For the final in my series of Tragedy Specials, I’ve got an unreleased burner and a brand new joint for ya.
A lost jewel from Khadafi‘s catalogue is a short track known as “Leviathan”, which appeared on a 25 Ta Life test-pressing that was later bootlegged on a double 12″, along with a random selection of Trag appearences, including everything from songs off The War Report to a DJ Clue freestyle with “Murder” Mase and “Killa” Cam’Ron. DJ Clark Kent is credited for the sparse production (although you can never be sure with white label shit), while Tragedy delivers a vivid discription of his own abduction at the hands of an unseen foe.
The third installment in the Thug Matrix mixtape series was recently issued by Fast Life (aka the new Landspeed), but since it’s an “official” release it’s titled as “Thug Matrix (New Version)” rather than “Volume Three”. Overall, it’s pretty dissapointing in terms of the music, and lyrically Trag seems to be stuck on auto-pilot “Thug Mode”, a noticable step backwards from the superior content found on Still Reportin’. The highlight is without a doubt the introspective “Lyrical Calesthenics”, which finds Percy going back to basics over a moody, piano-laced track. Hopefully the “real” album features more of this standard of beats and rhymes from a true QB legend.
Tragedy Khadafi –Leviathan (test pressing, 25 Ta Life, 1996)
Tragedy Khadafi –Lyrical Calisthenics (Thug Matrix, Fast Life, 2005)
Damn, Lyrical Cal. is a banger. Sucks that the rest of that mixtape is weak, judging by that track one would think it would be tight.
The first link ain’t workin’ (anymore?), good lookin’ regardless. 1
trag is definitely one of my favorite rappers. I like the site, keep up the good work…
“The first link ain’t workin’”
Give it another try, it works for me.
i just realized you had posted ‘true confession’ a couple weeks back. i asked for it and you came thru, good lookin! props on the whole trag tribute.
keep it up
Robbie – what’s with the homage to Gabriel Byrne?! Am I missing something? Just general gangsterism?!
Well spotted AJ! Your prize is in the mail…
Nah, it’s just a coincidence. That pic from Usual Suspects refers to the line at the end of the first Trag cut. Miller’s Crossing was a great movie though.
Never heard “Leviathan” until now…But that beat sounds familiar???
The link to Lyrical Cal is busted for me. Can you check it?
These Tragedy specials have been great. I’m a little sad that they’re over…in fact, I think I feel a tear coming up.
Thanks for letting us know about im.
Give it another try. I must be running out of bandwidth or some shit.
hadn’t heard leviathan…thank you.
Lyrical Calesthenics gives me ‘404 not found error’.
could you re-up leviathan?
Please re-up Tragedy “Leviathan”, would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
PLEASE RE-UP LEVIATHAN (AND THE INSTRUMENTAL IF YOU CAN) !!!