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IsWhat?!:
You Figure It Out
If you are a Hip-Hop fan, then you probably keep a watchful eye on varying "crunk levels" among the artists out there. Through the stream-of-consciousness flow of MC and human beat-box Napoleon Maddox, Iswhat?! offers up a bullshit-free alternative to the fashionista faction in control of the rap world. In a nod to Hip-Hop's apparent rooting in Jazz, much respect is due to Jack Walker, whose differing moods spoken through his saxophones and flute shine eternally. It would also be criminal to ignore Matthew Anderson's contributions on You Figure it Out, as he proves to be adept in playing either the string or electric bass. You Figure It Out is a multi-stylistic triumph, yet the layered messages on the record are concise. The most powerful component of this record is the presence of humanity and awareness in the lyrics. The main focus in Maddox's spits address societal issues such as sexism, violence and lack of respect for our Earth's environment. What is refreshing about this LP is that it does not drown the listener in a sea of ideology. Iswhat?! speaks best through the music itself, and their brand of Hip-Hop needs to be heard. Iswhat?! loves Hip-Hop so much that it will sample KRS-One's request to know "how many people are intelligent enough" (sampled from "2nd Quarter-Free Throws") in the accurately-titled interlude, "Bridge." This short respite acts as a fitting bond between the preceding track a fine rendition of Mingus' "Fables of Faubus." What follows is "Lies," which features Maddox searching for his voice as an MC as well as his search for truth, which he knows he can only find within himself. With "Gotta Be," Maddox raises his concerns surrounding inherent roles in society. While this sort of pensive rhetoric used to be known in Hip-Hop culture as "consciousness," Iswhat?! feels the need to accept a larger degree of responsibility. The MC in question makes it a habit to verbally disavow many of society's presumed truths, as we've seen with "Lies" and now, with "Parachutes." While this track strives to obliterate misogyny, Maddox slips as he boasts that the "love between a man and a woman is perfect." With this single verse, he neglects the need to create solidarity with the homosexual constituents in Hip-Hop's communities, which is a sorely missed opportunity. While "Salty" continues on with the album's tendency to lament societal concerns, Iswhat?! finds a way to lighten things up a bit as the group plays a tease of the hook featured in Jay-Z's "Big Pimpin." Still, it is unclear whether this is done as a nod to Hova or if they do this just to show how simple it is to craft a Hip-Hop anthem in these times. While artists such as Puffy (or P.Diddy or Diddy or D., whatever you call him) and Jiggaman manipulate the excessive nature of their consumerist markets, Iswhat?! represents sustainable Hip-Hop: Use what you need. Say what you need to say. Do it, but please do not overdo it. There are a great many artists like Iswhat?! (along with Saul Williams, Mos Def and fellow Cincinnatian, Talib Kweli) who relentlessly demonstrate that just because it's easy to create a well-received sound in Hip-Hop, it does not necessarily mean that there was any talent involved in the process. This is a record with which you can't go wrong. Trust!
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