Madlib

We know that Madlib likes to play. The rapper does so with his alter egos Quasimoto and Madvillian. His constant production work with the likes of Talib Kweli, De La Soul, and Erykah Badu, have demonstrated his commitment to a different sort of play—one that involves pushing artists into new ways of delivering. While he's rather cartoonish in some ways, his very "serious sounding" beats have always pegged him as one of hip-hop's more prolific artists, if consistently underrated.

WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip pairs Madlib's beats and productions with a handful of yet-to-be really hot MC's. No real surprise here; Madlib has always championed the underground. While this is supposed to have the feel of an old school, AM radio dial, there are more moments of dark beats and gritty lyrical imagery than there are of nostalgia trips. It starts off rather playful. Defari's paired with a Bootsy Collins-style bass line, sliding through a sly braggadocio narrative. Defari's flow recalls Q-Tip. Meanwhile, Prince Po playfully hearkens back to Jurassic 5's scratch-happy production. The end of the record takes turn to the more political side of things. "I Want It Back" has Madlib's little brother Oh No dissecting his somewhat disappointing early beginnings, but looking fondly at the time before things "got corrupted." Closing out the set is Guilty Simpson's bleak gang banger, "Go,"—the most immediate track of the bunch, with Guilty declaring he has a feeling "somebody’s going to die tonight." Well, let's hope not; that wouldn't be playing very nice.

–Michael D. Ayers
10.05.08

For reasons unknown, Rapster decided to say farewell to their innovative Beat Generation series, but they certainly went out in style -- the last one to leave was none other than the multifarious Madlib, the Beat Konducta. A 24-track strong mix album, WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip turns out the lights with nothing but Madlib productions (most of them previously unheard) and a range of friends and family providing the frequent vocal features. Similar to his Beat Konducta releases, this joint is all AM -- unlicensed, street-corner, low-power, community radio, with all the static and interference listeners have come to expect from the premier soundtracker of an alternate reality of radio programming. (Foes of lo-fi have nothing to fear, though -- as always, the beats are hard and the crackles are crystal clear.) Madlib's productions reach clear across the dial, with snatches of reggae and faux-Chinese music among the '80s urban and '70s soul on display. The beats are excellent as well, loping and stuttering and falling over each other in Madlib's best Drunken Master style. Although there are plenty of instrumentals, at least three-quarters of WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip is given over to vocal features. The rappers are gritty and street-level, with a parade of usual culprits: Guilty Simpson, J-Rocc, Poke, MED, Oh No, and Frank-n-Dank. If there's a sign of weakness on this mix, it's here; the rhymes are by no means revolutionary, and the amount of naked braggadocio on display can get a little wearing (especially compared to the high camp of Madlib's Quasimoto and Lootpack work). Still, WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip is all about the productions, and Madlib's are the best around. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide