Rap Reviews: Hood Treason - N.Y. Oil
Hood Treason - N.Y. Oil
Release Date: July 8th, 2008
Eyecalone says ….
"So when you hear me speak, and the things I say. I'm speaking to my people. I'm holding them accountable cause there the ones that have to fix their situation. I'm not going to speak to no record label. Everybody keeps coming at me on the message boards saying, 'oh ..well you know the real villain is the corporations that use these kids to' - No they're not the real villain, because their has to be some accountability! You have to have some self accountability. You have to say to yourself, what am I going to do that's right for me!? When am I going to take ownership for what I DO, to me and my people. When do I do that? And when you do that, when the black man do that, when the black woman do that our change will be so sudden that you would.. your head would snap…..".
That is only a portion of a quote from N.Y. Oil's debut LP, Hood Treason, but if I had to embody the LP's sentiment in one word it would be that - accountability. Hood Treason, if it's not evident from the title is a, confrontational, take-no-prisoners and mince no words, full frontal assault on the rap industry status quo, especially the artist in N.Y. Oil's rifle scope, for in his opinion, having sold the community out. It's a refreshing take even in a world where somewhat anti-establishment artist like Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, etc make regular anti-industry commentary in their songs but then seem reluctant to direct that commentary at any other particular artist, and in my opinion seem far too cordial with many of the artist they so often stab at on record. Although he also doesn't call names, N.Y. Oil gives the distinct impression that their are a whole list of rappers he wants nothing to do with, collaboration or otherwise, if that wasn't already clear from his scathing youtube sensation single, "Ya'll Should All Get Lynched", where he lays into what he sees as coonery in Hip-Hop. Although I think it's mere coincidence, "What's up my Wigger Wigger" which highlights the absurdity of people of color calling themselves "Niggas/ers" as a term of endearment is all too ironic with there being only a week between his release date and Nas's highly anticipated LP whose original title was "Nigger".
Anger and frustration aside, nobody really cares if the music doesn't sound good, and if you're going to be taking people to task as a newcomer, you better be bringing something to the table. And bring something to the table is what he does, if not a whole lot more. Hood Treason clearly has a nostalgia for Hip-Hop's golden era when the Public Enemies, Rakims, Big Daddy Kanes, etc offered some balance, if not ruled the roost, and Hip-Hop seemed to be as much about substance as it was style. Songs like "Hip-hop Ya Don't Stop", one of best on the album, and "Don't Get it Twisted" are fawning looks back and brief histories of the Hip-Hop game through times when it was all about two turntables and a mic. "Purrrfect Beat", where he builds an analogy between a female love interest and a tight beat is a solid cut and shows some lyrical dexterity and versatility. "I Just Met My Father", "A Quick 16″, and "The Difference" also find N.Y. Oil foraying into a little spoken word which may very well be where his roots as an MC lie. "Shout It In the Streets" is full of energy and passion, and make no mistake about it, if their are two things N.Y. Oil is clearly passionate about they're Hip-hop and the plight of the black community. "Unreal" another one of my favorite songs on the LP, highlight this LP at it's best, when the production reaches the level of the words and ideas.
There are other moments however, when Hood Treason is a little uneven and not completely polished. For instance, the LP's title track "Hood Treason" is set up perfectly by a poignant interlude, as are several other songs, and is full of potential but is hurt by a clumsy hook and N.Y. Oil not quite pulling off the 'southern-bounce" flow. Other potentially dope songs rendered just decent, by poorly arranged hooks or lackluster production include "Boombyeyay", "Simply Beautiful", "I Tried", "Self Destruction" (just as a note, I usually am a little less critical of the beats when reviewing an independent or underground artist vs a mainstream artist since they often don't have the money for access to certain producers nor the budget to get certain samples cleared). These might seem like a lot of songs to mention in a review, but there's a reason for that; Hood Treason is a double album which is either too much for a debut or a lot of new material from a new hot MC. After spending a few days with Hood Treason in my rotation, I would have to say I'm leaning towards the latter.
Lyrics: B+ // Content: A // Production: C+ //
Creativity: A- // Quality %: B- // Bonus: N/A
Overall: B :Review by Eyecalone
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