Calamity: Any great misfortune or cause of misery; -- generally applied to events or disasters which produce extensive evil, either to communities or individuals.
Hmmm…I think anyone can agree in saying that Tony Blunt's title for his new CD is an appropriate one. And for real, Tony Blunt came through with a "rap style that be spitting like BB's, and sounds crystal clear like CDs." Much Calamity in DC tells stories that are common to those out there trying to do their thing in the streets. At the same time, this release is an honest one. There's nothing on this CD that can be labeled as "written to sell", it's all honest; "Plain & Simple" and "Well Put Together", just as the tracks say.
     To start from the beginning, I played hooky from work to meet Tony Blunt in his Parkside neighborhood on November 20th. From first meeting him, I could tell he is not the brother to be out faking on being something he is not. He is real, confident, and has something to tell you. Whether it is through the versatility of his style in "Tony Blunt Came Round Na Way" and "Same Ol Same", or just kicking it about what goes on in his part of town with "Chilly & Cheese", the man delivers. What I also found with this CD, is that Tony Blunt is in it to win it. You can understand every word he delivers, and just like with the Wu-Tang formula, you can picture every word as well. His vocal style is raw, the production is raw, and it is all down to earth and straight to the point. It is not similar to other DC hip hop releases I can recall, like Section 8's "No Love" or the Flatlinerz, which featured Ronnie T., Hechinger Mall Kid, and Dirty Derek. They were anticipated, but once released, did not have the same effect as the first single released in Section 8's case, or the onstage freestyle performances with the RE band in the case of the Flatlinerz.
     Tony Blunt's Much Calamity in DC is consistent in style throughout the whole album. And speaking of freestyle, a lot of the verses on this CD you will recognize from his appearances with the Northeast Groovers, Backyard, Junkyard, and Rare Essence. If you did not realize his skills then, you better recognize on this release. He even has a remake of an old BDP classic, which he entitles "Down Wit Blunt".
     Personally, it is one of my favorite joints on here, because of the vocal style and the way he tells you who is down wit Blunt. Smooth, to say the least. As a matter of fact, the way he approaches the microphone with the laid back style and clarity, first reminded me of Rakim. Not comparing him to Rakim, however, but Tony Blunt is top rank in the DC hip hop game. If Nonchalant was DC's Eve of the hip hop game, then Adam has got to be the man from the Land of the Congo (Down Wit Blunt).
     Much Calamity in DC contains 12 tracks, and the only thing I could have asked for with this release, is more tracks. The joint is tight. It is the rawness of the whole CD that makes it for me. It shows versatility, not just talking about gats, guns, clothes and hoes, and it is something that anybody can relate to somehow. Of course, it has the infamous "Chilly & Cheese", talking about what goes on in Parkside at the Ice Cream Truck. Not talking about the same "Ketchup on my Hot Dog" type ordeal that Section 8 talked about on their album (if you haven't heard it, they are talking about having sex with girls on their period. Hmmm…) "Chilly & Cheese" is funky, raw, and straight for funnin'. Oh yeah, Tony also told me that on December 15th, there is another project in the works, including a video shoot for the "Chilly & Cheese." Give you a hint on where it's gonna be at: Ask for your change and be sure to say please…ketchup and mustard on my chilly & cheese. Still don't know? Go get the CD.