Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Next Level

The history of nerdcore hip-hop is interwoven with the history of the Rhyme Torrents community, and, while the former certainly precedes the latter, let it never be said that RT hasn't done more than its fair share to spread the nerdy gospel. By the same token, it's also been a conduit for beef, hurt feelings, and inexplicable schisms.

But, as Mrs. Garrett learned upon leaving Mr. Drummond's employ for Eastland, you take the good and the bad.

A constant source of static amongst RT contributors since the project's inception has had to do with quality, and, while this issue has been addressed more directly in recent compilations, it remains a bit of a sore spot. The question being: Is it fair to give a new artist rhyming into Audacity via a RadioShack mic a spot alongside the Fronts, Jesse Ds, and Optimuses (Optimi?) of the world?

I could certainly argue that covering the gamut of styles and skill levels inherent in nerdcore is the only way to truthfully portray the movement, but that is neither here nor there. The issue at hand is that many in the community desire more stringent quality control, and they've taken it upon themselves to provide such.

Masters of the Interweb is a nerd music compilation of a different color. Thugmasta J, Madhatter, nYgel, MC_Loki, and wholemilka have created this "quality regulated" project to specifically address the oft-cited issue. Their rallying cry? "Help make Nerdcore History!"

Peep the details:
If you want to submit to what could possibly be the greatest multi-artist Nerdcore Hip-Hop compilation ever assembled, submit your best new and unreleased tracks today!

Dates

February 26th - Official deadline for all tracks.


Quality and Subject Matter


*Vocals need to be clear and crisp and loud against the beat

*No drown-out bass, keep the tracks well balanced

*Bear in mind, complex beats don't always equal good beats

*Keep it nerdy

*File standards: mp3 format @ 320 kbs minimum


Where To Submit Tracks

All tracks must be submitted to this address:
mastersoftheinterweb@gmail.com


Remember, these comps are quality controlled. When submitting, know that we are trying our best to constructively help you improve not only your tracks, but your music as a whole.

After your track is submitted, it will be privately judged by the committee members listed above. Within a reasonable time, you will then be advised whether your song has made the cut or not. If not, you will given some feedback on why not and allowed the opportunity to work out these issues with the song and re-submit. See dates above.
As you can see, the submission date is close at hand, but interested parties are still invited to step up to the proverbial plate (or a similar sports metaphor). I've also been informed by nYgel that the project is open to all nerdy artists, so if your flavor of musical geekery is a little to the left of nerdcore, you're still invited to participate.

This really seems like a worthwhile project, and I'd encourage anyone who's considering submitting a track to throw their hat in the ring (or another similar sports metaphor).

Let those collaborative juices flow!

5 comments:

Matt said...

OK, gotta give props on the Facts of Life reference there.

I have met the master and he is you.

Z. said...

You know me, Matt; my entire *existence* is simply one thinly-veiled Facts of Life reference.

funky49 said...

!!!

Z rules!

Did I tell you I incorporated Mrs Garrett in a college paper? It was on Gus van Sant's "My Own Private Idaho".

love,
steve

Anonymous said...

you might also want to mention the other of the two quality-controlled compilations being assembled on RT at the moment, Nerdy Rotten Scoundrels. It's a more hiphop oriented (but still nerdy) compilation. Details are here: http://www.rhymetorrents.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1324&hilit=nerdy+rotten+scoundrels

Z. said...

Any reference to Mrs. G is good by me, funk!

And thanks for passing that on, Ranger. I'll plug Nerdy Rotten Scoundrels in my next post.