Chuck D is a 64 yr outdated MC, songwriter & producer from Hempstead, New York notable for being the frontman of the seminal political hip hop outfit Public Enemy. Along with that & his transient time as a co-frontman of the Prophets of Rage, he additionally has 5 solo efforts below his belt with my favourite being his 1996 debut Autobiography of Mistachuck below Mercury Data. Almost 3 many years later, he’s signing to Def Jam Recordings for his sixth studio LP below his personal identify with very excessive potential contemplating the buildup in the direction of it.
After the titular intro, the primary tune “What Rock Is” breaks the door down with a growth bap opener speaking about making the needle within the ghetto stacks bleed from the left to the precise whereas “Black Don’t Lifeless” talks concerning the reality black doesn’t crack despite the fact that they’ll certainly die. “New Gens” that includes Daddy-O produced by C-Doc lastly addresses hip hop’s generational hole that has been a large elephant within the room for the previous decade or so that’s till we get examined to a fast “Station Break”.
“Rogue Runnin’” that includes Phill Most Chill strikes ahead with a chaotic 2-parter speaking about ridin’ soiled for over 3 many years already simply earlier than “Is God She?” that includes 1/2 Pint & Miranda Writes ponders across the thought of our Lord & Savior being a lady mixing funk music with growth bap. After the “Station Identification” interlude, “Right here We Are Heard” by The Impossebulls makes the relatable name to Make Racists Afraid Once more whereas “Superbagg” that includes Blak Madeen talks about being caught of their methods.
UltraMag7 joins the rhyme animal himself on “Carry On” for a hardcore rap rock banger cursing in your metaverse out of spite for anybody dumbass listening to this pondering he’s woke whereas “What Are We to You?” mixes politically acutely aware bars with some aggressive drums & extra guitars thrown within the fold. “Slight Story Type Sound” that includes Donald D finds the two exhibiting everybody how all 4 parts of hip hop get down & “Signing Off” that includes gangsta rap pioneer Schoolly D feels extra like an outro.
Marking the return of the voice that by no means left, Chuck D unites each hip hop’s pioneers & newer acts who symbolize the present technology of the tradition alike in a fearless soundtrack for the instances delivering a seismic broadcast of reality, rhythm & resistance. It’s produced higher than his final couple solo efforts Celebration of Ignorance & We Wreck Stadiums, bridging the hole that has been a blatantly apparent stain for fairly a while to make the revolution on wax.
Rating: 7/10