Various Artists Queendom

by Nicole McCray

A compilation only labeled Queendom, and giving a shout out to Sisters of the Underground, which was released by Outta Nowhere Entertainment, is literally out of nowhere. With a rap sheet of mostly underground female hip hop emcees out of New York and the Bay Area is a collective that essentially is part hip hop part spoken word part seductive part fierce-ness part cockiness part hotness part whatever else you want to call it.

Opening with one of hip hop’s first female emcees is Lyte the MC, MC Lyte on “Fire.” The Brooklyn native has always been cocksure, simple beats over head strong lyrics, even still after 20 years on the scene, we should expect no less.

In my opinion, one of the most underrated female lyricists in the game is Philadelphia rapper and former DJ, Bahamadia. Discovered by Gang Starr’s Guru, and having released 1996’s Kollage and 2001’s BB Queen, and known for her smooth out monotone style has one of the sickest flows around. “Global” is showcased in true smooth Baha-D style.

Now returning to scene (after four kids!) is Lady Bug Mecca from the 90’s hip hop group, Digable Planets. On one of the sweetest tracks on Queendom is “Sweet and Polite,” where it blurs the line between hip hop and funky experimentation. But let’s be real, as hot as Digable was, they were a blur of funky experimentation—of the cool kind, of course.

“Aeonian” by Tenashus hit me hard with its heavy bass line and female swagger. The title which means “lasting for an indefinite or immeasurable amount of time,” thus forever will be immortalized in DJ crates one day.

Representing from down under is Macromantics, who does her thing on “Who is Your God?” And true to form and more popular in the Bay Area is the crew of female MCs, and anthem makers The Conscious Daughters, bringing “Party 4 Show” fo’ sho’. Probably known more for their most popular track, “Fonky Expedition,” these Queens sincerely raps it up.

by Nicole McCray

Hailing from Chicago and Detroit, Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish best known as The Cool Kids have MySpace to thank for their mass appeal. Having originally met on the site two years ago and pretty much releasing all of their music online, their first album release, The Bake Sale, dropped this summer on the Chocolate Industries/C.A.K.E Recordings label.

After listening to the album, one thing I’ve noticed: it’s hard to pigeonhole these guys. From jump they’ve set themselves apart. They’ve opened for M.I.A., and performed at the Legendary Roots Crew picnic. Their myspace even list their sound as “Rockabilly/Big Beat/Hip Hop.” (Whatever that is.) Their stripped down sound is reminiscent of 80’s rap. Even the album is old school: 10 tracks, no interludes, no featured artists, just them. Think The Neptunes mixed with the Beastie Boys.

They only signed a recording contract after playing Chicago’s Pitchfork Festival and New York’s CMJ Music Fest last year.

Still the album thrives with witty lyricism and an ode to what rap use to be: fun. “What Up Man” talks about the simple things in life; while “One Two” shows a bit of kiddy cocky-ness. “88” and “Black Mags” their homage to tricked-out bikes are signature releases. Though “Gold and a Pager” is reminiscent of high school, “A Little Bit Cooler” makes it cool to actually say you’re cooler than the next guy or girl.

In eighties flavor, The Cool Kids is dope.

by Nicole McCray

By definition a “genius” is “a peculiar, distinctive, or identifying character or spirit.” As an original member of the 90’s hip hop group Natural Source, South African-born, New York-bred emcee Jean Grae is on the road toward genius-to promote her latest album, Jeanius.

Out under Talib Kweli’s Blacksmith Records, and produced by North Carolina beat junkie 9th Wonder, Jean Grae is still very much underground. Though hailed as one of the illest females on the mic, she grew up under the tutelage of jazz musician parents, Sathima Bea Benjamin and Abdullah Ibrahim. Named after one of the characters of X-Men, Jean Grae is not your stereotypical lyricist.

On the “Intro” which showcases her fun yet serious word slaying abilities, she spouts off “This ain’t a test n*gga/ No pencils/ Only ink/ And blood splatter/ like your toes on my drink.” She could hang with the toughest of emcees, and she has. At times calling herself the “cameo queen” she’s appeared on numerous hip hop projects from The Roots, Atmosphere, Talib Kweli, Da Beatminerz, Masta Ace and Immortal Technique, among others. Though “Love Thirst” smells of heavy radio rotations, I don’t know if mainstream audiences are really ready.

To get insight to her microphone abilities check out “Hater’s Anthem” on her EP The Bootleg of the Bootleg.