'BLM To Me'-New Hip-hop EP Comments On Systematic Racism
- Joslyn Danielson
- Nov 3, 2020
- 2 min read
'BLM To Me', EP Released Oct 29, 2020.
MC Spin, Johnny Taytem, Feat. Carnage The Executioner
Album review by Joslyn Danielson, written Nov 2, 2020.
In the wake of the Minneapolis revolution spurred on by the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the police, Minneapolis hip-hop artists MC Spin, Johnny Taytem, and Carnage The Executioner have collaborated to create an EP that comments on the current state of our political climate.
Described as Boom Bap, conscious hip-hop, and emcee, this underground album is a conglomeration of the three artists’ individual styles. The EP has high production value and is great to jam to while going about your day to day, but has the depth for introspective listening if you choose to pay attention to the lyrics. It includes elements of trap, reggae, and more.
Some stand out tracks are ‘Pawns’, a slower reggae beat with a groovy bass line. The track touches on the sentiment of being a pawn in the game, and needing to take control- a very relatable feeling for many in 2020.
‘Misused, Abused’ (Feat. Carnage The Executioner), starts with ambient city noise and sirens, followed by a rap preaching unity and responsibility. The song then goes into a recording from the crowd surrounding an incident of police brutality, which is a little difficult to hear. Those that have trauma around police brutality should be warned that it may be triggering. This song and the track following, ‘It’s NOT Enough’ are the harder tracks on the record, with a little bit of a Run The Jewels feel toward the end.
‘Grab A Plate’ starts with a welcomed verse that addresses being a white man in a black genre, the importance of speaking out in the field, using your voice for good, and being an ally. A verse like this is a necessity in bringing the focus to black voices, especially on a record that focuses on the BLM movement. Additionally, it was important that they partnered with Carnage The Executioner, (a black rapper from MPLS) for this record, in order to practice what they’re preaching. ‘Grab A Plate’ is more upbeat than the other songs, and its tone is a little more hopeful than the previous tracks on the record.
The first and last songs on the album are both called ‘Cuz I Love You’, with the last one featuring a sample of Lizzo from her song by the same name. They’re both similar, with the sample being the main difference between them. These tracks are highly political hip-hop, focusing on the importance of calling out white friends for racist remarks, and valuing the culture of others.
The year 2020 has been one of the hardest years in recent history, and it’s clear this is a record made from a place of anger and exasperation at the state of our country in regards to institutionalized racism. Dropped just in time for the presidential election, It talks about the responsibility of white men to stand up to racists, and preaches love and unity, as well as justified anger. This EP expertly articulates the issues we are facing as a country, and inspires action from those who value justice and unity.
Listen now by clicking below:
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