By Odeisel

The MC is arrogant.  The MC is combative. The MC is verbose. Hubris in the flesh. I’m so and so, I’m this I’m that. To MC is to escape the bounds of convention and to create a reality and a world that exists between lines.  Outside those lines fall the limitations.  True MC’s use that negative space to craft an even richer portrait.

But what happens at the height of hubris, when two dominant legends come together to create?  Would it be a lesson in egomania, fostering a lyrical game of oneupsmanship, or can they take the road less traveled and meld their talents for the greater good of the project and their listeners? Over a year ago, KRS-ONE and Buckshot, both with resumes to support the rhetoric began the journey that became Survival Skills. It’s clear upon listening that the skill and the will are both there in abundance, and while there is an evident hunger from both legends, it does not disrupt the flow of the album.

The album begins with the track of the same name, “Survival Skills.” The cutting and scratching is all there, as KRS declares, “My feet stay planted on the ground, you want that soft poppy shit you better work another sound…You want the crown, but why should I battle you when next week they gonna put you in the ground?” From the starting point, it is self evident that the Boom-Bap is still in full effect. Seething with self-assurance and the measured arrogance that has typified his career, KRS is invigorated throughout this album with renewed energy.

By now, you should have been introduced to “Robots” which predates and outfreshes D.O.A . as the principle manifesto against battery operated flows. The song is typical of the Buckshot/KRS dynamic. Much respect to Buck for subjugating his ego to play Robin to KRS’ Batman as Buck generally introduces and jabs, setting up Kris for the knockout.  Buckshot lyrically plays point guard throwing the setup verse for KRS to slam home.  It really works and they feel like they have rhymed together for years.

The lyrical highlight of the album is the dramatically produced “Cleanup Crew.” Ill Mind, who has a few monsters on this album, provides the backdrop. Rock, KRS, and Buck just devour the track with metaphors and allegory to cleaning products relating to how they mop the floor with other rappers.  You have to hear it to appreciate it fully.

This album is heavy with drums and lows, and there isn’t much in the way of futuristic ambient noise beats on the album.  The beats per minute don’t deviate much, rarely if ever venturing above 100 but it allows for the nod factor and allows you to appreciate the music while focusing on the lyrics which come in abundance not only from the two principals but also from the cast of characters.  Stellar performances include Rock (“There’s a bounty on your head and I’m the quicker picker upper”), Kweli (“You think you murder the track, you kill me, impact like the back of the Billy[club]”) Naledge(“ This ain’t a collab, it’s a constellation” ),  Sean P, Smiff n Wessun, Immortal Technique, and Pharoah Monch. 

This may seem like an inordinate amount of guests but it helps break monotony and it by This album is heavy with drums and lows, and there isn’t much in the way of futuristic ambient noise beats on the album.  The beats per minute don’t deviate much, rarely if ever venturing above 100 but it allows for the nod factor and allows you to appreciate the music while focusing on the lyrics which come in abundance not only from the two principals but also from the cast of characters.  Stellar performances include Rock (“There’s a bounty on your head and I’m the quicker picker upper”), Kweli (“You think you murder the track, you kill me, impact like the back of the Billy[club]”) Naledge (“ This ain’t a collab, it’s a constellation” ),  Sean P, Smiff n Wessun, Immortal Technique, and Pharoahe Monch.  This may seem like an inordinate amount of guests but it helps break monotony and it by no way mutes Buck’s, or KRS’ dominant presence throughout.

If there is one flaw on this album it is the lack of significant speed/pace changes throughout.  While the beats are varied, they don’t deviate much speed wise which, in a way, necessitates the varied guest lineup to more clearly delineate transition and change. If you aren’t an apostle of the Boom-Bap, that could wear on you, but this album is totally aimed at the nation of the Boom unapologetically.

In conclusion, Survival Skills is another win for Hip-Hop.  In a landscape dominated by slick talk, this album offers lyrical depth, a wide range of MC voices and a cohesive mixture of beats and rhymes that will easily satisfy the underground and hold its own space in the marketplace.  It is worthy of your dollars and worth of more than a few listens. Fans of both artists can rejoice that their favorite MC’s still have the passion that made them great without the dated sound that could have had them lost in the 90s. They assert themselves yet manage not to trip over each other’s different style and delivery and that makes for a great listener experience.

Out of 5

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