On the one hand, Jake One’s beat is very good. The drums are heavy, and much like on Bossman’s original version the vocal harmony is used as a musical instrument to great effect.
But on the other hand, there’s a certain mis-match in vibe. The heavy drums ground the song, give it a an immediacy that’s just slightly at odds with the starry-eyed lyrics and the astral feel that permeates both the album version and much of the rest of G-Side oeuvre. Simply put, this isn’t spacey enough.
Granted, this is supposed to be a re-interpretation and not a re-tread, so in that light the remix unquestionably succeeds. Maybe I’m just too attached to the original to accept Jake One’s version on it own terms.
I have to say; I’ve heard of shows where a producer will conduct a beat on the spot live, I’ve heard of producers battling with pre-made material live and of course I’ve heard of emcees battling live. But producers battling against other producers with beats they have to make live in front of judges? With an audience and a strict time limit? That was something new. Tonight (Friday Oct 22nd) will mark the final installment in Sound Battle Royale’s $1500 Toronto-based tournament to find out who’s sharpest on the boards. Four producers have fought their way to the finals after winning a qualification battle that’s been taking place over the past 6 months and will now duke it out in front of a judging panel, an audience and special guest beatmaker Jake One. Check after the jump for more info on the tournament and media clips.
Jake One on the undefeated tip lends a hand to yet another bubbler. JFK is prepping his solo debut, Building Wings On The Way Down, on Rhymesayers. Probably last week on this one, but fuck it. Loving the beat.
If you don’t have the best release of ’10 yet then you need to stop the fucking madness. Go here and do yourself a favor. Freeway over great production is top notch. Jake One needs to do an album for AZ next. –Philaflava
Freeway & Rhymesayers Entertainment are leaking the first track “Know What I Mean” off of Freeway & Jake One’s upcoming album The Stimulus Package which hits stores 02.16.10! Pre-order The Stimulus Package now from Fifth Element and download “Know What I Mean” from Rhymesayers Radio or iTunes.
To support the Stimulus Package, Freeway and Jake One are printing their own money. Each album includes Freeway and Jake One bills with Lyrics and Liner notes on the reverse side and are wrapped around a custom digipak that’s built like a wallet and held together with a treasury style bellyband. This unique package was put together by Hip-hop’s Iconic Designer, Brent Rollins.
Freeway & Jake One – “THE STIMULUS PACKAGE”
1. STIMULUS INTRO feat. Beanie Sigel
2. THROW YOUR HANDS UP
3. ONE FOOT IN
4. SHE MAKES ME FEEL ALRIGHT
5. NEVER GONNA CHANGE
6. ONE THING feat. Raekwon 7. KNOW WHAT I MEAN
8. THE PRODUCT
9. MICROPHONE KILLA feat. Young Chris
10. FOLLOW MY MOVES feat. Birdman
11. SHO’ NUFF feat. Bun B
12. FREEKIN’ THE BEAT feat. Latoiya Williams
13. MONEY feat. Omilio Sparks and Mr. Porter
14. FREE PEOPLE
15. STIMULUS OUTRO
