Review Summary: This the city limit, where you see they have no remorse at
Curtis Cross, aka Black Milk, is no stranger to the Midwest hip hop scene. From the foundation of B.R. Gunna almost a decade ago all the way up to his recent split EP with fellow Detroit rapper Danny Brown, Black Milk has always been lurking about, ready to collaborate with the community and utilize his abilities as a producer. He’s become something of the Midwest’s new Kanye West, if you will, with his constant behind-the-scenes work with other hip hop artists. However, since the critically acclaimed release of
Tronic, Black Milk’s solo career has been somewhat underwhelming. Sure,
Album of the Year wasn’t bad by any means, and
No Poison No Paradise was great, but there was something missing. Neither of the two seemed to really live up to the standard that Black Milk had set with
Tronic. But now, just one year after releasing
No Poison No Paradise, Black Milk has crafted a solid contester for his magnum opus in the form of
If There’s a Hell Below.
The first major thing that’ll catch your attention is the production style. It’s a trademark of Midwest hip hop to opt for a more soulful, jazzy soundscape, and Black Milk uses this to great effect. Opener “Everyday Was” exemplifies this perfectly, with a synth-laden intro leading into a steady bass line and saxophone in the background, along with an excellent chorus from featured singer Mel. It also illustrates Black Milk's lyrical prowess, with lines such as
”Need a couple grand in they hand put the handgun/To the next man, grandma live longer than grandson”. “Leave the Bones Behind” taps into the jazziest part of Black Milk’s sound, with sampled trumpets and a choir supporting fellow rappers Blu and AB. The entire mix feels incredibly crisp and concise, but simultaneously gives off that gritty Detroit feel that you’ve come to love. Other standout tracks include “Quarter Water”, “Scum”, “Gold Piece”, and “All Mighty”.
But what really completes the album is the fact that even in spite of his restrained style, Black Milk still manages to get you lost in his music. No matter how calm or mellow he seems, you still feel like you’re walking down the streets of Detroit, watching gang fights erupt and young men struggle to support their families and avoid a life of crime. There’s just
something about the way Curtis Cross raps that gives him a bit of a storyteller quality. Maybe that steady tone of voice and relaxed delivery convey the spirit of man that has seen too much, and who wants to warn the youth of urban America to make the right decisions. Whatever it is, one thing’s certain: Black Milk can still write one hell of a solo record. And even if you haven’t cared to give his past few albums a listen,
If There’s a Hell Below is a fine place to begin with his solo discography. Well done, Curt.
