Review Summary: HIP-HOP started for the love baby, not shootin your man with a slug like Cheney
Beyond an occasional politically motivated track, modern rappers do nothing to fight for social justice or help oppressed people. The exact opposite is true of KRS-ONE, and has been true since his friend and BDP member Scott la Rock was murdered.
Adventures in Emceein is 20 TRACKS, no interludes, no intros/outros not even any “filler tracks”. Every verse has a unique message of its own. Topics include: Illegal wars, being a slave to money, self esteem, civil rights history, the current state and purpose of rap music-the history and original style of hip hop and much more. The main theme of the album is to never give up and always fight for what you know is right. KRS-ONE has lived this theme and makes the album unbelievably interesting using his full template of lyrical skills combined with the knowledge of a politically conscious 42 year old.
The forte of KRS-ONE’s music is, and has always been, the truth in his lyrics; his message. While other rappers struggle to come up with coherent and non-contradictory message, KRS-ONE truly lives up to his alias of The Teacha and comes off as knowledgeable rather than pretentious. KRS-ONE, who has been rapping for 25+ years, has flowing to a beat down to a science. While progressively adopting a faster paced and more lyrically complex new-school style throughout his career, KRS never strayed away from the original point of his music: to spread valuable knowledge that’s necessary for ending oppression. Adventure’s in Emceein is educational yet somehow (on most tracks, and after a few listens) musically incredible. You may think this is hyperbolic but it’s not, using poetry can be the most effective way to make a point, and KRS-ONE has mastered this technique.
DOWNSIDE: Anyone who has heard KRS-One knows the downside to his albums are the overall sound; his choruses are very simple and absurdly repetitive by following an old school tradition where chorus’ only reemphasize the subject matter while the verses are the real meat of the songs.
Appreciating KRS-ONE’s new albums requires taking hip hop seriously and understanding what KRS-ONE is attempting to do. KRS believes hip hop is a lifestyle; a philosophy or religion that fights to destroy ignorance and break down racial and cultural boundaries. Give this album a few focused listens, you'll be shocked that rap’s lyrics can rise to this poetic level. The sound gets significantly better with every listen as you become more familiar with the lyrics.
Best tracks:
Money
The Teacha Returns
All My Love
