Top 50 Rap Albums of the 00’s at Passion of the Weiss: #27 – Edan – Beauty and the Beat

Still my favourite psychedelic rap album, and how ill is that album artwork? Click the blurb to read the our picks for rap albums of the decade, numbers 30-21 over at Passion of the Weiss.

The genius of Beauty and the Beat lies in its knack for framing psychedelic rock conventions in a hip-hop context. “Smile” spills over with feedback, as a backwards guitar loop accompanies Edan’s tale of a troubled musical visionary. “Making Planets” samples L.A. garage/psych band The Music Machine’s version of “Hey Joe”, which morphs into a forceful blues rock riff for Mr. Lif’s fierce guest verse. Beauty and the Beat’s quality transcends accusations of gimmickry; Edan’s fusion of 60s psychedelia and 80s hip hop is not only creative, it’s eminently listenable. Who knew rock and roll could hip hop like this?