Name: Da Great Deity Dah - Life Or Death 20th Anniversary Colored Vinyl Edition
Brand: Royal Alchemist
SKU: 633617
Price: 29.99 EUR
Availability: OutOfStock

Bahamadia

Kollage HHV Exclusive Yellow Vinyl Edition

2LP | 1996 | EU | Reissue (Be With)

31,99 €* 39,99 € -20%

Incl. VAT plus Shipping Costs

Release: 1996 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Limited edition of 500 copies, only available hat HHV!

Bahamadia’s 1996 debut album Kollage is rightly regarded as one of the greatest rap albums of the 1990s. For the first time ever, Be With present the definitive double LP version of this eternal hip-hop classic, including the legendary "Path To Rhythm" which never appeared on the original LP or on vinyl, anywhere. An indelible VIBE from start-to-finish, Kollage presents Bahamadia's swirling rhymes delivered with an irresistibly butter flow and razor-sharp assuredness over a steady slew of smoothed-out, jazzed-up, blunted beats. Achingly cool and effortlessly funky throughout, it's an absolute must for true 90s hip-hop fanatics.

The entire Kollage project was recorded at D&D Studios and the ties to Gang Starr are keenly felt, with DJ Premier producing five tracks in addition to the killer songs Guru had already produced with her. Working with the cream of the mid-90s East Coast sound, Kollage is, accordingly, a record that demonstrates a varied musical taste with disparate influences, as Bahamadia has previously stated: “The title Kollage was a reflection of my state of mind. I first got interested in music from playing my parents’ and grandparents’ records, as well what I heard on the radio. I wanted Kollage to reflect that diversity both lyrically and sonically."

With intelligent, poetic lyricism and a laconic verbal style bursting with both warm texture and deceptive energy, Bahamadia’s flow was as inspired by Aretha and Nancy Wilson as it was Q-Tip, Schoolly D and Lady B. Swaggering out the gate, "WordPlay" finds Bahamadia confidently showcasing her considerable old-school battle-rhyme skills over a Guru beat that utilises an infectiously bouncy bassline with splashes of sultry jazz horns and a Jeru vocal snatch for the hook. Up next, the quietly shimmering and ruggedly beautiful "Spontaneity" is one of the most alluring on the record, Da Beatminerz crafting a brilliantly soulful and jazzy soundscape for Bahamadia's effortless vocals to float across. It's followed by "Rugged Ruff", where the rapper carefully constructs a swift off-beat flow over Premier's raw jazzy fire.

With smooth spacey synth vibes overseen by former Geto Boys producer N.O. Joe, "I Confess" is, without question, a fly love song and soothing (p)-funk groove. "UKNOWHOWWEDU" is an airy, chilled tribute to her hometown. Produced by Ski Beatz & DJ Redhanded, it rides a gloriously mellow break. It's a true Philly anthem, shouting out a who’s who of the entire city’s scene. Early banger "Total Wreck" follows, presenting a murky Guru instrumental elevated by jazzy horns. Bahamadia invokes the title's suggestion, firing her brilliant bars more aggressively than we’re accustomed to. More Beatminerz-brilliance comes in the way of "Innovation", an opportunity for the MC to invoke Freestyle Fellowship in her forward-thinking and literary verses. "Da Jawn" features hometown buddies The Roots, with Black Thought gliding into a back-and-forth with Bahamadia over ?uestlove’s warm, snapping percussion. With the strut club banger "True Honey Buns (Dat Freak Sh*t)", DJ Premier provides some laidback vibrant boom bap for Bahamadia to share a wild, cautionary tale about a night out with her girl, Kia.

Fan favourite "3 Tha Hard Way" is a hypnotically sinister cut, with Bahamadia, K-Swift and Mecca Star taking star turns to coast over DJ Premier’s raw beat whilst the tender "Biggest Part Of Me" is a heartfelt stunner dedicated to her son. Incredibly, only the European and Japanese CD versions of Kollage was released with the brilliantly breezy “Path To Rhythm”, featuring Ursula Rucker. Whilst ostensibly a "bonus track", it's anything but, to our ears. Very much in sonic conversation with KRS-One's stretched-out sleeper classic "Higher Level", it's absolutely essential so we had to include it, appearing on wax for the first time here, exclusively. Quite a coup.

Somewhat predictably, whilst Kollage was released to significant critical acclaim, it suffered from disappointing sales. In the intervening years - and for far too long - it was a criminally underrated record, an increasingly hidden gem. We hope this double LP reissue - which looks and sounds amazing - will go some way to correct this. This 2024 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Cicely Balston and pressed at Record Industry. It's too bold and beautiful to remain overlooked and underserved.

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Hip Hop

Hip hop has long been more than simple scratches, looped breaks and MCs celebrating their DJs. Since Kool Herc’s block parties in the mid-1970s, the culture has grown and developed rapidly. Today, graffiti can be found on every corner. Breakdancing and b-boying have long since become a way of life for many. Hip hop music today is defined by an enormous variety. There is something for everyone. The Roots have been thrilling friends of virtuoso live bands for over 20 years. Old warhorses from the 1980s prove that there is no age limit for good rhymes. Exceptional artists like Pharoahe Monch or Homeboy Sandman connect generations thanks to intelligent content and clever wordplay. Many ambitious musicians also hold up the flag of German, French or British rap. There are no limits to the raps: from abstract lyricism to street prose to eloquent storytelling, everything is on offer. And more and more musical styles are influencing the world of hip hop today.

Hip Hop at HHV: the full range from A to Z

In order to do justice to Hip Hop with all its faces, we have put together a rich programme. This includes classics as well as novelties from young talents. Major productions are on the programme, but also underground releases produced in very small editions. US hip hop, German hip hop, UK hip hop and hip hop from France are represented. As well as spoken word from exotic countries. Of course, the range of our online shop also includes beats without rhymes. Exclusive releases and bundles give our offer that special spice. As long as it has to do with Hip Hop, Vinyl LPs, CDs or Tapes are always welcome. No matter if it’s an album, an EP or singles.

Hip hop, hip hop or hip hop? Anything that sounds funky is allowed.

Hip hop has never been as diverse as it is today. Labels like Mello Music Group or Redefinition evoke the spirit of the eighties and nineties. They see themselves in the tradition of self-determined record companies like Cold Chillin or Ruthless Records. Chopped Herring Records or Dope Folks have made it their business to dig up old recordings. Progressive styles of hip hop music find a home on independent labels like Stones Throw. German rap has grown up and shaken off the regional barrier. And instrumental hip hop has also played an increasingly important role in the last ten years. Not least thanks to our dear colleagues from Project: Mooncircle, who have pushed this direction massively. We have made it our task to do justice to all these facets of hip hop with our offer. From the classic to the absolute insider tip, we offer everything that has to do with eloquent rhymes or innovative beats. And with our HHV Label, we give established and up-and-coming artists the opportunity to present themselves.

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Hip Hop

Hip Hop at HHV: the full range from A to Z

Hip hop, hip hop or hip hop? Anything that sounds funky is allowed.