bigTHEW
All American
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and for those of us not on campus, here is the article.
http://technicianonline.com/story.php?id=012147
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Welcome to 'The Minstrel Show'
Posted: 09.13.2005
/TECHNICIAN
Courtesy of Atlantic Records
Jake Seaton
When a concept album is on the horizon, yellow flags should fly for eminent danger -- especially with the case of hip-hop. The interludes are bound to be ineffective and even worse: cheesy. The songs are even set to be a bit wishy-washy. Take for example R. Kelly’s TP.3 Reloaded. The album concludes with the 10-chaptered, “Trapped in the Closet,” which doesn’t feature a single vocal hook but rather an elaborate plot that unrolls like an episode of Passions.
“You are watching UBN -- U Black Niggas Network, channel 94, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill,” opens The Minstrel Show, Little Brother’s sophomore album and Atlantic Records debut. It should be obvious from the title that the album is meant to be a social satire -- as producer 9th Wonder points out, the original title of the record was going to be Nigga Music. Unrolling like a telecast of social commentary, the album hits high with its first single, “Lovin’ It,” and below the belt with, “Cheatin.”
Producer 9th Wonder’s beats shine immediately after the introduction in, “Beautiful Morning.” As the title suggests, the song is about hope and the production follows suit with circus-like beats and clean raps including a catchy chorus.
The satire of the album is more like a smack in the face in “Cheatin.” 9th provides a R&B beat while “guest” vocalist Percy Miracles provides an Usher-like tune. The song is a testament to the music R. Kelly is pushing. He is a talented artist but limits himself severely. Making a mockery of “Trapped in the Closet,” “Cheatin” features a chorus of, “You was cheatin’/ Yes you was/ Caught you creepin’/ Yes I did/ To the window to the wall, skeet skeetin’.” Perhaps the highlight of the track is the ridicule of the, “How do I love thee,” count off. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5, really wanted you to be my wife/ and I say 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, really wanted you to be my friend/ and I say 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, can’t think of nothing that rhymes with 15.”
“5th & Fashion” preludes “Lovin It.” The skit sounds like a radio commercial right out of Grand Theft Auto Vice City, but is really a satirical poke at the way people wrap themselves in the image of brand clothing. Buried within the commercial, in a signature speed talk found in most radio and television ads, is a spot to, “win a trip to a taping of The Minstrel Show on UBN.”
This leads to the album’s first single, “Lovin It.” A track washed in mellow, ‘70s-style soul beats and a sharing of vocal responsibilities between Phonte, Big Pooh and guest Joe Scudda. The song follows along with The Minstrel Show theme as Phonte introduces Joe Scudda -- a white rapper -- as performing in black face.
Whether people will immediately grasp the concept Little Brother is trying to push is based on if they can look past the stereotypes of mainstream hip-hop artists. The album is smart in comparison to what is typically heard on the radio, but is similar to the feel of Kanye West’s message in, “Diamonds from Sierra Leone.” Satirical and thought-provoking, The Minstrel Show is sure to get the kids listening -- if the radio and television allows them to.
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 9/13/2005 8:12:53 PM
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