The War Report

Time for the "War Report". This is where I put the spotlight on an artist who is on the frontlines fighting for good hip hop.

The focus of the War Report this week is Lord Jamar. Some of you might know him from the famed "Brand Nubian", that reached critical acclaim in the late 80's and early 90's. However, when forntman Gand Puba left in 1991, Sadat X and Lord Jamar soon called it quits aswell. Sadat X went on to have a fairly successful solo career while Jamar kept a lower profile only resurfacing for features on other albums.Despite a few excellent mid-‘90s albums, the group never quite overcame the loss of their frontman. And though the original trio reunited for 1998’s impressive return to form, Foundation, LJ’s best work is his first solo debut "5% The Album"

The title refers to his embrace of the Five Percent Nation, an Islamic sect built on the premise that the black man is God and that only 5% of the population knows their true divinity (with 85% blind, deaf and ignorant and the other 10% devils using their knowledge to control the 85%). As expected, most of his thought-provoking lyrics address prevalent 5% ideologies, such as the numerological fascination of Supreme Mathematics, breaking it down in layman's terms in a way that even the most clueless Islamic neophyte could understand.

The densely-packed layers of knowledge and science would likely prove overwhelmingly heady were it not for the imminently accessible grooves that back the tracks, which was always Brand Nubian's saving grace. From the sped-up Beatles bite that drives Here Comes The Sun to the Chicago riff that makes Revolution such a bangin' cut, nearly every song here has a groove that proves the spoonful of sugar to help the intellectual medicine go down. And with guest spots from some of the 5% Nation's most lyrically gifted proponents, including RZA, GZA, Raekwon and Grand Puba, rarely has religious doctrine proven such fascinating listening.

Capped by the blazing RZA assisted Deep Space, the album never deviates from its Nation of Gods & Earths theme. From the incredible album art to virtually every song title, every bar and even the 90 page booklet that accompanies it. While Jamar is obviously passionate and dedicated to his beliefs, and for the most part the education given here is interesting. But 21 tracks of lessons start to wear a bit thing at points. Still, easily recommended listening.
(commentary courtesy of hiphopdx.com)

The Backpacker's Picks

1. Lord Jamar- The Sun
http://www.zshare.net/audio/03-lord_jamar-the_sun-mp3.html

2.Lord Jamar ft. Raekwon & Kasim Allah- Original Man
http://www.zshare.net/audio/02-lord_jamar-original_feat_raekwon_kasim_allah-mp3.html

3.Lord Jamar ft. Grand Puba- The Corner, The Streets
http://www.zshare.net/audio/11-lord_jamar-the_corner_the_streets_feat_grand_puba-mp3.html

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