In the wake of Watch the Throne, it seems like everyone in hip-hop is trying to grab a friend and make a collaborative project, Drake and Rick Ross are planning their YOLO project, J Cole says he’s working on something with Kendrick Lamar, and T.I. and Young Jeezy have hinted at a joint record as well. Whether or not any of these projects will actually ever be recorded is up for debate, but in the meantime, Oh No and The Alchemist (who together go by the name “Gangrene”) have dropped what I hope is a contender for the best post-WTT collaboration thus far, “Vodka & Ayahuasca” (unless any of you were really feeling that Gucci Mane/V-Nasty tape).
1. Intro (The Mixings)
Produced by Oh No
After doing a bit of Wikipedia research, I found out that Ayahuasca is a South American hallucinogen that causes intense vomiting, so maybe that’s why this intro track includes a recording of someone puking. Why Gangrene decided to name their record after this concoction is beyond me, but they’re making it clear right out of the gate that this is going to be beyond-bizarre album. Also, vomit-noises are arguably the worst way you could start an album.
2. Gladiator Music
Featuring Kool G Rap; Produced by Oh No
This first track sounds like something that RZA would make on his weirdest day (in a good way). The beat heaves up and down behind a drugged-up horn sample that is a big departure from the bass and snare heavy sound that been dominating radio-rap for a few years now. The track features verses from both members of Gangrene and Kool G Rap, and all three fill their verses with Wu-Tang style absurd threats (“I’m Kool-Aid Man comin’ through your fuckin’ wall”). This track is grimy as hell and it’s great, they should have skipped the freaky intro and just started off the album like this.
3. Flame Throwers
Produced by Oh No
Oh No’s beat has my head nodding almost immediately and he and The Alchemist trade verses back and forth until a context-less vocal sample cuts in, reminding me once again of the Wu and the kung-fu film samples that they love so much. But this technique also reminds me of something that MF DOOM would do, another underground rap legend who has worked with Oh No’s brother Madlib.
