Egypto's Commentary: Thoughts on the Common Labor Video/Project - January 7, 2013
Salutations and greetings to y'all,
By now, you all have probably seen the Common Labor video for "Burn Down The Old School", and soon enough you'll get the blessing of hearing the "Tales of the Troubadours" album in full once it drops. But I thought I should take some time out of my busy day between watching Nardwuar interviews and streaming Chappelle's Show incessantly to tell you about what Common Labor means to me.
It's been quite the minute since Analyrical and Phingaz decided to go the duo route, and work together to make this album. However, there are a select few moments I'd like to reflect on as a whole, and hopefully, you'll understand my excitement and you in turn will also be excited.
I still remember when I first heard what was then, the tune "Running Away." Me and Analyrical were just sitting at Yafa shortly after Eyedea's passing, and we proceeded towards his car, and then played me "Running Away" and "Here For You Too (Dreamer of Dreams)" when they were still in their preliminary stages. Suddenly the rapper I had known and befriended had grown tremendously since his days still wanting to tear apart MC after MC, and now I was hearing something different. You know the friend you haven't seen in awhile who was at one time very immature and still trying to find their voice and identity, and then you reunite after ten years to find out how much they've grown? That's exactly how I felt when I heard those songs, and I couldn't wait for Analyrical & Phingaz to share that with the world.
After much revising and thought process, Phingaz walked by my desk today to place a copy of "Tales of the Troubadours" in my hands. There were a lot of initial reservations I had when I first saw the artwork; would folks think it was too "corny"? Would folks find these songs as a natural progression or just an overt attempt at being pop/folk-y? After hearing the album in its 35 minute entirety numerous times over, I can honestly say that along with T.Q.D's "Taketh Away", I'm always amazed and floored at how these guys are growing before my very eyes. It feels weird but right. I'm really impressed and hope you will be too.
Lastly, regarding the "Burn Down The Old School" video that many of you have seen (and if you haven't yet, see it below); it was unanimously chosen by the crew as the clear favorite of theirs on the album, plus it doesn't hurt much that Analyrical & Phingaz loved the tune just as much as we did. And the video is by far the most professional thing they've done thus far, and it looks amazing. For that we have to thank Patrick Monroe who shot, directed, and edited the video, and we have to thank Analyrical's Mom, because if it weren't for her, what you see in "Burn Down The Old School" wouldn't be possible. So with that being said, there's more to come, so for now, check out the video!
