This month rap fans were treated to a monumental release from one of the scene’s all time greats, Common’s Black America Again is as the title suggests; an honest and frustrated look at the current state of affairs in the U.S.
His eleventh album so far brings together his unique writing style and delivery, blending it with conscious themes and the soulful style of beats that he so often prefers. Hailing from Chicago (the same city that gave us hip hop royalty such as Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco and more recently Chance the Rapper, Chief Keef and countless others) Common has always been an important figure in the world of American hip hop. This album like many other recent projects from Kendrick Lamar to Solange, highlights issues faced by black communities across the states.
Luckily from a listener’s perspective the opening track appears to have retained the smooth aesthetic we have come to expect, regardless of the lyrical content and nature of the album it shouldn’t be too much of a rocky ride. Joy and Peace (feat. Bilal) however could be the calm before the storm, either way its chunky bass, gorgeous guitar plucks and strums pave the way for two incredible vocal performances. The sung chorus is especially notable, even if Common’s wordplay is as tight as ever Bilal and the backing singers arguably steal the show. They feature heavily throughout the release, including the second track Home which instantly hits with a bit more weight. The snappy beat, expertly sampled and cut elements are another huge success. It sounds undeniably Chicago, representing the city’s more traditional roots and reminding younger listeners that the city is not all about drill music. Common is on fire once again, some strong lyrics that make it clear he will be channeling some anger on this album.
It would not be a hip hop album without a skit or two, luckily the first is a subtle speech from Moe Luv over some delicate piano, it is a pleasant addition compared to many jarring skits that you often hear ruining an album’s flow. There are many features on this project, some more familiar than others but Stevie Wonder must be the most impressive. Black America, the album’s title track of course narrates some hard hitting subject matter once again ‘the new plantation, mass incarceration’. Production wise this piece is also much more sinister, building up a tense backdrop with minor keys and melancholy strings. Each track so far has truly had its own sound, keeping you on your toes production and tempo wise but his raps are always effortlessly on point. Love Star sounds a little more radio friendly thanks to an 80’s style beat and retro chorus form the talented Marsha Ambrosius. On a Whim Interlude bridges the gap beautifully with some jazz keys and some upright bass, leading nicely into the album’s halfway point. Red Wine sounds much more current, Syd & Elena add some stunning melodies that would sound at home on albums from Banks, Lapsley or FKA Twigs. The beat is based mainly around soft drum machine hits, accented by psychedelic orchestral elements.
Skip forward to Unfamiliar (feat. PJ) and some more traditional hip hop with 808’s, heavenly string and choir samples give Common a chance to take things down a peg or two. It is essentially a love song with a fitting chorus from PJ, a stark but much needed contrast to some of the darker stages of the release. On A Bigger Picture (feat. Syd & Bilal) however we hear more stories about the justice system, unemployment and poverty. Syd whispers one of the album’s best and understated hooks, the production is also a confidently minimal affair, opting for a slightly more trap inspired beat this time. The Day Women Took Over (feat. BJ the Chicago Kid) has an incredibly glossy finish, with a soulful vocal arrangement featuring xylophones, flutes and funky staccato horns. Another gigantic feature comes from John Legend next, Rain oozes class but overall comes across a little cheesy. It sounds like it could have been written by Elton John or for a musical, but once again sounds totally unique compared to the album so far. The final two pieces of the album wrap things up very well, both slower paced but still driving his message home ‘black bodies being lost in the american dream… slavery still alive check amendment 13’.
Considering the new breed of ‘mumble rappers’ and the backlash against it from the old school elite, it is incredibly refreshing to hear an album that makes you stop, listen and think. With so much to mention across 15 tracks there is no doubt that this is one of his most impressive works to date, from some spine tinglingly deep lyrics to the heart-warming choruses. Tracks featuring the album’s shining stars Syd and Bilal stand out especially, overall it is full of pleasant surprises. With only a slight loss of momentum at times he has surely succeeded, sitting comfortably between some stark political punchlines and a genuinely enjoyable body of music. Come and check it out at your local Richer Sounds today, preferably in one of our demonstration rooms though to avoid too many swear words on the shop floor!
