Spectacula – For What it’s Worth

Album Review by: Writers Bloc
Thursday, May 15, 2008

Spectacula

As we make ourselves comfortable in the age of one hit wonders and ring tones, you can’t help but wonder just what about the real bonafide MCs? Those that study their inspirations, those that look at Hip-Hop as their life support, are they a thing of the past?

Not at all. Because even though anarchy may have been called in reference to the finger snapping, booty shaking purveyors, this time allows a reprieve for a league of extraordinary gentleman to study, master and perfect their craft. Some may be already making a more favourable sound within Hip-Hop, some who may be extending their study hall period so that when the time is right and labels start opening their minds to more than infection hooks and a hot beat they are there armed and ready to defend not only themselves but the Hip-Hop culture on a whole.

Spectacula is one of those artists. His first offering For What it’s Worth might not be a platinum selling album, but it is a damn fine start to what should be a trip in the right direction. His album guarantees versatility and a wide variety of topics, which many can relate to and some may adhere too.

Hailing out of Queens, Spectacula leaves very few stones uncovered with this digital offering. Love, Aids and politics are all subjects touched on For What its Worth. For anyone to say he lacks direction would be a contradiction in terms as it is obvious that this rapper has a plan.

With minimal collaborations and production credits void of huge budget beats, the message you get from this album is obvious. Spectacula knows what he is up against in today’s music world, but he is going to do it his way anyway and you can either love it or hate it.

Stand out tracks on the album have to be Middle Finger Up which is reminiscent of old school boom-bap with a ‘today’ subject of choice, namely chicks who check out a dudes financial credibility before holding his hand.

Monster is a track that touches on a topic that has had a catastrophic effect on neighbourhoods all over the world, HIV and AIDS. You don’t get tie impression that Spectacula should be standing in a pulpit delivering this track; it is obvious he wants to address a taboo topic in a way he knows how.

With the NY production outfit The Heatmakerz providing the soulful backdrop of Three Greats this could be the one true hit off a stellar attempt of a debut project. The track breaks down just who were the rappers great loves. Leaving us all in suspense on who the third might be, Spectacula spits out a track that most can relate to in some way or form.

With his swagger in effect and an ability to entertain innumerable markets, lets just hope Spectacula doesn’t get swallowed up by the hype as his For What it’s Worth is a definite step in the right direction.

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