Clipse vids

57. Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury (2006)

Brothers Malice & Pusha T formed in Virginia, an area not previously known for it's hip-hop credentials. During the 00's it would produce two of hip-hop's most innovative producers, Timbaland & The Neptunes, both of whom grew up in the same community as Clipse.

When dirty south style crunk took over as the underground hip hop sound, Timbaland, Neptunes & Clipse recreated the old NY hip-hop, as a modern, ultra syncopated, pop flavored beast. NY couldn't compete then, and is still struggling to produce a great hip-hop act, relying heavily on old favorites like Jay-Z. In fact many states now have better hip-hop than NY; New Orleans, Texas, Georgia, Atlanta, Detroit etc.

Lord Willin' (2002) introduced the Clipse/Neptunes sound, and remains classic, especially the minimal funk of Grindin. Acclaim went largely to the production, however the Clipse would develop their Re-up, coke rap tales, and the next album would see the lyrics and rapping shine equally.

Clipse signed to Jive records, a label not known for supporting hip-hop.Then Jive got brought out by Sony, thereafter Clipse's second album was put on hold, frustrating the Clipse enormously. They released two great mixtapes We Got It For Cheap Vol 1 & 2, showcasing the extended Re-Up Gang, rappers Ab-liva and Sandman. Both these rappers have infectious styles, contrasting Pusha & Malices' nasal twang to Sandmans blunted drawl.

Hell Hath No Fury finally came out in '06, and was a darker and more bitter proposition. The coke tales spiked with paranoia, anger at having to return to the streets to make a living. Super focused rhymes dealt with the hypocrisies of coke dealing whilst trying to escape the ghetto, the benefits, cost, temptations of the lifestyle, and many veiled references to their disappointments with major label Jive.

In contrast the cocky swagger of Grindin' 'I move cain like a cripple, Balance niggas through the hood, Kids call me Mr. Sniffles, Other hand on my nickel, Plated whistle, One eye closed I'll hit you, As if I was Slick Rick my aim is still an issue, Lose your soul in...whichever palm I'm holdin', One'll leave you frozen, The other, Noddin' and dozin, I'm grindin' Jack'.

Following release the Clipse's manager was jailed for 35 years as part of a cocaine cartel, Clipse is the closest you can get to an audio version of The Wire TV show.

'No serum can cure all the pain I've endured, from crack to rap to back to sellin' it pure, And i don't know how then other niggaz built, And I don't know if ever they feel guilt'.