The urban lifestyle has always been a hive of activity in the world of hip-hop culture. First there is the visually arresting images of graffiti, then there is the hypnotic rotation of turntables. You can't forget the acrobatic display of b-boys or the oral expression of MCing.
The lyricist or the MC has long been the center of attention in the sub-culture of underground hip-hop. There are often many questions about who is the best lyricist or who can beat who in a battle. The topic of discussion also centers on who's new record is wack, and who's new record is heat, or which newcomers sound good and shows promise. Lyrics, delivery and production all play key roles in judging the quality of underground hip-hop. Noncommercial rap has always had more poetic value than its corporate under produced counterpart.
This week we have the latest from Dres of Black Sheep. Dres was originally signed Mercury/ Polygram records back in the early 90's. His first album Wolf In Sheeps Clothing put Black Sheep in the forefront of the Native Tounges Family- which included De La Soul, Camp Lo, The jungle Brothers, Queen Latifah and A Tribe Called Quest.
A Wolf In Sheeps Clothing featured some of the groups classic hits like, The Choice Is Yours, Stroblite Honey and Similak Child. Dres was known for lyrically pushing the envelope. He once said "I like to say on record what people are thinking in their heads, but can't say in polite company".
They returned in 1994 with their second full-length effort Non-Fiction. Due to weak promotion from the label, the album did not get the attention it deserved, and basically went unnoticed.
Dres is back with his latest single and video Propagation- on it he has a candid discussion with his son about the pitfalls of life. He tells his son "I have you walk in front of me, because you were born to lead. This is the sort of record Hip-Hop needs now. All of what's heard on commercial radio programs listeners towards failure. This record programs children towards success and doing the right thing. The video has a very heart-felt ending that definitely drives home the point.