I normally don’t like to compare artists/groups, but I do this so you get an idea what style and direction these particular artists are going for. In this case SoulWhat?, a Miami based trio reminds me of another tight unit from New York, The Arsonists. These cats have unrelenting razor sharp lyrics. Their flow is impeccable and they build off each other so well, it’s hard to pick a favorite emcee much like when the Arsonists dropped their debut ‘As the World Burns” back in August 1999. SW consists of three talented individuals (Afterlogic, Newsense and Parable). It’s easy to fall into a trance and become mesmerized by their music.
SoulWhat? is what Hip-Hop needs in the current era of saturation and artists that are so commercial that you can’t distinguish them from actual commercial advertisements. Because of this, SW is a breath of freshness, an injection of pure rap adrenaline. The first track is an intro where they creatively break down the “Back to the Future” movie theme. “Run,” the second track, slowly creeps up on you with the same beat that the Pharcyde used on their classic “Runnin.” It’s obvious that SoulWhat? know their Hip-Hop history. The chorus is a message to other artists in this genre to represent who you really are:
“AYO! Run! Run! Just move with the rhythm.
NOW! Run! Run! C’mon who are you kiddin’?
SO! Run! Run! Just use what you’re given when music
your living betta do something different!”
The song chronicles the life of true emcees these days, battling choices of whether to stay true or succumb to commercialism or just give up. The next track “Ay Stupid” starts off with Parable spittin’:
“What does it take to get recognition in this proclaimed culture?
I don’t know but something’s missing, I need a rap makeover.
Forget the same thing; we’ll talk about my ching ching!
Forget Parable you’re now in tuned Para Bling Bling!”
All this proceeded by a gunshot, which is what this art has turned into a soap opera/fashion show. Finally a crew with the balls to say something! Once you’ve gotten this far, you’re ready for more and “Wordbending” keeps the onslaught going. With a very amped up beat and quick precision lyrics, all the emcees rip it. As they say, this is “lyrical acupuncture for your nerve endings.”
“Get Funk Muzik” employs a tight down south crunk-ish type beat where the emcees spit intelligent battle rhymes instead of some fake bling.
On the “SoulWhat? Radio” interlude you’ll find them making fun of the mundane, so called Hip-Hop, that’s played on every radio station.
SoulWhat does some experimenting with the last track entitled “SoulWhat? Vs. Beck” where the crew rhymes over Beck’s loser beat. This group definitely has much potential and are the new wave of Hip-Hop coming from a region mostly known for its Miami Bass/Crunk music. This LP is a definite must have. Hit them up at http://www.soulwhat.com/ or myspace.com/soulwhat. -CyPhEr777
