Mohammed Dangerfield
Mohammed Dangerfield

Written by Newadmin. Published: Wednesday, March 2, 2011.

It’s easy to see the appeal of a relevant flashy rap album. They’re fun for parties and car rides, they’re all over the radio and TV, they’re loud and synonymous with good times, and best of all, there are so many to choose from that you can type gibberish in an iTunes search and likely come up with some pretty dope party songs. However, there are so many puns and meaningless pop culture references, that when you hear the start of a promising rhyme, you have to pay attention to see how it ends. “Oh, I wonder where he’s going with that 1980’s cult film reference…” The same place they always go – in front of a ‘Drake punchline’ about “Evil Dead.” Next time, type Mohammad Dangerfield into iTunes, that is, if you want something that might stick with you.

Mohammad Dangerfield, featuring rappers Hasan Salaam and Rugged N’ Raw, is a mostly dark-feeling array of deep and thoughtful songs that should be listened to at night, in a room with the lights off. Or in an opium den. The production tends to sound like Army of the Pharaohs and Rza brought their A-game into an orchestra pit and battled it out. “Hero Sandwich,” one of the faster tracks on the album, is somewhat reminiscent of Wu Tang’s “Gravel Pit,” with quick raps, a strange Middle Eastern flute, and plenty of energy. “Deep Shadows” is something that could have been on Raekwon’s “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx”. What is nice is that they don’t try to be Wu Tang, or AOTP, or anyone else they’re not.

You can’t really predict what each song will be about, but you can bank on some grim imagery. As far as content goes, Salaam and RNR cover a few different angles. There are enough witty and sharp lines to grab your attention and hold it steady, particularly in songs like “Valley of the Kings,” with lyrics like “You can rap along to my catalogue, if it’s too much to digest crush it up in apple sauce.” However, the real draw of the album is in the more opinionated tracks like “Generation Kill,” where Salaam raps “Still the same lies taught in the classroom, its God bless America, God damn the rest of ya’.”

There is some great story telling on the album. Tracks like “One The Creep,” create terrific visuals to accompany the lyrics about doing bad things that you just can’t help. Rugged n Raw raps “Now I got my face pressed against the glass, she grabbed her PJ’s so I guess I’d better dash,” like a guilty perv who couldn’t help but watch someone undress through their window. Salaam raps on the same track “I been patiently waiting for about 10 minutes, watching this whip sitting with the keys in the ignition. Not that it’s an act that I all out condone, but just on principle alone I should drive that shit home.” Although each verse results in them getting caught, it’s still the kind of song that, had you been listening in a convenience store, would make you want to pocket a candy bar and sneak off just for the hell of it.

Mohammad Dangerfield is not for every listener. Immortal Technique’s guest appearance should shoot up a red flag right away. When IT is involved, there’s bound to be some political and religious perspectives that are not accepted by all. On “Unredeemed,” RNR raps, “You’re spineless, your actions are sickening, abortion doctors are simply legal hitmen.”

The album is uniform in tone and mood, but varies in tempo, content, and smaller aspects of production. If you want to listen to something that will remain in your brain longer than a series of punchlines and blaring synths, cop this album.

$16.43 out of $20.00

-Ken Glauber

Category: Reviews