What is it that draws the youth to rap music? There’s the fact that its obscene language, drug reference, and sexism is counterculture to parental expectations, seemingly binding it with that of 60’s and 70’s rock & roll. Pissing off parents (aka authority) is attractive for a teenage mind. Then there’s the intrigue/entertainment. For me, I didn’t grow up in the Harlem projects selling drugs and concealing a pistol, however, at the private and safe distance that my headphones and car speakers grant me into said world, it’s practically irresistible. This is because the feeling that this hip-hop subculture ruminates is one of power, determination, and the never-ending struggle. Pumping my brain with cocky rhymes and confident threats gives me an edge, a certain swagger that I can’t get anywhere else on the fly. Lastly, it sounds pretty dope. The ancient practices of poetry infused with storytelling and rhyme scheme have found a stage greater than Homer, Tennyson, or Billy Collins could dream for. Some rapper will deny their poetic nature, which is fair as it is irrelevant. The use of voice, metaphor, pace, and personification — to name a few — speak for themselves.
Lyricism is on the downfall. With the simplistic and iconic rhymes of Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Pump, and Young Thug pushing aside the former, more lyrical styles of rappers such as Jay-Z, Nas, and 50 Cent. I have no problem with evolution and cultural shift, but I do (for the most part) prefer Kendrick Lamar, Troy Ave, and J. Cole to the formers. This is where Dave East comes in. The East Harlem rapper’s new album, P2 (Paranoia 2), dropped last week and it is a 1995-2005 era dream. The gritty performance of fresh rhyming patterns, honesty, and energy pump around topics like East’s poverty-stricken youth, drug dealing and using, and his priority of his daughter.
“Woke Up” featuring the Toronto-based Tory Lanez is a heavyweight track with the catchiest hook on the album where the rappers treat the idiom “money on my mind” quite literally. “Powder” is my personal favorite. East crescendos into a cymbal smashing flow that illustrates the difference between selling cocaine and living a typical life. “Maintain” is the smoothest song on P2 by far. LA rapper Bino Rideaux assists with a juicy and circular hook and East’s consistent bars fill it up.
Dave East, alongside A$AP Rocky, gives Harlem/NYC my vote as the rap capital of the USA, but Atlanta and LA realistically remain superior by popular demand. Still, if you want an old-school rapper who walks the walk and talks the talk while producing a serious and real-life message, take this album for a spin.
