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| tracklisting |
| 1. Press Start |
| 2. Now Culture |
| 3. Rockin' It |
| 4. Crazy With It feat. Little E |
| 5. Du Et |
| 6. What's Love |
| 7. Do Or Die |
| 8. Say Word |
| 9. Shine feat. Mahogany |
| 10. Part 1 |
| 11. Down With That feat. Mahogany |
| 12. I Elevate |
| 13. Mind Wars feat. Da Wizard Of Aahz |
| 14. Beat Box |
| 15. The Half |
| 16. Street Life feat. Aziatic |
| 17. Soul Man |
| 18. Part 2 |
| 19. Soul Clap |
| 20. Uh Uh |
| 21. The Reality |
| 22. Dear You feat. Mahogany |
| 23. It's Hip Hop |
| 24. Gave Over |
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| While other rappers choose to lace their albums with blaring bass and clichéd themes, The Nobodies set themselves apart by approaching their album "Now Culture" with an innovation and creativity that is, for the most part, lacking in the rap game. The fusion of jazz,
old school, and percussion sounds throughout this LP are not only refreshing, they are effective. However, phenomenal artists are great not just because of their innovation, but because they excel at all facets of rap. While The Nobodies are certainly innovative, they need to continually improve themselves;
regardless, "Now Culture" offers a musical glance of a group at the cusp of success. |
| From the very start of this album, The Nobodies distinguish themselves from other rappers. Rather than try to saturate their tracks with bass, The Nobodies shift their focus on melody. By using basic beats and smooth jazz riffs, the laid-back vibe of the tracks is unique enough to
make beatniks groove to, but powerful enough to get love from hiphop heads alike. Whether the tracks are laced with a soulful chorus or a serenading piano, the eclectic infusion of creative melodies is clearly the strong point of this album. Although the simple rhyme schemes keep the album basic, it
is in this minimalism that makes The Nobodies stand out. The beat and the flow do not battle each other for musical supremacy, but rather, form a symbiotic relationship in which each track blends in perfectly with the next. This harmony between the tracks creates the aura of a free-flowing jam session.
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| What is most unique about this free-flowing album is that each track encapsulates a different style, while still maintaining continuity throughout. For example, track 4's "Crazy With It" is a jazzed-out song mixed with
a hypnotic drumbeat; this track leads into "Du Et" which features a crazy flute melody attached to an ill Eagleman beat. By taking a single element from one track and incorporating it in the next song, The Nobodies not only captivate listeners, but they provide something for everybody:
"Shine" and "Dear You" are somber songs featuring the spine-tingling voice of Mahogany that are moving both emotionally and musically; "Down With That" and
"Uh Uh" are laid back tracks with riffs that sound like they are straight from the mind of Thelonious Monk himself; while the upbeat "It's Hip Hop" and "Say Word"
are more uplifting than Prozak. |
| The only problem with the intensely creative and diverse production on this album is that The Nobodies leave the listener desiring more lyrically. This is unfortunate because almost all of the beats and melodies are solid, and The Nobodies have the perfect flow to complement the
production. With such an original album, I expected witty, pensive lyrics to match; however, many of their lyrics come across as lackluster. While this was a disappointment, there is a silver lining to this cloud. The Nobodies are so effective at their delivery that listeners will often find themselves
entranced in a hypnotic headbop-mesmerized by their smooth delivery and captivated by the melody. Do not get me wrong, The Nobodies are not wack emcees incapable of rhyming, one just expects more when everything else on album is right on point. |
| Overall, "Now Culture" is a very good album and The Nobodies are very good emcees. In fact, they maintain the intrinsic qualities that hiphop thrives on: hunger, innovation and audacity. Once their lyrics equal the rest of the quality work prevalent throughout this album,
they will no longer be nobodies, but rather, great emcees. |
| review: penczar |
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