For fans of pure, authentic Hip Hop, Friday, July 1st is no ordinary day. Today marks the highly anticipated release of Nolan The Ninja’s “he(art)” LP & like Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, Nas, and many of his lyrically gifted predecessors who helped shape the culture, we feel Nolan’s power-packed debut platter will be equally regarded with an overwhelming amount of adulation and acclaim.
The Pig Pen produced “opulence.” kicks off the proceedings with a conversation about the weak s**t and bubble gum rap that’s been stinking up the industry. Nolan swiftly bumrushes the scene & THRASHES the mic with hardcore bars that immediately alert the listeners to the fact that soft & mushy pop crap ain’t happening when the Detroit Dynamo’s in town! “immortality.”(produced by Sound Boy) continues the action with a nod to The Roots’ classic “Proceed” joint as Nolan livens up the atmosphere with raw, rapid-fire rhymes that find the emcee proclaiming his genius by boasting, “Musically I’m Thelonious.” “dianetics.” digs into the raw essence of what Hip Hop is about & why all the true heads need it to survive! “deploi.”(ft. Phat Kat) furthers the aforementioned theme with another gritty 5ynoT produced soundscape that pulls us into the “abyss.” The soul gem featuring Red Pill of Ugly Heroes will make you nod your head with such force you’ll BREAK YOUR NECK!!! “epitome.”(ft. MAHD + L.A.Z. of Clear Soul Forces + Supa Emcee) is a showcase of lyrical mastery that leads into the Lil Kim “Crush On You” influenced “pennie$.(prelude)” with 5ynoT gettin’ busy on the drum machine! The light-hearted sonic diversion is just a teaser for Nolan’s self-produced “pennies.” joint that delivers a dark backdrop of struggle & survival. He’s got a pocket full of pennies…but we see millions of dollars in his future.
“integrity.”(ft. Guilty Simpson) pushes forward with a triumphant groove worthy of a king. Actually 2 kings as Nolan & Simpson lay down the law over 5ynoT’s top class production. After that, Nolan slows down the tempo on his self-produced “he(art).” title track, but the shift in pace allows him to deliver introspective bars that instantly connect! “ecology.”(ft. A-Minus) coaxes us into a false sense of serenity before unrepentant Boom Bap action shatters the illusion. Nolan & A-Minus make for a good lyrical tag-team duo with contrasting vocal styles that mesh extremely well together on the track. The MOSS laced “amour.” is pure love to our ears as Nolan proves his diversity with impressive changes in cadence and tone. The production possesses a melancholy vibe that will trigger a sea of heartfelt emotion…No one can sever Nolan’s spiritual connection to the music! “40 acres.”(ft. Noveliss of Clear Soul Forces) is the album’s highlight…and how could it not be when you have these two next-level lyricists going toe-to-toe on the mic?!? Add Def Dee’s irresistible soundscape to the mix and you get a no-holds barred BANGER!!! “reel sh_t.”(ft. Finale) takes the listeners into exotic musical territory with lush grooves crafted by Jay P while the super spitters navigate the rhythm with major success! “potency.” soon follows with its mix of Quiet Storm harmonies & hard beats while Nolan commands us to feel the vibe. Yep, it’s most definitely felt. The track’s as potent as it gets! “coda.”(ft. DJ Soko) rounds out the collection with powerhouse rhythms courtesy of Soe95 & Nick Speed). It’s a tour de force of Hip Hop excitement that elevates the art & leaves fans begging for more.
Nolan The Ninja poured his he(art) & soul into his official debut & all listeners will benefit as a result. We want top quality content and music that will be more than a fleeting memory. The Detroit lyricist delivers the goods with material that make him unforgettable! – Kevin Keith
Cop the album at iTunes
