fukk WHAT RAPPERS SAY bytch I AM LA -
Great album, I'm enjoying it.
That's two strong releases from TDE this year.
Isaiah Rashad and Schoolboy Q both are holding it down with (un)surprising amounts of introspection.
You've got Isaiah Rashad talking about taking on the disgusting behaviors of a
father he claims to have long forgiven despite abandoning him and starting an entirely new family.
He grapples with street violence, love and lust, drug abuse, and other topics
which is not to different from Schoolboy Q, who brings his daughter to the forefront of this
album where she appears on skits and has a few verses dedicated to her.
Both rappers are fathers by the way, and they both touch on this, which is something I like.
You've also got Q talking about the familial and/or neighborhood influence that could begin a
career in crime (drug addicted uncle,family member's gang bang, the appeal or "Cool" of an older crip showing off his weapons etc.)
Both artists wrote albums that are modern in sound and intent but also harken back
to a time when Ice-T was an "Original gangster" and Ice Cube wasn't making family movies.
For the pseudo Hip Hop heads who frequent "The Booth" and say "Hip Hop has no artists....",
it certainly still does, you just aren't listening.
The one record I didn't really care for was "Los Awesome",it came off as just weak, didn't feel as developed
as the other ones. The song itself didn't hurt my ears or anything, the beat was fine, the hook
was serviceable I just don't see myself returning to it much.
The way he started off the album though was
GANGSTA GANGSTA GANGSTA
That track has a lot of energy, it sets the stage for Q to rap about thuggery, debauchery
and well himself.
Which brings me back to the title of the album, Oxymoron, it's definition is :
"a figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction"
I think the title is not only a play on his prescription pill addiction, but also his calling himself
a "gangster" whilst consistently attacking the word and it's meaning :
Gangster - a member of a gang of violent criminals.
He contradicts this several times throughout the album, because he has to occupy two spaces
he has to be a loving father, a rapper , a son, a good friend whilst also rapping about street beefing, home invasion
robberies, murder, etc. He's different from the modern incarnation of the "gangsta rapper" in that he brings
depth to what many have turned into a caricature.
I really like the introspection on tracks like "Blind Threats"
Washing my sins off with hell's water feel like the bible told me
lies as I pray to em, kneel down put my faith in em,"Will you answer me ?"
But if god won't help this gun will...I swear I'm gone find my way"
"Prescription/OxyMoron" is one of THE highs on this album the prescription touches on his addiction.
He recalls blacking out, equates his drug addiction to being addicted to a woman (nice metaphor !),
talks about trying to work (make music) whilst being addicted, missing phone calls and uses his daughter
to great effect. The title track has him speaking on selling the very thing he's addicted too
Just a dope record altogether.
I JUST STOPPED SELLIN CRACK TODAY
My favorites so far :
Gangsta -
Blind Threats -
Hoover street -
Man Of The Year
His and Her Fiend
What They Want
Prescription/Oxymoron -
Break The Bank
fukk LA
Songs I just like :
Grooveline Pt. 2 (might put it in "My favorites" just cause it's so dope. )
Hell of a night
Collard Greens
Studio
The Purge - I like it but Kurupt's flow completely throws the song off IMO. His rhythm
is all over the place and counter to everyone else's, so I feel the song kind of loses
it's momentum.
Songs I'l likely ignore on subsequent playthroughs :
Los Awesome
That's my two cents.
Good album, another strong release to add to the already impressive
Catalog TDE has.
I think Schoolboy Q is also very introspective
He may be a "Gangster rapper" but he definitely talks about
himself, what influenced him, key moments in his childhood, etc.
To be honest being introspective isn't really exclusive to either Gangster Rap or Alternative Rap.
that shyt is so breezy, perfect song to blow trees to on a warm day
gkmc is the only joint I played in order since you're supposed to
That sh*t rides.
and not in a good way, i dont know if he needs Chad or what, its not bad its just there and The Purge is dope, beat and all and as of right now Prescription is easily the best track and is = to anything on GKMC introspective and beat wise
