Style 43

Everyone loves fish related things: fish fingers, sushi, Capt. Bird’s Eye, that lesbian film, “Go Fish”… the list is almost endless. Near the top though has to be the least hated emcee in the history of hip hop, Chali 2na.

A few years back Mr 2na talked of releasing a solo album, “Fish Outta Water”, and he seemed to carry on talking about it without actually bringing the plan to fruition. Now though (after 5+ years) the album is here in all it’s baritone glory and you know what? It was worth the wait, folks. I was sad to hear when Jurassic 5 split a couple of years back. Their first album is still in my top 10 and memories of first hearing “Concrete Schoolyard” are up there with “NY State of Mind” and “Them That’s Not”.

2na was probably everyone’s favourite emcee in J5 and his faultless flows seem to be able to fit around any beat he gets offered. Which is probably why he is one of the most frequently invited guest rappers, turning up on tracks with everyone from his beat mate, Roots Manuva and Blackalicious, to Linkin Park (shame) and Damian Marley. He is one of those emcees who you can guarantee is going to bring something dope to the mix and so I guess my only concern with the album, was what the beats would be like.

No worries there though. The majority of the beats on here are as tight as the verses they’re laced with, and pretty varied too. Like I said before about 2na’s universal beat control, elements of reggae and dancehall crop up on “Fish Outta Water” but it sounds as natural as ever hearing him spit over them. The guests are pretty varied too. You’ve got some lovely soul courtesy of Anthony Hamilton, who has got one of those timeless voices and sounds awesome with Chali 2na’s deep tones. There are also some neo-soul flavours from Choklate, the San Diego singer/emcee. I really like this girl’s style. She can switch from rap to song really smoothly and her track, “Keep Goin’”, along with Hamilton’s, are definitely both favourites for me.

Two of the army of Marley brothers, Stephen and Damian, appear on, “Guns Up”. The aptly titled, no doubt soon to be, summer anthem, will be blowing up soundclashes and hip hop shows alike. Also Beenie Man, of all people, makes an appearance on, “International”, bringing his dancehall flows over a Babu beat. Talib Kweli and 2na make for a good combination on “Lock Shit Down”; both ill emcees with pretty much polar opposite sounds, over a rowdy Jake One beat; another one who everyone seems to be queuing up to work with. Veteran collaborator, Nu Mark, is on the boards for a couple of tracks, including an anthem for the paintheads, “Graff Time”, and a track called “Comin’ Thru”. I first heard it on his 2004 mix, “Hands On”,  which goes to show how long this project has been in the works. It’s such a good track though, I’m glad to hear it resurrected.

The album came out on 7 July in the US and so you can grab it online now, and then the official UK release date is 24 August. Oh and keep your eyes peeled for a Style43 interview with the man himself, coming soon.

www.myspace.com/chali2na

Tags: Chali 2na, hip hop, Jurassic 5