K-E-V-I-N M-A-D-I-S-O-N (pt. 1) (Rating: 8 out of 10- -4.0 stars) - K-Solo came out of nowhere when he appeared on EPMD s Unfinished Business back in 89. A year later, he scored a deal with Atlantic Records/WEA to record his solo debut album Tell The World My Name. By that time, his lead single Spellbound had already caught a buzz, thus giving him the name as a rapper who uses spelling as his style (a certain rapper from Ruff Ryders claimed Solo stole that style from him, but I won t go there either). With the help of EPMD backing him up, this album was sure to be a sucess.This album to me is a good listen. Through out this album, expect a lot of refrences to the Spellbound style, which can be a double-edged sword to some listeners. Some may believe that he is creating something new, and innovative that no one has heard before. Others may believe that is sort of a lazy way of rhyming, as if he has nothing else to say, and decides to spell things out. But when Solo isn t thinking he s at a lyrical spelling bee, he can tell some good stories too. My favorite would be The Fugitive as he really does into detail with his story. Tales From The Crackside would be another standout, about how crack can affect people s lives. Your Mom s In My Business is a good second single, that rides a popular Frankie Beverly & MAZE song. A few more innovative story telling songs are Renee-Renee about a girl who grows up wrong, and The Real Solo Please Stand Up about those who bite his style.Not many songs here that fail, but there are a few. Solo tries to send a positive message on religion on The Messanger but the production is too dry. The same goes for Drums Of Death, as if towards the end of the album, it s sort of gets unappealing. The album is excellent though, as K-Solo proves that he is a good artist. He would release one more album two years later, Time s Up, and have a few guest appearances between those two. Both is albums are worth hearing, and should be a great addition to your collection. Peace.Lyrics: AProduction: BGuest Appearances: N/AMusical Vibes: B+Top 5 Tracks:1. Spellbound2. Fugitive3. Your Mom s In My Business4. Tales From The Crackside5. Everybody Knows Me
Promise Unfullfilled - Wrong time, wrong era. Well, kind of of. This debut 1990 release, on the Atlantic label holds fond memories for me. Back in the early 1990s hip hop was in such a strong position, quality wise, that many an artist slipped through the net. K-Solo (real name Kevin Madison, was an inaugural member of the Hit Squad) had appeared on Unfinished Business on Knick knack paddy wack. Produced by PMD (except the excellent Spell Bound, which had input from Eric Sermon) it s a hit & miss affair. I would include, in the hits, as mentioned earlier, Spellbound, where(leaving aside the controversy of where this spelling type of rhyme originated) was the x factor that he needed to set him apart form his comtempories, and I think the first time it was done on wax. Everybody knows me with its sinister, and detailing the struggle to get on. Your Mom s in My business whist a good story telling moment, loses something due to the laziness of the production ( Rhyming over an instrumental Frank Beverley & Maze Before I let go ) I also love Real Solo Please Stand Up & the Fugitive The misses would include Rockin for My Hometown (poor production) The Messenger (obliquity afro centric toon that feels like it s been inserted because it s was expected at that time) and the rest, which not awful, doesn t meet the standards of set by the hits.This release doesn t always hold up as a complete LP/CD, but has enough moments to hint at some promise, that until now( except on a few guest spots) has been Unfullfilled.
A classic from a forgotten talent - I don t like to throw around the classic term too much, but it would be a disservice to call Tell the World My Name anything else. A longtime friend of PMD, K-Solo joined EPMD s Hit Squad and subsequently released his excellent debut in 1990. Even though you still hear Your Mom s in My Business once in a while today, this album has slipped through the cracks over the years, which is a shame because it was one of the best albums of the year. Solo was a distinctly East Coast MC with a decidedly old school approach, but on this album, he executed his product flawlessly. With a delivery comparable to PMD, an early LL Cool J, or Large Professor, Solo spits rhymes that are constantly on-point, well written, and clever. He s a wonderful storyteller, relating tales with great detail, and I also like that many of his rhymes carry a positive message without sacrificing his hard-as-nails style. His practice of spelling out words was soon imitated by countless rappers in the early 90s. Solo doesn t take too many chances on Tell the World My Name, he is a straightforward MC relying solely on talent and a tried-and-true formula that he engineers to perfection. Production is handled exclusively by the one and only EPMD (PMD produced 11 tracks, Erick Sermon produced one) so you know the sample-heavy old school grooves here are as good as any. Tell the World My Name is a lost old school gem from 1990 that I recommend to hip hop fans.With the great single Spellbound and Long Island shoutout Rockin for My Hometown, Solo sets the scene for an album with tight beats and top-notch rhyming. On Everybody Knows Me, he recounts his teenage years and people who doubted his rapping ability, and he displays a quick tongue on the showcase Speed Blocks. Fugitive is an awesome storytelling track with a superb beat and tale of escaping the law. My favorite song is the conceptual gem Tales From the Crack Side, a six-and-a-half minute chronicle of trippy encounters after smoking too much base. It s also got a good message, warning against drugs at the end of the track. Another classic single is Your Mom s in My Business, a legendary cut complaining to a girlfriend about her over-involved mother. The beat and sampling on this track are excellent. Real Solo Please Stand Up is nice, slamming imitators, and Renee-Renee is an entertaining track, telling the sad story of a girl gone bad in his neighborhood. The impressive Solo Rocks the House and The Messenger, which promotes Muslim scripture, close the album with the rough and appealing Drums of Death.Tell the World My Name had multiple classic singles and generated a sizable buzz, but with EPMD s breakup, K-Solo only managed to put out one more album (1992 s Time s Up). Eventually his debut went out of print, leading to the high prices you ll see today. I d love to see a reissue of his two albums in a package, but until then, I suggest heads keep an eye out for this gem. K-Solo s name may not be as well known as his legendary peers today, but like his mentors EPMD, he maintains a high level of respect among East Coast heads. Tell the World My Name is an impressive showcase of a unique talent and wonderfully executed old-school rap.
Definantly a Classic! - Yes, this is a must have. I still have the cassette from back in 90 , and have been checking for the CD for more permanant status. Like most have mentioned, Mom s in my Business, Tales from the Crackside, Renee, and Spellbound of course all stand out. I also can t forget Fugitive. And for Rockin for my Hometown, I ve been hooked ever since that opening bassline. Like previously mentioned, K-Solo s ability to tell clear and creative stories really keep a listener s interest. This album s definantly a unique, true classic addition to great rap music.
K-S-O-L-O is P-H-A-T - YO i got the cassette from day 1 and its s-l-a-m-m-i-n! Spellbound, Tales from the crackside, Fugitive, and your moms in my business are all B-A-N-G-I-N! If you dont have this classic you dont know S-O-L-O!!!