Beats And Rhymes

 Big news for 2002, the diggy diggy doctor — yes, the one and only — D.O.C. is back in effect with a brand new album Deuce. Check out silverbackrecords.com for info. Buy that shit, dude is a legend.

Anyone out there have a copy of King Tee’s “Ruff Rhymes” 12”?

Oh yeah, I take back what I said about the Masta Ace album Disposable Arts (JCor) a while back. I was just mad he had Paul Barman on that shit, but other than that, the album is a classic. Sorry Ace, I never should have said it.

Is Kaleb Simmonds Canada’s Nate Dogg?

When will Rawkus actually release the Kool G. Rap album? Or did it already come out and I just missed it?

My man Eddie Meeks has been holding it down in Atlanta for quite some time now, most recently hooking up with Mello to drop the “True Urban Grit” 12” as the group Prophetix. Peep ‘em out at prophetix.iuma.com and don’t sleep on these sure winners.

Speaking of slept-on shit, when are the

Slumplordz

 gonna drop some new shit? When will someone offer these cats a deal?

Company Flow fans should be on the lookout for Big Justoleum (aka Lune TNS), whose debut solo album is another underground classic. Also on Subverse, look out for recent offerings from Source of Labour and Scienz of Life. Looks like we got an early contender for 2002 label of the year. Does Aesop Rock ever sleep? Hot off the neo-classic Labor Days album he drops another banger, the Daylight EP (Def Jux). And you don’t stop… Will Rap-A-Lot Records ever actually release the Devin the Dude album? After killing Dre’s Chronic 2001 album, and a string of collabs, including De La Soul, isn’t it time? David Axelrod. Go buy it. Is anyone out there feeling Abstract Rude’s P.A.I.N.T. album as much as I am? What about Code Name Scorpion? Sheesh. Your man Labtekwon has put out more underground tapes than Moka Only and Buck 65 combined. Well, maybe not that much, but a lot. If you’re not familiar, check out his Songs of the Sovereign LP for an introduction. No really, do it now, I’ll wait… I like Tarrie B., oops, I meant to say Princess Superstar’s new album IS. And it’s not just because she’s a dirty rap slut. RIP DJ Screw. Long live the Screwheads. Forever and a Day (JCor) is the name of the album. Happy is how I feel when it’s in the changer. Houston heat for real. Mike Nardone is a cool guy who’s been doing a radio show in LA like forever, supporting mad underground shit and breaking records all over the place. To celebrate how rad he is, he put out a compilation album called We Came From Beyond, which is really good. Some old songs, some new songs. Just add St. Ides and it’s instant party. I just found out the new Kelis album was out and it doesn’t seem like anybody cares. Sad, I think she’s great. Will Delicious Vinyl ever release Fat Lip’s album? Or at least release him from his contract so he can get picked up by someone who loves him? If you’re interested in donating money to the SAVEFATLIPANDHELPHIMPUTHISALBUMOUT fund, email me for info. I figure all we need is about 100 people to each throw in $100 and we got 10 big ones to help him out. Why is Dawn Robinson so fly? I can’t wait for that solo record. My new favorite rap group is Ink Operated. They make me feel like I’m 16 years old and I love rap and skateboarding and I just got laid and have bad acne and still puke when I drink.

You still haven’t heard Tech N9ne? Damn, why do I bother? N.E.R.D. is the best album EVER. EVER. I mean it, EVER. Yo Chuck, we got some no-believers out there…
Here’s my website of the month: www.freakcafe.com/blu.html. Check it out and tell me if you think it’s real or not. I just wanted to say peace to everybody who got really mad at me for that column a couple of issues ago. A gang of fools emailed me (how come nobody ever emails to say “nice work” or “I like apples,” only to bitch?) and I even made some friends. I think Circus wants to fight me, though. I hope not. I’m not very tough. We should have sandwiches instead. If you want me to talk about your stuff in this column, send your stuff to: Fritz the Cat, VICE, 383 Queen St. W., Toronto ON, M5V 2A5 Canada. You can email me at fritzvice@hotmail.com. If you want to get my stupid weekly random rap email updates, send an email to: fritzlechat1-subscribe@egroups.com.

Fritz The Cat's Top Nine (in no particular order):

1. Ink Operated (Low Pressure)

2. Kelis: Wanderland (EMI)

3. Various: We Came From Beyond (Razor & Tie)
4. Screwheads: Forever & A Day (JCor)

5. Princess Superstar: Is (Rapster) 6. Labtekwon: Song of the Sovereign (Mush)

7. Big Justoleum: Lune TNS (Subverse)

8. Prophetix: True Urban Grit (Asylum)

9. Aesop Rock: Daylight (Def Jux)