Album Review - 37mph

Amu - The Life, Rap & Drama

37mph - 37 Energy Levels

I don't normally do this...album reviews. In my opinion most albums out these days don't even deserve a second of my time...they suck that much.

Having said that...Let me introduce you to a label mate of mine

37Mph

While some people say that music is the life, 37mph is the epitome of what music is using his mind, body and soul seven days a week to create music, this young producer originally from King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape, is a triple threat in a world where anyone who owns a pc and can play around with a programme is called a producer. As a composer, pianist and producer 37MPH REAL NAME Mpho Pholo specializes in Hip-hop, R&B and Dru

m & Bass, but is versatile and creative enough to tap into other music genres.

After spending 5 years in Cape Town, 37mph made his way to Johannesburg and has worked with a host of artists including award winning R.J Benjamin who describes him as a “ genius producer”. His career has had many bright moments the most recent being in December 2008 when he was brought in as a producer on MTV Base Africa’s reality TV show “Advanced Warning. This south African born producer has been given credit by international heavy weights from Shady Records Senior A&R – Riggs Morales and music legend Wyclef Jean!

It’s no surprise that we now get to experience the release of his debut international album- 37 Energy Levels. Music connoisseurs will savour different sounds namely classical, lounge, acid jazz, drum & bass, jungle and hip-hop soul. This masterpiece will be accompanied with a live band and an 8 string section.

I DIDN'T WRITE THAT SHIT!


Any who…

When I got my hands on 37mph's debut album about a month ago, I was feeling that shit like an escaped convict in a strip club. We all, at least I bump into a lot of artist bio's in my path to musical fulfillment. Most of them "talk" shit. Knowing Mpho on a personal level I have to say was on point. I sometime dub him "The Nerdy Producer", reason being dude likes to keep to himself as far as music is concerned. In an industry where one is forced to follow trends, this dude chose to create his own "Yellow Brick Road" to the music land of OZ, through which most will soon navigate.

37 Energy Levels has to be one of the best urban albums (including mine) to ever take life in South Africa. Seventeen (17) joints deep, this offering take the listener on a heavy dance driven journey through Hip Hop, R&B, Soul & Drum 'n Bass. The opening joint "Orientation" ft. In-Cha, sets the tone of the album, with a classical piece that takes flight with a cymbal loaded break-beat drum loop, switching from classic hip hop style to drum 'n bass by the drop of a hat. This is my joint.

Just when you think it can't get any funkier, the second track "Supasta" drops in with an old school brass section that sounds like it was written for those "Blacksploitation" movies of back then, Shaft would be proud. Sam Mtukudzi brings the song back home with the addition of the sax & guitar…well fuckin' done.

The other joint that got me flippin' has to be "Take A Break", meaning exactly that…it's a break beat from hell itself… keeping true to the drum 'n bass culture. I know clubs up in France (album to be released there soon) will be going crazy over this one. Classic! "Sunday Afternoon" ft. Sam Mtukudzi takes a brother to the streets of urban South Africa on a chilled Sunday, into "Sunday Evening", meaning that…these are those Jazz at the lake type joints. Another joint has to be "Time Stand Still" ft. Fione…electronic as a muthafucka…Daft Punk should be on a look out…my boy is coming for your money.

The album is laced with crazy shit, from house to ballads joints, and features from RJ Benjamin, Caroline Borole to Nomsa Mazwai. What I liked about this album was that fact that for once, a hip hop producer excluded rappers from the project, thank god. With the rappers in the forefront at the moment, I'm happy none of their wack asses made the record…"good call Mpho!"

Go Out and buy this one, you'd be proud of a fellow Mzansi boy…worth every cent. I actually went out to buy a copy even though I got a free one ages ago.

37Mph for Vice Principal

The Principal - Amu

The Art Of Sampling

I'm probably the one cat who's been getting the most slack from the media for "Sampling". In reality I've heard just about enough of it.
I get calls from my manager about doing interviews...my first question is:
"What's it about? I hope it ain't about me sampling. If it is fuck it!"

If only people knew how many of their favorite American joints are actually samples. In most cases the sample used aren't those that are familiar to the average dude in the street, which might allude them to thinking that what they're listen to is actually original works.

I've collected a few vid"eos to illustrate this and give ya'll a better understanding of the "Art Of Sampling".
I've used American clips to do this...since ya'll believe whatever they say over anyone else...

Watch and learn...
The Saga continues muthafuckas!

















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Why America Will Always Kick Our Ass

"Why ur shit never sound as good, or as loud as the over-seas shit?"
"Why ur videos not as dope as Jay-Z's shit?"
"Why u only got ten hoes in ur shit?"
"Where the champagne and shit at?"
"Where the nice R3,000,0000 cars at?"

That's a typical dialog I unfortunately have to participate in when i bump into a "South African Fan".
I can't take it anymore! Leave me alone...read a book or something BITCH!

Whoosa, Whoosa...

OK, now that I've pulled myself towards myself...can i chat with u my friends...my book reading, literacy embracing, between the lines reading, idiot-proof built buddies.

There's a reason to why everything is what it is.

I'd be chilling at home watching my wonderful public broadcaster (S.A.B.C)...with the T.V. license bill staring at me from my stain dominated coffee table, and wonder...are u worth my time?, the bill that is.
Click! What is that? Oh! It's American Idols! Why does the quality look so wack? Oh! Its the South African Idols!
I find myself going through the same shit every time i visit a friend without Dstv (satellite t.v.), I'm forced to put myself through that shit...watching American garbage remixed for the South African market. which brings me back to my point..."Why America Will Always Kick Our Ass!"

U can get a Citi Golf for a little under R40,000 and it'll take u wherever u wish to go. And if u happen to be R2,000,000 short...u might have to keep the Ferrari where it belongs...in your dreams buddy. And the reason for the pricing is...one is shiny and fast...and well...the other one is...well...a Golf.
Money, money...cash money, that's what it boils down to. same applies to entertainment.

As a South African artist I'm some how forced to use second grade tools, i.e. Equipment, Radio Dj's, Record Execs, T.V. presenters, and sometimes fans. And the quota system (80% International - 20% Local) ain't helping a brother out either.
So i ask myself, "How am i supposed to compete with the 50 Cent's of the world if my shit ain't up to par with the niggas shit? U tell me.
I'm lucky if i have R100k budget for my recording, R50k for my music video, and a R500k marketing budget.
So i ask u..."how the fuck am i supposed to compete with Jay-Z when he's got $1.mil to play with just on recording...how?"

Without going on too long and risking sounding like a hater...ima give a basic run down of what goes into breaking that new artist in the States vs. South Africa.


Recording Equipment


Mixing Consoles

This is what's used to record and mix songs. This is where the post production takes place. The quality of sound is really achieved with these babies.

U.S.A.

Solid State Logic (SSL)

Know users: Dr. Dre, Naptunes, Timberland...nearly every American a project goes through this sucka!

Price tag: $300,000

South Africa

Yamaha O2R

Known users: Most South African professional studios
Price tag: $10,000

Microphones

This how the voice and sound is captured...I rap, it captures and sends the signal to the computer, kapish!

U.S.A.

Neumann Solution DS

Price tag: $13,000

South Africa

Rode NT1-A-MP

Price tag: $550

DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation)

This is where everything get gets recorded on (computer)

U.S.A.

Pro Tools HD

Price tag: $14,000

South Africa

Cubase

Price tag: $500

Music Video

U.S.A.

Hype Williams

Works: Busta Rhymes to Janet Jackson

South Africa

Piet Koekemoer

Works: Birthday parties, Funerals, Weddings, Barmitzfars...a few music videos

Conclusion

So there u have it. That's what we have to deal with, and those are just a few of them. The pot is much deeper.
Not to say all South African use the same shit but, that's the standard. Some can afford the expensive shit, but that's a small percentage considering that America kinda follows the above mentioned standards. It's sad...

So the next time u feel u have a have an opinion...go out and support local shit so we can afford to play with these nice toys...otherwise...
Shut the fuck up!

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Are some of us holding on for dear life to the past?

I can help but feel lost these days Listening to radio really hurts like someone just stuck a hot blunt knife through my ear drums I'm told i should just get over it and move with the time...

If that means i should dumb shit down and surrender to the bull shit that's outs there...fine...get me Michael J. Fox, and he can hook me up with the Doc's numbers and i can call him and take a trip back to the early eighties.

Fuck Hip Hop...It left me looking stupid and outdated...Fuck U




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