Customer Reviews

Shaheedullah & Stereotypes

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

October was a refreshing month for Hip-Hop releases...so far we got Talib Kweli, Mos Def and now Ali Shaheed Muhammad (Tribe Called Quest and Lucy Pearl fame) whose "Shaheedullah and Stereotypes" CD was released under the radar. It should be considered an energizing and at times politically conscious contribution to music in general. And this is what Ali offers us--with open arms--MUSIC. It's been a while since that gift has been presented without the bells, whistles and misguided allusion of a Trojan Horse.

Though Ali comes to us as a world renown DJ, he isn't just the "beat guy" for this CD. From the first track ("Social Reform") we understand who this album belongs to and at the same time we see Ali generously and brilliantly expose talented individuals from his fold. Their contributions to the CD help polish the goldmine he has unearthed for us.

Ali easily takes the forefront as a lyricist and singer(who KNEW?!?!)--two skills he obviously had up his sleeve for a long time and wasn't revealing until the time was right...and for real y'all...the time is NOW.

The stellar group of lyricists on his team include...Kay Jay from Houston, TX. ("Tight", "Family"). Kay's fresh style flows naturally off the tongue and easily to the ear. Sy Smith is a songstress whose sweet flavor in your ear gracefully plies and pirouettes on three tracks ("Honey Child", "<They Can't> Define Our Love", "Part of the Night"). Stokely Williams from Mint Condition (SWOON!!) is rediscovered--and singing like he ain't been no where but here--does his thing on two tracks ("Banga" and "Put Me On"). A brotha with a beautiful voice named Wallace Gary adds to the variety of this CD by blessing us with a trippy house track("All Night"). And last but CERTAINLY not least...Chip-fu formerly of the FuSchnickens (where the heck THAT cat been?!? Hip-Hop has missed him TERRIBLY!) breathed a huge lung of fresh air all over track two of the CD ("Lord, Can I Have This Mercy"). Before Chip-fu even lets us know he flips his lyrics like a sick gymnast, we can invision him rubbin' chalk on his hands and runnin' at top speed for the uneven bars.

I know I said a lot...but what puts this CD over the top for me is everyone sounds like they are having a fan-tabulous time with their contributions. And as I read the notes on the CD itself, plenty of live instruments were used. It looks like this CD is virtually SAMPLE-FREE--who in the game can claim THAT fame?

Everyone's input on the CD feels like they've all craved real Hip-Hop and real music (like I have) for a very long time. So if you feel the same way, you need to pick this one up--and QUICK!

Peace!

I thought this CD was definitely different from what's out now...and that's a GOOD thing!! For those who are concerned whether it's more A Tribe Called Quest or Lucy Pearl...I would lean towards Lucy Pearl in terms of experimentating...and it's good to see someone do something original and something that WORKS!! Even Kanye West is biting off of his OWN stuff ("Get By, "I Try", That John Legend song....aint that all the same tune??)

I think Ali Shaheed Muhammed did a great job at letting folks know that there is more out there than just old school samples these rappers can buy, rhyme over and call a hit...he's got original music that makes ya move your feet and nod to the beat... I listened to the "Shahedullah and Stereotypes" snippets above before I bought the CD and I'm glad I did cuz the CD is worth the money!!

I'm SO tired of all the artificial/process cheesy music out there...

Thanks for your home-cooked gumbo Ali...hopefully others who are really TALENTED will follow your path!!!

Ali Shaheed Muhammad has been in the public eye for over twenty years as the DJ for A Tribe Called Quest, and he has evolved from 'the guy who stands behind the MC's with headphones on' to a full fledged musician/producer. After co-founding and recording an album for the R & B group Lucy Pearl with Raphael Saadiq (formerly of Tony! Toni! Toné!) and Dawn Robinson (formerly of En Vogue), Shaheed returned to his 'roots' so to speak, with Shaheedullah & Stereotypes. Like many DJ/Producers who go solo, Ali rhymes on many of the albums tracks, and the majority (if not all) of the tracks have a positive vibe to them. This is a hip hop album that you can share with your kids and still nod your head to it; a rarity in this day and age. Four stars.

Ali Shaheed Muhammad's debut solo album was "Shaheedullah and Stereotypes" (2004). I have always been impressed with the outstanding production Brooklyn Producer/DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammad made for A Tribe Called Quest's albums. Ali enlists some help from Chip-Fu, Stokley Williams, Kay Jay, Sy Smith & Wallace Grace on this seventeen track release. Ali's production on this release is good, as the album is full of memorable beats, from start to finish. After the intro, Ali Shaheed Muhammad teams up with Chip-Fu for "Lord Can I Have This Mercy" - and the two talk to the new generation backed by an outstanding chorus. Ali's lyrics on "Industry/Life" are on point, Ali kicks knowledge about violence, materialism, and life. Ali lets his production speak for itself on "All Right" (Aight)/Stay Interlude, a positive track. Singer Stokley Williams (lead singer of Mint Condition) makes the first of two appearances on "Put Me On" a track dedicated to a special day. Female Singer Sy Smith is featured on "Honey Child" a decent track which I expected to grow into something more. It's easy to relate with Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Kay Jay as they provide a tribute to "Family" - an heartfelt dedication to loved ones. Sy Smith returns for the ballad "(They Can't) Define Our Love". The album's first single has Stokley Williams and Ali rhyming over some harder sounding production on "Banga" - Ali seems a bit out of his element on this track and I wonder why this was made a single as it does not reflect the album. Ali experiments with the beats on "Matches - Don't Play!!! & "All Night". The later track is a feel good jam for the late night which features singer Wallace Grace. Production wise this release is tight. Ali is not the most gifted MC, but he's a grounded individual who know's what is important in life. The messages in his music are positive and worthwhile. "Shaheedullah and Stereotypes" is a relatively unknown release worth checking out. 3.5.

Honestly, I can't give this album a good rating. I'm a huge A Tribe Called Quest enthusiast, but this album isn't worth your hard earned money. In fact I like tons of albums that get mad hated on, but this one just doesn't cut it at all. I like some of the beats and instrumental music on this album (but not all of it). However almost all of the tracks are ruined by some very wack vocals. There are 2 or so MCs that put in ok performances, nothing remarkable at all, but there are also some of the cheesiest R&B singers I have ever heard featured through-out this album. Lets not even mention that Ali pulled an Eric B. and thought he could actually rock the mic. Not surpisingly he can't, and his wack vocals and weak lyrics ruins all of the tracks he appears on. Even his spoken word segments come off as incredibly hokey and forced. I wish this album was instrumental, maybe I would give it a better rating. Take my advice and go pick up the new De La Soul album or something else instead.