You Are Now Tuned Into Channel Live

Channel Live: Mad Izm and Lock It Up
From: Station Identification [Capitol, 1995]

You may have noticed that I'm totally on a nineties rap tip at the moment. Having funked myself out over the last couple of months I've been digging in the rap crates and revisiting some of my forgotten gems. So it's back to the back to the back to the hip hop today with the 1995 debut of Channel Live, produced by Mr Hip Hop himself, KRS One.

More than almost any other genre of music, the battleground of rap is littered with the remains of artists who burn brightly for a moment and then fade away and I guess Channel Live fall into that category. While the platinum success of their single Mad Izm did help the album go gold they faded from the scene as quickly as they appeared. However, unlike many of these rappers, Channel Live's album actually delivered on the promise of the single, offering a mix of styles, quality verbal dexterity and some excellent production by KRS.

I couldn't really offer up this record without posting up Mad Izm and it's a track that's stood the test of time remarkably well, its simplicity being a blessing as Hakim and Tuffy vary their flows and tone to create their own vocal melody over the minimalist strings and beat production. And KRS One turns up for good measure as well.

Lock It Up offers up a horn heavy beat from Salaam Remi reminiscent of ATCQ and the two MCs once again go to town on it, offering up a selection of fast, fluid rhymes notable for their wit as well as their technical ability.

I see that since then Channel Live did release a follow up EP and album in 2000 but I've yet to meet anyone who's heard it. A shame really as it's clear to hear that they're a couple of highly talented artists. Guess it's another one to add to the already stacked pile labelled Coulda Been Contenders.....