Clearly, Harry Belafonte has seen better days, judging by the Fester-like countenance the Day-O don sports with ex-Aftermath refugee, Bishop Lamont. But a half-century ago, when he ran the Catskill Resort circuit, Belafonte wooed my grandmother, who was reportedly once quite “a dish.” The story goes that the efforts were unsuccessful — thanks to my great-grandfather — who was having none of his youngest daughter running off with an unsavory entertainer. However, in spite of this, the Calypso king reportedly bestowed her with a massive fruit basket and a note divulging his hotel particulars. There are so many puns that I want to make invoking the lyrics to “Day-O,” but I will exercise restraint — for once.
But this post is not about Harry Belafonte, it is about Bishop Lamont, who I interviewed for the Times about leaving Aftermath, his plans for the future, and why labels sign West Coast rappers and give them less playing time than El-P Brian Scalabrine. Should you run into me in a bar anytime over the next year , I might be willing to paraphrase the unexpurgated transcript if you’re buying. Suffice to say, I do not expect Detox in stores anytime soon. I do expect to see more music from Bishop, who really is one of the rap game’s good guys: generous, witty, and exceptionally gifted. Like Rakim, Rae, Joell, and all the rest, he did not deserve Aftermath excommunication, but I’m excited to see what he’ll do next. For those unfamiliar with the head of the Diocese, the mixtapes below should provide an ample introduction. Church.
MP3: Bishop Lamont & Indef – “Money On My Head”
ZIP: Bishop Lamont & Indef – Team America: Fuck Yeah
ZIP: Bishop Lamont & Black Milk – Caltroit
ZIP: Bishop Lamont – Nigger Noize
ZIP: Bishop Lamont – The Confessional
