A few weeks before the new year, Bussa Bus and Q-Tip released The Abstract And The Dragon, a self-righteous excuse to revive “original rap,” the boom-bap golden era of the ’90s. The 28-track mixtape boasts a collection of classics and remixes, with only a handful of originals. Vivrant Thing is re-worked, along with Scenario and Tip’s Gettin Up. Busta Rhymes (The Dragon) and Q-Tip (The Abstract) simultaneously revive and validate the legendary golden era of hip hop, “the real hip hop” as The Dragon calls it and he’s right. This is the real hip-hop; the authentic unpolished “boom bap boom boom bap,” beat of the game, the game that both veterans accuse contemporary rappers of disrespecting.
I’ve listened to this record a lot; I’m in double digits here and I can honestly say that this could be the best hip hop mixtape since Dilla’s Donuts in 2006. It’s all ego and pride, and rightly so. These guys were at the front of the boom-bap movement, the original shit and they should be proud. There’s nothing modest about this album. Busta is all up in your grill, huffing and puffing over rhymes like “You can’t erase me/Somehow I’m never done” and “Here I am, RUN.” In the intro track, he also boasts “This is where it all started.” Tip is a little more humble, embodying the role of a minimalist artist as opposed to one who sprays red all over the canvas. The contrast is effective, however, it does end up sounding more like Buss’ record by the end of it.
The boys are brothers and it’s represented and re-enforced throughout the entire album, but especially in the intro and Butch and Sundance. They’re a duel force to be reckoned with and new age players won’t be able to ignore the palpable criticism in You Can’t Hold The Torch, a track written like a letter of criticism. “These niggers in the game don’t sound the same” and “You’re hurting the game when your shit sounds off” are only a few rhymes from that heavy complaint. I’ll let you enjoy the rest of it.
BY DINA AMIN
Best Track: Get Down
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, J-DILLA, PETE ROCK
In A Word: Authentic
