Hip-hop can be a powerful tool for those who wish to spread a message, instill hope, or energize people. Unfortunately, many “artists” misuse this instrument to brag, over-exaggerate, manipulate, and distort the perception of reality. Usually when I listen to hip-hop, I automatically tune in to three key elements: content, clarity, and impact. As I listened to Lord Infamous and Tha Clubhouse Click’s “After Sics,” I was overloaded with blatantly offensive content and couldn’t even think straight. I, luckily, decided to put aside my initial reactions and give it an honest, unbiased listening.The album begins with an unclear, demonic voiced introduction. At first, I couldn’t understand what was being said at all. After repeating the track around 20 times, I finally understood one phrase that led me to conclude the speech is actually a quote from The King James Bible-Job 32:9-13 to be exact. The tracks that followed were not unlike the introduction in terms of clarity; I could only connect bits and pieces of lyrics. From what I did gather, I concluded that the tracks “Ball Off,” “Fed Up,” and “The Streets” express how awesome and “hard” the performers are, how much cash they have, and how “fake” all other rappers are. Other tracks such as “Uuugghh,” “Gonna Make It Shine,” and “I’m Lookin'” go on to completely disrespect and demean women with such lyrics as “I say uuugghh, you ugly ass bitch. Fuckin’ piece of shit; ol’ duck ass bitch.” And, of course, there is “High As A Fool,” which explicitly illustrates just how high one can get from using a cocktail of illegal substances: “Some of da things that I’ve seen, shit I thought it was a dream” and “Bury my whole head in a quart of [cocaine] and pour vodka up my nose to make sure the shit is drained. … The Scarecrow got a drug tolerance that’s unconceivable.”Although the CD continues in the same fashion content wise, the vocal delivery and cleverness of the rhymes begin are a highlight. Tha Clubhouse Click member Area 51’s flows and rhythm are extremely impressive in “Work Dat Scale” (which is apparently about dealing drugs). Also, several tracks like “You Know How I Ball” (by Big Stang) include witty lyrics that can be appreciated: “You know how I ball, 20 g’s in me (sic) back pockets ‘case I fall. Wheels so skinny like I’m ridin’ on nothin’. Leather so soft, like I’m sittin’ on muffins.” The recording’s grand finale, “Club House Click,” includes the entire Clubhouse Click (Mac Montese, Big Stang, Tha Crunkaholics, Santerria, II Tone, and Lord Infamous). All the artists use this chorus-less track as an opportunity to blow the listener away with tongue twisting flows and remarkable syncopations.
The Verdict: “After Sics” is the epitome of all that is wrong in the hip-hop world. Though some of the flows were well-constructed, its obvious abuse of content, clarity, and excessive foul language drags the entire album down. Money, hoes, drugs, alcohol, fighting, and outrageous egos are deeply imbedded in this album. Listeners deserve a better experience. Rating: 2 out of 5
“After Sics” is scheduled for release on Jan. 27, 2009. For more information about Lord Infamous and Tha Clubhouse Click visit http://www.myspace.com/officialblackrainent and http://www.officialblackrainent.com.