Moonlighting - Exclusive Hip Hop News, Interviews, Rumors, Rap & Music Videos | Allhiphop
Artist: Tanya MorganTitle: MoonlightingRating: 3 1/2 StarsReviewed by: Sidik Fofana
The life of an underground emcee is like that of a door-to-door salesmans. Without the luxury of a mainstream following, the subterranean emcee has about two minutes of album time to sell his product. More difficult to move than say kitchen knives or pre-paid insurance, the underground emcee has to peddle his voice as a reliable authority. Tanya Morgan-not the next Jill Scott, but an enclave of three thoughtful MCs (Von Pea, Ilyas and Donwill) hailing from Brooklyn and Cincinnati-takes a succinct stab at it. Their latest two cent offering is the very patient but percussive Moonlighting (Loud Minority Music). By choosing to say right from the get go that, The last time Brooklyn and Cincinnati got together, it was a classic, (read: Reflection Eternal) on The Warm Up, five more minutes of our attention is granted.
Its difficult to picture when crews like A Tribe Called Quest held dominion over mainstream America, so its just as difficult to brand Tanya Morgan as more than just another underground Hip-Hop act. As smoothly as their beats run and as much as their lyrics demonstrate the technique of emceeing, its hard to get an audience raised on Sunny Delight to appreciate orange juice. In spite of the odds against it, Moonlighting is an enlightening album because it combines well-crafted lyrics that have both serious and playful elements. Tanya Morgan has crafted a demonstration of Hip-Hop with standards. No gimmicks and very little sex and violence steer the album while still maintaining entertainment value. The Warm Up captures that fairy tale of rap where a swell DJ is paired with conscious emcees telling the truth. This is a group of
fun-loving guys and the good natured fun shines in their music. On Ode to Tanya, the guys playfully throw salt in each others game while trying to win the prized Ms. Morgan. Ilyas says, I know you like Von Pea and he drives you a bit crazy/ But hes only campaigning to give you the Dick Cheney. The enjoyable Just Cause I Got Locks also gets an avid true dat.
Yet, the same thing that makes Tanya Morgan fun and easy going is what makes
their album come off unpolished at times. Moonlighting sounds like a bunch
of guys ciphering and having good time, but it at times lacks the musicianship that would make their rap gig more than just a part time job for now. In a nutshell, give it a chance. For those of you who want to be exposed to the grassroots of this Hip-Hop movement, heres the discman, take this right headphone, press play and be the judge. You might be enlightened.