Old School Goodness
Posted August 30, 2013
By MarkRyan_NRT, Staff Reviewer
There are certain sounds and artists that take us back in time. Most of the time, these sounds remind us of something pure, something good. When I first press play on Two, I was reminded of highschool, of the smooth sounds of groups such as De La Soul and Tribe Called Quest. Now don't go googling those secular groups, because what The Battery offers you is that same sonic goodness in a Christ glorifying package.
The first question to be answered is who is The Battery? The Battery is a collaboration between Christian hip hop veterans Jurny Big and Peace 586. Back in the day, Jurny and Peace were involved with the group Tunnel Rats, and now they've come together again with an old school, west coast sound.
A smooth "Intro" prepares us for the bombastic journey we are about to embark upon. There may be nothing sweeter than a DJ spinning on the ones and twos with some smooth scratching. "I'm Good" is the first full track and gives us JurnyBig right where he belongs, dropping smooth rhymes with Peace mixing like the pro that he is. The song is so smooth and flows effortlessly. This, my young readers, is a master class in emceeing.
Up next is "Cuddit" featuring Tunnel Rats alum Sev Statik and Canadian hip hop artist RationaL. The solid production continues and the beats continue to flow. A slick bass line underlies this track. The song is directed at people who continually run their mouths about things they truly have no idea about when they just need to cut it out. Each verse is on point, and each rapper displays incredible lyricism.
People who live in "Glass" houses shouldn't throw stones. This is the idiom that starts the next track. JurnyBig goes in about other Christian emcees judging, but doesn't name names. He talks about how Tunnel Rats were discounted as Christian rappers due to their battle rap style rather than being rappers that were Christians and living a Christ-led life, yet not being so overt in the Gospel message within their lyrics. Seems like the division in Christian hip hop didn't start with Lecrae.
Continuing with the Tunnel Rats reunion, Propaganda shows up on "Finna Be." For those of you not educated in urban slang, "finna" is slang for "going to." The song speaks to being who you really are and not acting like someone you are not. A large problem in today's culture is the facade that people put on, the show that we perform on an imaginary stage, when all we are called to be is who God created us to be.
"Cole Haan" features Shames Worthy (formerly known as Raphi), another Tunnel Rats alum. The beat is so solid on this track, and the creativity with adding in the whistling is something I have not heard. The verses are seamless.
Playdough and Shames show up for "Mama Bet The House." This is a track dedicated to moms and the support that they give us in whatever we do, regardless of what the other ladies at the salon think. "Confidence" changes sonically, going extremely hard and getting away from the smooth flow of the rest of the album. The rhymes are rugged, and the bass feels like a gut punch. It snaps your head back and gets you ready for the finale.
The album closes with "This One," a personal diary entry by JurnyBig about what the game is truly about. It is about serving the one true God. He walks through the influences in his career, and settles that the path journeyed was on purpose and that God directed his footsteps along what may have been the path less traveled.
Closing Thoughts:
This album is a hidden gem. There is no big national release, no huge twitter response. It is pure hip hop, executed with skill and craftsmanship. The beats are nostalgic without being cheesy. The rhymes are timeless without sounding out of place, and the entire feel is old school without feeling out of date. If you enjoy fine hip hop, pick up this album. You will not be disappointed. Unless your favorite member of the Tunnel Rats was Dax— then you may be slightly.
Song to Download Now:
"I'm Good" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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