Fly School Reunion [Explicit Lyrics]

About the Artist
To the animal kingdom, a giant panda is the symbol of resilience for species pushed to extinction. To the recently synthesized and comically mundane world of Hip-Hop, Giant Panda is the rare group that symbolizes the power of using traditional methods to stay innovative and funky.

Hailing from various spots around the globe, Giant Panda was formed around a childhood friendship, chance meetings, and an inside joke. Los Angeles is where the Pandas call home, but it all started when Maanumental and Newman started building on the teatherball courts of their Seattle elementary school. Newman would end up in So. California for college, where he met Chikaramanga and DJ Superbrush 427 who were roommates through out college. It is in this dorm (which was the center of the local scene) where Giant Panda would begin to take form. However, it would take a few years (and a few groups) before they would move to the heart of L.A. and adopt Sir Kado's (Maanumental's brother) nickname (for Chikara, Maanu, and New) of Giant Panda as the name they should've been all along.

It is Giant Panda's dedication to fresh beats, lyrics, flows, and stage shows that gained them the respect of their peers (People Under The Stairs, Cut Chemist, J-Live) and the release of "88 Remix" (12inch UKJ-001 Dec. 2003) that gave them approval of their elders (Marley Marl, Pete Rock, Brother J). Although "88 Remix" was only pressed in limited quantities, it reached the high honor of "Single of the Month" in Hip-Hop Connection magazine. Their next release, "With It" (12inch TR396-002) also recieved a great reception from DJ's and critics alike. Among many reviews, "With It" was reviewed by Chairman Mao in his "Chairman's Choice" column (XXL Jan/Feb 2005). With a feature in URB's Next 100 (April 2005), it seems that the perfect time has arrived for Giant Panda to release their debut album, "Fly School Reuion".

The overwhelming amount of support and respect Giant Panda has received confirmed that their desire to stretch out without getting thin and progress without forgetting where their art came from is the right choice. While quality Hip-Hop becomes a rare product to find, Giant Panda stand to be a constant reminder that it will stay in existence

Product Description
Tres Records presents the debut album from Giant Panda, "Fly School Reunion". Giant Panda is a group composed of the ethnically diverse Chikaramanga, Maanumental, and Newman (with DJ Superbrush 427 and Sir Kado). After the success of GP’s independently released 88 Remix (Ukenjam 12" 2003) and their critically acclaimed Tres debut, With It (Tres 12" 2004), the time has finally come for the crew to show their full colors to the listening public.

Though "Fly School Reunion" might be perceived as a throw back to a simpler, and arguably better time in Hip-Hop, it is more than just a practice in old themes and techniques. "Fly School Reunion" is Giant Panda’s celebration of what made those times special and what they feel needs to be reclaimed in order to advance the art form they practice and love.

With production by Giant Panda’s Chikaramanga, Newman, and Sir Kado, as well as outside help from the up and coming Milhouse Scoop and the legendary Thes One of People Under the Stairs (who mixed the entire album in his analog studio), "Fly School Reunion" is guaranteed to please the B-Boy preservationist and the forward thinking listener. The Thes One produced lead single, Superfly, exemplifies Giant Panda’s ability to balance the past and the future through music and rhymes. With Diggin in the Tapes, Racist, Classic Rock, and the tribute to GP’s favorite era (and a favorite group), 90’s, GP exhibits the sophistication of diligent students ready to evolve their medium while maintaining a healthy sense of humor

Already gaining worldwide recognition from their past releases (XXL-Chairman’s Choice, HHC- Single of the Month, URB-Next 100 2005), the table is set for Giant Panda to serve their full-length platter. A cohesive 16-song journey, "Fly School Reunion" is Hip-Hop the way it is supposed to be done.

Fly School Reunion,Giant Panda,Tres Records/Wax Orchard,International,Rap & Hip-Hop

Average customer rating: Bringin' HipHop Back... The way Hip Hop should be done slept on Giant Panda kick things off in high gear

Fly School Reunion Giant Panda Manufacturer: Tres Records/Wax Orchard ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Fresh Mode S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. ASIN: B000A0LBYY Release Date: 2005-06-21

Tracks:

1. Rap Attack
2. One Time
3. With It
4. Super Fly
5. Just Cause
6. Diggin In The Tapes
7. 90's
8. Sho' Improve
9. Chops
10. Grand Prix
11. Always Dope
12. 3rd Party
13. Racist
14. T.K.O.
15. Strings
16. Classic Rock

Product Description

Tres Records presents the debut album from Giant Panda, “Fly School Reunion”. Giant Panda is a group composed of the ethnically diverse Chikaramanga, Maanumental, and Newman (with DJ Superbrush 427 and Sir Kado). After the success of GP’s independently released 88 Remix (Ukenjam 12” 2003) and their critically acclaimed Tres debut, With It (Tres 12” 2004), the time has finally come for the crew to show their full colors to the listening public. Though “Fly School Reunion” might be perceived as a throw back to a simpler, and arguably better time in Hip-Hop, it is more than just a practice in old themes and techniques. “Fly School Reunion” is Giant Panda’s celebration of what made those times special and what they feel needs to be reclaimed in order to advance the art form they practice and love. With production by Giant Panda’s Chikaramanga, Newman, and Sir Kado, as well as outside help from the up and coming Milhouse Scoop and the legendary Thes One of People Under the Stairs (who mixed the entire album in his analog studio), “Fly School Reunion” is guaranteed to please the B-Boy preservationist and the forward thinking listener. The Thes One produced lead single, Superfly, exemplifies Giant Panda’s ability to balance the past and the future through music and rhymes. With Diggin in the Tapes, Racist, Classic Rock, and the tribute to GP’s favorite era (and a favorite group), 90’s, GP exhibits the sophistication of diligent students ready to evolve their medium while maintaining a healthy sense of humor Already gaining worldwide recognition from their past releases (XXL-Chairman’s Choice, HHC- Single of the Month, URB-Next 100 2005), the table is set for Giant Panda to serve their full-length platter. A cohesive 16-song journey, “Fly School Reunion” is Hip-Hop the way it is supposed to be done.

Customer Reviews:

Bringin' HipHop Back..........2006-07-09

2005 saw many remarkable underground releases ; Oktober - The Art Of Raw, One Be Lo - Sonogram, O.C. - Starchild just to name a few, but it has to be Giant Panda's "Fly School Reunion" that reigns as the most hard-hitting, original & refreshing album to come out at a time when authentic & fun-loving music was missing. Maanumental (Black lead MC), Newman (White MC/Producer) & Chikaramanga (Japanese Producer/MC) are a trio that make up the group Giant Panda. Hailing from 2 different places ; Seattle (Newman, Maanumental) & L.A. (Chikaramanga), Giant Panda offer a very diverse listen on Fly School Reunion, in terms of both the artists' own personalities & indeed the music they make together. The most notable thing about this particular group is that they sound remarkably like their close LA affiliates, People Under The Stairs (Thes One & Double K). This mainly being down to the fact that for some odd reason both Maanumental & Newman are indeed very reminiscent of Thes One, in both delivery & charisma. However saying this, it has to be said that no matter how much of a massive fan I am of the P, both Maanumental & Newman are on a totally different level, lyrically, to both Thes & K, purely for their complex, flavorful & innovative word-play that both successfully demonstrate. Straight B-Boy's.

The production courtesy of Chikaramanga & Newman (the majority) is also very similar to that of PUTS, with the SP sounding funk, snares, hi-hats, pefectly flipped samples, cuts & alla the rest of that good stuff! that has made both Thes & K, two of my favourite producers, period. The production here is AMAZING...with Thes One actually dropping by for the tracks "Super Fly" & "Racist". The best part of FSR, is that not only does every single track have for 1) amazing production but also all provide flawless, charasmatic lyricism throughout, a combination that just begs for more spins. The highlights of the album have to be the fantasticly charming "With It", the hard-hitters "Just Cause" & "Sho' Improve", the laid-back "Always Dope", the thought-provoking "racist", the ridiculously funky "TKO" & the beautifully atmospheric "Strings".

A very original & fresh quality about GP is Chikaramanga, who is a Japanese MC/Producer who demonstrates his own flava & lyrical ability (in japanese mostly) over approx 1/3 of the tracks. Very different, and it works fantastically only adding to both Newman's & Maanumental's additional impact.
It is evident that Giant Panda stay true to their roots, but maintain both their originality & progression at the same time...resulting in an essential to those, fortunately, who have not subcumb to the brain-washing material being put out under the name of "hiphop" (and other genres). If they carry on in this direction, I believe that they may even become as successful, respected & indeed just as untouchable as the legendary P.

Bottom Line>> I can't say enough postive things about this album, it is quickly becoming one of my favourites & best-buy's for a long time. You have to listen to truly appreciate Giant Panda...cop this ish. PEACE

Lyrics - 10/10
Beats - 10/10
Originality - 9.5/10
Replay Value - 10/10

If you found this helpful, check my other reviews

The way Hip Hop should be done.......2006-02-05

A refreshing album. If you're looking to get away from the cookie cutter "crunk" on the radio, pick up this album. Instant classic. Reminscent of Ugly Duckling/People Under the Stairs. True Hip Hop, extremely rare find these times.

slept on.......2005-11-21

a must buy for anyone who misses the sounds from the early 90's. quality and varied content. some hotness on here is "with it", "super fly", "90's" and "racist".

Giant Panda kick things off in high gear.......2005-07-13

Dope stuff right here from the new Giant Panda crew. All the Jurassic 5 and People Under The Stairs fans will appreciate the fun lyricism, neck snappin production and love these cats put into it. The single "Racist" caught some attention and first got me to listen to this, and it does not disappoint for the true school b-boy heads. The flavor is all over with the black/white/japanese trio of emcees. A bit derivatvie some might complain, but these guys really show promise, and Fly School Reunion (can't even front on that name!) is one hell of a debut. Yeah, still some good hip hop happening these days.

Average customer rating: good rappins

Fly School Reunion Giant Panda Manufacturer: Wax Orchard ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Experimental Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Tres Presents Shipping and Handling Question in the Form of an Answer The Rise & Fall of Brainwash Projects Lifestyle Marketing True Indeed ASIN: B000BI1YBU Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

1. Rap Attack Intro
2. One Time
3. With It
4. Super Fly
5. Just Cause
6. Diggin' In The Tapes
7. 90's
8. Sho' Improve
9. Chops
10. Grand Prix
11. Always Dope
12. 3rd Party
13. Racist
14. T.K.O.
15. Strings
16. Classic Rock

Customer Reviews:

good rappins.......2006-07-24

I saw this at BestBuy and bought it for the band name and figured it would be cheesy and bad, like alot of rap and hip-hop, right?
It was actually really good. I checked out their site and they use only analog equipment, no digital stuff, for their samples. In addition they have excellent lyrics (the song Racist especially), though cheesy at times.("Make a hotty shake her body, that's what I'm about man," for example.) For some reason I have yet to get tired of this cd. I usually tire of a cd within a month of when I buy it, but I have had thyis one for about two months now, and am still listening to it regularly.
Oh, I almost forgot, the band consists of the members pictured on the cover of the cd, one of whom is Japanese, and raps in japanese, which sounds surprisingly good, especially when compared to more popular rap like Lil' John or 50 Cent.
If you liked that elevator music in the driving scenes of Broken Flowers, and you like good rhymes, you should check this out. It's pretty overlooked.

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1. German Bier Keller Songs [Import]
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5. Indelebile [Import]
6. Jilala: Sufi Trance Music From Morocco
7. Kazakhstan : Music From Almati
8. Kekeland [Import]
9. L'album De Noel [Import]
10. Latin Fire [Enhanced]

Rock Music

rock music

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