I wanted to take a break from covering something modern and go back to an album that is probably the most influential hip-hop album in my life. The album that introduced me to the power and awe of lyricism and just how impressive a man can be with his pen game. This man is still considered my favourite underground rapper of all time, and this album began all of it.
This is the third album by legendary MC Illogic. One of the best pound-for-pound lyricists to ever grace the mic. On this one, it’s produced by Blueprint and was released in April of 2004 with 13 tracks just shy of an hour and the likes ofAesop Rock & Vast Air on the feature list.
I really can’t stress this enough: this album transcended the genre as a whole. When talking about the early 2000s era of ‘underground’, it was a very different landscape then it is now. As impressive as the culture is now, back then it was predominantly run by what I would call ‘Poetry Rap’ veterans such as
-Aesop Rock
-Slug
-Brother Ali
-Eyedea, and of course (and in my opinion the best one) Illogic. So the lyrical aspects of albums like this are mind-blowing in the most complex and interesting ways possible.
What’s interesting is that if you go back and listen to the handful of albums before this one, Illogic had a more aggressive and raw approach with his rapping. Dare I compare him to early Eminem? It felt like he had a chip on his shoulder and something to prove, while on this one we get to hear the true essence and mastery of his pen game in full force.
His poetry is both expressive and complex. It’s from this album that got me passionate about learning more advanced vocabulary and showing an interest in poetry!
It literally feels like each song is its own magnificently crafted poem. One of the more iconic and long-lasting tracks is the song ‘1000 Whispers’, which is almost 5 minutes of non-stop lyrical genius. This is actually one of the only tracks I was never able to memorise because of its sheer complexity!
Keep in mind on tracks like -Time Capsule he raps alongside the legends -Aesop Rock and -Vast Aire, two men renowned for their advanced penmanship! And yet Illogic just fits right in EFFORTLESSLY! (Anyone who is a fan of the two will understand how ridiculous of a statement that is) but it’s true!
This album’s wordplay and pen game have stood the test of time for over two decades now. There have been some incredible lyricists I’ve discovered since Illogic, but none hit as hard as this one does. Also, the fact that his discography did not stop here! He only further expanded his lyricism in his later drops; his last few drops in the past few years have been equally as impressive as he’s started production on his own music, and it turns out he has a knack for that as well!
Speaking of production. If his lyrics were mesmerising, that only speaks volumes to Blueprint, who created one of the most powerful and trippy scores I’ve EVER heard on a rap album to date.
This feels like a trip through space. Once you put headphones on and experience this album, it makes me imagine I’m sitting inside a spaceship watching the ever-expanding emptiness of space pass me by as I see the glaring sun and the moon in my eyesight! It has a magical effect that I can’t do justice with just words.
Every aspect from track one to the end is done in this atmospherically driven way that has the essence of mystery and wonder trapped in the music itself.
If Pink Floyd made a hip-hop album, I swear this is what it would sound like. From the choices in the instrumentation to the specific voice snippets used throughout the album, it just feels like you’re stuck in a deadbolt through space and time inside a pocket universe surrounded by experimentally constructed soundscapes that are as compelling as any I’ve ever heard!
Blueprint and Illogic have a strong history together, and it makes sense why. They understand each other in a way many wouldn’t. The chemistry they have and the art they create is one of a kind.
I’m asking all my readers to donate 59 minutes of your time to listen to this front to back. I stand on the hill that this is one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time done by the premier lyricists, period.
If you have heard this before, take the time to revisit it now because it only gets better with age!
https://open.spotify.com/album/4ZlfKq4gy7qMjlPNfIupvR?si=JiOrFCkBSAy7xHej9Bn9-w
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