Lyricists Lounge Vol. 1 (1998) [Mitch Nick’s Picks]

I stumbled upon this project through Body Rock from Mos Def, Q-Tip and Tash a few years ago when I searched for it and noticed, admittedly for the first time, the album it was a part of. Since then, I have given it numerous plays. Unfortunately, I was too young to watch or remember The Lyricists Lounge Show on TV and only came across it through the Lyricists Lounge Vol. 1. The show came out of the Lyricists Lounge in New York which was a platform that showcased artists in the early 90s. Eventually, Danny Castro along with Anthony Marshall founded The Lyricists Lounge Show along with other creators, notably Wordsworth who’s been an influential figure in hip hop culture for a long time. It was a rather show groundbreaking show in that it mixed comedy and hip-hop. It also was a platform to showcase many aspiring artists. It’s worth going back and watching the old episodes on YouTube. In my opinion, they still hold up. The DMX beef jerky skit was hilarious. But, you’ll have to find that one on your own as the kind souls who have uploaded the episodes on YouTube only have random numberings of the shows.

But, that’s only a side note. What I really want to get to is the Lyricists Lounge Vol. 1. A double-disc compilation album which was released in 1998. It is a lengthy project coming in at a total of two hours and thirteen minutes. This is a great example of when music can transport you somewhere else. They do this audio performance so effectively that it brings the listener through a well-put together show complete with skits, singles and live sessions. It creates a real experience when you listen to it all the way through (and not even that, split it into two listening sessions). It also has features from prominent artists like Black Thought, Q-Tip, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, KRS-One, Kool Keith, Jurassic 5 and De La Soul. In my opinion, there were notably strong features from Punchline, Wordsworth, Word A’ Mouth, Tash and A.L. I really dig the tracks “Bring Hip Hop Back”, “Keep Pouring”, “Da Cipher”, “Lyrics” and “Jayou” so if you’re looking for an entryway into the album maybe look through those. “Bring Hip Hop Back” probably takes the cake now for my most played track on the album. It’s hard to tell if it was ahead of its time or prophesizing but I like its message and solid rhymes all the way through. I believe hip hop today is still thriving in all of its facets, but it would be cool to see a return to some of hip hop’s roots. Especially to something like the Lyricists Lounge Vol. 1 as a compilation album with skits. If you have heard of any recent ones then let me know!

One of my favorite parts of the compilation is the Live From The D.J. Stretch Armstrong Show. It feels like you are really there at an off the top cipher with Black Thought, Common, Pharoahe Monche and Absolute. Now, in my opinion, a freestyle is off the top of the dome and not something previously written. I know people obviously draw on and get inspiration from prior written material – that’s practically impossible to stop. So, with that said, this track is very much like a freestyle cipher and it certainly seems that a lot is going straight from the dome (Black Thought even mentions so). I have a lot of respect for people who can freestyle – not just because it is a demonstration of skill and ability but it also is a very playful, expressive and creative part of hip hop. If you really enjoy writing and making hip hop, then to me it would make sense that you would enjoy freestyling off the top – or at least enjoy working to get better at. It takes practice and I believe that once a certain level is achieved, there is a lot of fun and enjoyment to be had. Especially when freestyling with others. At least that is my two cents, so to me I think it’s cool that they included some off the top (so it seems) audio scenes.

I hope you give this compilation album a listen.