Bio:
SkoolBoard is a collective group of individuals committed to keeping Hip Hop alive. Although the staff consists of a variety of multitalented artists, the groups first release: "First Assignment" has a faculty on duty consisting of:
TUNSI, and East Coast native (Hartford, CT) with political, yet rugged street undertones. His self-titled album: "Tunsi - Behold A King" was critically acclaimed internationally, and touted as one of 1999's top ten hip hop albums of the year (Rave Magazine-Australia).
Also featured on this album is MIC IMMORTAL, a lyricist who stimulates thought in every verse. Raised in Los Angeles, this underground phenomenon gives you a taste of what's to come.
Rounding out this trio is TOXIC (also hailing from CT) who along with MIC IMMORTAL was featured on TUNSI's album. This Jamerican brings to the table a shade of abstract humor and word play. Together this self-contained unit (all song written, produced, arranged, and performed by the artist's themselves) stays rooted to preserving Hip Hop
. The art, the wear, the music, the attitude, and the culture...
Class Is Now In Session!
Review:
DJ Luscious - Hiphop.net.au
"SkoolBoard - First Assignment" is a nice effort, a VERY nice effort indeed. Featuring the talents of TUNSI, MIC IMMORTAL, and TOXIC, this 8 track EP (with 6 full-length cuts) showcases some dope production with matching lyrical flows. Having reviewed TUNSI's solo release "Behold A King", I was impressed with "First Assignment", the production has elevated and actually become harder, moving more into the underground flavor that gains props from heads."
On to the cuts:
" The intro is a reconstruction of a meeting between the members of SkoolBoard and the A & R of a major record label... very funny shit! The voice belonging to the A & R is so husky you could imagine he had just finished smoking 6 cones! "
"The first track "Criticize" is dope. The production is very funky, featuring some nice mellow guitar and piano samples, and the MC's go to work on the hard hitting drum kicks. Wack MC's get toasted and each SkoolBoard MC shows skills with nice delivery. "
"Green Trees" has a phat beat that makes one moves one head in a back and forth motion, constantly! The hook is wicked and some basic cutting adds to the flavor of the track. SkoolBoard schools (couldn't resist that one!) the listener on the art of smoking the green stuff, and if you don't know what this track is about, you have lived in a box for most of your life."
"Woo Woo Woo" is DOPE+!!! Featuring a dope sample of "Definition" by "Black Star" and a few nice inserts from "South Bronx" by "BDP", this track is SICK! The constant wailing strings are reminiscent of old Wu-Tang production and add to the tightness of this track. The MC's don't let the track down either as they call out shit talkers who "keep talking that Woo Woo Woo."
"The next track "Meetings of the Minds" keeps the funk flowing with a nice drum loop and phat bass chords. DOPE "
"Done Done It" has a dark rumbling baseline and a simplistic hook. The MC's each take their turn in schooling the listener in what makes them mad, i.e. wack DJ's and MC's. There is also some nice cutting, including a fresh sample from "Ten Crack Commandments" by "Biggie"
"The funkiness continues and ultimately comes to an end with "I Don't Care." This is the last track from the EP and features a phat old school break beat that will have all heads nodding. The SkoolBoard MC's relate the danger involved when faced with a man who essentially has lost all hope, nice idea and well executed."
"Finally, the outro takes off from where the intro left us... the A & R going off at the SkoolBoard crew...more laffs! The EP is tight! SkoolBoard has a fresh mix of phat production and nice flows... pick it up! "
Rating: 8.5/10 VB's