djevoke
"One of the Most Prolific Female Emcees You've Never Heard..."
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One of the Most Prolific Female Emcees You've Never Heard...
-
Apr 29, 2009
- by djevoke
- posted in Hip-Hop Culture: Breakdance, MC, DJ, Graffiti
Rating:
+5
I have always loved Bahamadia. From the first time I heard "UKnowHowWeDo" (the video above), I was hooked. She has such a great way of weaving intelligent lyrics with Gangstarr beats (on debut album Kollage), using her voice as an instrument like a hip-hop Ella Fitzgerald. Every time I hear Bahamadia, it always takes me a couple of listens before I can actually get her lyrics- she says them so quickly that you get wrapped up in the musicality of them rather than the message. And what a shame that is because this woman has a lot to say.
Her songs are always mellow, she never aims to be a club hit and that's probably why she's not a mainstream hit. She also uses her intelligence instead of sex which must confuse record labels, who have always had a difficult time marketing intelligent hip-hop. I think she likes it that way, her tone can be monotonous at times arguably but, if you listen to the delivery which is what being an emcee is all about, you can't deny that she has talent. Her voice always finds the cracks between the beats and fills them in the smoothest, most organic way possible as if her voice was born there.
Her songs make it difficult for DJs to bump in clubs because they're mostly jazzy instrumentals, in true Gangstarr fashion but, unlike Gangstarr who tends to make up for the mellow jazz instrumentals by using a more energetic emcee style, Bahamadia's tone usually falls right in line with it. Give her a couple listens to catch onto her intelligence, once you do- you'll be blown away that you've never heard her, unless you're an underground hip-hop fiend like myself!
My vote for one of her most prolific songs is "Commonwealth (Cheap Chicks)" on her 2001 BB Queen album. The video below features MC Lyte and Countess Vaughn. She speaks about the round-the-way girls, "low budget connoisseurs who get they shopping on in Wal-Mart and dollar stores", who makes it through even though they're broke. Can't we all relate to that nowadays?
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Madpenguin
June 14, 2011
Total Wreck was the track that sold me way back on Video Music Box. She's one of the only female artist I can tolerate.
djevoke
June 14, 2011
Nice! Total Wreck is the $hit! You know what's funny? When you left your comment about Shante, I thought, if he found Shante annoying, I bet he digs Bahamadia. Her vocals are so smooth and well placed, there's no way anyone could call her annoying, maybe too mellow but, annoying- no! Here's the video for you:
Madpenguin
June 14, 2011
Then you already had me figured then. Shante is just too annoying.I have this video downloaded, and it's an awesome low budget video too. I really miss these days.
djevoke
June 15, 2011
;p Well, I just can't imagine anyone finding Bahamadia annoying lol. I miss them, too!
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djbenny
November 24, 2009
Again, someone that knows their hip-hop on this site. I haven't heard alot of Bahamadia's recent works but I've heard many mixes things about her as of recently. I've heard she doesn't quite deliver with the consistency she used to like what you're writing in this review, because, yes, she still records! The output of those records? I don't know, but they're probably not on the level that "Kollage" is. Nonetheless, her new appearance on the most recent Mr. Lif album is stellar.
djevoke
June 14, 2011
I never thanked you for this? Wow! Sorry about that! Thanks so much for your kind words. I love her but, I think she makes an amazing cameo rapper nowadays. I agree that she hasn't quite beat Kollage but, to see her live is doooooope!
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BrnWriter
May 03, 2009
She so nice on the mic! Can't wait for the Jean Grae review!
djevoke
May 03, 2009
Jean Grae's DOPE! We need to get as much real music reviews on Lunch as possible. What's up with people rating Run DMC, J5, and Fu-Schnickens all around a 3?
BrnWriter
May 04, 2009
Lost Generation. It's hard to take Run seriously if all you know of him is that he and his daughters have "reality shows" on MTV. Time to create the 'Dopest Female on Mic' rate game.
djevoke
May 04, 2009
Word.
djevoke
May 04, 2009
This list is getting out of control, I'm up to 30 LOL...so it'll take a minute to get that game together.
BrnWriter
May 04, 2009
:)
djbenny
November 25, 2009
I don't think I've heard anything bad out of Jean Grae. Love the work she did with Herbaliser and 9th wonder. Not to mention her twitter posts are freaking hilarious
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ajrawls
April 29, 2009
It's about time someone gave Bahamadia luv. She is one of the most underrated mc's in hip hop. she truly embodies the artform in every aspect. I agree with you about her being looked over because of the her production, but she has always been dope. I think she would be the outcome if you could merge Nas with Jill Scott
BrnWriter
May 04, 2009
And your thoughts on Jean Grae?
ajrawls
May 04, 2009
jean is nice but i think her beat selection is bad. Othere than that she is really gifted and should try to go major with a label that will showcase her talents correctly. possibly with G.O.O.D Music or maybe a blanket deal with Interscope would do her justice.
djevoke
May 04, 2009
LOL...oh I put my answer under your other comment BrnWriter. Here it is: I LOVE Jean Grae- she's the only one making serious noise right now for female emcees that write their own rhymes and don't have to use sex to be heard. You?
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raina1up
April 29, 2009
I'm so glad you give props to bahamadia! she's so sick. Also, thanks for taking me back to the 90s (you know that's my fave era of hip hop). I'm also a fan of What What (who guest MCed on the Herbalizer albums) and T-Love's Return of the B-girl. Maybe when I get around to it I'll review some hip hop. Thanks for inspiring!
djevoke
April 29, 2009
You are most welcome, DJ! I've got some Pharcyde on here for ya too! I'm working on getting all the dopeness covered but, could use some help- I LOVE Return of the B-girl and throw that joint on for almost every single set I spin! You are dope, Miss Raina- just in case no one's told you that lately!
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About the reviewer
Samantha (djevoke)
Ranked #5
Ranked #5
I'm a human jukebox that is constantly changing my station depending on my mood! Feel free to share your passion with me in my communities: Pass the Remote!, Hip Hop Culture, Wedding Planning … more
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About this topic
Born Antonia Reed, Bahamadia started as a DJ and later became an emcee under the influence of Gangstarr. She released her debut Kollage album in 1996 with production done by Gangstarr (Guru and DJ Premier, aka Primo).
Her most popular track, "Uknowhowwedo" (in the YouTube video) off Kollage reached #15 on Hot Hip-Hop and R&B tracks and #17 on the dance charts. "I Confess", also off Kollage, reached #11 on Hot Rap Singles.
Her other albums BB Queen in 2001 and Good Rap Music in 2006 found a huge popularity in the underground hip-hop scene. She has recorded numerous bootlegs released in Japan where she has a huge following.
Bahamadia has a high underground popularity and is a respected collaborator with such artists as The Roots, Talib Kweli, Sisters of the Underground, Jedi Mind Tricks, Planet Asia, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone and Jill Scott.
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Her most popular track, "Uknowhowwedo" (in the YouTube video) off Kollage reached #15 on Hot Hip-Hop and R&B tracks and #17 on the dance charts. "I Confess", also off Kollage, reached #11 on Hot Rap Singles.
Her other albums BB Queen in 2001 and Good Rap Music in 2006 found a huge popularity in the underground hip-hop scene. She has recorded numerous bootlegs released in Japan where she has a huge following.
Bahamadia has a high underground popularity and is a respected collaborator with such artists as The Roots, Talib Kweli, Sisters of the Underground, Jedi Mind Tricks, Planet Asia, Erykah Badu, Angie Stone and Jill Scott.
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