17. First Degree The DE + Volume 10 & Kool Keith

17. First Degree The DE + Volume 10 & Kool Keith

Author: Extraordinary Rap May 26, 2022 Duration: 1:19:42

In this episode of Weird Rap we interview First Degree The D.E., plus Volume 10 joins us for music reviews, and Kool Keith returns with your monthly horoscope reading.

We cover the following:
Quelle Chris: DEATHFAME
quellechris360.bandcamp.com/album/deathfame
Fatlip & Blu: Live From The End of The World, Vol. 1 Demos
gbastudios.bandcamp.com/album/live-from-the-end-of-the-world-vol-1-demos
Kendrick Lamar: Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjB_8hSS2lEMY-ap4zdPv0-mbTwxtN7KW
Chief & TheDoomsdayDevice: Flux Populi
fakefour.bandcamp.com/album/flux-populi
Phelimuncasi: Ama Gogela
nyegenyegetapes.bandcamp.com/album/ama-gogela
themselves: Crowns Down & Company
doseone.bandcamp.com/album/crowns-down-company

First Degree The D.E., hailing from Sacramento, has one of the most strangely unique voices, sonically and lyrically, in rap, with beautiful self-composed production.  Clearly a smart and prolific dude, he's been a math teacher, orchestrated a gang truce, written a book, directed films, runs a record label and news service, and has led various community organizing efforts, while continuing to progress and remain unpredictable as a musician for nearly 30 years now.  His new album, The Backman, features the artist at the peak of his craft.
firstdegreethede.com

While musicologists agree that much of the Los Angeles underground's quick-paced "chop" style can be traced back to Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship, Volume 10 can be credited with the chop's antithesis: the "stretch".  The exaggerated swing collides with the speed-rap to form an infectious brew of opposites that spread like wildfire after 10's "Pistolgrip-Pump" hit the charts in '94.
volume10.bandcamp.com

Kool Keith might be considered the godfather of weird rap music, having introduced his wildly unorthodox take on hip hop in the late 80s with Ultramagnetic MC's, further developing his bizarre styles and subject matter in the 90s, and continuing to expand his range through today.
koolkeith.bandcamp.com

This month's bonus episode features additional time with First Degree, plus an amazing behind-the-scenes tale featuring several well-known rappers, as related by Volume 10.  This and much more at patreon.com/weirdrap.

Weird Rap endeavors to bring you out-of-the-norm rap music, new and old.
weirdrap.com

Please support Weird Rap at weirdrap.com/rating


Dive into the depths of hip-hop with Extraordinary Rap Podcast, where host Th' Mole applies his veteran perspective as a rapper, producer, and performer to map the genre's most uncharted territories. This isn't a surface-level review of hits; it's a dedicated exploration of rap's avant-garde, the sonic experiments that push boundaries, and the enigmatic figures who operate outside the mainstream. Each episode functions as an audio documentary, investigating both contemporary innovators and overlooked pioneers to uncover the profound beauty and intricate complexities within their work. You'll hear detailed analysis of artistic choices, the stories behind unconventional sounds, and conversations that get to the heart of what makes this music so compellingly unique. The Extraordinary Rap Podcast serves as a central hub for this ongoing investigation, extending from the audio itself into an independent label and media presence, all committed to celebrating hip-hop's endless capacity for surprise. Tune in for a thoughtful, insider's journey into the corners of the culture where creativity knows no rules, documenting the mysterious manifestations that keep the genre perpetually evolving.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 54

Extraordinary Rap Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Album Reviews [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:37
In this episode, a handful of new album reviews and a bunch more of old album reviews: P*vlyn - Tenant Of The Old Rock https://ineda.bandcamp.com/album/tenant-of-the-old-rock Andrew Mbaruk & Wet-Jet Seymour - Weirdward h…
Epic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:00
Epic has incited many a hardcore head to clench their cheeks and shout, "This shit ain't hip hop!" But a look into Epic's work reveals him as a deep admirer of the culture and a learned student of the craft. Instead of a…
pedestrian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:16
pedestrian doesn't work well with the algorithm. Web searches for his indistinct moniker are useless; his small number of music releases is poorly-distributed; and while he's received a fair amount of critical praise, mo…
Mic Crenshaw [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:54
Insurgent rapper/author/organizer Mic Crenshaw joins us for an in-depth look into his anti-racist actions, community upliftment, music and much more. Plus reviews of Wet-Jet Seymour and Mars Kumari. In our bonus episode…
Retropxssy, JoeJas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:54
In this episode, on location in exotic London of the UK, we speak with vibrant young rap wippersnappers Retropxssy and JoeJas. Plus reviews of Hester Valentine & Outside House, Andrew Mbaruk, and Cashmaster Buck. Retropx…
Bonus Episode - New Releases [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:00
Featured in this episode: Lt. Headtrip X DOS4GW - Tap on the Glass https://wearethekarmakids.bandcamp.com/album/tap-on-the-glass Too Birds - Soul of Too Birds https://toobirds.bandcamp.com/album/soul-of-too-birds BAYANG…
Extraordinary Rap Bonus, Sep 21, '23 [abridged] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:30
In this bonus episode, internal affairs are discussed, personal issues are disclosed, and secret info is declassified. Includes talk of Kool Keith, Decuma, Andrew Mbaruk, the Weird vs the Extraordinary, and more. This is…
27. Weird/Extraordinary Rap - Mrs.Paintbrush [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:10
It's the last episode of the Weird Rap Podcast, and the first episode of the Extraordinary Rap Podcast! Mrs.Paintbrush, AKA Jackson of Grand Buffet, bares his beautiful soul, with guest interviewer Beverly Fresh. Pittsbu…
Bonus Episode - Z-Man [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:36
Sorry about the sound quality and hasty editing/production/etc. Times have been fast. More soon. Z-Man: https://www.z-man.xyz https://gurpcitymusic.bandcamp.com https://www.instagram.com/zmaineyzdazzle https://soundcloud…
26. Beverly Fresh, First Degree The D.E. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:13
The self-proclaimed "neighborhood weirdo," Beverly Fresh, has performed in basements, county fairs, and tent revivals, created multi-media exhibitions for major museums, made a feature film, and taught and lectured inter…