eMusic Review
Throughout the course of his decade-plus career, Madlib has repeatedly articulated his belief that he's a DJ first, a producer second and a rapper third. Indeed, WLIB AM: King of the Wigflip, finds the prolific underground kingpin's hierarchy well in place, with Madlib curating his own dream radio station for British label BBE's vaunted Beat Generation series, an ongoing project featuring such distinguished alumni as Pete Rock, Marley Marl and J Dilla.
The self-proclaimed Beat Konducta concocts a typically warped spate of narcotic nods for a smattering of both Stones Throw staples (Guilty Simpson, M.E.D. and Georgia Anne Muldrow) and subterranean stars (Murs, Talib Kweli, Prince Po.) Typically opting to shine the spotlight on others, the man born Otis Jackson Jr. stands out behind the mic on "I Want It Back," with similarly talented little brother Oh No in tow. Like most DJ albums, WLIB: AM, is occasionally uneven, with not every rapper meeting the quality of Madlib's lush productions. But by its conclusion, you're apt to wonder why no one's thought to give the guy his own Sirius station.
