Soul Position
Things Go Better with RJ and AL (Rhymesayers)
Here's an MC boast so frank, it's hilarious: "In this corner, the undisputed champs of hip-hop — RJD2 on the beats, Blueprint on the rhymes—versus everything that sucks about music in the opposite corner."But it's no joke: Soul Position's second LP is a stone classic. It's not just that Blueprint is so damned sharp, conversational, and in the pocket, though RJD2's honest funk confections could be trampled by a lesser MC. In Blueprint's hands, the brassy coke-spoon disco of "Priceless" makes an ironic backdrop for a message of lifestyle humility: "I got a '92 MPV, my radiator leaks, but at least it's mine,"he raps. "You got a brand-new Range Rover, but it's rented, so you gotta have it back Monday morning at 9." With skeptical observations of human nature ("got some free love and ended up in the free clinic"), "I'm Free" is about 40 I.Q. points smarter than the two famous rock songs by the same name. By the time you get to the second-to-last track, "Drugs, Sex, Alcohol, Rock-n-roll," the album's cautionary tone does sound preachy. But if Things Go Better with RJ and AL isn't the hip-hop album of the year, it'll be one hell of a year.
Now Trending
-
Filter's Richard Patrick: "If Rush Limbaugh Had a Massive Heart Attack From Eating So Much Shit, That Would Be Alright with Me"
-
Smells Like Grunge Illuminates: "The Message Nirvana Had Then Is Still So Relevant Now"
-
The Hush Sound with River City Extension and Hockey - Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale, May 22
-
Voice Places
Find everything you're looking for in your city
-
Happy Hour App
Find the best happy hour deals in your city
-
Daily Deals
Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%
-
Best Of...
Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city
- Profile
- Newsletters
- Mobile
- Logout
