Alright darlin’, how’s it going? Having a nice summer? I myself went to Norway and decided that everyone lives better over in Scandinavia. It’s a lot prettier, and the graffiti’s sick (I think I might post a little article about the graff scene in Bergen, Norway today or this week to prove my claims).
Anyway, on the way back whilst on my personal jet (yeah don’t you know we’re all living in giant gold houses over here at HHLAT) I gave God Cypher Divine’s new self-titled record a listen. Now I’m never gonna be a fan of skits or intros/outros; what are they for other than taking up space on my computer’s memory? The intro on this record however is actually pretty good, purely because it gives a really good feel of what the album’s going to be about. Straight cuts, soul-funk beats and clever flow.
Never will I ever be adverse to more DJ cuts and scratching, in fact the more the better. GCD manage to balance out the MCing with the DJing perfectly, and neither is overplayed throughout the album or outstays its welcome. Knowing when to chill and just let the beat carry the track, or when it’s time to kill it with serious verses is something a lot of MCs and groups don’t always understand, and these boys have it down pretty cold.
The album’s a straight party record, and not in the sense of auto-tuned in da clubz rubbish, I mean it’s a fun record to listen to. Just because it’s a funky release with party beats doesn’t mean it loses it’s content- it just means they take a more positive angle on the darker things. ‘Life’s Hourglass’ and ‘Neuse For A Necktie’ are good examples of what I’m talking about. Constantly trying to push through all the bullshit to get a better life for yourself, and not letting some shitty 9-5 get in the way of catching your dreams. I love a bit of of that positive mental attitude, not to mention the samples on ‘Neuse…’ are delicious.
The boys in God Cypher Divine have a lot of potential, and this is a pretty heavy release to start out with, so I suggest you give the record a good couple listens. There are some real gems, not just the two tracks I already mentioned, but ‘Dragon Ball Z’ and ‘In Ya Area Code’ really showcase the two MCs rap skills and lyrical flow. I mean come on, they rap about Dragon Ball Z, don’t tell me you’re not even the least bit intrigued.
If you’re into some of that boombap, dirty graff kid backpack hip-hop then I strongly suggest you get yourself a copy of this album. 17 tracks for a few bucks ain’t anything.
Recommended If You Like: Exile, Gangstarr, Jake One, A Tribe Called Quest.
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Words: Dirty stiiinking Aims
hiphoplifeandtimes 