Lil B “Illusions Of Grandeur (Remix)” (2011) (prod. by Beautiful Lou)
On “Illusions of Grandeur (Remix),” Beautiful Lou takes the trunk-rattling kicks and skittering hi-hats found in most (blogged about) contemporary rap production from his native North Texas*, but combines that aggressiveness with a digital disembodied wail that sounds like a screwed Kraftwerk.
And while Lil B took a “back-to-basics” approach on the mixing of the this ‘tape as compared to the properly issued Angels Exodus, it’s worth pointing out that despite his growing popularity, B still chooses to work with talented, unknown producers from around the U.S., like Lou, New Jersey’s Clams Casino and Seattle’s Giorgio MoMurda, who all have beats on Illusions Of Grandeur.
Sure, 9th Wonder will come along and offer a track once and a while after you log enough appearances on MTV and get a few magazine covers, but it’s B’s crowd-sourced approach to documenting the sound of #Based World that lies at the heart of the appeal.
-SM
(via Beautiful Lou)
*Okay, yeah that’s writing with a broad stroke, but I’m thinking of like Zillaman, Dirty South Riders, and Mr. Pookie and Mr. Lucci, though there are guys like A.Dd+ and Sore Losers who don’t sound anything like those artists.
