Where Have You Been?: Black Sheep
Back when high top fades and dookie braids were prevalent on the hip-hop scene, and before African medallions got replaced by iced-out spinning neckwear, there was a time in hip-hop when it was cool to be the Black Sheep. But in today's climate of copy-cat emcees with identical sounds and subject matter, there seems to be little room for those willing to step outside of the box and be themselves.
Lucky for us mere mortals, after sitting out for a few plays, the duo of Dres and Mista Lawnge has decided to jump back in the game with their newest release, 8WM/Novakane. Poised to bring flavor, originality and substance back to what they feel is an ailing art form, we caught up with the Native Tongues affiliates to see just what the guys have been up to since their departure and why Michael Jordan is a sellout.
"We really never felt like the game defined us," Dres explained. "There was a lot of bullshit going on as far as the industry, our label, the sound of music, where cats heads and priorities were at. We felt like it was a good look for us to kind of give it a breather. It was just a little easier for us to step away from it for a little while. And a little while ended up becoming a long while."
After hitting the masses with their 1991 critically-acclaimed debut, A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing, the group looked to be destined for success. But after admittedly getting "caught up in the politics" of the major label shuffle on their sophomore release, Non-Fiction, their visibility began to fade.
However, stepping out of the limelight hasn't been all bad for the two. They've continued to tour, popping up on MTV2's Sucker Free Tour and recently sharing the stage with the likes of Common, De La Soul and John Legend. And though they feel at times that the atmosphere in hip-hop has become severely polluted since their self-imposed exile, they also recognize the opportunity for growth that has been afforded to many because of the culture.
"Monetarily, [hip-hop] is in a whole different world now," said Dres, "We have hundreds of black millionaires now and that's something that didn't exist when we were coming in the game. It's a beautiful thing that in our community we have the chance to do some of the things that hip-hop was meant for, but at the same time cats have to now go through the initial phase of not knowing what to do with their money. So they'll go and buy a $50,000 bracelet or a $250,000 car, instead of putting up a community center."
Never ones to shy away from kicking knowledge, the lack of guidance and leadership in the hip-hop community has been one of the catalysts for Black Sheep's return. Pulling no punches, they even criticize mega-superstars like Jordan and Tiger Woods as being sellouts.
We have a song on our album called 'Novakane' because we feel like [Black people] are breathing Novocain because we're so numb to everything," said the emcee. "It says 'Now days they pay my people money, not to make waves' now that's a sellout.' I feel like a Michael Jordan or a Tiger Woods, they're sellouts. Like, they don't speak on the real issues that we go through as a community [for fear of] losing their status. Now you're a billionaire and you'd rather not say what's afflicting our community not to lose your stature. And I'm sure he does a lot of beautiful things for the community, but those are the issues that don't hit the table." Remembering the days when artists commented on social issues, the group has stayed true to form and continue to give fans a little bit more to chew on in the way of real life lessons mixed in with the boom bap.
"You shine by polishing up the insides of a people... telling them relevant things and helping them," said Dres.
Mista Lawnge added, "The problem is people respecting a person's bank account instead of the person or their talent."
Black Sheep aren't just talking the talk, they're doing something about it in the only way that they know how, through their music. After teasing fans by reuniting in 2000 to record a joint for the soundtrack to Once in The Life, a film that also featured a cameo by Dres, and guest appearing on Handsome Boy Modeling School's White People in 2004, the time has now come for the fellas to drop 8WM/Novakane.
With a single, "Wonderful," due out in March, the group is attempting to make fans remember why they fell in love with them in the first place. "Our music isn't for everybody," Dres shared. "You have to have a certain sense of intelligence, a certain sense of integrity to really appreciate our music."
Not to put an S on their chests or play the role as the mad rappers, but Black Sheep wants to save the listener that is tired of hearing the same 'ole same.
"Back then, people appreciated you because you were talented," Mista Lawnge lamented.
"Back then you got a deal because you didn't sound like anybody," added Dres. "Now, you get a deal because you sound like everybody."
Black Sheep refuses to adhere to the current criteria for success and are bound and determined to do it their way-and make some good music in the process. Not trying to convert any new members to their already solid following, they are simply giving you the option to either tune in or tune out. As always, the choice is yours.
Lucky for us mere mortals, after sitting out for a few plays, the duo of Dres and Mista Lawnge has decided to jump back in the game with their newest release, 8WM/Novakane. Poised to bring flavor, originality and substance back to what they feel is an ailing art form, we caught up with the Native Tongues affiliates to see just what the guys have been up to since their departure and why Michael Jordan is a sellout.
"We really never felt like the game defined us," Dres explained. "There was a lot of bullshit going on as far as the industry, our label, the sound of music, where cats heads and priorities were at. We felt like it was a good look for us to kind of give it a breather. It was just a little easier for us to step away from it for a little while. And a little while ended up becoming a long while."
After hitting the masses with their 1991 critically-acclaimed debut, A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing, the group looked to be destined for success. But after admittedly getting "caught up in the politics" of the major label shuffle on their sophomore release, Non-Fiction, their visibility began to fade.
However, stepping out of the limelight hasn't been all bad for the two. They've continued to tour, popping up on MTV2's Sucker Free Tour and recently sharing the stage with the likes of Common, De La Soul and John Legend. And though they feel at times that the atmosphere in hip-hop has become severely polluted since their self-imposed exile, they also recognize the opportunity for growth that has been afforded to many because of the culture.
"Monetarily, [hip-hop] is in a whole different world now," said Dres, "We have hundreds of black millionaires now and that's something that didn't exist when we were coming in the game. It's a beautiful thing that in our community we have the chance to do some of the things that hip-hop was meant for, but at the same time cats have to now go through the initial phase of not knowing what to do with their money. So they'll go and buy a $50,000 bracelet or a $250,000 car, instead of putting up a community center."
Never ones to shy away from kicking knowledge, the lack of guidance and leadership in the hip-hop community has been one of the catalysts for Black Sheep's return. Pulling no punches, they even criticize mega-superstars like Jordan and Tiger Woods as being sellouts.
We have a song on our album called 'Novakane' because we feel like [Black people] are breathing Novocain because we're so numb to everything," said the emcee. "It says 'Now days they pay my people money, not to make waves' now that's a sellout.' I feel like a Michael Jordan or a Tiger Woods, they're sellouts. Like, they don't speak on the real issues that we go through as a community [for fear of] losing their status. Now you're a billionaire and you'd rather not say what's afflicting our community not to lose your stature. And I'm sure he does a lot of beautiful things for the community, but those are the issues that don't hit the table." Remembering the days when artists commented on social issues, the group has stayed true to form and continue to give fans a little bit more to chew on in the way of real life lessons mixed in with the boom bap.
"You shine by polishing up the insides of a people... telling them relevant things and helping them," said Dres.
Mista Lawnge added, "The problem is people respecting a person's bank account instead of the person or their talent."
Black Sheep aren't just talking the talk, they're doing something about it in the only way that they know how, through their music. After teasing fans by reuniting in 2000 to record a joint for the soundtrack to Once in The Life, a film that also featured a cameo by Dres, and guest appearing on Handsome Boy Modeling School's White People in 2004, the time has now come for the fellas to drop 8WM/Novakane.
With a single, "Wonderful," due out in March, the group is attempting to make fans remember why they fell in love with them in the first place. "Our music isn't for everybody," Dres shared. "You have to have a certain sense of intelligence, a certain sense of integrity to really appreciate our music."
Not to put an S on their chests or play the role as the mad rappers, but Black Sheep wants to save the listener that is tired of hearing the same 'ole same.
"Back then, people appreciated you because you were talented," Mista Lawnge lamented.
"Back then you got a deal because you didn't sound like anybody," added Dres. "Now, you get a deal because you sound like everybody."
Black Sheep refuses to adhere to the current criteria for success and are bound and determined to do it their way-and make some good music in the process. Not trying to convert any new members to their already solid following, they are simply giving you the option to either tune in or tune out. As always, the choice is yours.
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