Anticipating Act II: Patents of Nobility(The Turn)

As far as I'm concerned, for all intents and purposes, Hip Hop has long began its (commercial)funerary march. Not that there isn't a roster of artists who are challenging the status quo or thinking critically/creatively about how use the art form, but the industry provides the illusion that this is so--and we know perception is reality. Obviously we're not talking about the Talib Kweli's, The Roots, Mos Def's, Common's, Lupe Fiasco's and the Kayne West's who are unafraid to stand alone AND have cache. I'm talking about the others like: K'naan, Amanda Diva, Umi and Krukid who by in large are outside of the the general public's musical margins and are consequentially silenced. This means how we think about expression/existence has been reduced to this monocular perspective. I find that problematic and saddening. Problematic in that it stifles the way in which we dream and (re)invent ourselves. If Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, 50 cent, T-Pain and Jay-Z are the only accessories* we have for identity and self-concept formation then there are some serious issues. I find it saddening because it is humanistically and artistically negligent to not create access to expression(s) that inspires something more than consumption and material acquisition. Not that I don't understand where those values are coming from or that I question its validity, but in addition to that perspective there have to be options which are just as visible and accessible. That's why I would like to introduce to Jay Electronica.

A fairly obscure m.c. with an underground-cult following, Jay E. is evaporating all notions of what is Hip Hop. His first 'official' offering was Act I: Eternal Sunshine(The Pledge), which is his unconventional attempt to redefine the hip hop track. The content is dense, the delivery is strategic and the production is peculiar, yet hypnotizing. When listening I found that I had to use a different set of ears(and a different part of my mind for that matter) to fully appreciate his approach(it seems more like a suite than a song, all courtesy of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind). Jay Electronica is not for everybody, but he is an example of the possibilities that have yet to be explored. Unfortunately, most of the world will never become acquainted with his work. But I and the rest of the okayplayers will be anticipating his next taste of mind-enthralling inspiration. Here’s to the resurrection(of Hip Hop that is)! Do the knowledge, then act like ya’know!

**Stay Sucka Free!
F. Negro.

* I deliberately use the word accessory, because in no way whatsoever should hip hop be completely responsible for such development, but to ignore its power and presence is simply naive.