|
Mos Def - Tru3 MagicAlbum Review by:
Serge Fleury
Monday, December 4, 2006
 With so much on his plate these days, it’s a wonder that Mos Def can even fit Hip-Hop into his busy schedule. This multi-talented star of the Silver Screen and Broadway can easily back up his lack of presence in Hip-Hop with a hefty resume. Having played serious roles in movies with megastars such as Bruce Willis and Halle Berry you could say that his entertainment career has come full circle. When Mos Def along with fellow conscious cohort Talib Kweli released their Black Star album back in 1998; it was like a breath of fresh air. As we all know, that’s around the same time the bling-bling movement was first getting of the ground.
Releasing his solo debut back in 1999, 'Black On Both Sides' and being a long time contributor on the Rawkus Soundbombing compilations and Lyricist Lounge series; Mos Def became one of the faces that backpackers anticipated. Since the fall of Rawkus, he has risen from the ashes once again; Mos has often been criticized by fans for so-called not “keeping it real”. Being involved in major endorsements deals with companies like GMC Motors, didn’t leave a good taste in some mouths. But at the end of the day, bills have to be paid, along with rent or mortgages; so you do what needs to be done, and that should be the true meaning of keeping it real.
After a five year hiatus from the sole studio work, Mos Def released 'The New Danger' in 2004. The album left mixed emotions with his loyal following. Expecting a true Hip-Hop record, they were greeted with an experimental album filled with blues and rock and little Hip-Hop. Now in 2006, he’s returned with his third installment; 'Tru3 Magic'. Here he’s in rare form, incorporating all the elements of Hip-Hop and his melodic singing style that first made him a household name.
To the beat junkies, the production may not be A-list, but Mos Def made his career off of being lyrical and truthful. He’s not one of those MC’s that needs major production to get his point across. Addressing the Katrina issue on “Dollar Days”, Mos borrows the instrumental from Juvenile’s “Nolia Clap” where he questions where our tax dollars really end up, and Bush’s treatment of minorities. “And Mr. President’s a natural ass/he out treating n****s worse than they treat the trash”. On “Crime and Medicine” Pretty Flaco does his rendition of the GZA classic, “Liquid Swords”. He utilizes his laid back singing style on “Lifetime”, one of the few breaks in the album where he shows his diversity.
“Fake Bonanza” deals with problems of the police’s inability to solve murder cases, and the ever failing economy. “The rent sky rockets and job prospects plummet/10 murders 10 days this summer”. With “Murder of a Teenage Life,” Black Dante tackles one of the bigger subjects in our society today. Over an eerie piano sample and base line, he describes the senseless murder of a teenager. “They laid him in a straight box/dark suit and grey socks. The Boogieman flaunts his MC prowess on “Undeniable”. He escapes the realness of global situations and has fun with lines like “You see I come into the party with a b-boy stance/I rock on the mic and the world want dance/fly like a dove/that come from up above/I’m rockin on the mic and you can call me Mos Love”.
Although this album is decent, it’s far from being his best work to date. But still, it’s always nice when Mos Def takes a break from the Hollywood jet set and returns to his Hip-Hop roots and enlightens us with true lyrical content and his worldly views.
 ( 60) Comments | Post a comment »
|
|
