![]() ![]() In such circumstances, technology can connect you back to the familiar, allowing your mind to travel on a journey separate from your physical self, much in the same way as a good movie or book. Nothing reminds one of the importance of physical location more immediately than being in an unfamiliar place, surrounded by strange buildings, strange people (could even call them strangers lol), and possibly even a strange language the unfamiliarity can be a bit overwhelming. While many have decried the negative impacts of technology, in making humans less emotionally connected despite being more electrically connected, I would urge these decriers to avoid passing judgement so swiftly. have allowed long distance communication to become easier, more instantaneous, and more complete than ever before. ![]() Similarly, texting, email, video chatting, etc. Classes can be attended virtually, live-streams of concerts have become increasingly popular, and with Virtual Reality technology ever improving, our society will undoubtedly be spending more and more time experiencing life through screens. One consequence of the internet revolution is the diminished importance of physical location. While I’m not sure that Wallflower is quite on par with the meditative hopefulness of Cloak, it is absolutely an album worth checking out, if only for the genius transition from the first track to the second, and the squaminous rhythms of “Sorceress” and “Nerve.” If you’re not already familiar with his music, do yourself a favor and check out his 2014 EP Groove Curse, as well as last year’s full-length release Cloak (tied with the Dave King Trucking Company for my favorite album of 2016). So Jordan Rakei’s music has always been beautifully soulful, while simultaneously achieving harmonic density, striking lyrical conceptuality, and truculent levels of groove. I truly do not know what else I can say about this glorious masterpiece, as Black Ken embodies everything I love about hip hop: 808 beats, funky bass lines, and a fine line between ignorance and wisdom. I am particularly partial to the middle of the album, beginning with a skit of Lil B and a pal discussing the need to go to San Jose before traveling to Mexico right before transitioning into the most fun part of the album with “Zam Bose (In San Jose)” and “Go Señorita Go.” I was immediately locked in with “Still Run It,” in which he lays down the law that hip hop is back and better than ever before sliding into a tough guy piano riff in “Bad Mf.” Every track gets better than the last, with the tape ending with “Live from the Island-Hawaii,” which pretty much explains itself, giving a whole new meaning to island time. With that being said, you’re gonna want to listen to the whole damn thing. Lucky for you I listened to the entire 1 hour and 39 minute project, even the skits, in one sitting so you didn’t have to. This mixtape is pure funk baby, reminiscent of the good old days of the hyphy movement in the rolling hills of Berkeley, California and the greater Bay Area. Black Ken has been delivered from based heaven, with a total of 27 dope tracks entirely mixed and produced by Lil B himself. Y’all knew I had to add this album before the end of September! Lil B is back from a two-year hiatus and boy is he cookin’. ![]()
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