Choice Cuts

Reviews of Everything

Show: The Firestarter Tour Location: The Barn

The Firestarter tour hit the Barn on Tuesday, October 16th. In attendance was an interesting mix of people who make up Charlottetown’s hip hop scene: the media types, headz, posers, fans, local MCs, groupies, and people who fit into sev- eral of those groups. By the time a tour member hit the stage it was about 10:30 p.m. This was Jelleestone’s DJ, and he did not appear to have deejayed much before. Dude played Jay-Z and_ other American raps songs that are current- ly hot as well as some bullshit R&B tracks. Finally, sometime after 11 p.m., Jelleestone appeared on the bal- cony above the stage with the UPEI Panther mascot’s head on. He pro- ceeded to jump down onto the stage and start his set. The weaknesses in his set were many of his rhymes, con- stant music interruptions, rapping over a fake-ass P-diddy song and most annoying of all, stopping songs half way through (a trend that appeared later in the night and is all too apparent in current commercial hip-hop shows). However, Jelleestone worked hard at entertain- ing the crowd and used gimmicks such as Which Girl Can Gyrate the Best For Free CDs and throwing out Canadian hundred dollar bills with his face on it. Up next was IRS who did all right but seemed to perform better when they appeared later with Kardinall Offishial. Raskalz took the stage third and did well to rock the house. They played songs from Cash Crop and Global Warning as well as some upbeat songs of their forthcom- ing album. Finishing up the night was Kardinall who kept the crowd revved up with his reggae infused party raps.

Some things were obviously missing from the show. The Raskalz b-boys Dedos and Zeb were not there. Neither was K-OS, who was one of

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IRS at the Firestarter show at the Barn.

the headlines, or Checkmate, who was listed on the posters. Also Kardinal and the Raskalz did not per- form together, despite the fact that he is on two of their albums. However, in the end, all performers did what they came to do and entertained the

large Island crowd. -Mare MACDONALD

Album: The First Conspiracy Artist: The (International) Noise

-Conspiracy

Label: G7 Welcoming Committee

Yeah, I know this album isn’t exactly brand-spanking new (what with TINC just having released their third full-length), but I’ve only recently come to appreciate these kids, so you will just have to deal with my tardiness. The (International) Noise Conspiracy play rock. Straight up. Or ... let’s say anarcho-situationist garage rock, how *bout that? It’s a pretty spare sound, with guitar, bass, drums, vocals and keyboards just doin’ what they do, without any fancy production, and I fall for it hard. Despite their musical

similarity to 60s-era Brit rock, their punk rock roots are betrayed by their overtly political lyrics and vocalist Denis Lyxzen’s occasional lapses into screaming. 1 remember seeing an interview with them once where they were talking about trying to “make Marxism sexy again.” Hideously pre- tentious? Hell yes. Totally irre- sistible? No question. (www.digitalfarmers.com/tinc) -Jonah CAMPBELL

Album: Factory Seconds Artist: Various Label: Peanuts and Corn

Break Bread, one of the most original hip hop crews in Canada, have put together a collection of unreleased material and alternative versions of previously released songs. The two things that hold this crew together are the tight beats and skilful production of label leader mecenroe, and the shared revolution- ary ideals of its members. Artists like Pip Skid, John Smith, mcenroe, and Gruf the Druid use hip hop to raise issues like the environment, corpo-

10 > thas

rate culture, sexism, and white appro- priation of black culture.

_ A few guests lend their voices compilation iike Josh Martinez’s collaboration with mcen- roe on “Energy Crisis.” Halifax’s pre- miere hip hop producer Gordski pro- vides some beats for Pip Skid’s trib- ute to Save the Last Dance. As an added bonus, there is also a version OL so Pap Skid’s video for “Hypochondriac” for hip hop fans with a computer. Scoop this disc to get a sample of what Break Bread has to offer, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself tracking down the rest of their CDs after hearing it.

-Stephan MACLEOD

Zine: Where s a Cookie? Author: Missy

This is a zine about a cartoon rabbit looking for a cookie. I could give away the ending and tell you that the rabbit does eventually find a cookie (multiple cookies, actually), and it would be no less worth your time to read this zine. Suitable for all ages. (Missy, 24 Longvue Cir. Ambridge, PA, 15003) -Jonah CAMPBELL

Soundtrack: Bones Artist: Various Label: Priority/Doggystyle

Snoop Dogg, in addition to having his name on the cover and starring in the movie, is all over the soundtrack or “houndtrack” to Bones. Bones is a movie about Jimmy Bones who is, as one learns from the song lyrics and a creative spoken-word intro, a player and a vampire. Musically, the album is much like a Snoop Dogg album, including crew appearences by Kurupt, the Eastsidaz, Nate Dogg, Kokane and his usual beat makers who keep the production original. Lyrically, the rhymes mix gangsta rap with some story elements from the