Vagina Diner by Akinyele

Vagina Diner

$36.00
Available from Amazon
Usually ships within 1-2 business days

Vagina Diner

Features

Audio CD (July 6, 1993)

Original Release Date: 1993

Number of Discs: 1

Label: Atlantic / Wea

Reader Reviews
Alongside the Wu debut, "midnight marauders" by Tribe, "intoxicated demons" ep by Beatnuts and "enta da stage" by Black Moon this still stands as the cream of the Noo Yawk rap crop of 1993 and one of the best examples of 90s NYC boom-bap, period. Although Akinyele was oushined by Nas' debut verse on Main Source's "live at the bar b q" in 1991 he still impressed enough to have us fiending for this, his ludicrously titled debut album, a year or two later. Produced entirely by Large Professor it gave the producer dubbed the live guy with glasses a chance to expand on his more layered and dense productions previously documented on Kool G. Rap's "wanted : dead or alive" album (plus the stunning, almost Bomb Squad-ish "wanted : dead or alive" remix) and Eric B. & Rakim's "don't sweat the technique" album letting his peers like D.J Premier, Pete Rock, Q Tip, the DITC camp, the emerging RZA et al know that he meant business. It may be an unpopular opinion but, production wise, i think this is the best album Large Professor has been heavily involved in. Not to dicscredit "breaking atoms" by Main Source but this is just more complete and contains my favorite Xtra P beat in the hypnotic groove of "outta state". In fact, the standard of production is so high that some of the interlude beats on here are better than the best beats on other rappers from the same era's albums. Rap puritans will tell you that Akinyele isn't a very good rapper, that all he raps about is sex and that these beats should've been given to Large Pro's other protege Nas instead. Ignore them as they're glib observations from the type of person whose Jansport straps and cargo shorts have usually cut off the blood supply to their sense of humor. The Ak' ha ha is a more playful Kool G. Rap with the jocularity of Grand Puba and there are a myriad of moments on here that will have you rewinding like "damn, did he really just say THAT..?" which, ultimately, is what rapping is all about, isn't it..? Overall, it's a very solid release and the somewhat eccentric wise-cracking rhymes aren't overshadowed by the Stax soul and Blue Note jazz sampling production or vice-versa. With no real weak links it bumps throughout but "outta state", "exercise", "i luh lur", "the bomb", "checkmate" and "ak ha ha" are the standout tracks. Be warned, though : Ak still did his raspy growl gimmick at the end of some of his verses on here which, i'll concede, is an acquired taste and "i huh lur", where Ak' lets us know how he really feels when his girl lets him know she's expecting his child, is one of the most unpleasant rap songs you'll ever hear. But, beyond the black-comedy and casual disregard for human life, it's also a profound comment on human psychology and the contradictory impulses we all feel.

Back To Top