For this particular reviewer, much of today's Hip Hop/Rap scene seems to be a continous highway of contradictions and misconceptions. The original ethics of creative anger, political resentment and non-conformist energy, which, for a while, vociferously tugged and poked at the caucasian heart of the United States are long gone. Ah yes, the good ol' days.
Firstly, the clothes, and the bling. How any so-called disenfranchised young black American can be proud to wear the labels that globally perpetuates the white capitalist system, that, not only, helps to keep them 'in their place', but regularly exploits other minorities throughout the world is, well, beyond me. And please, don't get me started on the pillaging of the African diamond mines over the last couple of centuries. But, to my continous amazement, the bling seems to be worn like a badge of honour.
Secondly, the music. For a good few years now, we've been bombarded with watered down, second rate performers trying to drag the genre into the mainstream. But, as everybody knows, Rap and Hip Hop, just like Punk used to be, really only works when it is served up in a hardcore and political form. Thank fuck for artists like TUNSI, then.
Operating on a level that the likes Eminem and 50cent can only dream of, Tunsi delivers his hardcore Hip Hop with flashes of creativity that even the great political rapper MC Quake would be proud of.
What I've got in front of me is a five track sampler for Tunsi's new, and soon to be released fourth, album, 'Special Delivery'. Combining what he calls his “underground wisdom” with deep complex beats, horns and strings, Tunsi weaves a wonderfully hypnotic rap driven tapestry. Of course, there's political discourse in abundance, but the imaginative lyrical content also takes in ironic side-swipes, as well as the impending threat of technology.
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Title track, 'Special Delivery', thumps out a dark, body-moving bass which compliments the intelligent rhymes perfectly.
'Whoop De Do' is a long overdue ironic blast at the mega-hyped celebrity industry. Tunsi cynically raps: “All my jewelry comes in two's, Whoop De Do/ And I'm so well known I'm on the news, Whoop De Do/My crew will stomp you if I choose, Whoop de Do/With these pockets packed how could I lose, Whoop De Do”. Very funny.
'Shock Pain', and the brilliant 'Politics At Work' help to keep the standard of 'Special Delivery' at a high level. Unfortunately, the final track is an unneccesary insrumental of the title track.
Still, 'Politics At Work' is worth a special mention, mainly due to the fantastic mix of horns and beats. Again lyrically cutting, (“...haven't got enough time to microwave a potata/So far the educational system is turning your kids into a traitor”), the track is a blast at the increasing politicisation of the workplace. It's strong, powerful and, above all, it's authentic.
So, if, like me, you've been bored to death by the recent trashlike conveyer belt that Hip Hop and Rap have to offer, and have been hankering for something more genuine and honest, then you should do yourself a favour and hunt down a copy of Tunsi's 'Special Delivery'. Trust me, you'll not be disappointed.
(www.paranarecords.net)
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