Artist: Mohammad Dangerfield
Album: Self-Titled
Source: Itunes
Tracklisting:
1. Express Intro
2. Mo Danger
3. Hero Sandwich
4. Deep Shadows
5. The Gospel
6. Rhyme Like No One
7. See You Again
8. Break Of Star feat. Immortal Technique
9. Mo Danger Intermission
10. Valley Of The Kings
11. Truly Yours feat. I.mpac
12. The BBQ Joint feat. Kendal
13. Generation Kill feat. Decora
14. One The Creep feat. Swave Sevah
15. Unredeemed
16. Wrek Center feat. Bad Sportt
17. Rodney Outro
Note:
I have always been a fan of Hasan Salaam. His voice and message were always just raw and insightful. I have the majority of his mixtapes so when I saw he had a new project with Rugged N Raw, I bought it on the strength of his reputation alone. I didn’t even need to listen to it. I knew it was going to be a dope project but what I didn’t really count on is how diverse it is. I had always considered Hasan Salaam to be strictly a political activist on microphone but this project goes in a lot of different directions.
The first three tracks from Mohammad Dangerfield all had a great deal of funk incorporated into the production. The air was filled with horns and a funky guitar samples which really set off more of a party atmosphere than a political firestorm. Admittedly, I was pretty unfamiliar with Rugged N Raw and didn’t know what I would get from him lyrically but he proves more than capable on all of the cuts. He and Hasan Salaam do a good job conveying cohesive messages through out the album. They are both on the same page, making them indeed seem more like a true group then two guys just trying to put out an album for the hell of it.
Although I can appreciate the funk and uptempo music that is featured at the start of the album, I wanted to sink my teeth into that meaningful social commentary. I get just that on, Break of a Star. The beat comes in like a war drum, full of angst, but the lyrics are full of message and not so subtle hints that the general public needs to be more in tune with what is happening around the globe. Here’s a few insightful bars from Hasan Salaam’s verse:
For every rap star, mogul, or millionaire / There’s a hundred kids without limbs in the former Zaire…
Probably not what you equate/ To this hip hop landscape / Just read behind the signs for the Illuminati handshake.
How about some more lyrics from Immortal Technique’s guest spot:
So refusing to question religion/ The law that was given / Or the economic system / That sponsored racial division / Puts the ‘Spear of Destiny’ in the hand of decision…
There’s obviously some serious knowledge being brought throughout the album but it does have it’s light hear ted moments as well, like the BBQ Joint. I normally don’t appreciate joints like this, but this one had me yearning for some spring days here in Texas. The track is butter smooth and jazzy. Hasan Salaam and Rugged N Raw recall some of their laid back memories. Hasan’s verse had a way of kindling memories of my own the way he recalled specific people. All in all this is something you find time to vibe to sooner rather than later.
On The Creep is a pretty funny track where Rugged N Raw, Hasan Salaam, and Swave Sevah each drop short stories detailing illegal activities. Rugged N Raw’s verse has him as a peeping tom, Hasan Salaam as a car thief, and Swave breaking into an occupied house. Each of the stories end rather humorously. The fact they even did a track like this is a testament to the diversity of skill of the duo.
When you listen to Mohammad Dangerfield you certainly get political points of view and social commentary but you also get so much more. The vibe to this album ranges from intense to laid back and encompasses everything in between. It has it’s serious moments but is not afraid to delve into something more playful. It is boom bap, funky, jazzy, and old school. This album is a lot of things to a lot of people but most importantly it meets the universal standard of being dope.
Hip Hop Dependency 