Stuck in the “Middle”…

You know, some things are just meant to be together: Kool Aid and sugar, Captain and Tennile, DMX and prison…the list goes on. And now there’s another perfect pairing to include (right after Tiger Woods and pussy): Jermiside and Danny Digg.
If your ears haven’t been blessed by Middle Classic (HiPNOTT Records) yet, then you might as well just go all Van Gogh on ‘em. I mean, it’s been a few days since the debut dropped, but the only things touching my auditory receptacles are wax and the sound waves from this album. And my ears have thanked me for it. Twice.

Like Pete and CL, Primo and Guru (RIP), or more recently, Blu and Exhile, one listen to this gem, and you know that Jermiside and Danny Diggs are a match made in heaven. Classical production and cunning lyricism leads to repeat listens, which in turn reveals a high level of synergy that you just wouldn’t expect from a debut album. But, that’s what you get here.

Vancouver, BC-based beat maker Danny Diggs has a knack for taking me back to the best of times; beautiful  snare + well-placed samples + a nice variety of instruments (strings, percussion, horns…it’s in there!) = me breaking out the ol’ Jansport. Not to say Diggs isn’t progressive…it’s just that his music reminds me of why I became obsessed with hip-hop in the first place.
And then there’s Jermiside. Full of refreshing honesty and unusual insight, Jerm provides the perfect  complement as he deftly delves through the multiple layers of Diggs’ genius. No, he’s not from the hood, but that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of experience for Jermiside to draw upon. From trials and tribulations to triumph, Jerm hits you with a look into his life’s journey from his hometown of Cincinnati, to his current home in Atlanta.

I’m sure you’re wondering where the examples are: which beats are the best, where’s the lyrical excerpts, etc., etc. Here’s what you need to do: get out your iPod, go to “Albums,” select Middle Classic, hit shuffle, and whichever track begins to play, that’s a good cut. Seriously.

And I haven’t even mentioned the guest appearances, which include fellow Lessondary Crew-members Donwill and Von Pea among others! But they’re just icing on an already amazing cake. Oooh…a fat kid and cake! Like I said, some things are just meant to be together. Just like Jermiside and Danny Diggs.

Jermiside and Danny Diggs - “Afraid”
Jermiside and Danny Diggs - “Didn’t I Tell You (ft. Von Pea)”


P.S. – Click the ad in the upper-right to buy this album…right now.  No, NOW!  (Please.)