Recommended Tracks: “Soul Unusual” “Shoe Laces” (feat. Ahmad Anwar)
Artists you might like: Aesop Rock, Nas, Common
Los Angeles’ rap duo Blu & Exile have been in the game for 20 years delivering the goods in the underground hip-hop scene. Their fifth record, Time Heals Everything, proves that their artistry ages like fine wine and never compromises their sound to keep up with trends.
“Soul Unusual” kicks us off as a personal track exploring Blu’s present-day perspective. It shows he has a sense of purpose and is living in the present. The song’s boom-bap production incorporates record scratches and various samples, keeping it grounded and raw.
“Shoe Laces” featuring Ahmad Anwar is layered in dense and mellow vocals hitting at different levels in the core as it deals with the struggles of being incarcerated and then traveling the road of rehabilitation.
“Crumbs” featuring Rome Streetz and ICECOLDBISHOP ushers in the golden era of the boom-bap, exposing the corrupt system by confronting issues ranging from poverty to economic inequality.
The standout track on the new record is “I Don’t Rhyme”. It opens to a sample of the current state of hip-hop and later transitions to a spoken-word verse on artistry using minimal instrumentation so listeners can really focus on the lyrics.
“Time Heals Everything” featuring Jimetta Rose, Voices of Creation, and Saba is the final and title track of the record. The 6-minute song opens to a gospel choir by Voices of Creation backed by an old-school production that incorporates piano riffs and drums. The song goes deep into religious undertones and political affairs, effectively challenging the system.
Blu & Exile’s Time Heals Everything further cements the fact that hip-hop changes over time, but the duo will always remain genuine to their craft, never bending to meet modern trends. Give it a listen below.
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