases everything on his own label. I happened to stumble on Hiding Places at the record store this weekend and bought it with Transportation by Your Old Droog. Both cool.

    Lammie

    I'd be remiss if we didn't circle this back around just to say this album is so good. incredible production. so many heavy hitters. great stuff. cheers.

      Lammie

      I think Component System with the Auto Reverse might be Open Mike Eagle's most complete album, really feels like everything he aims at coming together. Often find A Special Episode Of is what I play first though. He's super consistent, has lineage with the Project Blowed scene - always loved Freestyle Fellowship and the connected releases, as well as the later LA beat tape stuff like Ras_G.

        Allez Al Cool, thanks for the tips. I'm going to check 'm out.