The Diabolical Biz Markie* – Turn Back The Hands Of Time

In 2004, hip hop had finally fundamentally changed, the pop charts were increasingly filling with semi-interesting and/or meaningless rap acts, out for cash and fame only, recognized veterans fought for their rap survival, their right to exist in the "business", often only collecting crumbs fom the art they helped to create & shape, for "cleanliness" in culture and means of expression. And the incomparable Biz Markie found shelter on a German label for his last real long player. This was all pretty unthinkable 10 years earlier. Yes, and I was also a bit shocked about it at the time, given the involvement of the borderline tolerable Puff Daddy, who, for me, degraded many a pretty good releases with his presence. But this release is carried by a lot of old school flavour and, above all, melancholy. The 45 King produced "Turn Back The Hands Of Time" almost brings tears to your eyes, especially now after the death of the diabolical one. The chilly rocking "O.G. Ride", which didn't appear on the album, is also wonderful, so you shouldn´t miss this out. R.I.P., master Biz!