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Funky D

@funkydaggers.bsky.social

850 followers 510 following 3.5K posts

Now: Listening to hip-hop albums on milestone anniversaries and #MusicChallenge, where I like to like your posts. No pressure to respond! Forever: funkyd15 on Last.fm Past: Jazz journalist/music blogger, funk+ DJ, baritone saxophonist.

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Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 14h

#MusicChallenge 20 years of Blockhead "Downtown Science." 1st listen in wayyyyy too long. Great late night instrumental hip-hop. A deep spectrum of sample sources over mostly driving beats. Some overcast moods, but he knows how to add energy when needed. Forgot about this jam:

Blockhead - The Art Of Walking

YouTube video by HHVIBE

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 15h

#MusicChallenge 20 years of Black Milk "Sound of the City." ~Annual listen. His debut is still big for me. Fond memories of seeing him in a Dilla tribute/hip-hop showcase outside of DEMF in Detroit 2006 w/ a friend who soon passed away. Dirty soul loops and cocky rhymes of a 22 y.o. Love this bass!

YouTube video by Black Milk - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 19h

Yes indeed! Dope MC and that's a great verse!

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 20h

#MusicChallenge 20 years of "Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture." 1st listen in too long. A weird compilation but it produced a lot of Wu-flavored collabos that wouldn't have happened otherwise that still sound good today. Shout-out to @davekwon17.bsky.social for putting this on a mix CD once:

Wu-Tang - "Cars on the Interstate" (feat. C.C.F. Division) [Official Audio]

YouTube video by Babygrande Records

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 1d

#MusicChallenge 20 years of Bun B "Trill." 1st full listen. Bun's solo debut was a huge moment across the board, as evidenced by the inauguration intro, runtime and beats/raps from about all of the South and beyond. It's a lot, but an enjoyable listen. Tough beats, hard rhymes. 1 of many big tunes:

YouTube video by Bun B - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

#MusicChallenge 25 years of Mausberg "Non Fiction." 1st listen to his only solo album, released posthumously after he was shot and killed July 4, 2000 at the age of 21. Heavy duty Compton G raps powered by funky beats by his mentor DJ Quik, who also has a few verses, and others. This one stood out!

YouTube video by Mausberg - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

Ha! Very possibly, I feel like that would have worked for me!

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

#MusicChallenge 25 years of Ludacris "Back For The First Time." 1st full listen. I was too much of a backpacker to be a big fan in his prime, but today his major label debut is overall fun. Talented on the mic, but humor puts him over the top. Big beats from heavy hitters. Didn't know this one:

Stick 'Em Up (Feat. UGK)

YouTube video by Ludacris - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

#MusicChallenge 25 years of Micranots "Obelisk Movements." 3rd listen in recent years. Another big one for me back then - holds up. There's no replacement for conviction in your beliefs. I Self Devine's rhymes are passionate and incisive. DJ Kool Akiem's beats are piercing w/groove. Started here:

Pitch Black Ark

YouTube video by Micranots - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

#MusicChallenge 25 years of Reflection Eternal "Train of Thought." 1st full listen in many years. While its impact on me has greatly diminished over time, Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek's debut has moments. Hi-Tek's beats are varied but sharp. Kweli? Sometimes. Still love the Ohio spirit here ("Nati Lite"):

YouTube video by Reflection Eternal - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

Yes indeed!

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

#MusicChallenge 25 years of Deltron 3030 s/t. ~Annual listen. Endlessly influential to me as a developing hip-hop head. Concept albums often leave me flat, but this one hits hard. A futuristic soundscape from Dan the Automator (+Kid Koala) that honors the past. Del is locked in & magical. Exhibit A!

YouTube video by Deltron 3030 - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

#MusicChallenge 35 years of Grand Daddy I.U. "Smooth Assassin." 1st listen in too long. Very apt title of a dope album. Such a voice! His buttery flow can make his rough street rhymes surprising, but overall it works. Beats by Biz Markie! He employs many favorite samples expertly. What an opener!

Grand Daddy I.U - The U Is Smooth

YouTube video by Fabio Mota

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 2d

#MusicChallenge 35 years of Run-D.M.C. "Back From Hell." 2nd ever listen. Not terrible, but confused and all over the place. Not an expert on their catalog, but the vibe is seemingly reaching, both towards more morality but then less, often on the next song. Strong beats. Enjoyed this one:

Kick The Frama Lama Lama

YouTube video by RUN-DMC - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 3d

#MusicChallenge 35 years of Father MC "Father's Day." 1st listen. Exceeded expectations! Pretty funky, though also most representative of this week's 1990 albums of what I heard as a 10 year-old. Reasonable dance raps. Love the samples and feel here:

YouTube video by Father MC - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 3d

#MusicChallenge 35 years of Chubb Rock "Treat 'Em Right EP." 1st listen. Mostly tracks that appear on "The One." Shining Golden Era positivity and thoughtfulness. 👀 at how early Redhead Kingpin is named here! 🤣

The Regiments Of Steel

YouTube video by Chubb Rock - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 3d

#MusicChallenge 35 years of Lakim Shabazz "The Lost Tribe of Shabazz." 1st full listen? Essential Afrocentric raps from the Flavor Unit MC. Funky, mostly uptempo beats give a lift. Lakim has a dope voice & delivers quick fire observations. Uplifting stuff. Hard to pick, but love the sample + vibe:

No Justice No Peace

YouTube video by Lakim Shabazz - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 7d

#MusicChallenge 20 years of
DangerDoom "The Mouse & The Mask." 1st listen in too long. Great collab between MF DOOM and Danger Mouse. I could do without the Adult Swim skits, but it is what it is. Can't argue with these two in their prime plus some fun guests. Love this beat and DOOM handles biz:

YouTube video by Danger Doom - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 8d

#MusicChallenge 25 years of M.O.P. "Warriorz." Annual listen. A coming of age album for me, many memories. Primo led the way on banging beats, but plenty of heat from the group/beyond. Their biggest album, but the duo is still hard as hell. Numerous jams, but I heard this heat before the sample!

M.O.P. - Cold As Ice (Video)

YouTube video by MOPVEVO

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 8d

Thanks, need to check this out!

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 8d

#MusicChallenge 30 years of Mystikal "Mind of Mystikal." 1st listen. Enjoyed checking out his debut, 2 years before his No Limit era. Beats have plenty of N.O. bounce and flair. He's always been wild/fun on the mic apparently! TIL there was also a Boot Camp Clicc. Love the rapid fire references!

YouTube video by Mystikal - Topic

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 8d

Yes! Great jam, totally agreed. Good plan!

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 8d

#MusicChallenge 30 years of KRS-One s/t. 1st listen in a long time. KRS' 2nd solo album is wide-ranging sonically, lyrically, etc. An insane amount of shout-outs from rappers and DJs - SO MANY. In my circles KRS is polarizing, and this revisit drove that home. Of course, here's a Primo banger!

KRS-One - MC's Act Like They Don't Know (Official Video)

YouTube video by KRSOneVEVO

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 8d

That sounds reasonable to me. I haven't spent much time with it, but I greatly enjoyed it. But yes, you could have bias from it being your first SOM album. 😁

Funky D @funkydaggers.bsky.social · 9d

#MusicChallenge 30 years of Souls of Mischief "No Man's Land." 1st full listen? Their overlooked 2nd/last Jive album is filled with soulful West Coast vibes. All 4 members have plenty to say, and the Hiero family production is on point. Love the bass groove and feel of this one:

YouTube video by Souls of Mischief - Topic