(Dessalines)

This EP has done something I don’t think any other record this year has done. It has combined my two passions into one. Music and history! It had me so hyped knowing I had to actually research and deep dive into the subject matter. I already do that in my own time, but now having to do it for a project is the most exciting thing possible for me! So let’s talk about it!

This is the brand new EP that is performed and produced by Napoleon Da Legend, with only one feature in it:Napoleon Maddox. I gotta say this has to be the most immersive and informative 4-track EP I’ve heard in my life.

This is an EP that focuses on Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who was the first Haitian Emperor and leader of the revolution. Also in the 4th track is ‘Toussaint Louverture’, who was a Haitian General and leader of their revolution.

Lyrically, this thing is as in-depth, rich, and vibrant as I’ve ever heard. We are talking about a man who is already considered among the culture as one of the best lyricists, period. So when he gets on his historic shit, it should come as no

surprise that it would be absolutely jaw-dropping!

Whether you’re listening to the first track that mentions the tragic history of slavery and the resolve of the men and women involved! Or tracks like ‘Yellow Fever’, which is exactly what it says it’s about! 

For historic context, it apparently originated in Africa and spread to America in the 17th century with the European traffickers of enslaved Africans!

This track is a deep dive into the disease, the cruelty of it all, and the situation as a whole. Napoleon, above all else, is a man who has the ability to write certified essays with pure penmanship and integrity, and that’s when he’s not being conceptual. But when he is? No one else can even attempt to compare. It’s a wrap! 

The track that intrigued me the most was the final track ‘Napoleon Noir’ because that track is in complete French! Spoken by Napoleon himself! Truly a mind-blowing outro to this incredible EP as it amplifies the tone in a final overture that is both emotionally charged and sophisticated at the same time.

I don’t have to understand what it says to feel the impact of it.

Also, shoutout to the feature on this EP as his verse delivered a soul-cleansing performance with plenty of heart and conviction that helped maintain the energy of the project!

Along with the lyrical masterpieces dropped on this four-piece, we have equally intriguing production to follow. It feels equally rich and minimal, heartfelt and raw, surreal and down-to-earth all in one.

Different variations of hip-hop with various elements included in each track! You can tell the main focus on this album was the conceptual lyricism, so I feel (at least to me) that the instrumentals provided were kept a tad more underwhelming to keep the essence and power of the words in the forefront of the listeners’ minds while also making sure the beats weren’t boring, lacklustre, or a copy-paste of what’s already out there!

I feel he hit the perfect balance on what the sounds should be for a record of this magnitude, and it helped push the EP 10x fold!

Overall, I can’t recommend this EP enough. With only four tracks, Napoleon has taken us on a historic journey that most couldn’t do with a full-length! Plus, I absolutely love how on the album cover he crossed out the word ‘Napoleon’; subtle shit like that makes me appreciate his genius that much more! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/6Tpvk5VHdPpuSAacN1y3JR?si=81BXTc6YTkW_ZlnaWXU58w