Babylon Warchild Presents: The Gatekeepers (Album Commentary)

Quotables

“1984, silent murder she wrote,
2012 Aquarius, 13 floors and you're ghost
Give me 3.5 to show you that the pie,
Irrational ratios of rich versus the poor,
16 bars, killed a verse
You got 8 right through,
The raging war, 11:11 upon a digital clock,
The hand strikes 12,
Your slippers were lost,” – Unknown Mizery

“Can't see the chains, can’t see the change,
They're mod' slaves, victims to the mental holocaust.
No expression, how they're showering with Molotov, fire reigns” – Legitimate

Album Commentary

Babylon Warchild consist of four members: Unknown Mizery, Legitimate, Rumplestiltz and Fresco P. Their debut self-titled album was one of my favourite albums for 2011. Towards the end of last year, I wrote a brief summary about their Babylon Warchild album in my favourite albums list for 2011. After almost a year since their debut, they have now released The Gatekeepers project. This project is feature heavy, as it has a variation of artists affiliated with Babylon Warchild. There are also a few hip hop legends on this album such as Chief Kamachi, Sadat X and Tragedy Khadafi, to name a few. All of these talented wordsmiths collectively group under the name, The Gatekeepers. The album is physically available for purchase. You can also download the album for free on their website: http://www.babylonwarchild.com/

Great albums have great tracklist, but how many provide a short story... I won't tarnish the brilliant story told by the tracklist:

The light hit the gates of Babylon exposing the system. The towers of Babylon oversee the hellbound, as they prey to the nighthawks. The international unit is the threat. The karma of kings will be revealed during the first warning. The broadcast is clear. The return of the sacred source will expose the injustice. The countdown to the requiem begins...

In a time of darkness, The Gatekeepers give the light by bringing the sound of the revolution. Rumplestiltz was responsible for creating a good majority of the tracks on this project. He was the executive producer for the project. He did justice to many of the tracks on this album. I applaud all the other producers for their great contributions to this project; Primacy, DSK & Mr. Wows produced three favourites on the album. I had high-expectations for this album, and I loved a lot of things about it. I was excited to hear that Fresco P would an official member of Babylon Warchild. He's definitely a talented artist. He has many styles, and he certainly demonstrated that on two of my favourite tracks: "Gates of Babylon" and "The Requiem".

On Babylon Warchild, I thought "Farm Complex" was amazing, but Unknown Mizery's verse on "The Towers of Babylon" exceeded my last impressions (from the track titled "Farm Complex"). "The Towers of Babylon" felt like "Farm Complex" part two, but with Wordsworth added. I say this because of the following quote from Chief Kamachi's verse:

"I'm running through the alley with the tree in the socks
Then I'm face down, never heard freeze when they shot" - Chief Kamachi

On "Farm Complex" Legitimate had a line that spoke along the same lines:

"Now police don't even need a reason why they squeezing a slug,
don't need a reason why they sweep our freedoms under the rug" - Legitimate

It goes without saying that "The Towers of Babylon" was one of my favourite tracks on the album. Legitimate started off the track with an aggressive verse:

 "I move with new recruits, fatigues and boots, clenched fist meet your tooth..."

"Hardcore, much more than you're bargaining for,
my art of war, autograph your heart with a sword"

Chief Kamachi's verse was amazing, to say the least. Unknown Mizery's verse had to be the highlight of that track. His use of numerology, measurements and time (including date specific events) was exceptional, and the way he referenced the story of Cinderella was clever and entertaining. "The System" was another track that I enjoyed. It was produced by St. Peter. At the start of the first verse, Unknown Mizery speaks about the hypocrisy of injustice done to the youth by corrupt law enforcers. In the same breathe, he speaks about the fear perpetuated by police brutality in such instances:

"When we congregate in groups, they want to call police,
but when police abuse the youth, no one be stopping heat," - Unknown Mizery

There were many other lines that I enjoyed on the track:

 "Separate the sy-stems from our seeds,
And save the trees" - Unknown Mizery

"My struggles my doctor, I've adopted patients (patience),
I get sick from quitting, not sick of when I'm waiting,
In the ring with gloves laced, fighting for freedom" - Unknown Mizery

"The Requiem" was a great outro for the album. Each artist shared great words that speak to poverty, violence and desperation. The track also touches on building comradery within communities. Babylon Warchild Presents: The Gatekeepers has a total of 16 tracks. I've barely scratched the surface of this great album.

Emay - Adam (Album Commentary Pt. II)

Disclaimer: This is the second part to my summary of Adam. Click here for the first part. If you love spoilers, you may continue reading on.

Quotables

There are many quotables on this album. I would have to make a third post just to list my top five.

Album Commentary Pt. II

Lyrically, "Method" and "Incorruptible II" (Bonus track) were the best as complete songs, but what stood out for me was the incredible final verses on both tracks. Those verses were gameover spikes (pun intended). I can't seem to pick one favourite track on Adam. My favourite narrative track on the album was "Takes Me Back (Ambivalence)". "Just aMuk" had to be my favourite introspective track on the album.

Emay gives a balance between dark and light, conflict and peace, hope and despair with his approach on this album. An example of lighter and darker imagery was made apparent on the final bonus track titled "Incorruptible II" and the first track titled “Alif Y.m.n.l.ma” (a track that uses vocal samples from John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy”):

“My method is to make it feel like

you understand where I'm coming from

so you can get to know the graceful and the cumbersome” – Emay

“My method is to make it feel like

there's raw flesh peeling off your skin slow

to understand the pain that I'm in when I impose – Emay

The two opposite rhymes are parallel to each other. The two create a balance between light and dark imagery. Emay said it best when he stated, “they wonder why I'm kind of funny, yet I'm all street, and how I seem to keep it sunny yet it's all bleak”. The two rhymes are also like polar opposites: one is presented at the start of the album, and the other is presented at the end of the album. It may be a coincidence.

Story References

I enjoyed the story references that Emay made on this album:

Handsel and Gretel - “they send messages saying that you’re a lone vessel, so try to handle, Handsel (hand-sail), no Gretel”

I personally felt as though Emay alluded to the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk" with the way he pronounced the word ‘stock’ like ‘stalk’ and then immediately mentioned eating beans. Right before he mentioned stalk, he talked about reaching the top. If he did this intentionally, I applaud him. But again, it may be a coincidence.

Jack and the Beanstalk – “I was always running and spinning like the top, where I wanted to reach, watching DBZ or power ranger in the T.V screen, memory kept it in stock (stalk), I would eat these beans”

Luminescence

Emay provides some words of inspiration on the track titled “Luminescence”, “you can find beauty if you look for it set sail on the water, drop a hook for it and the oceans what you already are being a star is just realization of a journey and the fact that you're already far… for you it could be anything, literally anything make a wise choice, don't decide it with a penny fling”

Are the Days

On the track “Are the Days”, Emay encourages artists and listeners to be original and honest, as opposed to assimilation for acceptance and praise. He makes it clear that he doesn’t want anyone to try to emulate his style, or sound, when he says “be yourself, I ain’t looking for no Mini-mes”.

Negro

Last year (June 2011), Emay mentioned in an online interview that he had written a track called “Nigga”. I completely forgot about the interview until I heard the track titled “Negro”. Emay said on “Un for One” that he acknowledges a menacing side that he feels must be acknowledged, so he lets that menace flex on this particular track.

“They telling me I say the N word too much, yet they keep telling me no, fucking hypocrites, so for now it's all nigga that, nigga this, just to get them pissed…” - Emay

He wasn’t kidding around. When I first heard the chorus, I laughed. It was unexpected. I didn’t even attempt to count how many times the word was used in the chorus. It wasn’t the word that made me laugh; it was more so the intentional repeated use of the word on the chorus. I wondered how the track would turn out, and I must say that the track is entertaining; it’s deliberately cheeky, but well done. The third verse on the track was amazing, to say the least. I was also amused by the Kim Jong reference.

She Calls

On “She Calls”, Emay personifies his relationship with the past. He raps about his reluctance to accept her. However, despite his neglect, she’s still persistent in her attempts to call. Listen to the track and find out how the relationship turns out. I love what Steffaloo vocally brought to this track.

  

Takes Me Back "Ambivalence"

I love what Emay did with the Dido sample on the track titled “Takes Me Back - Ambivalence”. As stated earlier, this is my favourite narrative track on the album. The song seems to be about being caught in a catch 22 or having conflicting feelings about being in a situation (as the title word “Ambivalence” suggest).

Incorruptible II *

“Incorriptible II” is two verses of pure gold. It's the bonus track on the album. Based on the lyrics and production, this is one of my favourite tracks on the album. He really put his heart into that second verse.

Emay - Adam (Album Commentary Pt.I)

Emay has been one of my favourite artists (also producer) since I discovered his music in 2010. He has been gracious enough to put out project after project for free. All of his projects (Emay, Karen O, and the Kids, Mind Altering Dynamics, and Incorruptible ) have been quality releases. Adam is Emay's debut album. The album is on my list for being one of the most anticipated for 2012. I had hoped to own a physical copy of this album, but I set aside own selfish desire and downloaded it. The album is available for free download. It is also Emay's debut album. You can stream the album by clicking here, or you can download the album by going to the following link: http://tomorrowarchaic.com/.

Album Commentary 

If you love lyrics with a bit of depth and witty word play, this album will not disappoint. I don't even need to mention how the production is flawless. This album has amazing replay value because of the lyrical content. If your ears are mostly intrigued by the instrumentals, you will be doing a disservice to your mind. This album isn't background music. Emay brings humour, aggression, encouragement, and honesty on this album. The lyrics are just as profound as his experimental instrumentals. He's flow and delivery allows the listener to become absorbed in his rhymes. After listening to this album, I am convinced that Emay can tackle any subject with ease. I must mention that Emay is also a producer. On the album, he samples John Lennon, Lift To Experience, Dido and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, to name a few. My personal favourite would have to be the Dido sample because of the way he used the sample to tell a story. If there is an overall theme that could be taken from this album it would be mastery of self and conquering fears. As an artist, Emay demonstrates that his mind is truly a gold mine, and he's giving the listeners a fraction of that wealth with this free album.

Emay - Adam (Snippet Video)

Saltillo - Monocyte (Album Sampler)

Top 10 Albums for 2011

Quote of the Day

 "Now you keep everyone's heart on charts and schedules
And the trends trying to stack gold bars and medals
...Because art at a level that's real can be harder to peddle
Business prefers a market that settles for 2nd rate
Kill the true artists martyr the rebels
That's the system and its straight from the heart of the devil"

Biased Top 10 Albums of 2011

The process of creating this list was quite tedious, because each album expresses hip hop in a different form. Thus, it was difficult for me to rank the albums. The albums were not selected by album sales. I am not a hip hop dictator. This list does not reflect the interest of a large majority (irony). The albums are listed in no particular order. 

1. D-Sisive - Run With The Creeps

 

Commentary

This album is brilliant. There is no need for me to elaborate. One word comes to mind when I think of this album, 'Juno' (no games). Here is the intro track titled "Run":

2. Sadistik| Kristoff Krane| Granham O'Brien - Prey for Paralysis

 

Quotes

"I could never understand what it’s like to fail
Until I read it on the faces of the lovers I impaled" - Sadistik

Commentary

As a collective, Sadistik, Kristoff Krane & Graham O'Brien had great chemistry on this album. If you love live drums, you'll fall in love with this album. Prey for Paralysis sounds like nothing out right now. From start to finish, the production is amazing. There are only 10 tracks on the album. As a group effort, they really grabbed focus by keeping the listener engaged and amazed by the hitting drums and pacing lyrics. The lyrical delivery and pace worked well with the production. While listening to this album, I found my self intrigued as it progressed. The high energy and live drums creates the feeling of being present at a live show. Overall, this album is not to be slept on. It has great replay value, and it keeps you entertained. Ten tracks was a perfect number. The album leaves the listener wanting more. The album can be streamed and purchased from this link: http://kristoffkrane.bandcamp.com/album/prey-for-paralysis

3. Dessa - Castor, The Twin

Quotes

"Nobody fears the height, you all just fear the fall
Go to the edge sometime
And prove your body wrong" - Dessa

Commentary

Before listening to Castor, The Twin, please get aquainted with Dessa's previous works: False Hopes and A Badly Broken Code. Dessa (from Doomtree) first caught my ears with A Badly Broken Code. When I heard that she was working on a new project this year, I didn't expect nothing but quality. If you preordered this album, it came with a personal autograph from Dessa. The preorder also included a short book, written by Dessa, titled "Sleeping With Nikki". Dessa can sing and rap like no other artist. People have tried to compare her to other artists, but she is unique in her own right. The live instrumentation on Castor, The Twin, is heavenly and raw. I've heard some say that the album gives off an easy listening vibe, but when I listen to this album, I personally feel like I'm present at a live listening studio performance. In my own world, I appauled after the performance. I can't go without saying that, the band that contributed to this album deserves high praise and credit.

4. K-Os - Muchmusic Presents K-Os

Quote

"The price of fame divided by the evil we do
equals a shame..." K-Os

Commentary

There isn't a K-Os fan that wasn't looking forward to this album. He brought the concert to the fans with this live album. K-Os and his impressive band never cease to give a great performance. He speaks about the importance of his band on the DVD. K-Os and all the guests brought the best out of each other during the live performance. I won't spoil it, but I really enjoyed the freestyle element that K-Os added to the live experience. K-Os pays tribute to a number of artists on this album. Some of the obvious and noticeable tributes were Nirvana, Johnny Cash, Weezer, Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest.

5. Canibus - Lyrical Law

Quotes

"This is Lyrical Law, Noir, Hardcore, raw metaphors for you and yours, can't say you wasn't warned, thousands of bars those dummies couldn't stomach my bars, they'd rather conform, they throwing up their pom poms, you don't wanna wrestle with arm strong, you'll sever blood vessels tryna mess with the god's palm." - Canibus

 "I'll kill you like Marie Curie by ionizing radiation
You are facing termination by your own creation" - Poet Laureate (Canibus)

 "I am the hip hop god inside an ironman suit
rhymes ricochet, bounce back, end up killing your own troops" - Poet Laureate (Canibus)

 "You can't use mind control on a timeless soul
An emcee's lyrics defines his role" - Rip The Jacker (Canibus)

Commentary

Canibus is one of the greatest emcees to ever touch the microphone. His work ethic is admirable and his catalogue is extensive. The man is a hip hop legend. If you managed to get the Lyrical Law package, you would already know that the package came with an autographed Lyrical Law LP and two bonus discs: Lyrical Law Disc 2 (bonus tracks and remixes), and Lyrical Warfare ( An unreleased album by Canibus and Webb as a duo under the name of T.H.E.M - The Heralds of Extreme Metaphors). Canibus calls for hip hop unity on this project, and he does so by using the theme of cyphers. I really enjoyed this theme, because it brought the emcees together and allowed each emcee to display their unique lyrical ability. All the guests demonstrated their lyrical fitness on this album. The album features Born Sun, K-Rino, Killah Priest, Copywrite, Royce Da 5'9", Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Chino XL, K-Solo and Heltah Skeltah. There are a number of memorable tracks on this album, but "The Emerald Cypher" and the "Cypher of Five Mics" are two of the most incredible tracks. Lastly, the battle between "Rip vs Poet Laureate" (Rip The Jacker versus Poet Laureate) was an epic demonstration of lyrical conflict between Canibus' two alter egos. I can't tell you how many quotables I got from this album. I don't usually rate albums, but if I had to I would give this album 10 out of 10 dimensions (stars included). The album is available for purchase on Canibus' new site: http://rtjcollection.com/

6. Babylon Warchild - Babylon Warchild

Quotes

 "A day in the life, feels like a bird in a cage
a caged bird sings a freedom song and passes away
A day in the life, just a passage a time
perhaps in time we can make it there one day at a time" - Legitimate

 "Beneath the surface, the real art defeat the serpents
escape the globe, ignite on mics and burn the fat away
they killing all the weak off
from Saturday to Saturday" - Legitimate

 "Live by the hammer and get nailed to the cross
the system is the predator they preying for your loss" - Unknown Mizery

"A day in the life, in the night flooded with articifial lights
we consume the mood, resume to tombs,
fight for our artificial rights
assume the position on the frontline
resurrect the phatoms here
protect the atmosphere
loaded the tanks on the track, no train of thought remains
mother earth no longer ovalates
no trees, no greats" - Unknown Mizery

"The whole game is saturated
with nothing but garbage, nothing is captivated
nothing but artists, who be masturbing" - Fresco P

Commentary

Babylon Warchild is a group consisting of members: Unknown Mizery, Legitimate, Rumplestiltz and Fresco P. I had to quote all of these brothers. Their hip hop sound and poetry on this album is heartfelt. The album isn't strictly about showing and proving lyrical skills. There is more to this album. Babylon Warchild use hip hop as it was intended to be used, as a vehicle (preferably a tank) to spread a greater message. This album calls for the listener to be alert. Their usage of metaphors and symbolism on this album is profound. The album isn't feature heavy, so that shows the group's faith in their abilities. The album features notable emcees such as Chief Kamachi, Reef the Lost Cause, Kdb (of Poor Man Militia), Black Symmetry and BK The General (of Shing Shing Regime). When I first heard this album, I instantly felt that it was the best album of 2011. I recall going to see their show in May after hearing the album. As we draw closer to the end of 2011, I can say that my opinion has not changed about this album. I've seen Babylon Warchild perform live twice. They truely represent hip hop in it's purest form.

The production on the album is cohesive and raw. I must give high praise to the hip hop cellist, Rumplestiltz, for his usage of live cello samples. The samples tend to really blend well and add to the overall sound of the album. I would describe it as the perfect marriage between hip hop and classical influence. The sound on this album gives off the emotion of melachonly, hope, resistance, and revolution. It speaks to the human condition. It speaks to the fire in every man, woman and child. It also touches on poverty and politics. It's difficult for me to decide which tracks are my favourite on this album because each track has a strong message. In other words, there are no chinks in this armor. It is best to listen to this album in it's logical order. My personal favourites are "Parliament Hillz", "Equal Power", "Knowledge", "Farm Complex", "Fire in the Sky" and "Call of the Warchild" (official video). The album can be purchased through their official website: http://www.babylonwarchild.com/. Please subscribe to their youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BabylonWarchild

7. Ian Keteku - Lessons From Planet Earth

Quote

"I am not a gift from God but have a gift from God
To spit poisonous venom in the form of words
And colons that smash colons.
Daggers of Grammar, leaving
Exclamation marks!
Dashes and gashes
Hyphens in the hymens of mothers of oppressors,
After putting them in commas,
Just to let them know I am serious period" - Ian Keteku

Commentary 

I'm starting to think that 'Ian' is a name of great poets. This spoken word album is titled Lessons From Planet Earth (Re-Evolution). I'm not too familiar with Ian Keteku's work, but this album has certainly made me a supporter. I accidently stumbled upon this great album. With only a few days left of 2011, I didn't think that I would be captivated by anymore albums, but this album did just that. The poetry is mind-blowing. I was caught by the first track titled My Name Is Ian. I was so captivated by this album that, I choose to immediately stop everything and listened attentively to the words. At first, I only wanted to listen to one or two tracks, but I easily found myself streaming the entire album from his bandcamp.

While listening to Ian Keteku’s words, I found myself journeying through a labyrinth of intricate poetry. The way Ian connects thoughts and words by use of origins is like a round trip of knowledge. Ian will take you on a journey through great structured poetic labyrinths. As each track progresses Ian Keteku will reveal to the listener the true meaning, and it will eventually become apparent what the title of each track is about. Of course, no labyrinth is complete without a minotour. Great spoken word poetry should be experienced, so I won't speak any further.

8. Ian Kamau - One Day Soon

Kamau is a spoken word great. This album is valuable in every sense of the word. Tracks such as "Black Bodies" speak volumes. I finally received the physical copy of the album with the 32 page booklet. I was uncertain if I should give commentary on this album, because I wanted the poetry to speak to the listeners. I want the artist to communicate to the listeners. Kamau has stated in his biography that, he seeks to enter into a larger conversation with a global community through his music. In the booklet, he asks the listener to listen to the entirety of the album in solitude, and I did just that. I would like to share a few words from "Black Bodies", so as not to spoil the experience of listening to the whole album. Thank you to Kamau for the note.

 Quotes

Don't see the irony in why we call each other nigger (nigga), it kills the concept of a brother or a sister, no surprise we occupy both sides of the trigger. - Ian Kamau

Bullets sing lullabies for an endless sleep... on the concrete - Ian Kamau

9. Timbo King - From Babylon to T1mbuk2

Quotes

"Juda tribe, Maccabee
slap you with the lions paw
what you lieing for
silent weapons, quiet wars" - Timbo King

 "I'm a monster, a maniac,
bonkers, my brain react
neurons, electron, ions
decepticon, step upon planets
on top of universe standing
all watch my arms turn to canons" - Killah Priest

Commentary

This album has been highly anticipated for sometime. Timbo King is well known as a Wu-Tang affiliate. He's a member of Maccabees, Black Market Militia, and Royal Fam. From Babylon To Timbuk2 is Timbo King's debut album. The album title was inspired by the book "From Babylon To Timbuktu". I can only assume that the theme of the album was inspired by the book because of his Blackmarket brethen William Cooper (William Copper's debute Beware of the Pale Horse album was also based on a book). On the album, Timbo King speaks on his background and brings knowledge based on his experiences. I didn't know what to expect from this album, because I was worried that it would be rushed, but my concerns were put to rest. Timbo King and his team definitely took their time to put this long awaited album together. The second track titled "War Dance" just happens to feature the RZA (from Wu-Tang Clan). However, RZA did not produce the track. To my surprise, it was produced by Vinny Idol. As a D-Block fan, I was excited to hear a Vinny Idol beat on this debut album. "War Dance" was the perfect way to start off the album. The track affirmed Wu-Tang's strong unification and influence in hip hop, when the Abbot said, "the Wu Tang empire will rise again" at the very end.

Like a true general, Timbo King demonstrated his ability to work as a solo artist with this strong debut release. The album was destined to have a great impact with production from Bronze Nazareth, Vinny Idol and Lil'Fame (of the legendary M.O.P). The album features Blackmarket family members such as Heaven Razah, Killah Priest and William Cooper. R.A The Rugged Man also contributes to one of my favourite tracks on the album. I won't speak any further on the album. Put your thinking cap on, and listen to this album like you would read the book. Excluding the skits, I enjoyed 93% of the tracks on the album. My favourite tracks are "Bar Exam", "From Babylon To Timbuktu", "High Ranking"(music video), "Outside Intelligence", "Youth", "The Autobiography of Timothy Drayton", "Tombstone" and "Book Value". You can purchase and stream the album from the Nature Sounds site.

10. Kdb & St. Peter - Within The Solace

Quotes

 "For material possessions we become slaves
Unable to leave this 3rd dimension
Where the flesh are turned back to the earth in the form of clay" - Kdb

"For every deed of good
there is twice the deed of evil" - Kdb

Commentary

This was another highly anticipated album. If you've felt deprived of music with substance then, I beckon you to satisfy your desire for knowledge Within The Solace. Kdb & St. Peter come as messengers. St. Peter sets the atmosphere for the spoken message delivered by Kdb (from Crooks Of Da Round Table & Poor Man Militia). Kdb, the winged messenger, offers the spoken message. He warns all to be mindful of a time for elevation. Above all things he heeds the listener to beware of the pale horseman. This album is a sociopolitical project that touches on various spiritual subject matters. The first single from Within The Solace is "Sovereign Skies", which features the "Iron Shiek" Killah Priest. The album also features King David from Vendetta Kingz and Unknown Mizery from Babylon Warchild. Daddy Rose, the Maccabee, also offers insightful words on "A Message to Mankind". This album calls for a change for not only hip hop, but the global state in general. The production is stellar. If you admire conscious hip hop, you will enjoy this album. Some of my favourite tracks on the album are "Out of Nowhere", "Sunfire", "Nightmares & Dreams", "Solaris", "Universal", and "Sovereign Skies".You can stream and buy the album from St. Peter's site: http://stpeter.bandcamp.com/album/within-the-solace