Let's Get Free, Album Review

Dead Prez: Let’s Get Free Album Review

            Let’s Get Free is the first album by the album by the duo Dead Prez. The duo consists of the rappers M-1 and stic.man. During their rapping careers, the two rappers have always been known to voice their opinions about problems in the world. The duo covers many topics, ranging from racism to starvation in Africa to how to obtain a healthy overall state of well-being. The album also features production from the well-known rapper and producer, Kanye West.

            The opening song, “Wolves”, deals with the racism that blacks encounter. The performer in the song asks the question, “White people have gold, why can't I have gold?”, which shows the inequality that exists among Africans around the world today. In their next song, titled “I’m A African”, expresses the duo’s desire for African pride. By stating that “All these Uncle Tom a** kissin n****s gotta go”, the group is conveying their plea for Africans to stand up for themselves and their country. The term “Uncle Tom” was first coined American author Harriet Beecher Stowe in the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The term “Uncle Tom” is used among African-Americans as an insult to other African-Americans who are deferential to whites. 

            Nevertheless, the whole album is not solely focused on racism and equality. Songs such as “Be Healthy” focus on ways to eat healthy. Their song “Hip Hop” focuses on issues pertaining to the music industry: “Uh, who shot Biggie Smalls
If we don't get them/They gonna get us all/I'm down for runnin' up on them
Cr*****s in they city hall”. In that song, M-1 and stic.man are attempting to expose the secrets in the music industry. By claiming that the killers of Biggie Smalls are still on the run and that they still pose a threat, they are implying that they (Dead Prez) are risking their lives every time they expose the secrets of the music industry.    

            The album, Let’s Get Free, by Dead Prez, focuses on a range of issues in the world. From secrets in the music industry to racism, Dead Prez addresses a variety of issues. This album, although hard to listen at first, was very enjoyable to listen to. The album contains a few songs that one may need to listen to several times before beginning to understand the concept and actually like the music. Regardless, the album is well produced and executed thus earning a 9/10.

Album Review

Panos Nikolos

5/9/11

How I Got Over: Album Review

Rating: 4.5/5

            The Legendary Roots Crew has done it again. How I Got Over  is arguably the group’s most spiritual album. The album features the likes of Blu (from Los Angeles), Phonte (Foreign Exchange), Dice Raw, and John Legend, among others. From beginning to end, every song guarantees satisfaction. Practically every song deals with some sort of world problem, whether it is poverty, racism, etc. In the song titled “How I Got Over”, Black Thought describes the problem with murder in the world: “When you on the corners too much drama/Livin’ with the police right behind ya’/It’s always more than a slight Rwanda.” By comparing the genocide that occurred in Rwanda to the murders that occur every day, Black Thought is able to bring out the severity of the problem.

            Needless to say, the album is a prime example of how hip-hop is influenced by jazz and soul music. Many songs that are labeled as “hip-hop” do not necessarily fit into the Hip-Hop category. This album is reminiscent of 1990’s Hip-Hop, with some exceptions, mainly with the song titled “The Fire”, which features pop sensation John Legend. However, this album should be listened by all who listen to rock, hip-hop, rap, soul, jazz, and even pop. This album is truly entertaining and enjoying to listen to.