Los Angeles based, Propaganda is dynamic, soulful, experimental, and clever. He aims at the heart of a person with an uncompromising message intertwined over intoxicating rhythms and beats. He brings with him years of experience of teaching and community service, while creating eloquent songs that reach across urban and pop culture.
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Professor Propaganda takes us to school yet again| Posted June 11, 2014
One of the things I will continually appreciate about Propaganda is that his rapping and poetry carry so much depth. His YouTube take on the Gospel gained the attention of producer/artist T-Pain, impacting him so much so that T-Pain tweeted the link to the video to his more than a million Twitter followers.
Propaganda is one of those rappers that makes me poke out my chest and say, "Yeah I am glad that he is on our side." He will push listeners to places that may be uncomfortable, in order to bring thought and healing. He dares to deal with the issue of race albeit being labeled a racist by some. This is even though he clearly models what love and unity looks like. Following his critically acclaimed album Excellent in 2012, he is back again with Crimson Cord. Production credits come solely from Beautiful Eulogy.
When listening to this album (or any Propaganda album), be prepared to listen carefully and do not be disappointed if you do not "get it" at first listen. It is not meant to be skimmed over, and his verses carry just as much weight as the hook. The title track features a percussion-light beat and eerie keyboard chords by Beautiful Eulogy. Propaganda speaks of the power of the blood of Christ and the sacrifice that binds people together.
Props used to be a high school teacher so he has seen firsthand some of the issues teens in America deal with and he was "in the trenches" in education. Yet still, it hit me as somewhat of a (welcomed) surprise when he drops "Bored of Education" via spoken word. The wordplay is evident as he starts off with: "Dear Bored of Education, so are we." He is speaking to the school boards across America and informing them that many people are tired of the way and direction that education has gone. Parents, teachers (like myself) and students, this one will strike a chord in you.
Lecrae joins the fray on "Daywalkers," a song that easily be mistaken for a fun song (by temple and occasional organ riffs) that only rappers like Outkast would venture to do. Like the vampires of the same name, Propaganda explains that Christians are daywalkers who become "all things to all men" while being in human flesh yet being in Christ. Did you get that? Yep, hit the rewind button a few times. Hip-hop is the "girl" that Propaganda has grown to love yet "she" upsets him. Some of the decisions made by "her" has him perplexed because of the negative effects that she has had on youth. He explains over a smooth beat that even through all of that, "I Ain't Gave Up On You Yet."
Closing Thoughts:
Without sounding too cliche, there is so much to get out of a Propaganda album. Crimson Cord is no different. Beautiful Eulogy did a fine job bringing different elements of production. This showing that they have expanded their repertoire production-wise. This gives a nice backdrop for Props to basically take us to school. This is an album that you can give to those who claim that all rap sounds the same or that it does not take much to do a rap album. In addition, he brings so much reality and relevance when presenting the Gospel.
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