The new hip-hop

Negro, Necro, Nekros

Däaut;lek

Underground rap is emerging and gaining a larger audience, as people grow more frustrated with the influence of jokers like Puff Daddy and Master P on hip-hop. Labels such as New York City's Rawkus Records, whose roster includes such quality releases as Lyricist Lounge and albums from Mos Def and Company Flow, have received a lot of magazine press recently.

This current wave in the hip-hop scene is a relief, especially when even the favorite old-school artists (no names mentioned) are putting out records that range from mediocre to just pretty good.

Add another innovated, talented, keepin'-it-real hip-hop artist to your list of must-buys: Däaut;lek, an MC on Jersey's Gern Blandsten label, takes rap to the next level on his release Negro, Necro, Nekros. (You might know his label mates from the band Rye Coalition, Oberlin students Jon Gannelli and Ralph Caseglio.)

Däaut;lek said he grew up listening to "everything and anything-good music is good music," and it comes through on each of the five songs on the record. The tracks are all fairly long, with intricate drums, horns, strings, and other live instruments weaving in and out of poetic lyrics and voice samples. Think DJ Shadow meets Tricky meets Kool Keith meets the Beatles. It works.

When talking about his role in today's hip-hop movement, Däaut;lek said, "I'm not trying to change hip-hop. I'm just a poet. I got something I want to express. I say it for myself, but when people dig my shit, that's beautiful." Lyrically, his influences include Jack Kerouac, Langston Hughes and Chuck D. He's got a smooth rhyme flow, with a soothing voice that sounds like he's reading a bedtime story-until you listen to the words more closely.

As Däaut;lek points out, Negro, Necro, Nekros is not a "one-listen album." There's a lot happening both musically and lyrically, and each time you listen you pick up on another detail. For those tired of the same old used-up beats and predictable rhymes, Dälek gives you a nice taste of the new hip-hop.

Look out for Däaut;lek with DJ Rek and The "O" as they come through Oberlin on their way back from tour. The show is unconfirmed, but keep your eyes open.