Declaime has been a featured west coast artist for about 10 years now. His resume includes collaborations with the Likwit Crew; debuting on the Alkaholiks second album;Coast II Coast and with Lootpack on Soundpieces: Da Antidote. Straying away from the singing and harmonies associated with his alias, Dudley Perkins, Declaime brings us his latest; Fonk.

Fonk is a full out west coast album, inspired by the G-Funk movement. The album is produced entirely by Quazedelic, who is previously known for his work with Snoop Dogg and George Clinton. With that said, it’s no surprise that he and Declaime crafted an album featuring distorted bass lines, winding synth lines and abstract rhymes. Fonk begins with the track “Declaime MC” (feat. Georgia Anne Muldrow), a so-so track that shows the strong funk inspiration that the album displays.

The album picks up well with “Light” a funky, inspirational track that instructs the listener to look within themselves for the positives of life. The subsequent tracks “Hungry” and “Warrior” are unspectacular and in the case of “Warrior”, seemingly out of place.However, the funk inspiration is fully displayed on “Dad”, a bouncy synth filled track that catches the listener’s attention and helps to raise the energy level and provides definite satisfaction.

Declaime does well with the next track “Fame”, a track that discusses the effects and outcomes that come with achieving fame. Even more impressive is the standout song, “Gangsta”, a track that discusses the obvious downside of gang life. Though not a super lyricist, Declaime is able to get a strong message across on this track, discussing not only gang life, but also the image that some emcees feel they need to present.Fonk continues, with the decent “One” and the fabulously produced “Dreamer”. The content and the singing are frankly weak as the production definitely outshines Declaime and Georgia Anne Muldrow.

Declaime goes full out funk on the subsequent track “Brotha”, which comes off as a nice jam session. “Brotha” ,while not the standout track, is the height of excellence where Declaime and Quazedelic come together to make magic as a team.The final track “God”, ends the album on a so-so tip, not really blowing us away, but not taking away from the album either.

Overall Fonk comes through as a solid, but not mind blowing release that will take some warming up to.Upon first listen, Fonk will definitely throw listeners for a loop, as it’s not of the boom bap variety, but the engrossing melodies and fantastic production catch the ear.Declaime, is not a wordsmith of the hardcore emcee variety, but his sincerity comes through as he attempts to Fonk up the world.

]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/05/19/declaime-fonk-12-review-sticky/feed/ 0 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/05/04/declaime-declaime-mc-mp3/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/05/04/declaime-declaime-mc-mp3/#comments Tue, 04 May 2010 22:02:53 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=13697 [cont.]]]>

After a couple pre-album goodies, Declaime is back with another leak off his album, FONK, in celebration of today’s release date. “Declaime MC,” his latest track, stays true to the artist’s eclectic style starting with a sporadic and bizarre intro, ironically featuring cowbell, and finally leading to all pieces falling together as Declaime enters, “Now let me reintroduce myself to the game / What’s your name? Declaime / It’s all the same, same, can’t complain / Still the same old dude / Still no fortune, still no fame.” A jazz piano melody compliments Declaime’s naturally distorted voice and tapers off to make way for an eerie hook and chorus featuring Georgia Anne Muldrow preaching, “Limited time here on Earth / Is so precious indeed / We need to stop eliminating folks and make it happen / Cuz they lackin’ while we’re trapped / Doing bad deeds for thieves.” With wobbling synth lines, courtesy of Quazedelik who handled production duties for the entire album and prior credits include George Clinton and Snoop Dogg, coming and going, “Declaime MC” urges fans to keep holding on and always project the happiness you wish to feel inside.

Declaime’s FONK is available today as the first release off Georgia Anne Muldrow and Declaime’s new label, SomeOthaShip Connect.

Declaime – “Declaime MC” (MP3)

In preparation of his upcoming release, Declaime is proud to release the second leak off his album FONK, entitled “Gangsta.” True to Declaime’s self-proclaimed style, the track overflows with off-kilter effects and a swelling electro-synth line that challenges a ghostly piano melody. Producer Quazedelic, whose accolades include projects with George Clinton and Snoop Dogg, balances the warped funk vibe with a straight drumbeat and a faint electric bass line. However, even with such an active setup, Declaime’s signature style shines through as he raps that “There’ll always be someone more gangsta than you.” To him, “Gangsta” is about shedding light on on the untold struggles of gang life. Declaime explains, “It’s a message to the gangsters to wake up. This is not how we’re supposed to be, and this music should heal, uplift, and cause harmony – not disharmony.”

This album will mark the first release from Declaime and Georgia Anne Muldrow’s new label SomeOthaShip Connect. It will drop in conjunction with Darryl Moore’s debut album Where I’m At on May 4th of this year.

Declaime – “Gangsta” (MP3)

Fresh off the release of the most recent Georgia & Declaime album, SomeOthaShip, Declaime aka Dudley Perkins is preparing the release of his latest solo album as one of two initial releases from Georgia Anne Muldrow’s and Declaime’s own label, SomeOthaShip Connect. The album, titled FONK, will be available digitally as well as on CD and vinyl May 4th.

For fans of Declaime’s previous albums, the appropriately titled FONK boasts a new, distinctive sound for the emcee; one that harkens back to the west coast Roger Zapp/Funkadelic sound that inspired the west coast G-funk hip-hop Declaime grew up listening to. To help bring that sound to life, Declaime enlisted the services of Quazedelic – an understudy of George Clinton himself, who has since went on to work with artists including Snoop Dogg – to produce the entire album. “I wanted to keep it to my heritage of West Coast funk,” says Declaime. “A lot of us west coast underground artists tend to go to the east coast feel ’cause it’s an innovative boom-bap sound. So my crew – Souls Of Mischief; The Pharcyde; Planet Asia – did that. But we actually grew up listening to MC Eiht, E-40, Dre, Snoop, Ice Cube, Too Short, DJ Quik, NWA – music that had a Zapp, Parliment, Funkadelic feel to it.”

Declaime’s return to his funk roots also marks a departure from his work as Dudley Perkins. As the MC steps away from his Dudley Perkins persona, he will instead be showcasing honed emcee skills and his no-nonsense, to-the-point lyricism coupled with his unorthodox, winding rhyme patterns. “I made the music with a simpler context,” says Declaime. “This way my message of positivity can now reach a wider audience.” Songs throughout the project, including the album’s lead single, “Fame,” available today via iTunes, perfectly display the sound of the new project.

Declaime – “Fame” (MP3)

Gonna let Michelle McDevitt speak on this one. Her words are far more eloquent.

The f0nk duo, Georgia & Declaime, has busied themselves with the delivery of another single off their album, SomeOthaShip. Featuring Kazi and produced by Black Milk, the song “SomeOthaShip Connect Game” delivers on beats that Declaime AKA Dudley Perkins just couldn’t resist. “SomeOthaShip was unexpected – originally, Dudley, Kazi, and Grap Luva were going to do a track over a Kev Brown beat, but when D sat down and heard Black’s beat, they recorded right away,” says Michael Tolle, founder of Mello Music Group. Declaime rides a piano-laden f0nkdified beat to drive home the message about the sometimes-inauthentic hip-hop industry. An eerie melody accompanies Declaime’s description of a life consumed by partying, alcohol and drugs – a life the public has come to expect from those in the industry. The emcee chooses to remind listeners that regardless of facades and fronts, real hip-hop is still alive. Reintroducing a verse from the song “Get Up”, Declaime affirms his position in the game as a respected artist and emcee by declaring, “Return the war vet / Bet your bottom dollar that/You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

The album is available now via Itunes.

Georgia & Declaime – “SomeOthaShip Connect Game” (Feat. Kazi; Prod. Black Milk) (MP3)

    So what is this album all about? A trip down Dank & Jammy’s zooted out, memory lane.  It’s a well known fact that Declaime is a tad unconventional with his rhyme style.  So when J Rawls committed to the project, he know exactly what to provide from a production standpoint to make this pairing work.  Joints like “Love Light”, groove along as the listener can visualize Declaime holding a mic with a cigarette in his other hand as he croons his way across the jazzy fare. The title track is uber groovy with its smooth xylophones and even J Rawls chiming in a verse to contribute to the swaying production. The duo want a Grammy and don’t give a good gotdamn what you think about their work. It’s not to be taken too seriously, it just works because it is what it is.

    Elsewhere, Middle Child pops into the smokey interlude type track “Call Me”. Super smooth with its running key arrangement, it appears that Middle Child is phoning in to Declaime as the two just vibe back and forth. Once again, not something serious or full of substance but lounge music nonetheless. Things get a little more substance oriented when Ohio native, Piakhan delivers a show stealing verse on “Last Lash Out”, where he lashes out at some unnamed people.

    Everything on It’s The Dank & Jammy Show is to be taken lightly. While Declaime scoots on by as usual, J Rawls compliments him perfectly with solid yet perfectly fitting production. If you are looking for something a bit more hard hitting, perhaps look elsewhere. But if you are cruising along on a sunny day and just need some good ass music to hold you down, get this damn album. You’ll enjoy it!

     Conversations with Dudley is easily Declaime’s most introspective piece of work. What makes Declaime special, is his ability to not fight the production on the track. Rather simply vocalize his thoughts while sounding comfortable behind the beat. It’s as if he is purposely subdued by the elements around him and places them in between every bar of every song. He is at his best when he spends his time delivering narratives, such as on “Neverending”, as Declaime speaks to parents who lose touch with parenting. Right off the jump Declaime says “It seems that some of you parents ain’t taking care of your seeds, they didn’t ask to come here, you brought em” setting the tone of his tale. The one joint that absolutely cannot be denied is “Dearest Desiree” where Declaime bleeds every inch of his soul onto the beautiful soundscape laid by Oh No. It is as if there is nothing in the world more important then Declaime putting a letter in music form to the daughter he loves and misses. As he explains his position one can empathize with the sentiments laid on this song. Every child of a broken home, every single parent, every parent away from their child should allow themselves to be touched by this song.

     Declaime may have one of the best ears in underground music when it comes to his production. With Oh No handling the majority of the beats, this may be the most sound effort production wise. “Heavenbound” thumps ridiculously and accompanies Declaime perfectly, allowing him to verbalize his outlook. “Conversations” features M.E.D. and Declaime trading ideals and philosophies over another banger. Oh No’s big bro, Madlib, chimes in with the ridiculous “Signs” featuring Wildchild wyling out all over the track. “Song in D Minor” is another song that finds Dudley and Declaime projecting themselves in a fashion that only the two personalities can. “Shine Time” floats along with it’s melodic harmony as Declaime attempts to convince the world to lighten up amongst the last days.

     With his third album, Dudley Perkins proves that he is going to be around for awhile. While not only making an impact with his words, his production is something else to behold and may make a star out of Oh No. Introspective, lighthearted but not without purpose, Declaime is an emcee who will continue to standout with his contributions to hip hop. It’s hard to find something sour in the heart of an emcee who strives for peace. With Conversations With Dudley, Declaime shows that hopefully in a world filled with violence and anger, peace will prevail.

Just put it on and do your thing. This isn’t a thinking man’s album by any means. Let it waft in the air like the tree-smoke that created it. The more surreal the better as Declaime sounds best when most disjointed, a la “Reasons” or the subdued “Thankful”. It’s like stumblin’-style, pick up the mic at a house party type music. In a category all it’s own, but very reminiscent of his Stones Throw  brethren (Lootpack, Kazi, Medaphoar, all whom make appearances). An interesting album by a somewhat interesting artist, who next time might hopefully abide by the rule he claims to live by, “K.I.S.S.” You know the deal