Madlib is a prolific California-based hip hop producer who normally works with alternative rappers like Talib Kweli. Recently he released an album called Beat Konducta in India, and I finally got my hands on it a couple of days ago. Here’s a track that has been posted at Imeem:
And here’s the YouTube video montage, which is also an album promo:
What do you think? I love the video, but I’m still trying to decide whether I like the album as a whole. I feel like this album should come attached to an hour-long video montage, edited as sharply as the two minute promo above. That way you get the hip hop sensibility and the sense of filmi nostalgia (and kitsch) all wrapped up together. The music by itself is ‘cool’ (like the track ‘Movie Finale’ above; or ‘More Rice’, which you can sample at Amazon); with video, there is something schizophrenic and exiting happening. There is certainly an art to remixing and reworking old music (and Madlib certainly knows what he’s doing on this score), but with film music in particular it seems somewhat incomplete if the video isn’t ‘remixed’ in parallel.
(Or we could just can the whole thing and sit around watching old Rajnikant videos on YouTube all day.)
That video is beautifully edited, and the subtitles are a stroke of genius. I agree the “music” on its own doesn’t hold up though. Whoever made the video – more! I want more!!
Dude, I am either too old, too square or too stupid to get it. I thought the music was a fairly random mishmash of songs set to hip-hop beats. I didn’t get the video either. I doubt I would buy the album based on what I saw/heard.
Nina, that’s high praise coming from you (Ms. “Loins of Punjab Presents”).
SkepMod, you didn’t enjoy the strange juxtaposition of Rajnikant’s ultra-glamourous hair and mustache with west coast downtempo hip hop? That’s ok…
I heard the songs at a music store and I was pretty impressed. Never got a chance to hear all the songs, that reminds me, I need to get my CD back.
Anywho, OMHO the album is way better than the video. (Maybe because I understand the language and have seen most of those songs / scenes at some point).
thats the little superstar vid!!! i love it, i agree, the song is better with the video. one website was selling the film for like $70!!
this world is made up of dimes and pence, its sometimes nice when it stops making sense.
Rajnikant rules!! Woooooo! 🙂
I can’t wait to check it out….It can replace the “Bombay Nights” 2CD set that’s been riding in my truck for weeks now.
Can anyone give me a rundown of all the Rajni films in that video…as there are many unfamiliar scenes to me?
My cousin’s been doing this for years and its better than the stuff here
myspace.com/aligotbeats
if you listen to his earlier albums, Madvillainy in particular, you’ll find his production MO: large helpings of analog bass lines, fuzz, fuzzy samples, more fuzz and samples that you generally won’t find elsewhere. The greatest thing about his production is that it sounds badass in the car (even if you’re just rocking two 10s and a modest amp)–owing in large part to his use of analog drums and bass. If you don’t ‘get it’ it’s probably because you’re waiting for Blackalicious orchestration or Jay D-style sampling virtuosity. Madlib is definitely umbrella-drink by the beach but unfortunately also not very accessible to the top-40 set.
I think this album might benefit from MF Doom cameos as his non-sequitir, anti-flow flows go with Madlib’s production like vegemite on sourdough toast.
Nice video…especially liked the Punjabi bit that came in about a minute into the video and lasted for 10 seconds or so…”Nyooke chakkin javaana, ethe meri nath dig payi”…
Back to MadLib, listening to his music just makes me miss J. Dilla even more….
WOW!!! Too funny, I just got the CD tonight, ripped it to my IPOD, and happened to get inspired to pop by this site to see how my Desi brothers and sisters are doing. I am glad that people are listening to it, and with Madlib it does take a while to adjust to his acoustical leanings (TIP: This is not the type of CD that you buy and just pop in the player in the car. You need to be listening to this while doing something else – riding the train, relaxing, etc.).