Planet Ill Breakdown: Child Rebel Soldier-Don't Stop

Planet Ill Breakdown: Child Rebel Soldier-Don’t Stop

Posted On: October 9, 2010
Posted By: odeisel
Comments: 0

By Odeisel

This latest G.O.O.D. Friday track brings the promise of the long awaited trio of Pharrell, Kanye and Lupe Fiasco, under the group moniker Child Rebel Soldier. The track, entitled “Don’t Stop” is less ambitious than you would expect with three artists of this nature, particularly on the music side but it does bring some interesting elements to play.

The beat is possessed of a Latin American undercurrent with the rhythm topped off with overpowering synths that drown out all but the strongest hints of the groove. The distorted synth forces a certain aggression from the rappers. There is no R&B chorus and no break to speak of, just beats and rhymes, except for a beat change on Kanye’s verse.

Skateboard P is particularly aggressive and hammers away with punch lines and profanity, noting that many rappers “talk street shit but sound like sweet shit.” It’s a big difference from the smooth “Drop It Like It’s Hot” flow. It’s much faster and with a bit of edge.

Lupe Fiasco is energized ripping rhymes with a higher energy, higher pitched cadence and a new flow. He’d been going through the motions recently in his guest appearances. That lack of energy is nowhere to be found on this song as he flaunts his agility on the mic with a flair that puts rapper son notice that they are simply not in his weight class.

Kanye’s verse comes with a beat change that perhaps makes up for his technical flaws with a section that produces more emotion. His presence however is superior to the other two rappers and his arrogance is again on full display with lines like “pull down your pants make em kiss two cheeks like France.” His verse is full of dope lines and more heat than simple swagger.

While “Don’t Stop” isn’t as musically inventive as the other G.O.O.D. music releases, its potency can be measured in both the deliveries of its principals and in deviating from six minute long songs with overwrought choruses and breaks. Returning the fire to Lupe’s belly is, in itself G.O.O.D. work. “Don’t Stop.” Enjoy.

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