thepaintedman rates this:

Critics seems to have little nice to say about the new EP from LA Symphony alumns, Pigeon John and Flynn Adam. Together, this duo is calling themselves Rootbeer and their EP entitled Pink Limousine seems to express their desire to create fun dance rap for the masses, ala The Black Eyed Peas. While neither is a stranger to creating hip hop for people to bump at parties, it seems as if the critics wanted something more, notably from the typically insightful lyricist, Pigeon John. Some criticisms note that the duo have thrown aside their unique ability to partner thoughtfulness with clever delivery and opted for simple, “Fergie-like” generic delivery. Others go as far as to call it one of the worst albums of 2009. I, however, wouldn’t go as far as the critics. It’s not the genius I hoped it would be, but it sure is enjoyable.

Pigeon is one of my favorite MCs, maybe even my absolute favorite MC… but he’s not at his best here. While still better than most, his rhymes seem less pensive that usual (as the critics have been saying) and the overall feel of the album is not what I’ve come to expect from PJ. His rhymes are still quite clever, though. Specifically, the pop-culture references are poignant and the rhymes are still far from generic. If I weren’t expecting this EP to be pure genius, I would have been pleasantly surprised rather than slightly disappointed.

The hook on “Girlies” is extremely catchy. This is probably my favorite track, although 3 of the 5 on the EP are more than worthy of many a future mixtape: “Girlies”, “Under Control”, and “So Good”. “Girlies” jumps out to me immediately, but “Under Control” has a good Outkast/Gnarls Barkley feel to it that I expect would be quite popular if it hit the airwaves. The tune reminds me somewhat of Smashmouth, although I’m not exactly sure why. “So Good” is the only track on here that sounds like a Pigeon John track to me, which is probably what attracts me most to it. It has the laid back Cali style that made me fall for PJ’s solo releases and John’s brand of sing-song delivery shines through.

The other two tracks, “Chimpanzee” and “Pink Limousine” are fun party tracks, but little more than that. I referenced The Black Eyed Peas above, these are the tracks that make that a very legit comparison. This isn’t a bad thing, comparably. Both tracks are fun, would be great to hear at a club or a dance party, but lack the depth that I’ve come to expect from John and others in the LA Symph crew. This isn’t to say that I’ve been skipping these tracks as I listen to the EP, either. They are enjoyable.

PJ’s most recent full length, …And the Summertime Pool Party is one of the best hip hop albums I’ve ever listened to, and thus, the bar for this release was quite high. While is fell short, it’s still a collection of 5 good dance rap tracks, with hints of brilliance here and there. Worth 5 bucks on iTunes and definitely worth checking out live, but not quite enough to hold me over until the next Pigeon John release.

Pictured below is Beefy w/ his buddies in Optimus Rhyme. Who is Beefy? Let’s find out.

Beefy? What’s up with the name?

I’m a big guy. Someone was trying to make fun of me on a message board once and called me MC Beefy Bee and I liked the Beefy part, so I used it. Then it just kinda morphed into Beef Thompson over the years. I likes it. How about you?

I appreciate that, I am also quite a large fellow… So, besides your name, tell the readers a little bit about you.

I’m a nerdcore hip-hop artist from Southeast Washington. I’m very much into my Xbox and iPhone and have been a comic book nerd for years. I’ve put out 2 full albums and a bunch of free EPs that you can get at my website and I’ve done shows with people like MC Lars and YTCracker in Seattle, Portland, and even Amsterdam. I’m also very sexy. Don’t deny me. You’ll just look foolish.

I have a couple of your albums, personally my favorite song is your cover of Frontalot’s “Nerdcore Hip-Hop”… not sure why exactly, I just dig it a lot. In fact, I like it a lot more than the original. Is Frontalot an influence on you, who else in the Nerdcore scene do you consider an influence on what you do?

Front is definitely an influence. I can’t write like him at all, but he’s cleaver with his concepts and is an amazing performer. I look up to the big acts in Nerdcore like Lars, mc chris, and YTCracker. I’m also a fan SJ the Wordburglar for his wordplay and punchlines. My favorite band and biggest influence is Optimus Rhyme, a Nerdcore Seattle act that sadly broke up recently. It sucks. Hard.

Nerdcore aside, who are some you you favorite hip hop artists?

I grew up on Notorious BIG and Jay-Z so that was my base. I’m a big fan of the first few Gym Class Heroes albums before it got really radio-friendly. Big fan of Lupe Fiasco and early Kanye West and Eminem. That’s honestly about it.

How about other music?

I’m a White Stripes fan. I don’t know if it makes me less manly but I dig Regina Spektor. Tenacious D is the greatest band in the world, but everyone already knows that. I’ve listened to Sublime’s 40oz to Freedom a million times and was in love with the first Gnarls Barkley album. I don’t know if that last one counts as hip-hop or not though.

Good stuff, Sublime is likely my favorite band of all-time and that is their best album, hands down. On the topic of other musical styles, what type of music is the scariest? I just re-read Lords of Chaos, about the Black Metal scene, but I find myself still most afraid of most Country music.

I don’t like music that seems like it’s pissed off at me. I don’t want my music to scream at me. I don’t get that whole scene. If it works for some people that’s cool, just not my cup of tea. I don’t know if I’m really afraid of it since it’s all just a big act when their on stage. I think balls deep Christian music scares me the most. Those people really really believe.

Christian music can indeed be a bit frightening. So let’s move beyond music for a minute, shall we? As a Nerdcore artist, I thinks it’s safe to assume that you are a self-proclaimed nerd (as am I). What are your nerdiest traits and tendencies?

Like a lot of nerds I can carry entire conversations using nothing but movie and TV quotes. It’s like speaking a different language. Besides that I don’t think there’s really one particular thing that is my nerdiest quality. I have a <3 and a Bullet Bill tattoo, so I'm clearly hardcore. Oh, I know, I've made albums worth of songs about things like Street Fighter and board games. That's pretty nerdy.

I actually got a Star Wars Father’s Day card from my 7th month old son, how awesome is that? You have any kids?

My girlfriend has a year and a half old daughter we call Nugget and she gave me a Batman chocolate box for Valentine’s Day. It might have been the greatest day ever. I’ve been involved with the little one since she was 5 months old so I get all the joys of changing diapers and cleaning up after her but lack the ability to make decisions or call her a daughter, so it sucks a little but I loves her so I allow it.

That’s really cool, great V-Day gift… so back to music… or rather, hip hop feuds. I believe the reason Nerdcore isn’t more prominent in the national scene is that there are no publicizedhardcore beefs and feuds like in every other sub-genre of hip hop. I am requesting that you start one now, by dropping me a short freestyle about a Nerdcore artist of your choice.

How out of the loop you are sir. Nerdcore started with nothing but beefs and fighting. I should know because it seems like I started 90% of them. It’s actually just finally calmed down. And I already made a diss song called “Diss Missed” that was on my Private Dick EP. People dug it. Not so much the people dissed in the song though.

Well, I guess I’m a late bloom in the Nerdcore scene… care to start a feud with me?

Fuck you. I hate you! Feud Status: IT’S ON!

Well, that’s just too much for me sir! This interview is over! By the way, take care and keep in touch.

I change my mind. I love you. Let’s be BFFs. Feud Status: BFFs!