Black Bastards

Artist: K.M.D.
Label: Sub Verse
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Import
Media: LP Record
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 685669001515
EAN: 0685669001515
ASIN: B00005IB8H

Release Date: 2001-05-15

Black Bastards

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Tracks:

G_RG_Ge D_y #3
Get-U-Now
WH_T _Nigg _ Know?
Sweet Premiun Wine
Plumskinzz (Loose Hoe, God and Cupid)
Somkin' TH_T S*@%!
Cont_CT Blitt...
Gimme
BL_CK B_St_Rds!
It Sounded Like _Rock!
Plumskinzz (Oh No I Don't Believe It!)
Constrip_Ted Monkey
F*@# Wit' y_ He_D!!
Suspended _Nim_Tion
WH_T _Nigg _ Know? [Remix]

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Black Bastards was voted in Ego Trip's Book of Rap Lists as the most notable rap album of all time that was never released commercially, and with good reason. The fact that this excellent album, slated for a 1994 release, has not seen the light of day until 2001 testifies to a time when shortsighted industry backlashes against records that inflamed Middle America were in vogue. Elektra Records higher-ups canned the project due to its controversial cover art, which shows a Sambo figure being lynched. Finally available, this must-purchase concept album is worth the wait. From the jazzy, hypnotic samples on the title cut to "Sweet Premium Wine," a farcical ode to swigging 40-ounce bottles of brew (remember when drinking St. Ides and Old English was trendy?), you know you've found rap heaven. Classic headbanger "What a Niggy Know?" (and the remix featuring partner-in-rhyme MF Grimm) is equally off the chain. "Constipated Monkey" and weed anthem "Suspended Animation" are testaments to a time in rap music when experimental beats and obscure sampling ruled the roost. Black Bastards is where Brand Nubian meets De La Soul at the local bodega, heads wear Muslim kufis for kicks, and "word to the mutha'" actually refers to themes of pan-Africanism, repatriation, and reparations. It's a place where Sambo-ism doesn't sell. --Dalton Higgins

Customer Reviews:

Only audio quality hindered this release........2006-12-07

MF DOOM is one of my top five emcees, dead or alive, and I own all of his official material; in this long list of LP's, and a variety of aliases, MF DOOM's origins are by far radically different from his current output of music. KMD, which was originally a group with himself(as Zev Love X), his brother Subrock, and Onyx(a solo emcee, not the legendary crew), was a group straight out of hip-hop's golden-age, who released the understated classic, Mr. Hood, in the early nineties. On Mr. Hood, KMD's rhymes were part of an early conscious era of hip-hop, having a style akin to De La Soul. They were playful, but also profound, and tracks like "Peachfuzz" and "Humrush" were funky anthems out of the big apple.

A lot of things happened in the time between their debut and the creation of their sophomore album(which was slated to be released in 1994, but didn't see the light of day for seven years); Onyx left the group, Subroc was killed in an instance of manslaughter, Zev was left to finish the album, and ultimately, Elektra shelved Bl_ck B_st_rds for its controversial cover art.

It was obvious that this was a changing point in Zev's life - one that'd soon drive him into isolation, and depression for more than four years before finally re-emerging under his now famous moniker of MF DOOM. The actual music on this album took on a darker tone, with less playful concepts, and more hardcore ideas. Now, don't get it twisted; KMD aren't spitting any thuggery, or gunplay - no where in DOOM's career has he submitted himself to that - it's just that they're bringing the ruckus in their own way.

Onyx isn't really missed on this release, as both Zev and Subroc were more than ill enough to carry an album by themselves. They also handled the majority of the production, which is quite dope for the time of its release. So, with ill lyrics, and dope beats from perhaps one of the greatest emcees of all time, and a lost soldier who doesn't get nearly the recognition he deserves, what keeps KMD's Bl_ck B_st_rds from reaching classic status? The audio quality. Most bootlegs have better sound quality than this, and it's a shame. If this album would've been mastered better for its offical release, I firmly believe it would be more revered today, but as it stands, this is still an undeniably dope release, that hip-hop heads, and especially fans of DOOM, should check out.

What MF Doom Could Have Been Back In 1994 [4 stars].......2006-05-29

I'm pretty sure most of you know the story behind the album. If not, let me fill you in. KMD consisting of Zev Love X (now known as MF Doom) and his brother Subroc. Somewhere in 1993, Subroc was hit by a car and died on impact, leaving Zev Love X to finish the album by himself. When the album was done in 1994, Electra Records shelved the album because of its lyrics and the cover art showing a sambo character being hung. Electra would soon cut KMD from their roster, leaving Zev in obscurity. But the album officially sees the light of day in 2000, when MF Doom released it independently.

One thing I have to commend is the great movie samples that are on this CD. Starting with the intro "Garbage Day #3" which is made up of them. "Sweet Prenium Wine" is a song about knocking back a few drinks while the samples play as the hook. Most of the songs here on this CD are about smoking, as heard on the song "Smoking That S**t" which features vocals from Earthquake, Lord Sear, and Kurious. "Contact Blitt" (could be titled "Contact Blitz" or "Contact Blunt") is a song about Zev ride a bus to Los Angles with an arrogant bus driver, while smoking. "F Wit Ya Head" featuring vocals from H20 and CMOB and the song "Suspended Animation" are more songs dedicated to weed, all more to offend the higher-ups of Electra Records. One great track is "What A Niggy Know" (could be titled "What A Nigga Know") is Zev and Subroc comming correct with a serious attitude that will make your head nod. The 12 inch single was the only item released by Electra Records, but since the album was shelved, the single was pulled also. MF Grimm would drop in to help Zev do the remix. Subroc would get in a few solos also. He shows he had the lyrics on the song "Gimmie" (could be titled "Give It Here") as he says "Give me a choo choo train for my badass tracks..." He would also do his thing on the song "It Sounded Like A Roc."

One thing I have to knock is what many people have been saying in other reviews, the sound quality. Some songs sound like they have been worn out over the years so it sounds like a bootleg of a bootleg, making the vocals sound like they're held back by a sound barrier. A great example is the Zev Love X anger expressed song "Get-U-Now" and "Smoking That Sh**". Also I'm sure some of this album was recorded off a record. How did I come to this conclusion? The song "Plumskinzz" is exactly what I'm saying. The song has a nice piano sound and is going good as Zev spits his verse. As soon as it gets halfway through the hook, it sounds like the vocals were taken away and the beat freezes up. Then all of a sudden you hear MF Dooms [recent] voice come in and say "Loose Hoe God&Cupid" or as many listeners have interpeted "You're so GODDAMN stupid!" I don't EVER want to hear that again! Obviously he used a 12" single and someone hit the needle causing it to skip loudly to the instramental. The song would resume later on in the CD when a woman would come in and say "Oh Now I Don't Believe It!" as Subroc would continue his verse. Whats ironic about this whole song is that this song was recorded in 1991, and a former KMD member named Onyx the Birthstone Kid (many people who are familiar with late MF Doom albums know him as Rodan) had a verse on that song between Zev's and Subroc's (and believe it or not, Onyx had the best verse out of the three). So there is no actual musical vibe because those interludes causes a big chunk of the song to be missing. (How about recording the song correctly Mr. Dumille?) If you want to hear the uncut clear version of it, just find a "Nitty Gritty" 12 inch single because its the flipside of that, or you can locate a 1994 bootleg of the album.

Overall I'm happy that this album was finally released, since it was one of the biggest albums in 1994 that was shelved. But the way that this album was put together soundwise, that title could have been easily taken away. I recommed this album to those who want to hear more examples of Doom's early 90's production, the way MF Doom sounded in 1993/1994, or just curious of the lost album. Otherwise, you're better off buying "The Best Of KMD Album" which is a combination of this and the Mr. Hood album, or wait until Mr. Dumille decides to remaster the album and reissue it.

Rest In Peace Subroc

Lyrics: A-
Produciton: A
Musical Vibes: C+
Overall: B+

Standout tracks: What A Niggy Know, Sweet Prenium Wine, Contact Blitt, What A Niggy Know (remix), Smoking That Sh** (Plumskinzz would have been a standout if it were a full song)

If it makes anyone feel better, the excessive dropping of artists and lack of record sales would have cause Electra to go out of business and be bought out by Atlantic Records.

A classic that almost wasn't.......2006-05-12

If you know MF Doom, you probably know the history of this album. KMD was the original group consisting of Subrock, Zev luv-X (Doom) & Onyx. Onyx left and then while working on this LP Doom's brother Subrock was killed in a car accident. As the LP was finished Elektra shelved the album and dropped Doom due to the controversial cover art, (a sambo hanging from a gallows.)

Years later some of the rough cuts of the LP emerged on the Fondel Em' label as the "Black Bastard's: Roughs & Rares EP" giving a small hint to what greatness the album could have been. A few years later under Doom's own Metal Face Records "Black Bastards" finally saw the light of day.

The album is bittersweet; because you can't help but wonder what would have happened if it would have been released in 94. But given Doom's current fever pitch, it's no matter.

The only problem with the LP is the sound quality. It apears as if Doom had the masters on tape and wore them out, due to the distortions in several tracks.

DON'T LET THAT DISTRACT YOU. This album is amazing and worth every penny, but it is rare and tharefore hard to find. If you can't afford it, then I'd suggest "The best of KMD," it's the best 1/2's of both "Mr. Hood" & "Black Bastards."

interesting album by kmd.......2006-01-28

this album is a good album to tell you the truth it was kind of hard to listen to because of the weird production,but somtimes weird is actually good it grew on me.if u wanna know how mf doom started and sound like that then pick this album and also for fans of mf doom, this is their second album not their first.standout tracks are Get-U-Now,What A Nigga Know?,Contact Blitt,F*@# Wit' Ya Head!!,and What A Nigga Know? (Remix feat. MF Grimm), and also check out mf grimm's scars and memories.

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