Search - Kmd :: Black Bastards [Explicit Lyrics]

A fresh, tight and vital album finally released

moche | BROOKLYN, NEW YORK United States | 12/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was very happy to get an official copy of this album after listening to so many bad bootlegs of it for years. This album is a true gem and it is filled with so much funk and soul it's amazing. KMD definitely got a style of their own. The record manages to be challenging, inventive and deep without ever sounding too arty, weird or inaccessible. What you hear on most of the tracks is fresh jazz sampled production with bouncing beats that are guaranteed to snap your head. The lyrics are complex and conscious but manage to be funny enough to entertain. Of course, the fact that KMD have a distinctive and original vibe might not appeal to every Hip Hop fan. But it is hard however to deny the overall quality and inspiration of the album and it is definitely something worth checking for."

What MF Doom Could Have Been Back In 1994 [4 stars]

Chandler | Atlanta (College Park), Georgia | 05/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm pretty sure most of you know the story behind the album. If not, let me fill you in. KMD consisting of Zev Love X (now known as MF Doom) and his brother Subroc. Somewhere in 1993, Subroc was hit by a car and died on impact, leaving Zev Love X to finish the album by himself. When the album was done in 1994, Electra Records shelved the album because of its lyrics and the cover art showing a sambo character being hung. Electra would soon cut KMD from their roster, leaving Zev in obscurity. But the album officially sees the light of day in 2000, when MF Doom released it independently.



One thing I have to commend is the great movie samples that are on this CD. Starting with the intro "Garbage Day #3" which is made up of them. "Sweet Prenium Wine" is a song about knocking back a few drinks while the samples play as the hook. Most of the songs here on this CD are about smoking, as heard on the song "Smoking That S**t" which features vocals from Earthquake, Lord Sear, and Kurious. "Contact Blitt" (could be titled "Contact Blitz" or "Contact Blunt") is a song about Zev ride a bus to Los Angles with an arrogant bus driver, while smoking. "F Wit Ya Head" featuring vocals from H20 and CMOB and the song "Suspended Animation" are more songs dedicated to weed, all more to offend the higher-ups of Electra Records. One great track is "What A Niggy Know" (could be titled "What A Nigga Know") is Zev and Subroc comming correct with a serious attitude that will make your head nod. The 12 inch single was the only item released by Electra Records, but since the album was shelved, the single was pulled also. MF Grimm would drop in to help Zev do the remix. Subroc would get in a few solos also. He shows he had the lyrics on the song "Gimmie" (could be titled "Give It Here") as he says "Give me a choo choo train for my badass tracks..." He would also do his thing on the song "It Sounded Like A Roc."



One thing I have to knock is what many people have been saying in other reviews, the sound quality. Some songs sound like they have been worn out over the years so it sounds like a bootleg of a bootleg, making the vocals sound like they're held back by a sound barrier. A great example is the Zev Love X anger expressed song "Get-U-Now" and "Smoking That Sh**". Also I'm sure some of this album was recorded off a record. How did I come to this conclusion? The song "Plumskinzz" is exactly what I'm saying. The song has a nice piano sound and is going good as Zev spits his verse. As soon as it gets halfway through the hook, it sounds like the vocals were taken away and the beat freezes up. Then all of a sudden you hear MF Dooms [recent] voice come in and say "Loose Hoe God&Cupid" or as many listeners have interpeted "You're so GODDAMN stupid!" I don't EVER want to hear that again! Obviously he used a 12" single and someone hit the needle causing it to skip loudly to the instramental. The song would resume later on in the CD when a woman would come in and say "Oh Now I Don't Believe It!" as Subroc would continue his verse. Whats ironic about this whole song is that this song was recorded in 1991, and a former KMD member named Onyx the Birthstone Kid (many people who are familiar with late MF Doom albums know him as Rodan) had a verse on that song between Zev's and Subroc's (and believe it or not, Onyx had the best verse out of the three). So there is no actual musical vibe because those interludes causes a big chunk of the song to be missing. (How about recording the song correctly Mr. Dumille?) If you want to hear the uncut clear version of it, just find a "Nitty Gritty" 12 inch single because its the flipside of that, or you can locate a 1994 bootleg of the album.



Overall I'm happy that this album was finally released, since it was one of the biggest albums in 1994 that was shelved. But the way that this album was put together soundwise, that title could have been easily taken away. I recommed this album to those who want to hear more examples of Doom's early 90's production, the way MF Doom sounded in 1993/1994, or just curious of the lost album. Otherwise, you're better off buying "The Best Of KMD Album" which is a combination of this and the Mr. Hood album, or wait until Mr. Dumille decides to remaster the album and reissue it.



Rest In Peace Subroc



Lyrics: A-

Produciton: A

Musical Vibes: C+

Overall: B+



Standout tracks: What A Niggy Know, Sweet Prenium Wine, Contact Blitt, What A Niggy Know (remix), Smoking That Sh** (Plumskinzz would have been a standout if it were a full song)



If it makes anyone feel better, the excessive dropping of artists and lack of record sales would have cause Electra to go out of business and be bought out by Atlantic Records."

A classic that almost wasn't

D. Thomas | Seattle, WA | 05/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you know MF Doom, you probably know the history of this album. KMD was the original group consisting of Subrock, Zev luv-X (Doom) & Onyx. Onyx left and then while working on this LP Doom's brother Subrock was killed in a car accident. As the LP was finished Elektra shelved the album and dropped Doom due to the controversial cover art, (a sambo hanging from a gallows.)



Years later some of the rough cuts of the LP emerged on the Fondel Em' label as the "Black Bastard's: Roughs & Rares EP" giving a small hint to what greatness the album could have been. A few years later under Doom's own Metal Face Records "Black Bastards" finally saw the light of day.



The album is bittersweet; because you can't help but wonder what would have happened if it would have been released in 94. But given Doom's current fever pitch, it's no matter.



The only problem with the LP is the sound quality. It apears as if Doom had the masters on tape and wore them out, due to the distortions in several tracks.



DON'T LET THAT DISTRACT YOU. This album is amazing and worth every penny, but it is rare and tharefore hard to find. If you can't afford it, then I'd suggest "The best of KMD," it's the best 1/2's of both "Mr. Hood" & "Black Bastards.""