BC-TIME CAPSULE:TIME PIECES PART 1 PERIPHERAL RECORDS
I’ve always wondered why in art, especially when it comes to music, many talented artists get overlooked or don’t even get looked at altogether. This problem seems to happen more specifically in Hip Hop than in any other musical genre. If you don’t fit a certain mold like a particular rhyme style or spit about certain overused topics or even rock the latest fashion etiquette, you pretty much don’t exist. This is something that I’ve been trying to combat as a devoted fan and freelance journalist for over 10 plus years. My goal always has and always will be to expose the unexposed; to find and bring light to this ever expanding culture. On my journey, I’ve come across and reviewed many talented artists and B.C. is definitely one of them. I first heard this artist display his skills as part of the Hip Hop collective called Red Tide around 1998/1999. Now he re-emerges with a new project entitled “Time Capsule”. Although it’s a short 8 song release, it’s hella sick!
I have been feeling more and more apathetic about underground hip-hop as each year goes by, until now that is. I’m really feeling this EP, and the eight tracks on here will blow your mind, from the opening track, “Pop World”, to “Dream Space”. B.C. is an amazing MC with some of the most creative lyrics I’ve heard. I’m in awe of this artist’s varied and contrasting, quick fire rhyme styles. I would entitle his style as “radical futurism” and “Time Capsule” as a whole, is one of the most unique attacks on the hip hop machine with lyrics that are at once scathing and yet productive. The flows are conscious without ever getting preachy, funny without being corny, streetwise without being false and trite.
The production on the album is exceptional, deep, dirty, dramatic and brimming with attitude. It’s mostly handled by exceptional beat smiths like Mudd Buddha, Vinnie Saletto and Lazy (also of Red Tide). Some of the beats are restrained while tingling in the back, desperately trying to break free and when they do, they morph into some wild jungle-ish, neck breaking explosion. Others contain electro/industrial themes that perfectly match B.C.’s intelligent, funny, inventive and flowing lyrics that my ears have ever been blessed to hear. The track that stands out though is “Ode to Gil Scott-Heron” featuring Saul Williams. Both artists flip back and forth continuing their science fiction words, with lexicon battle lines but, still delivering poetic styles to keep the listener constantly second guessing while shredding the beat.
Straight up, “Time Capsule” is a gem in a Hip Hop game full of gravel! The album contains so much; every time I listen I notice entirely new themes, samples, and subtleties. If you know and love hip hop, but need something completely original, as I stated earlier this album will blow your mind. Please pick up a copy and witness for yourself by hitting B.C. up @ http://www.myspace.com/blackchild or http://thepopworld.com/
That’s a cool cover.