Beats and Rhymes

If you still haven’t picked up Devin The Dude’s new album,

Just Tryin’ Ta Live

(Rap-A-Lot), then I don’t know how you can call yourself a fan of rap music. No excuses, this is must-have shit.

You will also need Clipse’s

Lord Willin’

(Star Trak).

There’s a gang of other shit out there worth checking out. Planet Asia’s crew Skhool Yard put out a new album on Kutmasta Kurt’s Threshold Records, DJ Vadim’s got another banger out on Ninja Tune, 7L & Esoteric’s full-length should be available by the time you read this, and also keep your eyes peeled for Supastition and Sleep.

Oddities’ “Weak Days” 12” just dropped. These cats are on some shit. My joint is the b-side, “Hookers & Gin.” Check www.oddlyenough.com.

Battleaxe/Underworld is rolling out the rest of the year with some strong releases. Swollen Members’ Monsters in the Closet album, Moka Only’s Flood, DJ Murge’s Search and Rescue compilation, and Sweatshop Union, featuring some of the Vancouver underground’s finest. 2003 will see new projects from Abstract Rude, Buk 50, Mr. Brady, and the long-awaited Son Doobie solo album. Look out.

Long-time underground faves IRS (pronounced “earse”) have finally put together their first album, Welcome to Planet IRS (WhatChuWant/Universal), and it’s about time, as it’s one of the strongest releases to come out of Toronto in a long time. These cats just have a good energy to them. Check www.planetirs.com. Also making moves out of the T-deezy, Skitz just dropped his new EP, Work in Progress (Sandbox).

For all you non-record-player-having people out there, pick up Peanut Butter Wolf’s Jukebox 45s (Stones Throw), a compilation of the 45s he’s released over the last couple years, all on one CD.

A couple dope compilations to look out for: Constant Elevation (Astralwerks) features a who’s-who of indie hip hop and electronica, and Graffiti Kings (AMC) is a West Coast underground graf-themed project.

Busdriver is nuts. I saw him live a little while ago, and he’s one of the quickest-tongued cats in the game. Temporary Forever is the name of the album. You might have to dig for it. It’s worth it.

Down in Hotlanta, Prophetix (Eddie Meeks, Mello, DJ Jon Doe) have just released their new album, High Risk (Asylum/Day by Day). These are serious contenders on the underground blow-up mission. Don’t sleep on ’em.

Album of the year award goes out to Paul Barman for Paulellujah! (Coup D’Etat). Just kidding, it’s a piece of shit, and dude better be careful. For real, don’t come to my town.

The Goods, Tachichi, and Kaleb Simmonds are all superstars on the EPGood Night Music, which, if you’re smart, you’ll go online and buy at www.peanutsandcorn.com. Also, Tachichi & Moves’ new album, Booze Brothers (Fried Chicken), is easily one of the coolest things I’ve heard in a long time. And I’m not just saying that cuz I’m on it, but yeah, if you pick it up, listen to “Spontaneous Pt. II,” a posse cut featuring Tachichi, Buck 65, Governor Bolts, Mindbender, Birdapres, and myself, among others.

All right pickleheads, that’s it for me. Tune in next month for the fifth annual “Beer In Green Bottles” rap awards for 2002. Email me with your best and worst of the year, in any category. Peace.

Send vinyl, CDs, shoes (size 10), clothing (XL), money, and porn to: Fritz the Cat, c/o VICE, 383 Queen St. W., Toronto ON, M5V 2A5 Canada. Email me: fritz@viceland.com.

Fritz the Cat’s Top Nine (in no particular order)

1. Devin The Dude - Just Tryin’ Ta Live (Rap-A-Lot) 2. IRS - Welcome to Planet IRS (WhatChuWant/Universal) 3. Oddities - Weak Days (

www.oddlyenough.com

) 4. Sweatshop Union - Sweatshop Union (Underworld) 5. Moka Only - Flood (Underworld) 6. Prophetix - High Risk (Asylum/Day by Day) 7. Busdriver - Temporary Forever (Temporary Whatever) 8. V/A - Good Night Music (Good Night) 9. Tachichi & Moves - Booze Brothers (Fried Chicken)