Even with Lupe Fiasco’s explanation about not growing up on A Tribe Called Quest who’s to say that they can’t be influential to others? Daytona, a native of the Bronx, and DJ personality Cypha Sounds’ artist, has his own unique way of bringing his lyrical skill to the forefront and paying homage to an all time innovative Hip-Hop group, A Tribe Called Quest.
Handpicking different songs from Tribe’s extensive discography, he was able to create his unique project “A Tribe Called Fresh (Jack Move).” With help from Estelle, Talib Kweli and other noted guests, this mixtape is balanced better than your standard jacking for beats fair.
Faith Evans was just the right touch on Tribe’s song “Stressed Out,” yet Daytona brought a new musical landscape with the fresh and rejuvenating sound from the London songstress Estelle. Keeping the song in close ties to the original, the jazz tuned beat remains the same.
‘Tone gets creative with a B.I.G classic on “Ten Fresh Commandments.” He wittingly instructs those inflicted with swagger cancer on how to get their game up. On “Lyrics To Go” he connects with Joell Ortiz and Kardinal Offishall. All three MC’s implement smooth flows to keep the momentum going.
Daytona continues his quest and flips one of the group’s signature tracks “Can I Kick It?” to “Can I Hit It?” With lyrics like “You looking fly ma / We go together like Jamaicans and ganja / Better yet Puerto Ricans and Hondas / You got a man or a baby father? / If you do boo I wouldn’t mind much / That means there’d be nothing that ties us;” it it less than favorable and seemingly tasteless.
While A Tribe Called Fresh is hampered by a couple of uninspiring selections and seven interludes, Daytona is able to bring many different sides of his lyricism to the table. Notably and respectfully he is still a clever and witty MC with his goals set in clear view of the top.
Daytona Featuring Joell Ortiz and Kardinal Offishall
“Lyrics To Go”