Blaq Poet: Tha Blaqprint

Sure, our most recent interview with Blaq Poet [read] may very well be one of our worst interviews of all time. Perhaps it was with good reason though. Poet didn’t say much, possibly for the fact that he really says all that he needs to say, alongside some dude name DJ Premier (who speaks with his production), on his most recent release, Tha Blaqprint. The album doesn’t try to be fancy, doesn’t try to over-think anything, and doesn’t try to preach. If anything, it endorses the essence of boom-bap-hip-hop. With Blaq Poet on the microphone spitting raw, gritty, NY style throwback rhymes and DJ Premier doing what he does best, Tha Blaqprint has all the key ingredients to keep any true-school and new-school listeners coming back for more.

On the album’s opener, “I-Gititin,” Premier creates a mirage of flavour for Poet to rhyme violently on, albeit, not as hard as the title may suggest, but, it still will satisfy the taste buds for any anxious listener. The only single (thus far), “Ain’t Nothin’ Changed,” is typical Preem. More impressively is how Po matches the pace and the bounce of the beat effortlessly, showing the true power and chemistry of these two NY vets. Other previously heard tracks such as “Hood Crazy” and “Voices” are still as impressive as they were on first listen. “Voices” is especially impressive, as it marks one of Premier’s most haunting beats, matched with impeccable timing and coordinating content from Poet speaking as if he’s hearing voices from some of hip hop’s most recognizable personas.

Noreaga is always welcome on a Premier cut, and he does well on his brief cameo on “Hate.” But, the switch from N.O.R.E to Poet is drastic and not as fluid as the Lil’ Fame feature on the more active and fruitful “Rap Addiction.” More questionable calls are heard on “Stretch Marks and Cigarette Burns,” which not only encompasses a very uninterested production piece, but also brings a remarkably boring club story to the table. It’s slightly cheesy and while it’s pretty “gutter” in content, it’s pretty crumby in caliber. At first glance “Sichuwayshunz” has potential to be great, but it isn’t. It’s a little too assuming and dumbed-down, pretty much serving up any imagination available towards the tedious story on a platter for the listener to pick at.

Given an artist like Poet, one who is great in his area of “raw hip hop,” one has to expect limitations on an entire project. However, it’s when songs like “Don’t Give A Fucc” are in full effect that the album truly shines. Give us 12 songs of this on Tha Blaqprint and the whole perspective and outcome of this album changes for the better.

Even while trying to keep it simple, Poet seems to have over-thought his blueprint of Tha Blaqprint, when, at the end of the day, the formula was always there. When there’s a master at the helm (DJ Premier), it can undoubtedly be hard to finish the perfectly set ball, but sometimes the sets are inaccurate. Preemo did miss a few times on this project, so did Poet. With that said, Tha Blaqprint is an album with loads of great mechanics and chemistry in it, and when all the pieces of the puzzle fit, it works so well, it’s scary.

77/100

“Don’t Give A Fucc”

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“Voices”

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“Never Goodbye”

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