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November 11, 2005
Optical Illusion – The Offering
Logic, Golden Shovel, Geno and Seasoned beat maker slash emcee Tongogara "Battlecat” is the official make up of this quartet repping Southern Guateng, South Africa but now with Jozi label Outrageous records. With 7 years deep in doing the hip hop thing, they return with their third album, ‘The Offering’….
Systematically Review aside, ‘Raw Core’ with Battlecat behind the boards set it off for me, this is one joint during the previews, that I had on repeat, the back drop is set up by piano notes, which are complemented by an element that just took this track over the top in a sick as hell type of way, meet ‘prototype’ the human “technics” that just had me wylin out as I fidgeted with the CD sleeve. This is my standout joint in the album, though the emcees are addressing the oft discussed topic, aka my hip hop is real your is isn’t, I say only two kinds should exist the Good and the Wack but hey that just me, lyrical they do not disappoint neither, Logic came correct and Golden Shav, one of better emcees kills it with his unique flow and Delivery. The album is divided into body and blood. The first track has the aforementioned ‘Golden shav’ vaguely stating his beef with the industry, but ‘pure service’ doesn’t even come close to addressing what he purports to, full ‘O punches, lacking substance is what I would describe it.
In ‘Orgasmic’ an infectious vocal sample accompanies the ‘sthetescope’ produced beat. In one of the softer tracks in the album, nice mellow cut nonetheless. One of my favorite producers makes an appearance on ‘Heat Wave’, Nyambz and Noviss fire up one of the more energetic tracks now if only the emcees could match the energy. The skit at the end was a funny take on how popular culture has dominated the mainstream. ‘Get it up’ has nice touch of that ol’ boom to the bap feel to it and switch-up is hectic as hell, X-rate matches that beat with his hunger, Battle cat does not let up with his show of versatility.
In ‘Ghetto Beautifulness’, Jeffrey’s Osborne Love ballade serves as backdrop to the track that speaks on the beauty of the ghetto despite the hardship that surrounds. Live in townships/ Neglected by governments/Through hardships/ we still make the ugly look lovely/but the struggle is nothing funny…Logic spits.
In ‘Definitive Moments’ the emcees retrace their steps and the journey to their current destination, which is ‘The Offering’. Lebobang Mashile, poetess, artist, and performer lends her vocals in this spoken word piece
Peep of her Bio and her some of her Poetry . The album closes on pretty high note with the most introspective cuts saved for last. ‘Freedom ‘ Freedom is right to self-expression, is the right for me to grow up to be who I want to be’ phats O Malepe begs. In ‘Sending the word to mother Africa”. The crew share with us a message of hope, they crew also manages to enlist help on jazz artist Pops Muhammad in one of the best racks in the album.
The Bad
Nothing is glaringly bad, everything ranges from average to good tracks, the average tracks maintain the tight rope that divides average and bad. Also some of the lyrics were pretty average in spurts.
Overall
Pretty Decent release with mad replay value, I for one know that I will bumping this for a while
Uploaded Track:
Optical Ill Feat 'Prototype'- Raw Core
14 Comments:
Msanii - you definitely are passionate about your music - and I dont want to write anything glarily stupid here so I will just say.. .. er... I meant..hmm, forget it - I have nothing to say!
*smh*
Tue Nov 15, 02:16:00 AM
-On the real, if I hear XXL & allhiphop.com (my two most fav music mags) are searching for new/guest reviewers I will holler at you faster than tornado strikes the Midwest. You deserve a pen-up with them.
Thu Nov 17, 11:20:00 PM
Big up Msanii, your reviews have always enlightened me & this time around you schooled me on a rap genre to which I don't have access thanks to the myopic nature of US networks & radio.
It's been a while since I last heard S.African music, let alone township HipHop but this well-balanced review is pushing me to lend a serious ear to these MCs' lyrics.
"Album is divided into body and blood..." that is enough to get me listening bro & yes, the struggle is nothing funny!
Jeffrey’s Osborne being sampled here is leaves me in awe. Loved his music since I was in high school & "Woo-woo-woo" and "La Cuenta Por Favor" are ballads still echoeing in my mind.
PS: Will get you the two CDs by Blitz. Will try for just before Thanksgiving.
Thu Nov 17, 11:23:00 PM
lol akiey keep gassing me up and my head will burst...
Man S.A. hip hop is huge as hell of course in comaprison to hip hop from other countries, but in itself mainstream its not that huge.
ABout Blitz that would would HUGE man, I can use some FRESH sound for my other project...appreciate it again man.
Fri Nov 18, 07:23:00 AM
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Fri Nov 18, 07:25:00 AM
@Completely clueless...you and glaringly stupid in the same sentence? now thats absurd!
Thanks for stopping by.. as always
Fri Nov 18, 08:37:00 AM
Ngai baba! Dude--- I wanna have your babies--- man, I learnt something today---
Sun Nov 20, 06:21:00 PM
@Anon....lol how many are we talking? nice of to stop by
Mon Nov 21, 06:15:00 AM
Napitia kupiga salamu tafadhali ambia mutumia alete sukari nyumbani.shukran!
Tue Nov 22, 06:29:00 AM
heard them first on that 'maximum sentence' mixtape...been in luv since..
btw..much respect for shida mingi..I hear BIG things bout them boyz..
Wed Nov 23, 09:24:00 AM
Wow all I can say is that this is quite impressive. It's very educational too!! especially for those of us new to African hip hop
Tue Nov 29, 07:15:00 AM
I just like that you're so passionate about this stuff..most days..in truth, just about every darn time, I have no clue about the music/artists..for such a young person, I'm quite a mathe..you shoulda seen my face light up when you mentioned Jeffrey Osbourne..:) Hiphop..er..not so much! I'll give it a shot though..I'm all for trying new things..
Wed Nov 30, 02:52:00 PM
@Mutumia..two really? you speaketh my language
@Aco...he he looney
@ bb..what the deal man been a minute since i seen ya around these parts..yess sir shida mingi tryna make moves..
@Memoire...*takes a bow*..thanks. Appreciate the love. Thanks for stopping by
@Medusa..yaani a whole young'n like you, whats the rush you will get to mathe status...i don't think its about being young or old just preference ...thanks for stopping appreciate the love
Thu Dec 01, 08:56:00 AM
This is a classic Album. The Jazzy mellow beats, boys touch hip hop where it has neva been touched before in South Africa. Phenomenol,,, I was blown away!
Thu Feb 19, 12:43:00 AM
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