Introducing ‘Notes from Mr. Sandman‘ – a column slapping a spotlight on lyricists overlooked, under appreciated, or just plain criminally slept on. Or like a man named Nas once said, “I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.” Enter Mr. Sandman with what y’all missed while chasing the REM dragon.
Phat Kat is the Vinnie Johnson of rap, the type of lyricist who can come off the bench and on cue light it up for 50. As a Detroit-native and favorite of J-Dilla he knew that the only way to ascend was to always be ready, walk with confidence and never cut corners. The cutthroat environment gave him a distinct edge, a chip on his shoulder that fueled his fierce delivery.
As a newcomer to the scene, Phat Kat had to bring something different. Detroit isn’t the place to pussyfoot, and he knew that he needed to be special or risk fading into obscurity with the rest of the dreamers. Phat Kat succeeded because he rhymes with ill intent tracking the beat like a Pro Bowl safety looking for his next contract. On “Featuring Phat Kat” from Welcome 2 Detroit he showed out, paying homage to both the city and his family: [LISTEN]
Phat Kat is a grind it out type lyricist. Much like other Detroit rappers he approached the craft with a dead serious demeanor, as if it were life and death.You won’t hear any posturing or him engaging in heartless rhetoric; you couldn’t fake it around guys like Dilla or Slum Village.The credibility factor plays a big role in Phat Kat’s work. His stories are reflections of life in one of the toughest cities in the world.
Phat Kat’s selection of beats factored into his success too. He likes them dunked in black coffee, piping hot, stiff with no sugary additives. Dilla was a long time collaborator, but Black Milk also had a big part of extending his career. Black Milk (also from Detroit) embraced a synth heavy sound that contrasted Phat Kat’s piercing voice. Together it sounded post apocalyptic, a vision of a desperate future where very little had changed.
“Lookatusnow” is an example of how well Phat Kat and Black Milk worked together. The crisp samples and airy synthesizers create a frigid atmosphere, a perfect place for a lyricist like Phat Kat to chop shop about his pedigree: [LISTEN]
Against the field, Phat Kat may not seem like a front man; his name not always a highlight on the marquee. But that’s not to say he isn’t one of the most ferocious lyricists to handle the mic. It’s his style; he’s uncompromising, a Detroit native who flawlessly represents a city’s state of mind. Civic pride is standard practice for Phat Kat, and as heard on “Don’t Nobody Care About Us” a touchstone that makes him formidable on every front: [LISTEN]
