By Odeisel
“D Motherfucka, D!” Radio Raheem’s angry response to the Bed Stuy Korean grocer set off one of the funniest sequences in movie history. In this instance it sets off Von Pea’s flavorful “Boombox,” named in homage after Raheem’s radio. The track, from the upcoming Pea’s Gotta Have It solo album, is Von Pea in cruise control.
The beat, produced by AEON, is helmed by a lounge lizard bass like and accented by synthy stabs. The programmed drums are basic boom bap configuration. Some low keys push the bassline into motion and an “Oh yeah” is crooned into the mix to add some soul to it.
Von Pea’s everyman approach to rhyming is his biggest strength. It allows for him not to take himself too seriously with the hardcore posturing or to think he’s overly nice. On the flip side, his personality is not overtly dominant so when a track is smooth, as is the case with “Boombox,” you can get caught just grooving to the beat and not paying attention. When you do, however, there are slick lines and pop culture references and rhymes that aren’t to be taken for granted. He is a legitimate MC with solid skills. You just have to tune in to find it like one of those critically acclaimed sitcoms that people don’t know about.
With the interlude that leads into the track and the sound of a tape deck on the end, you know that this song is part of a larger concept and as such, its effectiveness may depend on a larger mosaic. As a standalone it’s a cool tune that won’t put you to sleep but won’t make you hop your ass out of bed. It does make you interested in the rest of the album.
Von Pea-Boombox
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