Thursday, June 04, 2009
Posted at
04:55
by
Chris Faraone
Hip-hop is a strange genre for several reasons, beginning with the fact that it's the only music in which artists regularly say their own names on tracks (when was the last time you heard Dave Matthews or Stevie Wonder shout themselves out?). But another unique dynamic is the extent to which artists collaborate with one another; rockers might play in two-dozen bands apiece, but it's less common for singers to triple-team cuts than it is for rappers to throw style orgies.
The problem with many of these intra-posse products, however, is that they're merely pay-for-play; up-and-coming artists simply greasing better-known cats to enhance their track lists. There's nothing really wrong with that common practive, except for when the amateur blows or the veteran is lazy.
"D-Block to the Death" - which features Team 220 R&B ringer Benjamin Carew - is a prime example of a REAL collaboration. The Boston-based artist has platinum pipes, and was hence tapped to smoke the hook on on a major track for one of New York's most renowned rap crews. The result is one hot joint; like the 220 boys are known to say: "Boston's Got Next!"
DOWNLOAD: Styles P, Sheek Louch, Snype, and Bully feat. Benjamin Carew, "D-Block to the Death" [mp3]
