R.A.P. Music
by Killer Mike

Killer Mike - R.A.P. Music is an album I expect most -if not all- users will be pretty familiar with. Despite that, I've always found it difficult to talk about it. I've been in a handful of debates about it the last years and it always comes to the same conclusion: I don't like it to the same degree everyone else does and I can't explain why. Not many albums I can think of that I've given them so many chances. It's not like it has a glaring weakness, something that instantly annoys me, it just doesn't click. Anyway, El-P is in charge of the production. I've already talked about my opinion on him as a producer during the review of Fantastic Damage in the first round. Some elements of his trademark futuristic sound are present here, too, but he has also made some steps towards the sound of the south. The rapping is highly energetic which -even though I'm not a huge fan of his delivery- admittedly fits nicely with the socio-political commentary. Getting to the lyrics, when an album includes a track titled Reagan, you more or less know what to expect ("The end of the Reagan Era, I'm like 'leven, twelve, or Old enough to understand that shit'd changed forever They declared the war on drugs, like a war on terror But what it really did was let the police terrorize whoever But mostly black boys, but they would call us "niggers" And lay us on our belly, while they fingers on they triggers They boots was on our head, they dogs was on our crotches And they would beat us up if we had diamonds on our watches And they would take our drugs and moneys, as they pick our pockets I guess that that's the privilege of policin' for some profits But thanks to Reaganomics, prison turned to profits"). If I had to pick the highlights of the album I'd go with either Untitled ("You are witnessing elegance in the form of a black elephant Smoking white rhino on terraces Will I die slain like my king by a terrorist? Will my woman be Coretta, take my name and cherish it? Or will she Jackie O, drop the Kennedy, remarry it? My sister say it's necessary on some Cleopatra shit My grandmama said nope, never, that it's sacrilege Tend to agree because the thought is so disparaging The Lord give a load, you got to carry it like Mary did That's why I'm giving honor to all these baby mommas It takes a woman's womb to make a Christ or Dalai Lama The world might take that child, turn that child into a monster The Lord'll take a monster and fashion him a saint I present you Malcolm X for those who saying that He can't Saying that He won't, when I know He will You usually don't know it's you until you getting killed For real") or the short and to the point Go!. In general, I tend to enjoy the first part of the album significantly more than the second. Even the closing track, which presents an interesting concept -comparing rap to religion ("Closest I've ever come to seeing or feeling God is listening to rap music. Rap music is my religion. Amen") - and is widely considered the highlight of the album, doesn't do that much for me. In each of my tries, the first few tracks flow nicely and I think something might have changed, but after a while I lose focus. Maybe I should give this album a try in smaller portions and not in one go.
To sum it up, even though my review might suggest I hate it, by no means do I consider it bad, it's just that it fails to live up to its expectations.

Great album, Reagan track and video is very powerful. Killer Mike and El-P had an amazing run in the 2000's.

From Graeme2 02/25/2018 18:36 | #209615

I enjoy RTJ and so I like this now. Cheers. Next...

From RoundTheBend 07/02/2016 03:27 | #170295

The title track is possibly the best song of the 2010s. FANTASTIC. Few other decent tracks, overall as an album it's above average, but not a home run classic.

From babyBlueSedan 01/04/2015 19:26 | #130815

I'm a big fan of Run the Jewels and in general love El-P's production, but this falls flat for me. I think my main problem is Killer Mike's flow, which seems really hesitant to me. It's kind of hidden when he's with Run the Jewels because the production is more intense and he's trading verses with El-P, but when he's the main event I just lost interest. The lyrics are great but his flow definitely could use work.

Why is this not ranked higher? Album of the year for me! Gritty political-based lyrics combined with the monstrous production from El-P creates an album that goes insanely hard.

From Graeme2 06/07/2014 07:20 | #113955

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From Mophos 11/16/2013 18:34 | #92948

Killer album. This guy seems angry all the time (read that in some review) and the production is awesome (thanks El-P).

Strong Album. Love Jojo Chillin.

From paladisiac 01/02/2013 18:56 | #59827

Sometimes reminds me of n.w.a., sometimes of death grips, sometimes jay-z, sometimes ice t, sometimes outkast, killer mike gives off these reminders through quality delivery and beats. The beats give off a shuffling, nervous tic. The singing vocals are complimentary to the rapped narrative. There's a political slant to some songs, (obviously) including "reagan" (best track and great, thoughtful lyrics, and even some reagan soundbites). "r.a.p. music" is a great hip-hop closer.