Killer Mike
R.A.P. Music

5.0
classic

Review

by kingsoby1 EMERITUS
May 13th, 2012 | 1599 replies

Release Date: 2012 | Tracklist

Review Summary: A hip-hop masterpiece to be remembered for years to come

When it was revealed that R.A.P. Music would be produced entirely by New York's progressive hip-hop demigod El-P, it's easy to imagine a majority of his fans facepalming in unison. While a generalization, it may not be baseless to assume fans of southern rap do not typically overlap musical taste with their internet nerd-hop cousins. If that were even the case, Killer Mike and El-P's collaborative effort not only turns that notion on its head, but breaks new ground for the genre as a whole. The beats start with classically southern sampling techniques and drum tracks as a baseline. For the casual listener there may be no obvious difference from the typical use of an 808 - except they go fierce another level. El's trademark syncopation and distorted synth-bass gradually seep into the compositions, begging for the listener to pull back each layer individually. At first listen, "Southern Fried" suggests itself a simplistic country jam with a guitar sample; the evolution is almost extraordinary. The sample is cut and modified in such a way that it allows El-P to use it almost rhythmically, its use mostly a transition into a Hammond organ-driven minor blues chorus amidst a syncopated drums, synths, and Killer Mike-sung hook. Other tracks are more traditional (for El-P) electronic-based productions, like the chronicle of cop death in "Don't Die" or the self-featured "Butane". Most impressively, they refrain from transitioning to hard electronic boom-bap and maintain the focus on Killer Mike.

While El-P's compositions form the perfect sonic backdrop to rap over; they aren't the only reason why R.A.P. Music succeeds in spades. Not only is Mike's storytelling at its absolute peak here, but his lyricism is on point - far improved from anything he's done in the past. Pre-release leak "Big Beast" starts the record on this rejuvenated note of sorts; all emcees go off on the mic possessed. Delivery-wise Killer Mike is obviously influenced by Outkast's Big Boi, yet pulls a lot from the venerable Scarface as well as his own individual touch. The record is philosophical and politically charged without misdirected or unnecessary anger. The discussion on "Reagan" dissects the roots of our government's oppression of its people and calls our presidents out for the figureheads that they are. But most importantly, R.A.P. Music is a wildly personal journey ending on a very emotional note through Killer Mike's narration in "Willie Burke Sherwood" (a dedication to his passed-away grandfather that he would unequivocally be proud of). The self-titled closer continues in this vein with what is quite possibly the most inspirational boon for the genre of hip-hop since the 90s set over the most chaotic, thought-provoking beat this side of Funcrusher Plus:

I've never really had a religious experience in a religious place. The closest I've ever come to seeing or feeling god is -- listening to rap music. Rap music is my religion. Amen.

R.A.P. Music has redefined what exactly we should expect hip-hop to be and defies regional categorizations. Not only is it essential listening for hip-hop in 2012, but also one of the few records that pushes musical and cultural boundaries in general.

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user ratings (1209)

4.1
excellent

Rank: #46 for 2012

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Killer Mike
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