When violence is played to outrageous extremes, there are two possible results. One would be that the violent content would be so extreme and poorly performed that the album would not work, as is the case with
50 Cent's discography. Rappers who can take such extremes and make them work incorporate more interesting themes and ideas, such as
Eminem or
Esham. Insane Poetry, consisting of MC Cyco, DJ Streek and Shakespear the One-Man Riot cross horror movie gore with real-life horrors and socially-conscious lyrics to make for engaging efforts.
Grim Reality, consists of a "Grim" side featuring ghoul tales like "Angel of Death", "How Ya Gonna Reason With a Psycho?", "The House That Dripped Blood' and "Bring Ya Daughter to the Slaughter", with Cyco rapping in a manner similar to a demonic
Chuck D, while the "Reality" side sounds like a darker
Public Enemy. The lyrics now deal with themes like AIDS, domestic violence and "going postal".
While the first half of the album treads themes and ideas that have done before by the likes of the
Geto Boys, it is the second half the album that keeps the album from becoming a silly
Insane Clown Posse-style affair. By mentioning serial killers like Jefferey Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy alongside the LAPD's beating of Rodney King, Insane Poetry presents a dark, but realistic view of humanity. "One Careless Moment" recounts the urban legend of a vengeful woman with AIDS who had unprotected sex with married men, leaving the words "Welcome to the world of AIDS" written in lipstick on the bathroom mirror.
The documentary-styled realism of the "Reality" side is extremely strong, while the cartoonish "Grim" side should appeal to genre fans. But even this side is done well enough to entertain, particularly the funky "How Ya Gonna Reason With a Psycho", which should be a Halloween party favorite, lined with some entertainingly ghoulish lyrics. The interludes often cross into the cartoonish territory, although "Choppin' Up a Body" is quite atmospheric.
Grim Reality is one of the stronger efforts in the underground subgenre of "horrorcore", intriguingly blending compelling social commentary with some of the most startling black humor this side of an EC comic.
Grim Reality is not for everyone, but fans of its genre should enjoy it.
