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Listening Patterns - what do you grab that grabs you?

© Steve Juon

I usually try to listen to something that keeps my energy level up. Yesterday it was Del's _No Need for Alarm_, today it was Dr. Octagon's "Octagonecologyst". But how do you pick your albums for your listening pleasure?

> In the ride?

Usually I walk over to my 60 count cases and grab shit at random for the changer from my collection (the 60 count cases are all artists who I have more than one album by). Ends up being a mix in the change of everything from G Rap to De La to Pharcyde and so on. Once in a while if I have something new I really like such as "Doc's Da Name 2000" I'll make sure it goes in the changer before I head out. > At night?

Some people might be surprised by my saying this, but I really like hardcore shit to go to sleep at night - especially shit I know well. Some Public Enemy or Ice Cube or EPMD type shit. The more familiar I feel with the beats and the lyrics, the more I can just soak it in and relax. If it's too new I spend all my time trying to pick up on everything that I hear. > What is your stimulus?

I'd choose Brand Nubian if I was feeling a little moremilitant.. I'd choose Tribe if I was feeling a little more spiritual..

> What about the weather?

Black Moon is great music when you just want to sulk in dank thick noisy hip-hop on a rainy day. "Enta Da Stage" embodies the feeling of a basement with no lights on and two booming speakers. You can practically smell the indo drifting away from your copy of the album when you open the case. "Bacdafucup" is a good album to listen to when it's overcast as well. For sunny days an album like Will Smith's "Big Willie Style" is just the right level of bouncy and energetic.

So hip-hop readers out there, answer these questions for yourself and submit it as feedback to the column here at Suite101 - how do you listen to your music?

Peace, Flash

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