By Odeisel

We have arrived at a point in Hip Hop where the old guard is slowly by surely changing and the things that were once chiseled in stone have been reduced to dry erase marker. All the fans above 30 are decrying the present marketplace, cut off from the music by radio guardsmen who refuse to play things they can identify with. Those who are teens and early twenties are cut off from historical resonance by elders who would rather bitch than teach and maintain that connection. So it seems we arrive at impasse.

But as is custom in the way the world moves, there will always come someone that obscures the lines between eras. It would seem that for this moment in time, Jay Electronica is being cast as that person. A lyricist from below the Mason Dixon with East Coast connections, a Nawlins pedigree, a baby Badu from Texas, and all the good will in the world after dropping Exhibit C which featured inspired production from Just Blaze. The song, which has been out since at least November 2009 is picking up rotations from radio outlets that have succumbed to Stanky Legged Syphilis in terms of what they normally play. To commemorate this, DJ Dub and Furious Styles have put together Victory, a mixtape which serves as curriculum vitae for Mr. Electronica, complete with older songs, newer collaborator pieces, and a few scratches and blends for artistry’s sake.

The mixtape is 27 full tracks long and as such can be difficult to listen to in one sitting (not due to quality, but the amount of time you can sit your ass still at a given moment) and it’s a large amount to digest. But as you devour it, you will note a few things about this man and his music. He is extremely well read, and there is a profundity to his rhymes that is striking. There is no cat bat hat going on by any means. Secondly, his flow is unorthodox, and not quite fluid, but definitively dynamic and not stuck to any particular rhyme scheme, which is important when you consider his topic matter and his monotone voice. Thirdly, he has a distinct connection to the past, his lyrics peppered with old school references,with deftly interpolated lines from Hip-Hop’s bygone era. Finally, you will notice that lyrically he is not light in the ass.  

The “Intro” goes everywhere from Bishop samples from Juice, speeches from Farrakhan, Mic Geronimo snippets, Run DMC, and more, a seeming metaphor for all the elements that inform his music. From there it segues directly into “Exhibit B” with the mighty Mos Def riding shotgun. Just Blaze sounds inspired and Mos Def sounds as lively as any recent performance. Next up is the bouncy “Suckas,” simultaneously a nod to B.I.G. and an admonishment of sucka emcees.

Nigerian sensation Nneka adds a worldly feel to the J. Period produced “Walking.” Funky Brother J sample and another Biggie interpolation power this track. “Dealing”, with its slickly chopped “Sexual Healing” sample showcases Electronica’s narrative abilities, while “So What Cha Sayin” showcases an agile flipping of flows. “Tapped in the game like Pacman chasing the ghost…” That tells you all you need to know about that.

“Scenario 2004” is a lively clubb-ish track featuring Jay ripping it. The song is a drastic departure from the previous songs on there and serves as another example of his range, song-wise. “Something To Hold On To” connects Jay with his religious foundation in a song that is conscious and visceral as well as narrative. First chorus you hear from him, and it’s solid. The thump of “Departure” brings poignancy from Electronica. A pulsing drum, a string for drama and you have a less is more approach that works. Chi-city’s Naledge interpolates Special Ed’s “I Got It Made” over a piano powered rhyme and opens the lane on “Cool Relax” for Jay to seal the win. “Trolly Stop” features a semi singing Jay Electronica sounding a bit Treacherous Three-ish and pulling it off.

“Hagler” lacks the energy of some of the other tracks.  The production and Jay’s voice take a bit of steam from the song. “My World” is a very dope piano powered song with a subdued drum beat. He grooves in and out of the stream and delivers with a Nas-like whose world is this. Certified win. “Me and my girl (Badu) is like JFK and Jackie, they can’t wait to see us in Dallas.”  Sick.

“Hard To Get” feat. Mr Porter begins with a “Good Times” sample featuring the great John Amos and fine ass Bern Nadette Stanis. Not really feeling the “hey lady” song from Jay Electronica, but it’s not wack, just not interesting.  The rhyme scheme on “Extra Extra” is exquisite and off kilter and reminiscent of Q-Tip’s flow on “Oh My God” from the brilliant Midnight Marauders album. The Farrakhan sample at the end is appropriate and a nice touch.

“Victory Is In My Clutches” is a dope horn heavy joint but its pretty simple in construction and nothing new. “Swagger Jackson’s Revenge” is a bit downing because you miss Mike and the opening sample (don’t know whether it’s part of the original construction or a DJ addition) exacerbates that loss, but Jay drops some serious science that’s down to earth and not the wild shit that turns you off. You already know the sonic destruction of “Just Begun” from our coverage of Reflection Eternal’s Re:Union. It’s the best collaboration song I’ve heard in years and wipes the floor with “Swagger Like Us” or “We Takin’ Over.” Shout to J. Cole for holding his own with aplomb among bombs.

“Uzi Weighs A Ton” is a bit poorly constructed, there’s too much going on with the intro but once one f the elements is removed it’s solid. However he does strangle that last verse with Rakimian candor. “Love Czars” featuring the homie Taraach feels a bit musically like “Thank You” from BP3 but not as fluid. There is far more substance on this song though. “Posers “is an unorthodox look at cats chasing the Joneses. Exhibit C you’ve heard in spades by now so you’re familiar with its excellence. It’s followed by a live rendition of “Googley Eyes.”

The tape ends with another Mos Def duet, “Holiday” which features a slow steady simmer and a track hugging Mos Def opening the song lovely. Jay-z is not as fluid or as large looming but his verse is spit with bad intentions.”Split more wigs than British Parliament.”  ‘Nuff said. The final salvo is T.H.E.W.E.A.K.-Stickup.  It’s a bit underwhelming compared to earlier material. Not wack but not as compelling.

And there you have it.  The tape is too long and doesn’t allow you to really hone in on why you should listen to Jay and you can get fatigue with a work this long, but when devoured in doses, you can see his potential as an emcee and the opportunity he has at this time, with a bit of passion and work, to succeed in whatever he tries to accomplish.

Peace

**DOWNLOAD** http://usershare.net/LiveAGL/h2mgrbvmacix

**************************************BONUS***************************************

Jay Electronica Feat. Nas -Exhibit C Remix Jay_Electronica-Exhibit_C_(Hasan_Insane_Remix)_(Feat_Nas)-2dope

out of 5

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