Propagandas 'Crooked' Album Review



On the Christian Hip Hop scene there exists three lanes to drive on occupied by three distinct leaders. The first is the immediately obvious God-music (rap equivalent of worship) artistes led by Da' T. R. U. T. H with Eshon Burgundy up and coming, the other extreme is NF (the whiny, venting, entirely sensual but safe rapper) and the middle lane occupied by Lecrae who vacillates between introspection, social consciousness and exegesis of the word of God.


But in steps Propaganda with his new offering 'Crooked', in a self-made lane all by himself. This album makes you uncomfortable because you don't know where to put it. You find lines like 'Go to schools named after the Klan master' and ' Man can show pride but only God can give purpose' on the same song- "Crooked Ways" and you realize, oh yeah, this is crooked. Best line n this track? -'The strength of your whole team is crumpled with one meme', that's the kind of punchline that also hurts the one doing the punching.


Despite its crookedness a straight line runs throughout the album, Propaganda has a soul as tumultuous as the rest of us, only with the lyricism and delivery to tell us about it. 'It's complicated' sounds like The Weeknd in his element and this is another great point in Propagandas album, he doesn't shrug off production in the name of being 'conscious' he appeals to your spirit, intelligence and flesh. 'Even if all these world problems are solved it still wouldn't resolve what you are actually looking for. And it is not like these problems they don't need to be addressed but fixing systemic issues ain't the source of your rest. ' He raps slowly, one of the few places he does, because he wants you to hear it.




Moving on Propaganda takes shots at your sacred cows, dances with skeletons in your closet , points at elephants in the room and makes a mockery of heroes. He tells you that whatever side of the fence you choose to pitch your tent in the world, victor or villain, sodium or chloride, you're just picking your poison.

It isn't all doom, gloom and wisdom. He speaks of loving his city even at his own detriment, a mindset many need to adopt especially in the Third World. He encourages on 'Olympian'. On 'Slow Cook' the album reaches its psychedelic peak with an almost cathartic final verse. He speaks for the downtrodden on 'Do Know Wrong'. Of course he gets in a bit of spoken word on 'I Hate Cats', hilariously taking on the touchy subject of racism. 'Darkie' does the same. Despite the weight on its shoulder this album doesn't take itself too seriously when dealing with some of the heavier stuff. 'Cynical' is self depreciating, is it though?

Crooked doesn't leave you with a straight exclamation mark on first listen despite its merits and high points, it leaves you with a question mark that can only be answered upon repeated listens.

Dsoupkitchen rates it 4/5.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tasha Cobbs Feat. Nicki Minaj: Are Xtians Overreacting?

Image
 When 'Break Every Chain' singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard announced that she would be releasing her new album and that it will feature secular artist Nicki Minaj a lot of holy eyebrows were raised.  Now after the songs release many are sceptical, some outright offended, and a handful even have conspiracy theories (Behold The Illuminati is Everywhere!) The song itself titled 'I'm Getting Ready' is more of the usual fare, the "No Frauds" rappers feature though has made it something of an anomaly. But let's not get into the fact that Fred Hammond featured Snoop Dogg, Lecrae featured Ty Dollar Sign and on and on (so it's no surprise really, these Christian /Secular features.) Let's talk about how insecure Christians make themselves look when they communicate the fear that the secular will taint or overwhelm the gospel. Why can't it be the other way around? In the Old Testament God forbade the Israelites from living among and co-existing...
Read more

NF Releases New Track 'Green Lights'

Image
"Three records,  three years I don't like to waste time. " the impassioned rapper spits on his new track "Green Lights." Indeed it's only been two weeks since Nate released the song "Outro" also presumably off his forthcoming album. Whilst "Outro" followed in the style of "Intro 2" and "Intro" before it,  chronicling where NF is at in his life at a given time. "Green Lights" is a song about confidence,  feeling as though there is nothing that stands in one's way. The track is certainly catchy and is classic NF. However with "Motivated" and "Statement" already under his belt and dealing with almost the same subject matter, this might prove to be three songs in three years-three much. Check out the video here  NF-Green Lights (Video) 
Read more

Joel Osteen Under Fire For Allegedly Refusing to Help Hurricane Victims (Reaction)

Image
Hurricane Harvey which swept through the Houston area of America and took lives and displaced families has also placed Lakewood Church head pastor Joel Osteen at the center of a social media crisis. The 54 year old Preacher with the 'perpetual smile' came under fire when he refused to admit displaced persons into his facility which houses 54, 000 persons a week for services. Claims of being unable to do so due to flooding and counter claims of deception began to float through the social mediascape causing the author of Your Best Life Now   to trend on twitter and not in a good way. Even though the  latest reports  say the Church may finally be opening it's doors,  twitter is still not pleased. As one detractor states below It is fascinating to watch how the world (Christians included) pounces on a public figure after he makes a real (or imagined) mistake. The twitter mob was up early today ready to burn the Preacher at the stake,  citing him as a fraud...
Read more

Christian Leaders on The White Supremacists March

Image
Photo by Steve Helber/ AP The United States of America has had a rough couple of days. Things she would rather not think about and all together deny marched through the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia on Saturday the 12th of August. White supremacist are as the name suggest those who believe in the superiority of the Caucasian over other races. It's political implications are that since White is better, White should rule a la slave trade and black subjugation. In recent history the movement was considered dead or ailing, until it marched hundreds of men strong chanting 'Unite the right.' Being the light of the world, some Christian leaders have spoken out against this uprising, whilst some have (surprisingly?) kept mum. Senior Pastor of The Potters House TD Jake's appears not to be living in the same America where this incident took place. He is yet to publicly comment on the issue, but it is expected that when pressed for his opinion it would certainly ...
Read more

Christian Rapper Lecrae Set to Perform Alongside Big Sean and 2Chains

Image
They rappin in a bubble can't nobody see they face' rapped Lecrae in 2015 on former label mate KB's single 'Sideways'. Now two years later its safe to say that the rappers bubble has gone pop as the 'Christian who raps' is set to perform alongside mainstream artistes like Big Sean, 2Chains, Steve Aoki and Gucci Mane at this year's Ubahn festival. The event which is set to take place in a tunnel underground and feature live artwork installations, skateboarding demonstrations, vendors and other interactive delights, is scheduled for September 8 and 9, not long before Lecraes #ATWT tour kicks off. The event is no doubt a landmark for the artiste who has long since shown his desire to break out of the restrictive label of being a 'Christian rapper'. While this will certainly raise a number of eyebrows among die hard Christian fans of his, it is undeniable that Lecras is taking the message where it is most needed. After all, no one lights a ca...
Read more