J. Period has done it again, this time scoring big with The [Abstract] Best. In case you aren’t familiar with any of J’s mixtapes, he puts out Best of tapes and compilations for some of the greatest artists in hip-hop, and also releases tapes in conjunction with some up-and-comers. Among the best of his Best of’s, I’d have to pick the Best of Nas, Best of Big Daddy Kane, Best of Lauryn Hill, and Best of the Roots. The Isley Brothers tape he did was hot too, but as far as hip-hop goes, the rest are untouchable. Like, you lose your copy of it and start sweating because the shit is that memorable.
So when this tape dropped, I wasted no time in downloading it and putting it on CD for a ride to Connecticut I had to take. I listened to it four times, all in a row. The verdict? Unparalleled excellence at all levels. Taking some of the best cuts from Tip’s Tribe days, his solo stuff, and cuts from Native Tongues crew members, he weaves it all together with mini-interviews, phone messages and flawless transitions. The tape is worth the listen just for the storytelling narrative that Q-Tip provides, explaining how some of the tracks were made and his views on life and music.
It is easy and trendy (and also lazy writing) nowadays to decry the lack of knowledge that hip-hop’s new generation has of their predecessors, and to cite this as the cause for all the garbage music that we hear. This tape gives us an insight into something deeper though, as Q-Tip emphasizes over and over again that making music was all about having fun, spirited competition, and getting down. This should be essential listening for everyone who loves hip-hop, because J. Period and Q-Tip manage to boil down all the nonsense and complications into a tape that is not only enlightening, but also supremely listenable (even on repeat).
