<\/p>\n
There are some rappers out there whose minimalism and low-key, low-rumble style of hip-hop can be effective without having to dumb anything down. Examples of those (at least, to me) are Roc Marciano, Earl Sweatshirt, Flatbush Zombies, and on this edition: Ka.<\/p>\n
Kaseem Ryan (aka Ka) is a New York rapper and FDNY fire captain hailing from Brownsville, Brooklyn. A former member of the group Natural Elements back in 1993, he has been making solo efforts under his name since 2008, such as\u00a0Iron Works, The Night’s Gambit,<\/em> and of course\u00a0Honor Killed The Samurai<\/em>\u00a0which that was one of my top albums of 2016, and 2 years later, we have the follow-up to that.<\/p>\n Oh, and in case you’re wondering why I put Hermit and the Recluse in there, this is a collaboration with him and L.A.-based producer Animoss, who’s worked with artists like Joey Bada$$ and Roc Marciano in the past. Collaborations like this aren’t new for Ka (he did\u00a0Days With Dr. Yen Lo<\/em> with Preservation), so how’s the album overall?<\/p>\n Well… I already have Denzel Curry, Jean Grae + Quelle Chris, Roc Marciano, Pusha T, Westside Gunn and Freddie Gibbs on my top rap albums this year, and guess what? From the moment the first song played on this album, Orpheus\u00a0<\/em>is up there too. This album is phenomenal!<\/p>\n Like his previous albums, Ka has always spat about the trials and tribulations of the street life but through a loose concept.\u00a0The Night’s Gambit<\/em> involved chess; Honor Killed The Samurai<\/em> had the samurai code of bushido, and now\u00a0Orpheus vs. The Sirens<\/em> has Greek mythology. The first sign of that is the starter of the album “Sirens,” with a sample taken from the TV Movie\u00a0Jason and the Argonauts\u00a0<\/em>with Orpheus convincing Jason to be a part of his crew on his ship. This smoothly transitions into the song, and Ka definitely brings it with these verses.<\/p>\n Weighin’ the crime, still payin’ for mine, haunted by the Three Furies<\/a> Yes, there is a lot of Greek mythology references, but they’re not used in a way that’s gimmicky. It’s very akin to his previous works: a cinematic experience but on wax. “Atlas” is used with Ka having to reflect on his burden as an artist and a man, similar to Atlas’ task of holding up the earth for an eternity. “Hades” not only has some great delivery, especially noting that his brother Kev (whom he collaborated on a group called Nightbreed) passed away in 2015. but even a rare guest feature from folk-rock musician Citizen Cope.<\/p>\n
\nShould discover y’all brothers instead of throwin’ signs that divide you<\/a>
\nIt ain’t never shoot you, just headed to you with nines
\nIt’s the Hydra<\/a>
\nBeing deprived of the papes made a lot of mistakes in my era
\nHard life course you needed white horse to defeat the Chimera<\/a>
\nEvery morning wake, never caught a break, revealed I was jinxed
\nTo be the man deciphers life’s riddle or get killed by the Sphinx<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n