This album is different. From the production to the delivery of lyrics, Salaam and Raw heard playing off of each other's thoughts while dropping gems on an eclectic set of beats. With tracks such as "Wrek Center" and "Unredeemed", the audience is not only able to hear teamwork at play, but also grab different views of each artist as they present their lyrics in different ways. A cipher of sorts, Raw and Salaam spit different lines that flow so easily with one another that you would think there was a play guide sitting in front of them. Other tracks that showcase these artists' talents to the highest extent can be heard in "Rhyme Like No One", "The Gospel", and "Mo Danger". The variety that is presented on this album brings such a different sound to these emcees that it's easy to get lost in beats alone. The quality of production, coupled with the heart felt lyrics, makes this project a definite must have.
Production of a song is just as important as lyrical deliverance. However, the two together cause for combustion of awesome that can be heard of every track. In the song, "Deep Shadows", Salaam and Rugged are heard giving an inner look at their thoughts as they are making moves towards reaching their goals. "Exit stage left, reality greets me. Everyday's a test, I wish I had a cheat sheet," spits Rugged as he discusses how difficult it can be to maintain a certain level of sanity while moving forward throughout life. There are so many obstacles that may arise while reaching one's goals, but Salaam and Rugged share with their audience that even though they are artists, the struggle is the same regardless of chosen profession or lifestyle. And while reaching to meet your goals, remembering the people who love you and support you are very important. In "The BBQ Joint" featuring the handsome and talented Kendal Good (whom you may recognize from Pardon the Stranger), Rugged and Salaam highlight how sometimes it is alright to take a step back to surround yourself with family in order to rejuvenate passion for life: "Managed to dodge the man today, I felt the breeze and chose to float on. Can't be kept in or kept away. The air is calling me and I'm gone." This free spirit that allows you to love what you do and still maintain a level of being grounded is what makes an artist genuine in their approach. "See You Again" may be considered the chick song on the album, but is the one that can be very relatable for all audiences. As you hear Salaam say "the way she was into music, swaying her waistline, made me wanna hold her close in front of the bassline," you hear the sincerity in his description of the love for a woman who is into the same passion that he has. This same passion is what makes the development of relationships work and key for mutual understanding.
Not many artists are able to show a different side to their lyrical ability and get away with it. If you are an avid Hasan Salaam follower, you are used to the social conscious and politically impacted lyrics that not only cause you to bop your head, but make you think about the state of world that we live in. It's good to see another side of emcee. His teaming up with Rugged N Raw for Mohammad Dangerfield proved to be a good move for the artist. What you hear is nothing other than proof that it is okay to be aware as well as entertaining. Sometimes people forget this. I'm glad that these two haven't.
