Braille is perhaps one of the most consistent and hard working rappers in the hip hop industry. In 2006 alone he spent a large part of the year touring with the late great James Brown, releasing a new album ‘Box Of rhymes’, founding and operating his own record label ‘hiphopismusic’ and performing as 1/3 of hip hop super group ‘Lightheaded’. He also managed to fit in moving home and becoming the father to his first child. So to say Braille has been making moves within the industry and in his artistry in 2006 would be an understatement.
You therefore might well be wondering why I am reviewing his 2004 release ‘Shades Of grey’ instead of his latest 2006 release ‘Box Of rhymes’. The answer quite simply is ‘Shades Of Grey’ for me is fast becoming and in my mind will no doubt cement its reputation as a ‘classic’ hip-hop record. I personally bought this album a couple of years ago and it still gets repeated listens on my ipod. Like Braille says in the opening track ‘I don’t expect every line to make sense at first listen, that’s why with this album I recommend repeated listens’ I therefore felt compelled to review this album as my first entry into the 29-review section. From the production and track concepts, right through to the lyrical content and guest appearances, this album is in my opinion as fresh as they come.
The ever-present and continually impressive beat maker Tony Stone takes the main production credits on this record. However, Braille has employed a whole range of producers including Kno of CunninLynguists, Ohmega Watts, Weapon X and 9th Wonder of Little Brothers (who has also produced for Jay-Z), so beat-wise the album never slips into monotonous predictability. The album opens with the epic Kno produced track ‘Right This Moment’ with its errie opera sample and real-life newscast excerpts. Braille outlines his mandate for the record, to try and bring some hope and reason to a world that’s found itself the wrong way up.
In the second track ‘It Won’t Last’ Braille is joined by his fellow Lightheaded member Othello (check this guy out if you get a chance, very underrated in my opinion) and the ever enigmatic Pigeon John, here they dismantle soulless regurgitated hip-hop and set the challenge to be unique and creative. Next up is undoubtedly the albums anthem,aptly entitled ‘Hip-Hop Music’ with cuts by Rob Swift. This is the predictable ‘ode to’ hip-hop track, however, it ‘s DJ Premier-esq production gives it that timeless old school hip feel making it very memorable. The album continues to grow from strength to strength with notable guest appearances from hip-hop veteran Manchild on the guitar driven ‘Microphone Rush’, Ohmega Watts and Sharlok Poems. Standout tracks are the soulful ’10 Years’, the upbeat ‘Soul Rock’, the deeply reflective ‘Nobody’ and the film score sounding Outro track ‘Shades Of Grey’. The one main criticism I have heard concerning Braille as an artist is his voice. Some find it too high and his style/delivery monotonous. Personally I liked Braille’s rap style from the first time I heard it. I think he raps with a rare conviction and passion and it is well worth giving his voice some time to grow on you in order to fully appreciated his rich lyrical content.
For a long time Christian rap artists have been trying to bridge the gap in terms of lyrical content, between their faith and being received within the secular music industry. Sadly in the majority they have been relatively unsuccessful up to now. However, in Braille I see an artist that is able to maintain strong spiritual conviction lyrically, without including religious jargon or sounding preachy. Whilst he may not be rapping about Jesus in every track there is definitely a strong spiritual vibe to this album as you listen to it. Braille manages to be set apart, without being exclusive or religious, and at the same time his whole package stands comfortably alongside anything in the secular. This is personally an inspiration to me as an artist and principally a follower of Jesus.
So please go check this album out.
Similar Vibe to: Mars Hill, Ohmega Watts, Lightheaded, Jurassic 5, Sev Statik, L.A Symphony, Arrested Development
