producers: sup the chemist, clasic, kennard morris, max, blest one, vic.

11. As The Sun Rises feat. Jon Gibson

Every now and then, a name reaches your ear, and you fail to be able to remember where you first heard it, or in what context, but the name will stuck. It will stuck, because for some odd reason, the name also communicates the fact, that the cat bearing the name is dope. And maybe after a while you get to hear the music that matches the name, and what you always knew is being confirmed. Case in point: Sup The Chemist is dope. This finding is backed up when he starts with "The Return Of", and it is rather dramatic, with a low boom being combined with a shattering drum, and the two get your head in instant bobbing motion. On the lyrical tip, Sup is matching the comic that's featured in the CD inlay, as he's talking about the mission at hand. He then proves that what he is doing will never show up in the files of the investigators of wack hip hop, as "Language Of Imagination", is proving that his word are analytical and in character of worthwhile proportions, it also talking about the stance that Sup is willing to take.

"My Shot" opens with some gunshot sounds, but then moves forward to unfold into something rather cute. Sup's rhyme style might be a little hard to get used to, as he's more talking than actually flowing. And with a voice that is also a hindrance, it's the content that has to prove to you, that we are listening to something we want to listen to. Again, we are not let down, as the imaginary verses are as good on this track, as they are on "Gaiety", that once more is like a blow in your stomach, with the bass kick. The piano is providing some relief, it giving the offering some air. Then there's the quick "Interlude", before with Ahmad the first guest appears on "Fresh Coast". Not failing to mention where Sup is hailing from, giving Cali the deserving props, we are also getting a number of bragging writes, combined with some explanatory rhymes, where reasons, and the support of the deity are explored. Things then get enormously smooth on "Photographs", as we are entering some plush chambers, with Sup reminiscing over a lost one. The sung chorus is naturally only enhancing the melancholic feel, that is still containing the glimpse of a pleased will to continue on.

The beat on "How Do You Like Your Hip-Hop?" is the first one that we have a hard time to adapt to, meaning that the plucking sound, but especially the drum, are cool, but the other beats were just more happening. The chorus asks "how do you like your hip hop / how do you like it to sound / how do you like your hip hop / kinda pop or underground", without the same question necessarily being asked during the rhymes though, as Sup rather shows you, why you should chose the latter over the first one. The drum on "Art" will again induce heave motion of the head, as it's kept in the up front half of the beat. With "Walls", we however enter some very different musical section, as things suddenly get beyond dark, with an electric guitar screaming through the ghost town feel of the beat. That isn't to the beat's benefit though. Sup talks about the influences of things not seen, and at the same time asks, what the walls could tell, if they could talk, considering all the things they must have seen.

After this short slow down, "As The Sun Rises" appears. And it's the title track, although it's not called the same as the album. However, it samples "Dust In The Wind", and the chorus of that source is adopted for this reflective song. And the beat returns on the right path, that then is left again for "Zone" however. We enjoy this though when we go into a quick Freestyle Fellowship rendition, while for the rest of the track, Elevated team up with Sup to do some braggadocios rhymes. "Top Ramen Nites" sounds rather restrained, as the desperate content is demanding such. Here we hear about someone almost willing to beg for what he's trying to achieve. This leads up to the name check track "Sup The Chemist", that is another bare offering, and is used to give us some straighter flowing, with straight punchlines being spit. Teaming up with Joey L. and Btwice from LA Symphony, "Venality" is having us listen to Sup's character rhyming, where you will also hear background comments. And once more the state of hip hop is getting some blows, as these cats use it as the topical punching ball.

The rather long dialogue intro of "I-15 (L.V. Here I Come)" should be enough time to prepare us for another incredible beat, as Sup combines the live saxophone and flute played by Doug Webb with another hard drum, and some complementary keys. And the feel we get from this is more, than just a trip to Sin City, but it's more the wings that could take you on every mental travel, even from the comfort of your home. This is very tight. Melo-D is providing some precise cutting on "Here", and Sup allows him to get the initial center position on the song, as he holds back for a little while, before he starts to rhyme. And finally, there's "Is This A Dream?", where Sup is even further slowing down his words, this being straight up talking. The live instrumentation also separate this from the other tracks, and with the spoken word interpretation, we are being given an entity that is meant to capture your attention for the last time, what also explains the guitar bashing.

As mentioned at the beginning, this album is dope. And because it already came out a while ago, but was only dropped in our hands recently, it has collected some dust. And the whole sound of the album is giving us the same impression, and that was intended. Because with the dusty feel this has, it moves away from today's flashiness. What is good enough reason, why the name Sup The Chemist should stuck with you too, stuck like dust sticks to everything.