Top

music

Stories

 

Busdriver

Fear of a Black Tangent

Busdriver belongs to the rapid-firing, über-caffeinated slam-poet school of MCing. While such diarrhetic verbalizing can be numbing, the L.A. artist's verses prove consistently fascinating, mainly because they're witty and well detailed, with a cockeyed surrealism. Much of Fear of a Black Tangentconcerns the ridiculousness of the hip hop milieu -- not a new topic by any means, but Busdriver separates himself from his peers by carving up all involved, from indie snobs who "dress like Russian spies" to rap stars who die from bungee jumping rather than bullets to the purist MCs who sell out for girls with "good snatch." All this fancy wordplay would be nothing but grandstanding without the vivid backing tracks. Provided by the likes of Danger Mouse, Daedelus, and Paris Zex, the spastic sound beds reverberate with Latin guitar riffs, wistful jazzy horns, giddy piano loops, and, in the most bizarre moment, a tweaked Joan Baez vocal sample. While Busdriver's cadence may take some getting used to, eventually there's nothing to fear from this black tangent.

 
My Voice Nation Help
0 comments
Sort: Newest | Oldest
 

Concert Calendar

  • May
  • Wed
    22
  • Thu
    23
  • Fri
    24
  • Sat
    25
  • Sun
    26
  • Mon
    27
  • Tue
    28
San Francisco Event Tickets
©2013 SF Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places San Francisco / Bay Area

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city