G.L.O.B.E. 2000

If you've gotten to know anything about me at all by now from reading my blog, it's probably that I like obscure independent comebacks by old and true school artists. And I also have a bit of an affinity for the underrated Echo International Records. So when Echo puts out an obscure independent record by an old school artist... oh yeah, it's on!

You all should know G.L.O.B.E. as one of the three MCs from Afrika Bambaataa's SoulSonic Force, responsible for such classics as "Planet Rock" and "Looking for the Perfect Beat." But G.L.O.B.E. has also had some successful solo (or semi-solo) outings, including the classic "Play That Beat Mr. DJ" with Whiz Kid, "Get Ridiculous" and "Celebrate" with Pow Wow (also of SoulSonic). But that was all back in the 80's... In the 90's, he did keep working every so often on projects with Bambaataa, but he didn't come out with any other records of his own.

That is until 2000, when he dropped "The Millions" on Echo/ Breakthru Records, produced by Steven "Boogie" Brown, an old school producer who did "Smurf for What It's Worth" back in '82.

The beat's nothing special, and sounds very studio-made (as opposed to rich samples or live instrumentation), but it's got a cool hardcore bounce with a few layers and change-ups to it. You might not be impressed, but you'll still find yourself nodding along. And it does work effectively as a foundation for G.L.O.B.E.'s rhymes. And G.L.O.B.E. comes pretty nice, with some hardcore freestylings, taking out haters, racists and funk fakers. His wordplay and delivery are solid, though a few lines ("drunk off the Hater-Ade") are a bit cringe-worthy. The hook is simple and effective, too, with a nice little "Zulu!" declaration.

The B-side, "He Can Feel," is an unfortunate attempt to show that he's diverse by following the latest (for 2000) trends in pop rap, with a hot 97, semi-Southern style with a female giving a sexy hook. It's not that G.L.O.B.E.'s terrible at the style, so much as it's just a bad decision in the first place, plus it sounds low budget. Both tracks come in Radio Edit, Street Mix and Inst. versions.

So, this is no must-have (big surprise), but you definitely won't be mad at it ...especially if you avoid the B-side. G.L.O.B.E. proves he's a pro who could still earn a spot on your mixtape decades after his hit records. Respect due.