Guest Review by Crash
“I don’t need no introduction, because these folks already know me,” are the first words to “Kontrol Phreak,” track one on Lyrics Born’s latest release As You Were, which dropped earlier this month on Nov. 19th. If he’s talking to the college crowd that eats up alternative hip hop like late night Domino’s, he’s absolutely right.
While still hustling on the way to becoming a household name nationwide, Lyrics Born has made a career outside of the mainstream by creating tracks that aren’t just funk infused, but have funk written into their DNA. The half-Japanese, East Bay born rapper defies stereotypes (That might be the most redundant statement ever made about hip hop), and he has had a hell of a good time doing it. With a voice as smooth as the velvet seats in the nightclubs he performs in, LB makes music that is hard but not emotionless, oscillates effortlessly between fun and funky, and does all of this with his sense of humor intact.
The irony of As You Were is that the album is not business as usual for LB. The King of Berkeley hip hop has clearly “been through it,” with tracks on this album dealing with issues as heavy as drug use and a painful break up. A true artist goes through that and is able to process it in a powerful and meaningful way. LB is a true artist.
While he has explored the heavier side of things on previous albums, the genius of As You Were won’t exist on the radio or in the club on another level entirely. While tracks like “Lies X 3” and “Block Bots” (covered by 38thnotes when it dropped as a single) are vintage and enjoyably LB, the craftsmanship of the b-side tracks on this album show an incredible growth and subtlety from the emcee/producer. This is an album for the headphones. For 2 am by yourself. “I’ve Lost Myself” features his wife Joyo Velarde and deals with drug addiction. It is a symphony that begins slowly and builds patiently and artfully into a powerful and hard hitting track, walking the fine line between hip hop and rock opera, and then easing off as subtly as it came.
Lyrics Born feat. Joyo Velarde: "I've Lost Myself"
“I’m the Best” about persevering through adversity is the hottest track on the album and leaves you wishing you had taken up popping way back when. The heartbeat of this song is deep and powerful, echoing the message of the song. “Pillz,” about getting addicted to prescription meds, has an under-inspired chorus, but the verses (shared with Gift of Gab) more than make up for it.
If by some chance, As You Were is your introduction to LB, consider this a beginning of a beautiful friendship. This album marks the 11th release from the former UC Davis Aggie, and the ridiculous truth is that every single one slaps. LB’s discography is the unimaginable marriage between the prolific and the consistent. Lyrics was born and has now fully grown, his latest installment is not only a good listen, but one hell of a piece of art.
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