If they handed out Grammys for Lifetime Achievement in Keeping Hip-Hop Artistically Interesting, South Central street savant Myka 9 would surely have himself a statue. Myka’s scat-like delivery and alliterative phrasing have made him a purist’s purist. He’s beyond “true school”—“jazz” or “zen” more aptly describe his approach to the verbal arts. The same dedication to creative wordsmithing and soulful conceptualism he displayed on the classic Freestyle Fellowship albums is still evident on his latest solo album, 1969. Highlights include “Soul Beat,” “Snake Bite,” “Options” (with Aceyalone), and “Chopper” (with Busdriver), but the entire album is further proof that L.A. hip-hop isn’t limited to pimp talk and Crip walks.