Legendary mic wrecker and freedom fighter Chuck D knocks it out of the park with “We Wreck Stadiums.” The immense platter is a soul-filled tribute to the legacy of some of baseball’s titanic talents and its renowned athletes. This inventive concept album, which very well might be the first in the genre to encapsulate the spirit of the sport throughout, finds Chuck masterfully and movingly unrolling history lessons and a contemplative celebration of the pastime, its heroes, and what they represent.
The audio artistry immediately impacts with the title cut, “We Wreck Stadiums,” an all-star line-up featuring Chuck alongside fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Rahiem and Kidd Creole of The Furious Five and DMC, billed collectively as the Hall of Famers. The legendary emcees raise the roof with biting bars and potent delivery on this jolting joint.
On “Cobra,” MistaChuck unleashes a bevy of signature flows while paying homage to seven-time All-Star and MVP, Dave “The Cobra” Parker. The uber funky drums, pipe organ and horn-fused platter pays homage to the classic era of the game and one of its giant figures. While the bass-laded “Warning Track” is a funk beast of a knocker featuring Chuck’s undeniable deft dialog and a mean break down mid track.
“Hard To See My Baseball Cards Move On” is a slow-rolling, infectious and soul-filled contemplative ride that celebrates and commemorates the legacies of the games’ heroes who’ve passed on “to that ballpark in the sky.” The moving tribute eloquently conveys a deep sense of melancholy with memories of cherished players who graced the face of trading cards of a bygone era.
The lyrical dynamo salutes a bevy of pro ball legends throughout this impressive 11-track heavy hitter, including Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Wally Moon, Ferguson Jenkins, and plenty of others, along with their teams, the fields they played, and stadiums they filled.
All but one song on the album is helmed by the immensely talented C-Doc, who pitches a no-hitter with a masterful mix of knocking production, grooving drums, irresistible noise, searing guitars, wicked horns and precision cuts. The final banger, “ESPN Sunday Night Baseball Theme” is cooked up by seasoned Bomb Squad producer Gary G-Wiz.
Chuck’s boundless talent and unwavering creativity are unprecedented. The icon with the boomin’ voice has never rested on his laurels and has a knack for continuing to innovate and push the boundaries of the genre while never passing up an opportunity to elevate the culture and its sounds, all while showering fellow icons with their flowers. Sit back, raise the volume to ten and get ready to experience another grand slam from a class act. -IZ
Experience Chuck D star in this explosive cinematic piece for “We Wreck Stadiums.”
