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Shape of Broad Minds: Noms de guerre :: Jneiro Jarel selects hip-hop’s greatest alter-egos

By Jneiro Jarel   Photography by Gene Smirnov

11/07/07 :: URB web

Jneiro Jarel knows a thing or two about alter-egos. Stacking AKAs like third-world children stack AK-47s, the Lex Records artist is a pseudonym all-star. Jarel has moved around much of his life, never happy to stay put in one city and the effects of his nomadic world are heard in his music. it’s no wonder that the producer and MC developed a taste for aliases. Currently starring as four-fifths of the thrillingly complex indie rap/soul/rock band Shape of Broad Minds, Jarel was the perfect person to select the best of hip-hop’s storied obsession with alter-egos.

1. Shock G / Humpty Hump
One of the pioneers of alter ego rapping. I can dig Humpty with the clogged nostril MCing. I dig the ping-pong conversational rapping between Shock G and Humpty

2. Andre 3000 / Ice Cold
Ice cold gets down on the singing tip. I love the soulful funk vibes and dance moves he randomly busts out.

3. MF Doom / King Gheedorah
I’m a Godzilla fan plus a MF Doom fan, so it only makes since that I would be into his alter ego King Gheedorah. . .the rival of Godzilla.

4. Madlib / Lord Quas
My man Madlib got me into helium hip-hop. Never knew it could sound so good.

5. RZA / Bobby Digital
Even though I dig RZA with his older way of making beats, his other half Bobby Digital uses more cowbells and synths than samples. Sample clearances can be a pain, so I can see how Bobby helps save RZA’s day!