#mafioso rap

[bobsliquorstore]

Top 5 Mafioso Rap Albums

The 90's was a golden era of hip hop. In the mid-90's, one thing that stood out was the the "Mafioso" sub-genre of rap that was created by Kool G Rap. In the late 80’s, NWA took the world by storm with the Gangsta rap sub-genre. By the time the mid-90s hit, east coast rap came with their own twist of gangsta rap influenced by the mafia culture. The sub-genre was overshadowed by west coast rap music. Pop culture didn't take a liking to it, maybe because the songs were too intricate. The average listener is not trying to dissect through lyrics and meanings on a casual listen. Mafioso rap gave birth to one of the greatest rappers ever, Jay-Z, so it's hard to overlook the music that came out during this era. Here's a top 5 of Mafioso albums:

5. Scarface The Diary (1994)

Geto Boy's stand-out member and Houston native, Scarface, is one of the illest rappers to ever touch a microphone. Many rappers have highlighted Scarface as a major influence and an elite lyricist. Scarface known for his sinister/dark stories about murder, death, poverty and the afterlife. This album is Scarface at his apex of rapping abilities and lyricism. One of the best storytellers in rap history, he provides introspection about the metaphysical human experiences. Death has been a constant element in his music In songs like "I've Seen A Man Die" he lures you into the dark experience of seeing a dead man laid out on the pavement and facing the repercussions of committing murder. His constant obsession of the death is a genre in its own. Scarface almost personifies a grim reaper narrating a person's life before his/her's death. He keeps dark tone with this album on songs such as "No Tears," "Hand of the Dead Body," and "Goin' Down." 

4. Nas It Was Written (1996)

Illmatic was such a classic any follow up album would of been hard for Nas to live up to. It Was Written was an underated album at the time, now considered a classic. Some Illmatic enthusiast dislike this album because it made Nas go "pop" with the classic "If I Ruled The World" featuring Lauryn Hill. The album was elite, God MC Nas verses laced with production from the Trackmasters and Dr. Dre. It Was Written was him with more confidence, wealth, and maturity than the debut. Illmatic was life in Queensbridge Projects, It Was Written was Nas with the riches and survivor’s remorse. He goes from “Nasty Nas” to “Nas Escobar”. Escobar gives us one of his more introspective songs, “I Give You Power,” where he raps from a perspective of a gun. Despite the negative criticism from music outlets, It Was Written is his best selling album of his career. Nas created one of the few mafioso rap albums that crossed over into the mainstream.

3. AZ Doe or Die (1995)

Hailing from East New York, AZ is known for his rather unique (pun intended) voice and rhyme flow. AZ was introduced to Nas via a mutal friend over the phone, which led to him getting a feature on Nas' debut Illmatic. Getting introduced to the masses on the hip hop classic, Illmatic, there was a lot of hype surrounded by AZ. He lived up to the hype when he dropped his debut album Doe or Die. AZ came out the gate with a hip hop classic. AZ's bars were crafted with impressive vocabulary and illustrious lines telling a story of a mobster on the road to riches and the pitfalls of living fast. Grandiose bars highlighting low life activities while living the high life, taking other people's goods in "Gimme Yours" while simultaneously protecting his riches from "Ho Happy Jackie".

2. Jay Z Reasonable Doubt (1996)

Jay Z didn't become a household name until his third album, In My Lifetime Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life. Unfortunately, at the time of its release, Reasonable Doubt flew over people heads. Most listeners had to go back and listen to the project. 2Pac dissed him on his posthumously released album The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, and people didn't know who Jay Z was yet. I guess 2Pac foresaw the success Jay Z was going to achieve in the music industry. His debut album is Jay Z's arugably most elite bars, sparring with the likes of the legendary Brooklynite Biggie Smalls, his mentor Jaz-O, and his then-sparring partner Sauce Money. Jigga even secured the Queen of R&B Mary J. Blige, with an alleged bag of cash.

1. Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx (1995)

The Chef cooked up a 3-course meal on his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, also known as "The Purple Tape" for the unique cassette color. This project impacted rap music like an atomic bomb. The album was practically a collaboration album with Rae's Wu-Tang group mate Ghostface Killah; Ghost being featured on nearly every song and skit. The Purple Tape was felt in the streets across the country. Arguably the best Wu-Tang solo album, Raekwon had a short stint as the King of New York when this project released. The lyrics and RZA's beats were all on point, maintaining the Wu-Tang style and showcasing the Chef's unique style simultaneously. Rae and Ghost take you on a trip to Shoalin, where they snort coke and hit licks. Like most Wu-Tang albums, most features only included Wu-Tang members. The exception of this rule was Nas, who spit some of his most memorable bars on “Verbal Intercourse”, with Rae and Ghost holding their own with one of the best MC’s of all time. Without this album there wouldn't be a Reasonable Doubt or It Was Written. The subject matter of OB4CL inspired Jay-Z and Nas. The subject of a mobster trying to leave the life to become a full-time rapper.

For more visit: www.bobsliquorstore.com

[oldschoolniggaz]

1996 - Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z

Produtores: Big Jaz, Sean Cane, DJ Clark Kent, Dahoud, Dame Dash, DJ Irv, DJ Premier, Knobody, Peter Panic, Ski

É interessante notar que a Reasonable Doubt apresenta Jay-Z como um artista totalmente formado, formou a Roc-A-Fella Records com Dame Dash e Biggs.

O álbum tem muito em comum com o No One Can Do It Better do The D.O.C., misturado com as habilidades de Nas e Biggie Smalls.

Jay-Z recrutou uma série de produtores, mas a alma musical, a mente e o coração do álbum vieram do DJ Clark Kent, Ski e DJ Premier.

O álbum abre com uma faixa que não é produzida por nenhum desses três. Jay faz sua declaração de abertura com “Can’t Knock the Hustle”, uma colaboração com Mary J. Blige, produzido por Knowbody e Sean C.

“22 Twos”, baseada em uma rotina que ele frequentemente mandava em eventos ao vivo ou aparições de rádio.

Jay se aprofunda nas influências corruptas do capitalismo em “D'Evils”, encontrando-se consumido pela busca da riqueza monetária.

Enquanto isso, ele mostra um rosto totalmente diferente em “Friend or Foe”, repreendendo um grupo de criminosos na esperança de se mudar para seu território.

Em “Feelin’ It”, o quarto single do álbum, ele se torna filosófico sobre seu papel no jogo das drogas.

Jay-Z lançou “Dead Presidents”, o primeiro single do álbum. Eventualmente, depois que Roc-A-Fella assinou um acordo de distribuição com a Priority Records, ele atualizou a música e relançou “Dead Presidents II” com novas letras.

“Can I Live”, produzido pelo DJ Irv, é outro destaque. Sobre uma amostra de Isaac Hayes, Jay explica metodicamente sua ética de trabalho como traficante.

Jay parece estar se divertindo durante seus versos em “Ain’t No N***a”, o maior sucesso do álbum, Outro componente do apelo da música é o verso final da jovem Foxy Brown.

“Brooklyn’s Finest”, o duo barulhento de Jay-Z com Biggie, é uma das músicas mais conhecidas de Reasonable Doubt.

Reasonable Doubt está longe de ser o maior recorde de sucesso de Jay-Z. Muitos apontam que foi certificado Ouro no momento de seu lançamento.

Destaque: Dead President, Ain’t No Ni**a, Can’t Knock the Hustle

[phantom-cosmonaut]

“Uncut Raw” , AZ

[evilenterprise]

[cartermagazine]

“No rapper can rap quite like I can, I'll take a musclebound man and put his face in the sand… Not the last Mafioso, I'm a MC cop, make you say, "Go LL" and do the Wop.” - LL Cool J, I’m Bad, Bigger and Deffer

Happy Born Brother!

Shout out to @geechiedanofficial at @rockthebells

CARTER™️ Magazine

[abbatoirablaze]

Locked Up Master List

This series is complete! ✔️

Working in a prison is hard. The only thing that could possibly be any harder would be to be a woman working in the prison. But that's the reality for the new prison shrink, the junior doctor in the medical ward, and one of the correctional officers.

They're surrounded by some of the worst men in the country, working in the federal prison.

There are the mafioso heads, James Buchanan Barnes and Steve Rogers. Former military who turned back to the family business once they got through their contracts. Only to get a reputation of disposing of bodies as long as their rap sheets. And while these two one-time best friends manage to be civil enough inside the walls, Barnes has already promised to repay Rogers for taking his arm before their trial.

But they're just the tip of the iceberg. There are far more dangerous men in the prison. Like Robert Pronge a paranoid schizophrenic who was a hitman for nearly ten years.

Or the suave, cannibalistic serial killer, Doctor Brendan Steven Kemp.

Or the eccentric billionaire playboy who murdered his grandfather for the fortune, Ransom Drysdale.

But sometimes it's not the ones who appear the most dangerous that have the most pull in the prison. It might just be the quiet and calm Curtis Everett.

Or even the warden, a certain sheriff that managed to campaign his way all the way up to the coveted chair.

There are far too many dangerous things lurking around the corridors of the prison. And unfortunately these women are Locked Up with them every single day.

This is going to be a dark series. Chapters will have individual tags, but this will include: noncon relationships, rape, blackmail, murder, violence, and more.

The Shrink

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4 -The Riot

Chapter 11-The Riot

Chapter 14-Two Weeks Later

Chapter 18-Starting Over Part 2

The Junior Doctor

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7 -The Riot

Chapter 12-The Riot

Chapter 15-Starting Over

The Correctional Officer

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10-The Riot

Chapter 13-The Riot

Chapter 16-After The Riots

Chapter 17-A Lasting Legacy

[jojopolls]

weird moments? sort of tame but how about the teenage italian mafiosos torturing a still-living decapitated head by zipping his mouth shut, directing a sunbeam into one of his eyes, and dancing to rap music on the boat they rented for a treasure hunt?

The fact that this can accurately be described as tame given the rest of the series is why Jojo will never escape any of our minds.

[runthepockets]

Thank you for including Nicki in your rap post. Many people have tried to write her off for years and downplay her achievements due to her personal life

Yeah, I saw someone trying to do that on my post (RE: her marrying that pedophile and getting her brother out of jail for rape). While I don't think those actions are in good taste, I don't think that's enough to get me to write off her legacy.

She was the first foot in the door of women in mainstream Rap music that felt authentic and individual (besides, like, Lauryn Hill, who couldn't handle the spotlight at such a young age and who turned to a life as a private citizen after all the shit she was dealing with while working on Miseducation.) Unlike women rappers of past, she didn't have to do the whole "female mafioso" thing that a lot of women had pushed onto them by their clueless male counterparts, she didn't have to play into the role of dating / being seen attractive by a powerful man in the music industry to get signed on and she didn't have to write hypersexual lyrics that didn't reflect her in order to get those men to sign on her work.

She was allowed to wear bright clothes and make goofy alter egos and make silly voices and be fun and independent and talk about love and sex from a black feminine perspective. She brought a potent and unique sense of charm and vibrancy to the world of Hip Hop due to her Carribean upbringing, the likes of which are honestly unspoken heroes in the culture (Wyclef Jean brought us Carribean Hip Hop fusion before we even knew we were ready for it, Foxy Brown's assertive and fiesty rhymes and style were huge inspirations on both Nicki and Megan Thee Stallion, Busta Rhymes is....just fucking look at and listen to the guy, man, he's been ahead of the curb from the jump.) She was the first female rapper I can really remember girls my age getting latched onto and getting excited over.

So, yeah. Again, while I don't think the men she surrounds herself with are ideal, it's just not enough for me to write her out of the culture or our history. Hip Hop has always been a boys club, she was the first to change that. In any other subculture, she would be untouchable, or at least would have people talking about her with more sympathy and nuance. Why the sympathy stops for her idk.

[wu-gambinos]

Raekwon & Ghostface Killah Criminology featured as a second single from rapper Raekwon’s debut album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Released in 1995, the song was an instant classic and became a mainstay during the 90s. Popularizing the mafioso rap, the song begins with a dialogue in reference to the film Scarface. It featured bandmate and rapper Ghostface Killah, who performed the first verse. Raekwon performed the second verse without a chorus in between. The song had various elements that made it a perfect representative of the mafioso aesthetic. It became so popular upon its release that it rekindled the sub-genre entirely. East coast mafioso rap was in vogue during the late 80s but grew out of popularity quickly. Songs like Criminology were a great counterpart to West Coast’s G-funk style of rap. Raekwon’s critically acclaimed solo album featuring the song was a harbinger of change in a sense.

[knockyasocksoff2022]

J-Pop Idol Au:

When two rival companies PM entertainment and ADA entertainment are forced to merge can the leads to the two star groups get along?

MEET THE CHARACTERS: 

Mischievous leader with a depressing past Dazai Osamu of The Detectives (Vocals and Visual #1)

Edogawa Ranpo - Rapper, vocals, visual #2

Mayazawa Kenji - Vocals

Nakajima Atsushi - Vocals 

Yosano Akio - Rapper and Vocals (Visual #3)

And their strict but loyal (and very tired) manager Kunikida Doppo

Company President: Fukazawa Yukichi

----------

Strong willed leader with true passion for music Nakahara Chuya of The Mafia (Vocals and Visuals)

Akutagawa Ryunosuke - Vocals

Akutagawa Gin - Rapper

And their slightly obsessed and majorly over stressed manager Higuchi Ichiyō

Company President: Mori Ogai

----------

Quiet, brooding, and devilishly handsome Fyodor Dostoevsky, leader of Angelic Decay (Vocals) Known for his vampiric aesthetic and warm voice. Has a blood red coloured Cello that he plays.

Nikolai Gogol the zany lead dancer (visual and second vocals) The clown of the group. Also the main rapper. Known for his unique sounding voice.

Sigma the quiet and shy second dancer (also visual and third vocalist) Known for his extremely wide voice range.

Ochi known by his stage name of Kamui

----------

The Mafia

A four member group whose songs are a combination of rock and pop. Their fans are called Mafiosas, Mafiosos, or Mafiosis depending on the gender.

NAKAHARA CHUYA - Leader, Vocals

Started out by secretly singing along with the girls only choir in his hometown. When he was old enough to join he dressed up as a girl to join. He would rather die than admit that.

Was scouted and started as a trainee later than most idols and feels the need to prove himself despite being as good as any other idol.

Was originally part of a band called The Sheep but they kicked him out because they were jealous of him stealing their spotlight without even trying.

Friends with an independent artist who goes by the stage name Golden Demon, he sees her as an older sister figure. She taught him how to do makeup.

Has never told anybody but can play viola.

Akutagawa Ryunosuke - Vocals

Was convinced to audition by his sister Gin. He promised to watch out for her so he followed her in her idol carrere thinking he’d flunk out of training in a month or two.

He wanted to leave but a certain silver-haired boy convinced him to stay, he never learnt his name or even saw him again but now he feels he owes him.

Had severe asthma as a child that almost kept him from being able to join the company but his incredible vocals made him impossible to reject.

Has training in street and hip hop dancing.

Akutagawa Gin - Rapper

Has loved music all her life and discovered Rap when she was seven.

She immediately started learning her favourite songs and eventually started writing her own (yes she and Ryu were THE ANGRY ANGSTY TEENS)

Her mother was mad at Ryu and Gin for being rebellious but she decided to send them to the city in hopes that they would either flunk out because it was too hard or see how hard it was to really be an idol and come running home.

But Gin was determined and it started out as a way to spite her mum but she started to really love it.

Ryu saw how happy Gin was and finally gave in to her pleas for him to join her.

Both siblings agree that the company is better than home.

Izumi Kyouka, Vocals, Rap

Has had an angelic voice from a young age.

When her parents died she was sent into foster care.

Her new parents forced her to become an idol so they could make money.

At first all she could think of was escaping but everytime she tried to fail out Mori himself made sure she stayed on.

At first she hated him for it but then she met Kouyou who convinced her to make this her own thing instead of her parents' thing.

With new confidence Kyouka progressed quickly, she discovered Rap and fell in love with it because of its rebellious nature and ability to convey positive messages.

She loves surprising people by breaking into rap because she looks so sweet and innocent.

She has a crush on the youngest member of The Detectives

The Detectives

A seven member group who focus on making songs that are a mix of orchestral and electronic-dance-music. The’re fans are called Ability Users after their concept of Abilities from their very first album.

(In this story the Tanizaki’s share a last name but aren’t related to each other.)

DAZAI OSAMU - Leader, Vocals, Dancer

Grew up in inner city Tokyo.

He ran away from home at age nine (9) and was then scouted by Mori.

Scouted earlier than most idols. Has been singing since he was very young.

His vocal and dance trainer Oda Sakunosuke was killed saving his children after their home caught fire. 

Dazai fell into depression after that and threw himself into work because music and dance were the only way he could express himself.

He trained with Chuuya but was ready to debut earlier than Chuuya was so he was given over to ADA entertainment to lead a group that Fukuzawa was putting together.

Dances as a hobby, he can pick up choreography quite easily

Beloved by fans for his quirky personality but it hides a past blacked by his depression

Plays Electric Violin and Piano so strings are incorporated into almost all of The Detectives Songs.

Totally ships the Tanizaki's and teases them about it on and off camera.

Constantly annoying/embarrassing Junichirou who is oblivious to the fans knowledge of their relationship.

Edogawa Ranpo - Rapper, occasional vocals, visual #3

Grew up in the Tokyo suburbs.

Auditioned because he was bored.

Was going to quit because he gets bored quickly 

but he was in competition with his American pen-pal (who’s in an angsty indie band called Nevermore) and figured becoming an idol would be something he could hold over the other boy’s head. 

Not to mention maybe one day having his face on a brand of sweets would be cool.

He promised one day he’d write a song for his pen-pal.

Can sing and has a surprisingly deep voice but he prefers the rhythm and fast pace of rap.

The group was founded around him but he didn’t want to be leader because of all the responsibilities so Fukuzawa found Dazai.

Didn't even need his brain to figure out Tanizaki's deal.

He mostly ignores it.

Upset that it's such an open secret because he can't use it to blackmail Junichirou into buying him snacks.

Yosano Akio - Rapper and Vocals (Visual #3)

Grew up in Tokyo.

Started her training with PM entertainment but left after one of the dance instructors abused her.

Mori understood and let her go, but asked her if she would still pursue a career in music.

She refused to give up her dream and auditioned for ADA entertainment. 

Fukuzawa was happy to take her on.

She usually does Rap but some songs have her vocals.  

Likes to use big props in Music Videos (big hammers, hatchets, swords, scythes)

Thinks Junichirou is so stupid and that he should just some out and tell everyone because the fans already know.

Naomi Tanizaki - Vocals and Dancer

Grew up in downtown Tokyo.

Has wanted to be an idol all her life so she started doing dance lessons and participating in her school’s chorus ever since she was old enough.

She also started taking vocal lessons outside of school.

At age 10 she auditioned for ADA Entertainment using her ballet training and showcasing her synchronicity with the other girls as well as soft vocals, and skill on the flute.

She got picked to be a trainee.

She was originally going to be part of a girl group but she refused to leave Junichirou, and Fukuzawa is a softie, so she got to be part of The Detectives.

She is known for her extremely affectionate relationship with Junichirou, most fans ship them, despite Junichirou claiming that they aren’t in any sort of a relationship.

Junichirou Tanizaki - Vocals and Dancer (Visual #1)

Also grew up in downtown Tokyo and went to the same school as Naomi.

Is childhood friends with Naomi, even though he’s two years older.

He used to think of her as a younger sister.

Naomi has liked him since they met and he slowly began to fall for her as well.

Recognises that her attachment is unhealthy but can’t bring himself to say anything because he knows he feels an attachment as well. 

Because of this, and his desire to protect her from any and all actual, and potential dangers he followed her to the ADA.

He was originally just going to watch her audition and make sure nothing sketchy was going on and then she suggested that he audition too.

He said no

But she begged and he couldn't say no to her so he auditioned.

He has been singing in the school chorus since he was very young and can play piano so he got accepted.

He played football which also requires fitness and cooperation so he picked up dancing in formations easily. 

He only agreed to an off camera relationship with Naomi because he doesn’t necessarily like the idea of having their relationship broadcast to the public.

He thinks he’s hiding it, He isn’t. At least not very well.

He can’t help but be affectionate with Naomi and she never reminds him that they're supposed to be a secret.

He always blushed like an idiot whenever anyone brings up their relationship.

He’s a good liar but it’s just so obvious that it doesn't really help.

It’s hardly ever mentioned but he actually has perfect pitch, just like Dazai.

Miyazawa Kenji - Vocals

The flower maknae.

When he first came to the city he got lost and was found by Ranpo, Yosano and Atsushi, they adopted him into their friend group.

He was very curious about Dazai and eager to be friends with him. He looks up to him even though he, like everyone else, doesn't know much about him.

Was second last to join the group, and the one who pushed for Atsushi to be included.

Sends money back to his village and to charities

Had just discovered what a Canadian Tuxedo (denim shirt and denim jeans) was and wanted to wear one for their debut music video but Kunidia thankfully stopped him.

Thought the Tanizaki's relationship was an open thing and still doesn't get that it isn't so he just treats them like a couple even on camera. 

It doesn't matter because no one thinks that they aren't anyway.

Nakajima Atsushi - Vocals 

A white tiger hybrid with a similar story to Kyouka.

His parents died shortly after he was born and he was put into an orphanage, where he was abused and treated as a freak for his hybrid traits.

After he escaped the orphanage he realised he had no money and nowhere to go, he was debating whether or not to drown himself in the river when Dazai found him. 

He tried to rob Dazai but the older boy kicked his ass (read tail). But then Dazai helped him up and treated him to some (30) bowls of Chazuke.

Dazai convinced him to come to the city with him and let him stay in the ADA dorms.

Kunikda found out and imposed the condition that he could stay there on the company's dime if he agreed to audition and begin training.

He, of course, agreed.

Dazai became something of a mentor to him.

He didn’t believe he was good enough but that only motivated him to work harder.

He was the last to join The Detectives. 

He still had training to finish so even after the group was announced he wasn’t revealed until their first MV.

Has lots of Simps because he’s basically a cat boy.

He’s questioning whether or not he only likes girls or if he likes boys as well.

Was the last to know about the Tanizaki’s relationship, he legitimately believed that they were just really close friends.

[1892]

just listened to a bunch of three 6 mafia songs (tbf just their hits so far my bad) are there other artists should i listen to, do u have any specific albums i should listen to? ty ur music posts always make me wanna listen to whatever artist/album ur talking abt 😁

yes dude yes. i'm not the most familiar with memphis rap (three 6 mafia excluded i do love mystic stylez) i will elevator pitch these albums to you also. ALSO never be ashamed about liking the hits bc often they're hits for a reason imo

i will recommend u Three albums. and a playlist

1.

amerikkka's nightmare by spice 1...i got this on CD for christmas this year. perfect bay area project. one of my fav albums ever, it's premium gangstarap...g-funk infused. so creative & energetic & his flows are pretty forward thinking for 1994. it's his best album imo. if you want a specific song to start with i'd start with either bustas can't see me or strap on the side or murder ain't crazy. production is fucking phenomenal.

2.

wwcd by griselda. premium coke rap lol. the griselda guys' collaborative magnum opus imo. it's their only full album all three of them but they're all made collab albums with each other at one point or another. on this album they are all top of their game 100%. the only. only. critique i have of this album is them including eminem on a remix after the outro. just doesn't fit on the album at all imo. otherwise it's a 10.

3.

take cover, mafiosos. one of the single most underrated artists ever lol. like 100 monthly listeners on these guys, but they've made THIS album. it's near perfect. bitch made is a good place to start

and then the playlist i'm gonne recommend is:

the vibe – playlist i made for playing when i'm with ppl & have aux

march 24 – my current rotation

okay thanks for listening omg. <3

[vjuanbe]

Mafioso boom bap rap for the rest of the night.

🤓 99% of rap iz just a friendly listener

[cyarsk5230]

East Coast hip hop

Regional subgenre of hip hop music

East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City during the 1970s. Hip hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in The Bronx, New York City.

In contrast to other styles, East Coast hip hop music prioritizes complex lyrics for attentive listening rather than beats for dancing. The term "East Coast hip hop" more specifically denotes hip hop originating from the Northeastern United States. Southeastern states such as Georgiainstead fall under the umbrella of Southern hip hoprather than East Coast hip hop, while Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia produce East Coast hip hop.

Musical style

In contrast to the more simplistic rhyme pattern and scheme utilized in older hip hop, hip hop in the late ‘80s developed a stronger emphasis on lyrical dexterity. It also became characterized by multi-syllabic rhymes, complex wordplay, a continuous free-flowing delivery and intricate metaphors.Although East Coast hip hop can vary in sound and style, "aggressive" beats and the combining of samples were common to the subgenre in the mid- to late 1980s. The aggressive and hard-hitting beats of the form were emphasized by such acts as EPMD, Beastie Boys and Public Enemy, while artists such as Eric B. & Rakim, Boogie Down Productions, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G. and Slick Rick were noted for their lyrical skill. Lyrical themes throughout the history of East Coast hip hop have ranged from lyrical consciousness by such artists as Public Enemy and A Tribe Called Quest to Mafioso rap themes by rappers such as Raekwon, MF Grimm and Kool G Rap.

[evilenterprise]

[watching-pictures-move]

Movie Review | Wise Guys (De Palma, 1986)

I listened to the episode of the Junk Filter podcast about Joe Piscopo's comedy specials earlier this week, and decided that maybe I wanted to see one of his movies and figure out what his deal was beyond the handful of Saturday Night Live clips I'd seen over the years. I tried to psych myself up for this movie by watching his appearance on Johnny Carson, which I do not recommend unless you want to witness a live execution of the comedic arts, Piscopo strangling them to death in real time with his muscular arms with his racially questionable rap routine and a slew of impressions while David Letterman sits next to him with barely masked contempt. While I cannot offer a complete career assessment, from this clip it seemed that his any talent had been flushed down the toilet well before the same thing happened to his politics.

Anyway, he fares better in this movie when paired alongside Danny DeVito, as the two do a modern update of the Abbott and Costello dynamic, one more assertive and eager to scheme, the other dimmer and with a higher pitched voice. I do think they suffer in contrast to their inspirations as Piscopo plays things too close to DeVito in demeanour, so there is not the clash of personalities one would hope for. But in any case he does get his share of laughs and certainly has rapport with DeVito, although both are outshined by Lou Albano as a mafioso who resembles and apoplectic bulldog and barrels through the movie accordingly, devouring a mountain of lobster and looking like he's about to have a stroke when he sees what they've done to his car. (They violate the central tenet of never fucking with another man's vehicle, although I suppose the rule can be broken when that man treats you terribly and is trying to kill you.)

This is not thought of very highly in Brian De Palma's filmography, but De Palma being the irrepressible visual stylist that he was at this time makes some of the movie look like a playset for toys with his ostentatious camera moves. It's an interesting contrast to the frequently dingy New Jersey locale, and the movie inexplicably dials down its visual style once we get to the Atlantic City casino in its last third, but along with its mugging mobsters, this does anticipate some of what De Palma would do with The Untouchables the following year. (One very funny sequence has the camera move from Dan Hedaya to Albano to Piscopo to DeVito, all doing different variations of extreme mugging.) If anything, you see DeVito's ingratiating and energetic presence and think he would have made a better Al Capone in the other movie instead of the greatest hits style performance that Robert De Niro opts for.

So this is probably not anybody's favourite Brian De Palma movie or Danny DeVito movie or...okay, it probably is somebody's favourite Joe Piscopo movie (the only competition is Dead Heat)... but I had a good enough time with this.