There's just something about Detroit. It seems as if the Motor City breeds artists that are capable and ready to uphold the essence of hip-hop and do it with soul. More than one-hit-wonders, wannabes, and gimmicks, true MCs and producers with talent and originality are popping up all around the city. And at only 23, Black Milk is looking to continue the reign that that was left behind by late the J Dilla, Proof, and the seemingly retired Eminem, with his upcoming album Popular Demand.
Black Milk has made it known that he is somewhat comfortable in his abilities as a producer. And after producing nearly a whole album for Slum Village (with the help of his former partner Young RJ) fresh out of high school, and working with Pharoahe Monch, Dwele, and Canibus not to mention several solo/personal projects, who could argue with his production skills? Consequently, as he's mentioned in interviews, when he's rhyming, he wants people to focus on his rhyming skills not just his production.
On the intro song, "Popular Demand," Black Milk spits, "Cause I don't walk with no backpack on, don't put me in a box. We do it all, you can catch me in the club from the windows to the wall." Though his attempt to step out the figurative box within the box and just rhyme about what he knows-- girls, making money, making music, grimy living -- it's almost as though trying to sound like a "regular n----" has left him sounding well... regular. There is no question that his actual flow is nice, and of course the production is sick, but the content is virtually empty. Not that it has to be "conscious," but not much stood out lyrically on the album. There's nothing particularly bad on the album, almost even worse, it's just "almost there." It makes one wonder that if all the work that seems to have been put into the production was put into the rhymes, it would have equalled greatness. Unfortunately, Black Milk is often outshined lyrically by some of his features, which include Nametag, Slim S.D.H, Slum Village and Baatin.
However, lyrically and musically, Black Milk gives the listener a treat with "Shut It Down," featuring Ahk, where he leaves humility at the door, rapping about haters and being a producer/rapper that has to prove his ability on the mic. "Shut It Down" has a lot of catchy lines, and makes it obvious that each song could have been as sharp. Other songs that stand out are "U" (featuring Ty and Kory), a hood love song about being the number one, but not the only chic in his life; and "One Song," somewhat of a play on Nas' classic "One Mic." Production wise, "Say Something" is as equally strong as the rest of the album with ghostly piano sounds, a unique use of nearly muffled samples, and a thumping kick drum, which make it one of those songs that you can listen to over and over again. It's simply hypnotic.
All in all Popular Demand is definitely worth a listen. The underground buzz, the confidence, the tight beats, and the swagger which leads his flow there, but what's missing is the personal touch, lyrical prowess and storytelling -- outside of "Three Sum," in which he raps about a sexual experience he had with several women. In "Essence," it's hard to tell who Black Milk is as an MC, but as a producer, he is constantly improving and often making music close to perfection. If Black Milk's goal is to make good music and leave his mark on hip-hop, then Popular Demand is evidence of that possibility and proof that he's already ahead of the game, especially if he steps it up lyrically.
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