DJ Z-Trip “Victory Lap: The Obama Mix Pt. 2″
If you only know about DJ Z-Trip from last year’s Soundset After Party, listen up. Last year the DJ collaborated with artist Shepard Fairey on a number of “Party for Change” fundraisers and it was there that “The Obama Mix” was born. Fairey, who also created Obama’s “Hope” poster, designed the album art for “The Obama Mix,” with Z-Trip mashing hip hop, soul, pop and rock, spliced with exerpts of past Obama speeches. Pop perfection oozes in weaving Obama repeatedly stating, “We cannot wait” into “I Can’t Wait” by 1980′s two-hit-wonder Nu Shooz. Snippets of Jello Biafra and Bush propaganda combine with the Z-Trip & Bassnectar remix of DJ Vadim’s “The Terrorist,” where emcee Motion Man proclaims, “I am the terrorist!” and Fugees lyric “Ready or not, here I come, you can’t hide” becomes tortuously taunt.
MoveOn.org recently enlisted Z-Trip for help with an email blast promoting the inauguration. He gave them “Victory Lap: Obama Mix. Pt. 2.” The set’s intro includes a byte from MLK, reminding us that this piece of history will fulfill his dream, too. The peak moment arrives with a line from 1960′s folk duo Friend & Lover’s “Reach Out of Darkness” midway through the set, “I think its so groovy now/that people are finally getting together.” After that, the mix turns into one big, happy victory party. Z-Trip knows his cuts, and how to make brilliant collisions that capture the essence of Obama’s ascent. America, this is our moment. Forget collectibles, these mix tapes are the keepers.
[Review by guest contributor Crystal Erickson.]
DJ Z-Trip “Victory Lap: The Obama Mix Pt. 2″ [ZIP]
