Bay Area Hip Hop staple Lyrics Born has resurfaced with a new compilation album called Mobile Homies: Season 1. Boasting features from artists such as Blackalicious, Dan The Automator, Dilated Peoples’ Rakaa, The Grouch & Eligh, Lateef The Truthspeaker, Galactic and Cutso, the 12-track project was inspired by Lyrics Born’s Mobile Homies podcast, which he created during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in an effort to stay connected to his fellow Hip Hop peers.
Lyrics Born plucked 10 different producers for the project, a completely new studio experience for LB. In the process, it became more like a social project that “brought new energy and spirit to each track.” But it’s hard not to acknowledge the the album without talking about Gift of Gab’s contribution to “My City.” The Blackalicious MC passed away unexpectedly last June not long after undergoing a double kidney transplant.
Lyrics Born and Gift of Gab were extremely close, not only as friends but also collaborators. As flagship artists on the Quannum Projects label, they rose to notoriety alongside DJ Shadow, Lateef, Chief Xcel, Lifesavas, Latyrx and Pigeon John, among others. Much like Zion I’s Zumbi, Gab’s passing left a gaping hole in the Hip Hop community, especially for those in the Bay Area.
“Who would’ve thought making an album during the apocalypse would’ve been so fuckin’ fun?” Lyrics Born tells HipHopDX. “I’m so fortunate to have known and worked with Gab. I always tell people, I became great, but Gab was great from moment one. He was a spiritual journeyman savant, a special, beautiful person. I loved him dearly and think about him everyday.”
Rappers Macklemore, Evidence, Run The Jewels' El-P, Lyrics Born & More Mourn Gift Of Gab's Death
As the first Asian-American solo rapper to perform at Lollapalooza and Coachella and to release a greatest hits record, Lyrics Born has broken through countless barriers to cement his legacy. He’s also expanded his empire into film, including roles in Boots Riley’s critically-acclaimed film Sorry To Bother You as well as the Netflix film Always Be My Maybe starring comedian Ali Wong, Randall Park and Keanu Reeves.
Who the fuck are literally ANY of the people mentioned in the headline? LMAO this must’ve been a “pay to play” article.
Wow and you literally must not know SHIT about hip-hop. Do your fucking homework child. Good lord. Your comment is a disgrace.
Is that a joke? Lyrics Born is the dude who basically single handedly carried Bay Area rap on his back for the last two decades. He’s easily the best rapper to ever come out of the Bay
You gotta be high right now…
Single handedly on his BACK? 2 decades? Easily the best rapper to EVER come outta the Bay? Cmon man. You’re wildin rn
E-40 and Too $hort doesn’t exist I guess
I’m not sure about “single handedly carried Bay Area rap on his back for the past 2 decades”, BUT Lyrics Born is a Bay Area legend. He’s released some of the most FUN and FUNKY music coming out of Cali throughout his career!
And if you really have never heard of the likes of Blackalicious (Gift of Gab & Chief Xcel), Latyrx (Lyrics Born & Lateef the Truthspeaker), The Coup (Boots Riley & Pam the Funkstress), the Grouch & Eligh (The Living Legends crew), Dilated Peoples (Rakaa, Evidence & DJ Babu), Dan the Automator…, kind of envy you. You’ve got over 30 years of classic creative underground West Coast hip hop to discover!!!
I actually wasn’t joking. I have never heard of them. Any suggestions on what I should start with? If they haven’t been around that long, I really am shocked I haven’t heard of them… I have heard of gift of gab and dilated peoples, but the others I’ve got to say that I have not. Believe it or not, I didn’t come here to hate. I just really haven’t heard of them. Instead of all these guys trying to vilify me, they should be trying to put me on something I haven’t heard like you are. That’s the problem with hip hop and their fans, everyone is against each other and their opinions.
I made a tribute to Gift of Gab and placed it at his high school in Sacramento. His music brought me through the toughest of times in my life. RIP Tim Parker. Much love from the 916
Re: WHO!?
Pay to play article? Nah man just cuz you never heard of these artists??? Go listen to Blackalicious and check the dates. Lyrics Born and the Quannum Crew is verified kid