There is an oft ignored word in the discussion of Hip Hop, one
that has played an important role in the rise to prominence of many an MC:
hunger. There is much talk of talent, style and personality. But as Hip Hop
continues to descend into monotony and artistic intentions become more fiscally
focused, a truly hungry artist is a rarity (this of course is not the same
hunger that motivates Action Bronson). In 1993 Wu-Tang Clan released Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) which
represented the ravenous vision of 9 emcees. During an interlude at the close
of the track “Can It Be All So Simple”, Method Man, Raekwon and Ghostface Killah
expound on the thesis of the Clan’s purpose citing: world domination,
establishing a lasting legacy for further generations and displeasure with the
current musical landscape.
All of this is an important consideration when listening to
17-year-old Brooklynite Joey BadA$$’s debut mixtape 1999. Stylistically the album harkens back to the 90’s glory days
of the 5 Boroughs, combining boom-bap, do-the-wop, and East Coast grit. Lyrically
BadA$$ and his featured cohorts display a consciousness that surpasses their
age, taking a critical eye to their surroundings, while also displaying an
array of battle tested, braggadocio drenched rhymes. Despite being born at the
tail end of his influences’ prominence, 1999 sounds like an album lost in the
crates and just now unearthed.
