By Odeisel

Sometimes when you’re sifting through the emails you find a lot of junk. MC such and such is what the game’s been missing, with PR representatives adding sugar to piss to make lemonade. Other times you end up pleasantly surprised. Over the weekend I got my customary email from the very dope Mellow Music Group suggesting an album from an artist named Castle, who isn’t even on their roster. The revelation was bittersweet, for when I arrived at homeboy’s page, it looked like he’d had his fill of the grind associated with this business and had chosen to take a break.

The album, Ditch Effort, is bound by the concept of escapism; Castle attempts to leave planet Earth behind to travel outer space. In his words:

“Ditch Effort” is a loose-concept album about me leaving planet Earth behind and venturing off into space. It’s very existential, moody, and self-indulgent. I actually had no intention of releasing this album, but it didn’t feel right bidding everyone farewell with another instrumental album.

This is the last solo project I’ll be releasing for a while. After performing for almost 20 years (since I was five), I’ve grown tired of seeking a record deal or independent recognition. Giving up music is not my intention. I don’t think I ever could. I can, however, give up the “grind.”

I don’t plan to leave the grind behind forever either, but I have no idea when I’ll return to it. To those who’ve paid attention to me over the years, I appreciate your love and support.

Peace.

– Chris “CASTLE” Um’Rani

Castle is a skilled rapper with a style that is layered and not dependent on punch lines or rudimentary lyricism in order to be effective. His vocabulary is real without trying to talk over people’s heads and his concepts and song construction are also very solid. He manages a very earthly feel to an album dedicated to space travel and it’s certainly not that “crazy space shit that don’t even make no sense” a la Prodigy.

I won’t color your minds with an exhaustive review or anything too heavy, but after listening to this album, I just wanted to shed a bit of light on a cat that would probably really appreciate the attention and a few album purchases to encourage him. It wouldn’t be a mercy buy or anything of that nature. Ditch Effort is earnest, legitimately crafted Hip-Hop and yet another arrow in your quiver should you be tasked with finding music your children can listen to or music to refute the calls of critics who are uninformed.

Peace.

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