HIP HOP CLASSICS - Mark B and Blade - 'The Unknown' / 'Building a Rep'
I love both these songs, from 'The Unknown's' acoustic hook to the funk and crickets sample on 'Building a Rep', excellent beats, fabulous turntablism from Mark B and strong lyrical flow delivered flawlessly by Blade.
Hip Hop Classics
Mark B and Blade - 'The Unknown' (2000)
Too new to be deemed a classic? No way, simply put this is UK Hip Hop at it's absolute finest. In 2000 Mark B and Blade, the underrated yet talented London based duo, drop the monumental album, The Unknown, an almost autobiographical account of their struggle for recognition in the UK music industry.
Assured of their skills, of which they had in abundance, Blade lays down some serious lyrics, with a degree of self depreciation and humility not often associated with a genre full of bravado but flawlessly delivered with confidence and lyrical wit. All immaculately put together by Mark B's clever use of samples, beat production and turntable skills with some fantastic scratching. It's probably one of the best Uk Hip Hop albums of all time and I'm baffled as to why they weren't any bigger, maybe like the content of album, they were a self fulfilling prophecy.
Years back, I managed to indadvertedly see them live. When my wife and I were first stepping out, I used to woo her with these elaborate romantic gestures (still do come to think of it), like
taking her to see the B-Boy Breakdancing Championships (SH was also there as a chaperone) albeit only if I'd take her see a Ballet. Anyway during an interval, Mark B and Blade performed live, promoting their 'new' album 'The Unknown', eventually handing out demo tapes of it (tapes, I did say it was awhile back). Amazing, as was Swan Lake!
Mark B and Blade - 'Building a Rep' (2000)
More Hip Hop Classics? Click here....
Mark B and Blade - 'The Unknown' (2000)
Too new to be deemed a classic? No way, simply put this is UK Hip Hop at it's absolute finest. In 2000 Mark B and Blade, the underrated yet talented London based duo, drop the monumental album, The Unknown, an almost autobiographical account of their struggle for recognition in the UK music industry.
Assured of their skills, of which they had in abundance, Blade lays down some serious lyrics, with a degree of self depreciation and humility not often associated with a genre full of bravado but flawlessly delivered with confidence and lyrical wit. All immaculately put together by Mark B's clever use of samples, beat production and turntable skills with some fantastic scratching. It's probably one of the best Uk Hip Hop albums of all time and I'm baffled as to why they weren't any bigger, maybe like the content of album, they were a self fulfilling prophecy.
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| Mark B and Blade, UK Hip Hop's Standard Bearers |
Years back, I managed to indadvertedly see them live. When my wife and I were first stepping out, I used to woo her with these elaborate romantic gestures (still do come to think of it), like
taking her to see the B-Boy Breakdancing Championships (SH was also there as a chaperone) albeit only if I'd take her see a Ballet. Anyway during an interval, Mark B and Blade performed live, promoting their 'new' album 'The Unknown', eventually handing out demo tapes of it (tapes, I did say it was awhile back). Amazing, as was Swan Lake!
Mark B and Blade - 'Building a Rep' (2000)
More Hip Hop Classics? Click here....
Comments
As is Building a Rep with its base hook...'cricket sample' glad you told me!
2 outstanding tracks
Rindge Leaphart
http://rindgeleaphart.blogspot.com/2012/04/mark-b-and-blade-from-uk-rindge.html