May
07

The Small Professor & “The Old Eleven”

Evan Nabavian learned to stop going to the club with Isaiah Thomas. The hard way. The most interesting rap production usually comes from the “other” pile. That’s the stuff that has yet to be associated with a movement, scene, region, decade, or pants size. Beats are more special when you can’t label them easily. The… Continue reading »

Apr
03

Live from the Bunker with Curly Castro

Rappers in 2012: still liking The Wire. As they should. In Havana, the man they call El Colocho Castro dive-bombs on a Small Pro beat. All double entendres and vocal distortion, Perry Ellis and Tommie Lee Jones love. Should you have slept on Castro prior, this would be a good place to start. Know the designer.… Continue reading »

Mar
27

Video: Zilla Rocca – “Devil’s Pie”

Zilla Rocca, rap Serpico, updates his style from sepia film to contemporary house parties, covert phone calls, and the occasional parking lot car lean. Beyond existing as a metaphor for materialism, “Devil’s Pie” is also an archaic nickname for the 2004 Acura Integra.Why ask why? Small Pro supplies the horns and while no one could… Continue reading »

Feb
07

Too Advanced, Digi Stance: Pulp Banga 101 Taught by the Wrecking Crew

Pelican briefs, Craig Ehlo, Lil Mac, the beat for Wu Banga, the ghosts of master killers, all channeled on the latest leak from the Wu Tang Pulp project. Some more strictly fam members only shit from the Wrecking Crew (Has-Lo, Zilla Rocca, Curly Castro), plus Boogieman Dela and David Little. Small Pro slices and dices… Continue reading »

Jul
18

Beat Traps: Small Professor, Beats, Rhymes, & Jawns

Chris Daly did not consult the urban dictionary for this post. Jawn. It’s a Philly thing. Like liquid cheese on a Pat’s steak or an insistence that the weather is always pleasant. For one’s beats to qualify for the category, crisp drums, tight horns and soul are an absolute must. Repping the City of Brotherly… Continue reading »