Posted on 04/23/2008
Last night, at a small indy record shop known as Other Music in New York City's East Village, a reunion show took place.  There was a modest line around the corner of a crowd that was hard to peg: a handful of thirty-somethings, some in their early twenties, some teens, some ex-backpacker types, some suits, some speaking in various languages, black, white, indian, asian. Everyone waited patiently for a good hour before being let in to the tiny space to witness a coven of musicians set up in a circle of drum machines, MPCs, computers, keyboards, cables, and mics.  The aforementioned coven was newly reunited Anti-Pop Consortium, and they were pulsating to a beat they had clearly just created.

The magic of Anti-Pop's collaborative style has not diminished in the least, despite a healthy six year break where group members have pursued solo careers.  Beans has dropped 5 solo albums since '03 with his latest, Thorns , in stores now.  High Priest also released a solo joint, Born Identity, on Sound-Ink last year.  There have been mix-tapes from most of them including M. Sayyid, who along with High Priest formed the outfit Airborn Audio (their album, Good Fortune, was released on Ninja Tune in '05, along with various mixtapes).  Seeing Anti-Pop back together felt like a welcomed homecoming of sorts.  They have all grown and evolved over the years, stretching their capabilities on various solo projects, but together again they worked like one giant well-oiled beat-making machine (including engineer extraordinaire Earl Blaize and new-comer Megman), completely in sync, and occasionally off-kilter in a seemingly purposeful manner (reminiscent of the late J. Dilla at times).  

Their sound is dirty and nasty and raw and bleep-filled synthed-out bass heavy madness, and when you add the lyrical capabilities of Beans, High Priest, and M. Sayyid to the mix you get, well, an amazing hip-hop show like nothing you've seen.  As the MCs emerged from the island of electronics where they had just been fine tuning the last live beat, there is suddenly a new energy in the room.  Three vibrant tongue-twisting rhyme-slaying rappers trading verses in a choreographed manner, like a dance.  Anti-pop is not for those who favor light party lyrics; the dense thicket of verbose rapping leaves your head spinning, hanging on that last phrase while trying to catch up with the next.  Think "Men At Work" speed with a full Encyclopedia shoved in there.  Yes, this is nerd rap, and in my opinion, nerd rap at it's best.  The show ended with M. Sayyid, High Priest and Beans squaring off accapella style as each spit a short verbal nuclear bomb, leaving the room filled with the radiation of their heat.  

A little birdie told me they have about 6 new joints complete and are gearing up to finish a new full length album shortly.  This summer check for Anti-Pop Consortium on tour with Public Enemy and Kool Keith at "All Tomorrows Parties." 

- gingerlynn