Will Rap for Food is now sadly out of print (as of 2005), and is considered a classic amongst underground, indie releases. Fans who didn’t cop this album should hold their heads in shame and be very disappointed. CunninLynguists are fresh, unique, extremely talented, creative, intense, and well flavored. At the time, comprising of KNO, and Deacon, the group blessed fans with their solid debut album “Will Rap for Food”. This release made a huge impact, and put CunninLynguists on the global map. Before “Will Rap for Food” KNO, and Deacon graced a few online post boards with their art (www.urbanprowlers.net, sethros.com, daveyds.com, etc.) alongside other underground icons such as Jugga the Bully, Cashmere the Professional, Sankofa, etc. Fans certainly took note of their strong rhyme writing abilities. It was inevitable that these two stars were destining to shine. Finding success with “Will Rap for Food”, CunninLynguists went back to the lab to forge their sophomore album, Southernunderground. In 2001, Boom-Bap.Com declared “Will Rap for Food” the best underground album of the year (we agree).
“Will Rap for Food” opens with an introductory tack that spoils 29 seconds of real estate that could be better served removed. The introduction does set the ambiance for the music; however, that same ambiance could be set in a tight vocal performance. On repeat, once everyone gets the theme, fans don’t want to continuously skip over the intro, and skits. The albums first vocal track is entitled “Lynguistics”. The track is short, but brilliant. The beat has a classical feel, and establishes itself as extremely creative, and refreshing. The lyrics are equally as nice. Other stand out tracks include “Mic Like A Memory”, “Fuckinwichu”, “Missing Children”, “Thugged Out Since Cub Scouts”, “Halfanimal”, “Family Ties”, and the mega hit “616 Rewind” featuring super talents such as Tonedeff, Sankofa, Kashal-Tee, and Celph Titled. There are many reasons to tune into “Will Rap for Food”, but “616 Rewind” is one damn good reason alone. The beat is brilliant, and the lyrics are explosively raw. The less appreciated material featured on the album is the introductory track, and the skits. All the vocalized tracks are so hot that fans will undoubtedly listen to them until their CD copy wares thin.
Both Deacon, and KNO dazzle fans with well written, witty, powerful, intense, and refreshing lyrics. The conceptual element to their music is strong and thought provoking. Fans that tune in will dig the message, and can relate. For example, the track entitled “Family Ties” is one of the most inspiring, and emotionally charged songs that album can hope to be blessed with. “Mic Like A Memory” is another one of those tracks. Other tracks are more of a fun nature, and there is a level of diversity within the music featured on the album. Deacon & KNO always drop some knowledge on fans via a witty, well intertwined punch line type rhyme.
The album roster is packed with world renown heavy weights such as Kory Calico, Mr. SOS (now part of CunninLynguists), Anetra, Braille, Jugga the Bully, Mr. Raw, Cashmere the Professional, Jugga the Bully, Tonedeff, Sankofa, Kashal-Tee, and Celph Titled whom also contributes jewels on the production tip.
The artwork is well put together thanks to the brilliant talents of ADI, who is one of the best illustrators on this planet, and who did a fantastic job via his abundantly creative magic. The sound quality, production, beats, and lyrics are top level in quality. This is a professional album presented in a professional way that represents the music deservingly.
CunninLynguists continue to make noise, and will continue to dazzle fans world wide with some of the best tracks being created in the labs. KNO, and Deacon are extremely talented, and they both posses an assortment of skills. “Will Rap for Food” is mandatory listening, of course, if you can still get a copy. If not, make sure you tune into their other releases, and, or anything that you can cop by the group — surely there will be no disappointments.
Track Listing:
1 Will Rap For Food (skit)
2 Lynguistics – Produced By Kno
3 Mic Like Memory (f/ Kory Calico) – Produced By Kno
4 So Live! – Produced By Celph Titled
5 Hey – Produced By Kno
6 Fuckinwichu – Produced By Kno
7 Ain’t No Way (f/ Mr. SOS and Anetra) – Produced By Kno
8 Missing Children (f/ Braille) – Produced By Kno
9 Midnight – Produced By Kno
10 Thugged Out Since Cub Scouts (f/Jugga the Bully & Mr. Raw) – Produced By Kno
11. Kno’s Diggin’ – Produced By Kno
12. Halfanimal – Produced By Kno
13. Family Ties (f/ Cashmere the Professional) – Produced By Kno
14. Dirty South (skit)
15. Mindstate – Produced By Kno
16. Takin’ The Loss (f/Jugga the Bully) – Produced By Kno
17. Not Guilty – Produced By Kno
18. 616 Rewind (f/ Tonedeff, Sankofa, Kashal-Tee, and Celph Titled) – Produced By Deacon & Kno
:: Credits ::
Written by: Deacon The Villain & Kno
Producers: Kno, Celph Titled & Deacon The Villain
Recorded at: Knomercy Studios (Atlanta, GA)
Cover Design: ADI Designs.
© 2001 QN5 Music.
