Play that funky music white boy. That’s something you might hear at a club where Mark Ronson’s DJing, or at one of P. Diddy or Jay-Z’s exclusive Hampton soirees where he’s spinning. Ronson is one funky white boy. Sean Paul can co-sign this truth. Ghostface and Nate Dogg are reaping the rewards of it on the hit “Ooh Wee.” Mos Def, Q-Tip, Nappy Roots and Tweet stamped Mark’s funk pass when they gladly agreed to be on his first full-length for Elektra. You just knew the England-born, New York-dwelling DJ had an amazing ear for talent when he put Arista’s new soul star Anthony Hamilton on not one, but two tracks. Like he boasts in the intro, Elektra CEO Sylvia Rhone wanted this CD. The A-list DJ knows what’s hot. The proof is in the product: “Bluegrass Stain’d” featuring Nappy Roots and Anthony Hamilton, “On The Run” with Mos Def and M.O.P. and the title track featuring Freeway and Nikka Costa, whose debut he co-produced.
Like he did with Nikka, Ronson is always looking to introduce the world to underexposed raw talent. He uses his debut as a jump off. He helps Aya get “High” and previews the next Prince/Stevie Wonder in Daniel Merriweather on “She’s Got Me.” He pairs a vet, Q-Tip with newcomer and Costa Rican Pecan Debi Nova, who sings and plays the keys on “Tomorrow.” And he puts on his man Saigon, who’s the first artist signed to his own label, on the funny dis cut, “Diduntdidunt.” Ronson gives us a handful of hot songs and crazy cool collaborations. He definitely has a buzz and well, here comes the fuzz (whatever that means).
