Killah Priest: The Offering

With all the disposable rap music being produced lately, Killah Priest's The Offering is definitely a breath of fresh air. The album is a Wu-Tang/Gravediggaz era project, mixed with new school production and concepts.

Right off the bat, the intriguing "Intro" sets a platform that only Killah Priest can define, running through slick wordplay and gut wrenching descriptions of today's woeful world. "Salvation" is a clever, militant sounding anthem with a sinister snare. Priest cleverly crafts the hook and surrounds it with vivid verses. "Gun for Gun," featuring Nas, has the two veteran MCs trading bars a la Big and Jay on "Brooklyn's Finest." After listening to "InnerG," featuring the 4 Horsemen, it's apparent that the chemistry on this track can only be accomplished by putting together such veteran, revered MCs. What makes Canibus' verse so powerful is that everything he spits plays like The History Channel's "Doomsday Prophecies," executed with 16 bars of fervor.

Priest slaughters everything sent his way on The Offering, including the infectious "Truth Be Told." The strings and pounding kick drum will make your head nod, while Priest's powerful sermon opens your mind. There's no weak link when it comes to knowledge on this project, because every track is packed with powerful lyrical gems. Songs like "PJ's," featuring Young Priest, shows some matured song structure and great arrangement from both Killer and Young Priest. Similarly, "Happy" and "Essential" show more depth to Killa's personality. The rapper even goes out on a limb and sings a hook (in a monotone register) and makes it work like a charm. The evolution of Priest on The Offering makes the Wu-Tang counterpart standout amongst competition. If Priest would push the boundaries conceptually, possibly addressing relationships or a full track about today's politics, it just may push him to the limit -- in a good way.

The Offering is not rap, it's poetry. It plays like a movie on wax with its cinematic production and a script written by a deep thinker. It's inspirational, political and intriguing. This may be rap's best-kept secret, but what real lyricist really gets shine nowadays? Pick up this under rated blueprint; you can help build the foundation.

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