[MP3] Boston's Rap Class of 2011: Retrospek

Published Oct 01 2011, 08:23 AM by webteam

It's time for show and tell with Boston's Rap Class of 2011 -- a kaleidoscopic cross-section of Boston's varied hip-hop scene. From rookies to vets, what these acts do have in common is that they're all currently causing sparks on account of fresh, innovative approaches. We also paired each rap classmate with a Boston-associated hip-hop video maker to create original productions; see the results and get MP3s below.

Retrospek is an exceptional live outfit that nostalgic rap fans need to try on. As suggested by their name, the trio summon boom-bap greats of yore - from their Native Tongues vibe to their Black Star set-up - and embolden the throwback sentiment by rocking stage shows that could conjure memories of an early Beastie Boys jamboree. MCs JuneLyfe and Spendacash don't choreograph their live antics, though it may appear that way. Rather DJ and producer Rah Intelligence drops sets and effects to match their movements, while Retrospek's rhymesayers bounce lyrics off one another like so many pinballs. "If I see June move one inch," says Spendacash, "then I just go the other way. It's organic." For every track, from subtle tributes to more contemporary jazz, Retrospek say their sound is the result of their congregating around beatmaker Rah Intelligence's ones-and-twos for years. "All I had in my room was a set of turntables and a couch," says Rah, explaining the title of their next album, Sleepwalker's Remedy. "They'd just sit and listen, and I'd never sleep." Read more . . .

DOWNLOAD: Retrospek, "Chem Trails" [MP3]

MEET THE WHOLE CLASS: Boston Rap's Class of 2010, by Erin Baldassari.

Catch the members of the Rap Class of 2011 at Church on October 4, 2011.