|
 |
| |
|
|
|
GeoReview:
dead prez, RBG
|
| By Clayton
Ruley |
| |
After their critically
acclaimed, Lets Get Free, the Stic-Man and M-1
found themselves in a state of flux. While their
album received props for powerful songs like “Hip
Hop”, and “They Schools” it
also received hate for its content. In fact Columbia
dropped the group from its contract after RBG
was already finished, despite the fact that the
album was highly anticipated. So what did they
do next, well they went another route to get their
message namely two mix tapes the Get Free Or Die
Tryin’ series on their own label, Boss Up.
Columbia recently decided to release the RBG album
and while dead prez isn't happy with the relationship
with their company they get to show the world
(those aware) the problems and frustrations of
being a minority in this country. Dead prez finds
a way to put substance over shine in this hot
piece of work.
“Don’t Forget Where U Came From”
starts the album off by telling what a gangsta
is about and the rules of the game like No Snitching,
Protect Self, Family and Community at all times,
Each One, Teach One, Be Organized and Be Productive.
In “Walk Like A Warrior” the prez
collaborate with Krayzie Bone to talk about the
war going on in the streets and the relations
with the government and the police. The bridge
says that they aren’t talking about no hustlers
or no gangsters in the familiar term but about
being stand up when it comes to fighting oppression
and stereotypes. This song sounds like a Middle
Eastern piece with woodwinds in the background.
“I Have A Dream, Too” talks about
the police and the injustices that happens around
and because of bad police. In the end of the track,
M-1 names of the people who were victims of injustice.
The song starts off with a scenario of the police
being chased and the people doing the chasing.
What a reversal of fortunes.
The dead prez asks you are in it for the cause
in “D.O.W.N. “ Many people and entities
claim to be for the cause until the time to stand
up arrives and they seem to move to the background.
The DP’z give them a big shoutout on this
cut.
The song “Hell Yeah (Pimp The System)”
gives people some suggestions on how to use the
system like some people (mostly those in power)
have doing for years. While it may seem far fetched
for some, the prez make great points in this song
like Stic when has says: “ We ain’t
getting paid no commission, minimum wage. Modern
day slave conditions, got me flipping burgers
with no power, can’t even buy one off with
what I make in a hour!” That line is so
real it’s so sad!
“W- 4” is basically a song for all
those hard workers who are just a cog in America’s
system of production. The chorus mentions that
“I have been working all my life but ain't
got nothing to show.” Many feel like this
and the fact is many work till they are 65 and
still can’t live comfortably. Over a somber
beat, the prez make you think of a world were
we could all make money and be happy. It’s
possible if the businesses would give back to
the people who those who made them rich and that’s
more than $5.35 an hour!
“Radio Freq” details the common problems
of the current set up of most radio programming
on stations. You know, the same songs being played
all day, a lack of positive, empowering subjects.
This song is up-tempo and meant to be a head mover.
They ask people to turn off the radio and tell
about how the stations don’t want to people
think past dancing and sex. Don’t think
that word programming is unintentional.
You know when you do something and you know it
is wrong but you do it again and again. Well Stic
talks about this in “F***ed Up” a
narrative about those moments when you let go
of you resolutions and regret it later. In the
chorus, they say: “I used to have a thing
for cognac, nowadays I train for combat.”
Kanye has his Workout Plan and dead prez have
“50 In The Clip” a song perfect to
workout to. In fact there is even a countdown
from 50 and people in the background yelling:
“50 in the clip, get big”. Anyone
who it trying to get amped and work out (especially
those in the prison system) should listen and
do your pushups. Oh, you can also dance to it
too. The violin in the song sets the song off
and the dead prez want the people to incorporate
some activity in their lives.
“Don’t Forget Where U Goin'”
is a quick shoutout to all the people in the struggle
called life and it leads right into a surprising
Jay-Z aided “Hell Yeah Remix”. In
the song Jay talks about the police and their
treatment before and after he got money. You will
be surprised to know when he got the most attention.
Jay comes off witty and lets people know that
the alliance is breaking the boxes of Hip Hop.
On the hidden track “Twenty” the prez
talk about the ganja and the need it serves. M-1
breaks down, in story form, how it gets in the
states and whom it goes through before it gets
to the smoker.
“Hell Yeah Rock Remix” is the same
verses as the previous two with a heavier electric
guitar. Something to crank up when you’re
writing articles late night.
Overall the album is very thorough, and heavy
with rock influences. M-1 and Stic talk about
empowerment and what wrong is wrong with the system
and the bureaucracy. They ask for people to “bang
on the system” for change and refuse to
accept the current conditions of world. While
America is great in a lot of ways we (especially
over the last four years) should know that it
could be better. The group dead prez is beacons
of light, letting people know moves have to be
made if we are all going to be equal and get ours.
The production (most done by Stic) is simple but
very effective and uses a lot of string instruments.
While not as well rounded (no cut for the ladies
like “Mind Sex”) as the first album,
RBG is even more political and I’m sure
will make people stop and think.
I give the album 4.5 globes; the only problem
was the shortness of the LP and the fact that
it took so long to come out. If I had no concept
of how long ago this was slated to come out things
could have been slightly different. Nevertheless,
this album is an exceptional effort from a group
unafraid to speak loud for freedom.
“Way Of Life” is basically a questionnaire
in which Stic asks the audience a host of questions
over an electric and bass guitar. Stic will make
you think of what, why, and how you live you life.
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
You've got to stop dividing yourselves. You got to organize. 
