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[Ῥḩἁɾἀ]

All news and updates about the Ninja Spotlight Artists will be going in here.

First up...

Immortal Technique and Lowkey team up to bring you Voices of the Voiceless releasing Sept 21, 2009 --

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edhiBd0jOYU



and the worldwide premiere of Alphabet Assassins is here!!!!

http://www.ninjavideo.net/video/40315

[D3bian]

Checking it out on the road, I'm looking forward to the spotlight

Phara, you're starting to convert me to Hiphop girl

[H00VE§]

What up?

First, a great appreciation goes out to all those that invented, and continue to run this site as a whole.
The consistency of quality content & the general vibe (from the spotlight to the comments below the daily collection of entertainment / educationally driven shows you so often provide) is second to none…

After that being said, I just registered to inquire about the recent ‘Lowkey – Alphabet Assassin’ video release. I consider myself a fan of hip-hop / rap and have followed your recent spotlight artists for many years (such as yourselves by the sounds of it). I have never heard of Lowkey previously, but after listening to the track awhile ago (from ninja) I thought, “well, it’s been done by artists in the past, but he really did a decent job of making his own version out of it.”

To be honest, I thought it was alright, but I have to ask if ‘Papoose – Alphabetical Slaughter’ had anything to do with ‘Lowkeys’ inspiration for the track. I only ask why ‘Papoose’ (specifically), because now after seeing the video, the similarities are Undeniable.
I am not trying to make one out to be better than the other in anyway, but was honestly curious if Lowkey or you@Ninja have heard of papoose, or are even maybe fans.
(Spotlight = Papoose. hah! My vote! or a few others I would nominate..  Tech N9ne / Free Speech > fromLaffy taffy rots your teeth / John Doe etc... )


Those unaware of who or what im talking about can watch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLklnMWl63k) Papoose - Alphabetical Slaughter to see my point.

(Just wanna hear the Ninja community’s thoughts on the matter, not interested in any heated drama, just like to hear some outside opinions….)

[myst]

What up?

First, a great appreciation goes out to all those that invented, and continue to run this site as a whole.
The consistency of quality content & the general vibe (from the spotlight to the comments below the daily collection of entertainment / educationally driven shows you so often provide) is second to none…

After that being said, I just registered to inquire about the recent ‘Lowkey – Alphabet Assassin’ video release. I consider myself a fan of hip-hop / rap and have followed your recent spotlight artists for many years (such as yourselves by the sounds of it). I have never heard of Lowkey previously, but after listening to the track awhile ago (from ninja) I thought, “well, it’s been done by artists in the past, but he really did a decent job of making his own version out of it.”

To be honest, I thought it was alright, but I have to ask if ‘Papoose – Alphabetical Slaughter’ had anything to do with ‘Lowkeys’ inspiration for the track. I only ask why ‘Papoose’ (specifically), because now after seeing the video, the similarities are Undeniable.
I am not trying to make one out to be better than the other in anyway, but was honestly curious if Lowkey or you@Ninja have heard of papoose, or are even maybe fans.
(Spotlight = Papoose. hah! My vote! or a few others I would nominate..  Tech N9ne / Free Speech > fromLaffy taffy rots your teeth / John Doe etc... )


Those unaware of who or what im talking about can watch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLklnMWl63k) Papoose - Alphabetical Slaughter to see my point.

(Just wanna hear the Ninja community’s thoughts on the matter, not interested in any heated drama, just like to hear some outside opinions….)

Hello Hooves,

I'm a part of the spotlight team and also work with Lowkey...

Your question is completely fair and Papoose's version was definitely an inspiration for Lowkey although Papoose was not the first person to do an alphabet track, the other best known being Gift of Gab/Blackalicious a few years before though it has become an established way for rappers to show off their lyrical ability.

I can't be bothered to look up the exact quote but Lowkey has interviews said something along the lines of "I'm a big fan of Papoose and I decided I wanted to make my own version of the track to show off what I can do lyrically"

Without getting into too much rap nerd specifics, they flip the concept in different ways and both have their merits... Which you prefer is down to you but both are incredible feats of lyricism.

[myst]

Oh - and Papoose is a great suggestion for the spotlight in my opnion, will run it by the rest of the team and add him to the list for the future

[H00VE§]

Oh - and Papoose is a great suggestion for the spotlight in my opnion, will run it by the rest of the team and add him to the list for the future

Thanks for the in depth and quick response... I was aware of the "Alphabet Aerobics" by Blackalicious as mentioned ^. And I do agree that each artist brings their own appeal to the concept. I was really more astonished at the similarities between the videos more than anything.
I guess by lowkey saying [roughly] "I'm a big fan of Papoose and I decided I wanted to make my own version of the track to show off what I can do lyrically". I guess he wanted to his own version of pap's video too...

On the note of sincerely nominating Papoose as a spotlight candidate, as much as (I feel) he deserves it, 'Tech N9ne' would deserve it exponentially more. Sighting his consistency in albums & underground fan base year after year, originality in his style & white hot percussionist flow that (in my opinion has never been matched or surpassed), and overall ability to stay relevant within the industry for so many years [mainly] buy himself (without the assistance of a major label).

Fan or not, (even people that do not like rap / hip-hop) have time after time, given 'props' to the mans undeniable talent & freshness of his sound (nothing comes close to sounding like tech. Whether its fellow speed spitters 'twista' or 'bone thugs' or any artist that tries to keep up when featured on a track, fails to capture the entire essence that Tech n9ne brings time after time.)


(If you need any current news or topics to help bring the "community" up to speed on tech n9ne's presence in the game = he will be touring with slaughterhouse & G. malone October 1 until November 21)

News link below:
http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=55359

[SoberJoe]

I'm meeting tech n9ne early november for a Slaughterhouse function I'm going to. I'll talk to him then as he's one of my faves too, and I'm sure Myst has his direct connect as well. We'll let you know as soon as we converge for a meeting. For now though, the next spotlight artist is Nino Bless so keep your eyes peeled for that.

--Phara

(i'm on homie's account)

[Khaalida]

Not really a huge rap/hip hop scene here in Australia, but the spotlights are amazing and are slowly swaying my tastes.. really looking forward to the release next week.

[Candeelion]

Wow the video is amazing and I know the  it'll be a huge success on iTunes!  I didn't know anything about either artist and was introduced to their kickass music through Ninja.  I look forward to all the music and thanks Ninja for making me a fan! 

[H00VE§]

I'm meeting tech n9ne early november for a Slaughterhouse function I'm going to. I'll talk to him then as he's one of my faves too, and I'm sure Myst has his direct connect as well. We'll let you know as soon as we converge for a meeting. For now though, the next spotlight artist is Nino Bless so keep your eyes peeled for that.

--Phara

(i'm on homie's account)

Nino is a great choice for the next spotlight... Looking forward to that...  Ninja never fails to impress...
(He should replace Joe Budden and then I wouldn't have to fast forward through 1/4 of the slaughterhouse tracks...)

[wadswerth]

Damn, Ninja strikes again with some world premiere type shit.  The combo of tech and lowkey is pretty kick ass and its great seeing 2 former ninja spotlight artists working together

[PearlBDragon]

Not so much a fan of the hippity hop but this video was great.  Like the vibe and he's hot!  Plus he said Canada.  Pure win 

[SoberJoe]

The video is pure win. I feel the splatter effects... What can I say Im more visual.

[solytaire]

Although I wouldnt call me beeing into hip hop, this track is really good! I honestly didnt understood all of it, since I'm no native speaker, but my kudos to lowkey. He's an amazing artist.
The vid itself was really cool as well, like SoberJoe already said, visually really appealing

[honeymurphy]

Very nice indeed

awesome news and video

[Partray]

If you like Lowkey you should check out mongrel, his band. Mongrel has another version of Alphabet Assassins up featuring some more of the UK hip hop scene. Other artists worth checking out from the UK scene would be;

Foreign Beggars
Dr. Syntax
Stigg of the Dump
Task Force
Bad Science
Mud Sun

The list goes on.

[artsoul]

AWESOMETASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!! Loved the song and how the vid was executed.

 

If you like Lowkey you should check out mongrel, his band. Mongrel has another version of Alphabet Assassins up featuring some more of the UK hip hop scene.

thank you Partray, I´ll check this out.

[Revelation]

Not a fan of hip hop generally ,but Lowkey - you've done it again. A classy track filled with poetic eloquence.

[chronicpeace]

A-Z -- it was a fun video. =]

Thanks for the exclusive release! Looking forward to the Immortal/Lowkey confab.

[flyingboatman]

I actually enjoyed it! Not really my kind of thing, but the great thing about spotlight is it introduces and encourages you to expand your horizons. So while i wouldn't necessarily volunteer to listen to this, now that i have, i applaud you on it!

[dragonclaws]

Niever thought it would happen but really like the sound of both vocalists together.

[dogwalkman]

I'm 66 years old and about as far away from being a hip hop fan as you can be without falling off the edge of the earth. I enjoyed the Lowkey video and am a bit in awe of anyone who can construct a piece so cleverly. Very well done, Mr. Lowkey.

Ken (a doo wop fan)

[activeingredient]

I know it would sound better coming from a hot girl but this is huge. I had to crank up my boomin' desktop speakers and had the room bobbin' like a crew of drunk astronauts on the moon. I just wish this was the mainstream. It seems that the quality of music on the radio now is on par with waking up with underwear that you recognize. Just not impressive.

[Dionysus]

The best alphabet song I've heard since Blackalicious' "Alphabet Aerobics". Oh and if you haven't heard Gift of Gab's "Chemical Calisthenics", it's worth a listen.

[Greven]

this song is actually quite awesome! DOPE DOPE DOPE is what i've got to say.. nothin more!