Forget about Time Warner merging with AOL. When the Rebels of Rhythm joined forces with the Unity Committee back in 1995 to create Jurassic 5, they created a sound and style all their own. While their music has constantly changed over the years, the crew hasn't forgotten what's really golden in hip hop -- the pure energy and love expressed in every verse and beat the group generates.
The six man team is made up of four emcees, Akil, Chali 2na, Mark 7even and Zaakir, and two producers, Cut Chemist and DJ Nu-Mark. The group is akin to a basket of fruit: they're all good, but they bring different flavors to the table.
Although it's been over two years since the last album, the crew has been doing anything but relaxing. They recently made a track called "Ducky Boy" for DJ Babu's "Duck Season." They also teamed up with the Pharcyde for "Hard Times" and ripped up the stage on the "Smokin' Grooves" tour.
After dropping "Quality Control" in 2000, it seemed as though J5 had created an album so perfect that their follow-up would fall on its face in comparison. Thankfully, that's not the case with "Power in Numbers," the hottest LP put out this year without doubt.
"What's Golden," the first single, expresses what J5 really cares about, which is keeping hip hop golden. Over a hot Nu-Mark beat, Chali 2na tears the track to pieces with his Barry White-esque flow: "Well it's the verbal Herman Munster / Word enhancer / Sick of phony mobsters / Controlling the dance floor." One of the hottest singles to hit radio in a long time, this alone justifies the purchase of the album.
"Freedom" has a mellow Cut Chemist beat fused with high voltage lyrics discussing a variety of topics associated with freedom, like Mumia Abu-Jamal's case. "Hey" is a melodic track that sees Mark 7even rapping, "We thought we'd come a little different, something unscripted / Push up our percentage, rip it like we meant it / Vintage verses, sentence wordsmith / Here with no delay, relax and don't decay."
Nelly Furtado is featured on "Thin Line," a song about friends taking it to the next level. It's the first time J5 has collaborated with a singer, as well as with a female, on any of their albums. At first glance, it seems like working with Furtado could be whack, and that J5 is trying to appeal to the mainstream (in other words, "selling out"). But this is far from the case. Chali 2na met Furtado backstage at a show, she said she liked J5, and so they got together to make a song. She doesn't dominate it, but she adds an element that no one in the crew could do, and that's what makes this song a classic chill track.
Big Daddy Kane and Percy P come through nicely on "A Day at the Races," a song with no chorus but plenty of strong lyrics, if you can keep up. "One of Them" is a change of pace for J5, as it calls out the thugs ruining hip hop. Although this is a break in the positivity that the Jurass crew usually talks, it's a much-needed wake-up call in an effort to improve the rap game.
Most of the album was recorded in Nu-Mark's garage, which definitely helps it. When albums are recorded in a studio, time is of the essence, but when studio fees are non-existent, a lot more room is allowed to be experimental with beats and lyrics.
The West coast, and Los Angeles in particular, has the best emcees in terms of lyrical ability and originality. Besides being the hottest group on the West side, it's not difficult to argue that J5 is the hottest crew in the game right now. Chali 2na is one of the most talented emcees, ranking toward the top of the list with cats like Abstract Rude, Aceyalone, Del and Gift of Gab.
"Power in Numbers" is a classic, both in terms of lyrics and beats. The always talked about "sophomore slump" is nowhere to be found in L.A., which makes this one of the few must-haves to come out this year, along with Blackalicious' "Blazing Arrow" and People Under the Stairs' "O.S.T." The energy and skills that Jurassic 5 bring to the table raise the bar for all other rappers to elevate their game. Rap is finally leaving the Bling Bling Era, and who better to bring us out?
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