Lyrics Born - 'Later That Day...' (Quannum Projects)
4/5
By: Joshua K
Like much else in American rap, the progressive hip-hop scene can be split into East Coast / West Coast. But, despite this fact, don't picture gangsta rivalries. Instead, think of kindred spirits attempting to push things forward with lyrics about more than bitches, blunts and dollars, set to cooler beats.
Out of the east is New York City's Definitive Jux, home to El-P, Aesop Rock, Cannibal Ox and Mr. Lif. Out of the west is San Francisco's Quannum Projects, offering DJ Shadow, Latryx, Blackalicious and Lateef the Truthsayer.
This intro brings us - after many years of teasing promises - to the debut solo LP by Quannum label boss (and onetime Latryx member), Lyrics Born. And there's no simpler way to put it: 'Later That Day...' is the shit. Soulful, sonically-rich, and deep.
First single 'Callin' Out' encapsulates this vibe perfectly, an ace three minutes that's loose and 1970's-evoking while still sounding wholly 'now'. Yet even this party track packs a subtle deeper message; 'Don't worry about the President/He can't stop us now'.
'The Last Trumpet', a collaboration with Lyrics' former rap partner Lateef later in the disc, is more overt in its politics, probably the most overt on the whole album - but even here there's never preachiness. Instead, you'll find yourself engrossed in the rapid-fire wordplay, bopping your head as trumpet and drums pound beneath the vocals.
Around these two centerpieces are throbbing, paranoid funk ('Bad Dreams'), dreamy, reggae-tinged pop ('Love Me So Bad'), languid flow ('Stop Complaining', 'Before And After') and quality guest spots including Jurassic Five's Cut Chemist (on 'Do That There'). All are just as good.
So good, in fact, that - when it finishes - 'Later That Day...' raises only one question: is this LP the freshest rap debut of the year? Certainly, others could make an equally compelling case for Dizzee Rascal's 'Boy in Da Corner'. Rockfeedback therefore offers this Solomonic suggestion: Don't debate. Buy both.
Artists in this article: Lyrics Born
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