The other day I was having a conversation about the resurgence of socially aware hip-hop (as you do), not just within the underground (that’s where it lives don’t you know? Well sort of, let’s not completely kid ourselves here baby) but how it’s slowly but surely raising its head or at least hoovering over the horizon of the mainstream. Where am I going with this? Let me explain. As it has been since the beginning of time, huge aspects of mainstream culture have come from an underground culture that knew how to do it first (am I blowing your minds right now?), and Haan & Sixth Sense are a perfect example of why we’ll forever be bitten by the mainstream.
“The Haanshake” is in my eyes about two things; content and narrative. Those are its two main components that make this album memorable. Not to say it lacks flow or technique; in fact the second track “I Got The Feeling” showcases Haan’s double-time skills and demonstrates that he’s not just a one trick pony. Variation fam, you gotta have some.
Whilst I don’t usually like doing a track by track break down, I will however describe the album’s opener to give a general over view of the entire project because it’s not only a perfect opener, but explains the album as a whole so articulately. Its content matter tells the stories of the lives of two characters separate from each other that are busy dealing with the drudgery of every day life. From the outset it may seem like just another concept track, but through this one song Haan touches on pretty much every currently relevant social issue you want to name check right now. Class, gender, hopelessness, post-modern culture, money or rather the lack thereof, just a sprinkling of sheer misery ’cause we are British after all, and a plethora of others I won’t rant about here. “The Haanshake” never shys away from darker material, and not by just addressing the obvious social and political themes, but by using them as a platform to deal with more personal human conditions. This in itself is a much harder task to achieve than you would think, and all without sounding like a cheese grater, and/or someone that wears glasses they just don’t need. Ruthless guests on a good proportion on the record, and instead of being the weaker rapper in order not to overshadow Haan he owns his spot and could easily be the third member.
Fear not production lovers. I’m not going to leave the review at that without talking about Sixth Sense’s production. It’s organic and very reminiscent of early 2000 hip-hop, most notably Immortal Technique and Mos Def. I’m always going to be a huge fan of scratching, mixing and generally showing off a DJ’s techniques and skills, and Sixth Sense demonstrates his own set of skills in the “The Haanshake”. ‘Jungle Book’ a dark and brooding offering from the man; and even though I like the verses it’s the type of production I could happily listen to without any vocals and still enjoy. The same goes for ‘The Ending’ and ‘Be Like You’, both equally well crafted tracks.
I wish this album was for sell because then I’d encourage you to buy it, but luckily for you greedy kids it’s free so there’s really no excuse.
Recommended If You Like: Quest Rah, Rhyme Asylum, Scroobious Pip, P.O.S, Immortal Tech.
Free Album Bandcamp
Sixth Sense Soundcloud
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Words: Aimee
