RSSAhmad's partner in success is the slightly older Kendal "Sonof Berry" Gordy, who hooked up with the teenager when he got bussedto high school in Pacific Palisades. How far Ahmad will go remainsto be seen--Back in the Day wasn't quite large. But theAhmad album(Giant) should surprise anyone who enjoys hip hop as music. Hissing-song evokes a sincere Slick Rick, or a kind Snoop, and thepolyrhythmic vocal layers woven into his funk lite, mostspectacularly onFreak, add new twists to rap's ever-expandingrhythmic language.
For those who crave full-bore authenticity without brutalposturing, the best option to date is Nas'sIllmatic (Columbia),New York's typically spare and loquacious entry in the post-gangstasweepstakes coming soon to a boombox near you. Nas is true to thegame with a vengeance, but his vengeance is never gratuitous, andafter a few more tracks as catchy asIt Ain't Hard To Tell and Represent, he may even find he has homeboys in South Central.
Fast Cuts: Meanwhile, South Central will stick to local productlike Warren G.'sRegulate . . . G Funk Era (Violator/RAL), whichdelivers the phat phunk Dr. Dre and Snoop lied about with nosacrifice in general nastiness. And those who enjoy hip hop asmusic will pick up the Beastie Boys'Ill Communication (GrandRoyal) no matter what 'hood they're from.
Playboy, June, 1994
 | 1994? 1994 | Jan. 1994 |  |