DJ Matt Africa has just posted a free downloadable tribute to "Amerika's Most Complete Artist," DJ Quik. The mix is here, and accompanying "liner notes" can be found on Africa's blog, I Wish You Would.
It's always interesting to hear DJs pay tribute to their favorite artists, and even more interesting to hear why they've chosen to do so. As Africa writes, "I made this mix because people sleep on DJ Quik. Maybe they've forgotten or maybe they never understood, but people don't get the breadth or depth of his talent." Quik's career, Africa continues, "has been about devotion to his craft, steady growth and experimentation... When people talk about Quik they usually talk about his production. Aside from Dr. Dre, no one has been more influential in shaping the sound of L.A. rap over the last two decades." Africa goes on to say that he's actually a bigger fan of Quik's rhymes than his beats, noting, as an emcee, Quik is "merciless, with an unmatched eye for detail and a gift for scabrous invective."
Hmm. We're not sure Quik himself knows what a "scabrous invective" is, but it's easy to agree with Africa that the man is both supremely talented and supremely underrated. Quik's new album Blaqkout drops June 9th; on June 11, he appears at Ruby Skye, along with a full band and special guest Kurupt. Tickets are here.
