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If Nas is Queensbridge’s finest then Blaq Poet is the soul of QB. He has proven his worth for over 20 years in the game and his new album Blaq Poet Society further solidifies his reputation, not only in the infamous project’s hall of fame, but throughout the New York City. The beats, the flow, the lyrics and the features are extremely hardcore, but what else do you expect from Blaq? Producers Stu Bangas and Vanderslice laced every track with their eerie synths and booming basslines, the scratches of DJ Weston add true Hip-Hop grit.
The intro beautifully sets the dark-tone for the entire album with quotes from three strange, but unique dudes. A quote from Ronald Regan when he hosted “General Electric Theater,” Aryan socio-path Michael Thompson, and the character Marv from the action flick Sin City are all sampled in the dramatic piano-tuned beat. The most chilling quote comes from murderer, Michael Thompson, when he states, “”I’m probably one of the most violent individuals you’d ever meet in your life. No brag, just fact, it’s that simple.” It’s definitely one of the weirdest and entertaining intros of all-time.
The eeriness and piano-riddled sounds continue on “Butcher Shop,” featuring R.A. The Rugged Man. The track kicks off with light trumpet notes and quickly changes direction with a robust bassline. Blaq takes a shot at Drake in his lyrical melee when he spits, “This is a warzone/it really ain’t safe here/put the kids in a daycare/its no Drake here,” followed by the Drake sample “We know.” R.A. also brought the bars to the table, with his impressive non-stop flow technique. The scratching and cuts for 2-minutes was refreshing to hear on a song, but it was excessive. I much rather hear another verse and about 30 seconds of scratching.
The album is pretty one dimensional, with 14 songs full of grimy, gangster, street-themed lyrics. Yes, it’s a Blaq Poet album, but how many songs about shootouts, guns and murders can a listener take? The songs “Daytime Shootouts” and “Nighttime Shootouts” have the same beat and the same exact subject matter. It’s pretty much the same songs, except they’re placed different parts of the album.
One bright spot is the song “Hood Talk” where Po’ speaks through the perspective of things living in the ghetto, from a tree to a liquor store to a Halal chicken store. The song is quite imaginative and shows another side of Blaq’s brute personality. His humor is in fine-form with the line “Even the rats is talking/they riffing with the squirrels/tellin’ them keep walkin.”
The production is fire but repetitive, with the same spooky synths throughout, which becomes tiresome after the first five tracks. “Life of a Hustle” is definitely the best tailored beat on the album. The tune is inspired by an 80s ballad and sounds like a Harry Fraud beat. The electric guitar notes and xylophone-inspired beat is welcome break from overly dramatic beats on the rest of the album. CNN’s Capone guests on the track; his low-raspy voice complemented the melody well.
Blaq Poet Society is a dark album with grim beats and haunting production. It’s not bad but there is very little variety on the album. It’s lyrically credible but decidedly one note in construction. Blaq poet would have been better served rounding out the production and varying the track makers. He has the talent and the intelligence to expand his content past the same old street tales.
Out of 5
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Great Review