i
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2002 Volkswagen Jetta
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To learn how you can apply prior to graduation,
Mike Capps at 713/293-6000.
cai
Volkswagen
(713) 293-6000
www.advantagecars.com
7025 Old Katy Road • Houston, Texas
Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm • Sat 9am - 6pm
Drivers wanted!
Maybe tomorrow.
Register Now For Summer Classes
At Your Favorite
Dallas Community College.
Move It! Move It! Earn up to 4 credit hours in May Term.
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Get info at www.dcccd.edu or call 1-817-COLLEGE.
BROOKHAVEN • CEDAR VALLEY • EASTRELD • EL CENTRO
MOUNTTAIN VIEW • NORTH LAKE • RICHLAND • DALLAS TELECOLLEGE
The Dallas County Community College District
RN
4A
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
M
THE
A( y AGGI
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ONTHLOt
X-Ecutioners
Built From Scratch
Loud Records
With no vocalist and little production, the X-
Ecutioners defy the traditional concept of a
rap group. A quartet of DJs comprised of Rob
Swift, Total Eclipse, Roc Raida and Mista
Sinista, previously known as the X-Men, has
been bubbling just under the mainstream's
radar for the better part of a decade.
Its series of underground solo efforts,
group projects and guest appearances
landed the X-Ecutioners a deal with Loud
Records, one of hip-hop's preeminent
labels. The time to shine is now. With its
first major label album, Built From Scratch,
it attempts to do just that.
The record starts off in predictable fashion: a
simple break beat with vocal samples
scratched and juggled on top. Not surprisingly,
all the samples are taken from the records of
other Loud artists like Mobb Deep and
Raekwon, thus avoiding massive sampling
fees. This familiar routine functions as a segue
of sorts for the length of the album, linking the
songs and giving the LP an air of spontaneity.
But a glance at the liner notes reveals that the
X-Men were not responsible for track one;
rather, they let another turntablist group, Triple
Threat, open for them.
The second track, "XL," gets things started
with a vintage beat by Large Professor. In a
rare vocal appearance. Extra P drops lyrics
that leave the listener wondering why he
does not pick up the mic more often. Rob
Swift handles the scratching on this one, and
the X-Men are on the board.
After more turntables, the album presents
the first of several outstanding cuts such as, "A
Journey Into Sound," which feature beat box
ing by Kenny Muhammed, a.k.a. The Human
Orchestra. This lost art is hip-hop at its finest.
Next, in what has become the Achilles heel
of the modern hip-hop album, the X-
Ecutioners include a skit that is neither funny
nor necessary. This idiocy is forced on the lis
tener twice more before the album ends, to
similar results.
Before too long, things get back on track with
the suitably raucous
"Let It Bang" featuring
M.O.P. The energy this
group brings is the rap
equivalent of heavy
metal. The listener is
treated to another
quality guest appear
ance. This time it is
Dan The Automator providing the backdtcc
"X-Ecutioners' Theme Song."
The LP serves up several other note
songs, including "The X (Y'all Know T i
Name)," an exceptional posse cut feat.;
Pharoahe Monch, Xzibit, Inspectah Dedr:
[Mad] Skillz, and the previously-releasedr
"Dramacyde," a teaming of rap legendsKoo
Rap and Big Pun (R.I.P.). Fat Man Scoops!
shows up to do what he does best,
the crowd on the infectious "Play That Be;
In addition to the skits, the albumisfc
in other areas. The boredom-inducing la!
single, "It's Coin' Down," featuring Linkinfji
is a blatant attempt to capitalize on the
metal hysteria that most hip-hop fans hope
would be over by now. In a bizarre duetl:r
Tom Club is enlisted to perform a renM:
its 1981 hit "Genius of Love" with the tt-
ical Biz Markie. This cut has no value ob?
than providing some of the humor that5:'
famous for. Appearances by DJ Premier an:
Everlast are similarly disappointing
Basically an album of songs by variw
artists linked by the constant scratching*’:
juggling of the DJs, Built From Scratchi 1
closer to a mix-tape than a rap albur
Judged in this manner, it is above averagi
easily defeating the standard DJ Clue or Jo'
Touch tape. However, given that this'm
tape" had major label support, it si
judged as an album. Hip-hop puristswillf
themselves torn between the mastery
some of the art-form's basic elements*
the gross commercialism represented -
songs like "It's Coin' Down." However,life
listener can overlook the LP's few fac-
what remains is a relatively res P ecta ' :
debut worthy of a spin or two. (Grade B-
-Gate Patte^B
Th
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pris
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ent
opt
will
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not
but
me
Har
the
tap
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TT
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has
Chri
sine
the
rodi
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The
timr
and
20C
why
albi
pie,
Train, Alien Ant
Farm win at
California Music
Awards
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Train, the
Grammy Award-winning San
Francisco rock band, took home
several top honors at the California
Music Awards, including best
album for its Drops of Jupiter.
Train's lead singer, Pat
Monahan, also won an award
Saturday for outstanding male
vocalist, and the group took
home the outstanding song
writer award.
No Doubt's energetic front-
woman, Gwen Stefani, won for
outstanding female vocalist.
The award for outstanding
group went to the award show's
perennial favorites from San
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Jose, Smash Mouth. East Bay
punkers Green Day, which made
its mark in Oakland's ware
house district, won for artist of
the year.
Southern California's Alien
Ant Farm won best hard
rock/heavy metal album and
best debut album.
"I can't believe we beat Tool,"
said band member Terry Corso,
referring to the band's rival in
the hard rock category. "What up
with that?"
Woody Allen
acknowledges
fans overseas
RADNOR, Pa. (AP) - Director
Woody Allen said he has no idea
why his biggest fans tend to be
from overseas, rather than in the
United States.
"It's one of those ine
things," Allen told TV^
May 4 issue'
"People always like
imported things
better. We think that
imported cheese,
imported wine is
better by virtue of
the fact that its
^ACwi'llbeprese^
movie. Hollywood^
opening night ottn
Festival next month u
The 66-year-old drea .
star of such films as JJ]
Annie Hall and Mig^
said he has no pi^
writing anytime soo^
don vr •s'i'
of ideas," he said,
been what I've done'
life, but primarily I m
CLASS OF 20(
After all your finals are over come dance
night away at
May 11, 2002
9pm — lam
Rudder Exhibit Hall nff\ ce
Tickets are NOW on sale at the MSC Box 6
for $15. You can also preorder pictures o
and $22.
y