Concept albums in rap

[Devil'sAdvocate]

Because the Internet

OP didn't ask for nyquil albums tho

WORD.

[boonim]

relapse m8

TL;DR: I have listened to Relapse (for my personal taste, it's a difficult album, content-wise). I think the production, atmosphere, rhyming/lyrics/imagery are all on point for the most part. But unfortunately, I feel it falls short as a concept album .

This is supposed to be about a person (Em) who thinks he has just beaten addiction to hard drugs, but actually falls into a murderous relapse. This much is clear from the very first skit. What makes it really chilling is that the addiction is making him think/"remember"/hallucinate(?) some very dark thoughts, but he is not worried about these thoughts. He treats them in an almost casual, quirky manner ("oh...just seemed to have killed someone...oh well too bad I don't remember"). 3AM captures this mood perfectly. And hearing the next two songs, My Mom and Insane, we expect that he is going to tell a very distorted, dark history of his life, but still in a quirky/casual way (mom feeding him drugs, stepfather molesting him). But then it falls apart a bit -- there is no continuation of this story any more from Bagpipes from Baghdad to Must be the ganja. Some songs capture bits and pieces of his thoughts (SWA, SSD). Three songs -- We made you, Old Times' sake and Must be the ganja (I enjoy this song a lot) -- don't seem to belong at all (they are not about hard drugs anymore, but recreational drugs).

The closing again starts off in a powerful way -- Deja Vu still continues that casual tone about a serious life-threatening addiction and captures the thoughts of an addict in a creative and accurate way. But then, Beautiful is him reflecting back on his depression and his resolve to be better. It would fit perfectly, but the tone of this song absolutely does not fit the rest of the album -- this is a super serious song, not quirky. And the rest...well...

Perhaps someone else has a different perspective -- would be great to enjoy this album as a whole!

[Elision]

tech did this full rock project last year, it dropped the same day as mmlp2 (happened to be my birthday as well so it was a good one) so it got swept under the rug. solid stuff though for sure, sounds really natural like it's his primary genre.

[boonim]

Masta Ace, Disposable Arts is just wow!!

Disposable Arts is probably the second best hip hop album of all time.. Behind maybe ATLiens imo

Just gave Disposable Arts a full listen. I like the sound of it and there are a lot of insightful and story telling songs that I liked. Need to give it multiple listens. A couple of songs there (Dear Diary, No regrets) are similar to Em's flows on SSLP, I thought -- Masta Ace's influence on Em is clear there .

But, also a bit confused about what exactly a "concept album" is. I thought it would be a "story" like in GKMC. And while Disposable Arts has many skits which stick to the story line (freshly released from jail, going back to "school", etc.), I'm not sure all the songs are advancing or revolving around this story line. Thoughts?

Also if anyone knows of an article or thread where this album has been critically analyzed let me know. Definitely want to know more and wikipedia and Google search didn't turn up much.

[Rafael]

Disposable Arts is the story of the everyday events in the life of a man who was released from prison and trying to adapt to everyday life. He later enrolls in the Disposable Arts institute for hip hop after he sees how bad Brooklyn is doing.

I'll try to find an article for you.

[Eedee]

Because the Internet

OP didn't ask for nyquil albums tho

dam CP got 'em

[shadyblogger]

What the heck is a NyQuil album?

[Eedee]

What the heck is a NyQuil album?

I'll assume it means it puts you to sleep.

[shadyblogger]

What the heck is a NyQuil album?

I'll assume it means it puts you to sleep.

Oh I see

[Eedee]

What the heck is a NyQuil album?

I'll assume it means it puts you to sleep.

Oh I see

zzzzz

[shadyblogger]

Wake up

[Eedee]

Wake up

Sorry, I put on BTI and I fell asleep.

[shadyblogger]

Wake up

Sorry, I put on BTI and I fell asleep.

Lol

[boonim]

I've never really been a big fan of concept albums, although I do enjoy listening to The Minstrel Show from time to time

I suppose it all depends on how well the concept is executed, and whether or not it becomes monotonous and worn out over the course of the album.

What do you think of GKMC as a story-telling album? I thought the skits at the end of every song really worked well and kept the story moving nicely.

[boonim]

nice thread!

Yes. Not only are there some great suggestions. But also:

Disposable Arts is probably the second best hip hop album of all time.. Behind maybe ATLiens imo

I think I love u

It's helping people discover love . And,

Wake up

Sorry, I put on BTI and I fell asleep.

Solving insomnia for others .