Since its inception, hip-hop has received flack from inside and outside of the culture, for either being too commercialized and safe or too gangster and exclusionary. The latest criticism has mostly been its lack of diversity -- but diverse it is. One can go from doing the chicken noodle soup to being grown and sexy in a matter of minutes. But what about truth and intelligence? Well that's not just missing from the music, that lethal combination is often banned from society as a whole. Knowing this, Hell Razah, took his Brooklyn street sense, wisdom, and ignored the rules of what's popular or even "allowed" on his solo debut, Renaissance Child.
Though keeping up with every Wu-Tang affiliate can be a tiresome task (even for a Wu fan), Hell Razah is definitely one to remember. Once a member of Sunz Of Man and the Black Market Militia, he's no stranger to the rap game and is potentially armed with a classic in the making. Unfortunately, songs that challenge the status-quo and touch on topics that are political and spiritual in nature, usually get relegated to the underground indefinitely. But, it doesn't seem as if Hell Razah plans on selling out to sell records any time soon with songs like "Chain Gang." The DJ Battle produced track is a dedication to Nat Turner, the historical figure most known for his rebellious attacks against his en-slavers.
Truthfully, Hell Razah might have your favorite rapper re-thinking their lyrical content the next time they try to get by with just strong production and a catchy hook. Though the album is filled with excellent production -- with beats provided by over ten producers, including 4th Disciple, Krohme, and MF Doom to name a few -- the message behind the music is really what takes the album from being good to being necessary. "Millennium Warfare" is one of those songs that make it apparent that a powerful message, perfect flow, and precise production can indeed come in one package. With production by Bronze Nazareth, the song confronts other MCs saying: "How many records you gonna make about you sitting on rims / we grown men, better step up your game and drop gems / this ain't Mos Def, Kanye, Nas or Common, I'm a Sun of Man Macaebee brand, so pay homage / no conflict just happen we Black and be conscious."
Like the song says, there's no disrespect to the aforementioned "conscious" artists, such as Talib Kweli who is featured on the one of the jazzier songs on the album, appropriately titled, "Project Jazz." This MF Doom produced track, which also features Victor Vaughn (one of MF Doom's pseudonyms), is a story of coming into music and manhood that pays tribute to some of the pioneers of black music. Other tracks that really stand out are "Buried Alive," the album's single
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