Handful Of Dust is a collaborative EP, which brings Los Angeles based emcee/producer Blu, and Duke grad, Wall Street trader turned emcee, ANTHM together. Those who haven’t heard ANTHM’s Joy And Pain, or any of his earlier work, and are checking for this project based the appearance of Blu’s name on production will be pleasantly surprised that ANTHM doesn’t just hold his own; he clearly shines on Handful of Dust.
The project starts off on one of its highest points, a track revolving around dealing with life’s lows, in “Freefall.” While the beat definitely sounds like something off HerFavoriteColo(u)r, ANTHM’s voice is reminiscent of Blu’s, and the sing-songy hook brings back memories of “The Narrow Path.” But as soon as ANTHM starts flowing, he sets himself apart with a flow, and lyrics that bear no resemblance to the Los Angeles emcee handling the production. On “Nina” Anthm spits “Picture heaven above these overcrowded arenas / Watching us fall, as we try to balance like ballerinas / I’m ‘bout to blast / Couldn’t quite figure how to grasp / Me watching my sand pass, through my hour glass…” Throughout Handful Of Dust, ANTHM seems at home dealing with racial issues. On “Self-Esteem’ he rhymes, “Society’s got me feeling like Atlas / World on my back, finally trapped us / Like southern Baptists, surrender arms up in the atmos / Phere / Fear in my heart of living like captives / They redefine blackness / I re-enact Nat Turner’s tactics…”
With the longest track on Handful Of Dust, “Debbie,” ANTHM celebrates his relationship with his little sister. While the track is definitely unique, it points to one of the main problems of the album. Of the seven tracks, “Debbie” is the only one over four minutes, with two either under two minutes or close to it. Handful Of Dust is a collection of great tracks that feels incomplete, even for an EP.
Not enough of a good thing is surely a better problem to have than too much of a bad thing. However, if Handful Of Dust has a glaring flaw, it’s definitely the fact that it seems to end as soon as you get into it. For those who believe dope beats, and dope rhymes is all takes for good Hip Hop, you’re given that at least five times, as Blu’s production falls short on a couple of tracks. Handful Of Dust is a great collection of work, however as soon as you start to nod your head it ends, leaving you anticipating the next release from ANTHM.
RELATED: Purchase and listen to Handful Of Dust by ANTHM here.
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its a good album
Dope project
ANTHM is next to blow. Definitely anticipating his next release.
Well said…
“Dope beats, Dope rhymes what more do y’all want?”-
Tigallo tha Rap Jiggalo
Is this Phonte? Haha…
dope good to see Anthm get some love and my nigga blu on the beats.
Anthm is dope and blu is my fav rapper eva ya dig
insane lyricism + shitty beats = thoughtful project with real content, but no bangers. Joy & Pain was tha shit tho
For real man, that’s a big part (to me anyway) of what is killiing hip hop; production. The beats just simply aren’t as good as they were in the 90’s. Too many producers sound the same, too many artist’s beats sound the same. Underground and mainstream.
This nigga is for fucking real though.
Too dope…
So Blu’s a producer now too?
He’s been producing, he put out a whole LP that had people rapping over his beats called Open. He also produced his mixtape, Her Favorite Color.
Blu also produced Sene’s record A Day late & a dollar short
not for me.
digged most of the songs besides Debbie, still a blu fan though, still dope.
for real, that Debbie song is kinda weird…it sounds a little pedophile-ish. I also would like to see Blu do a full production for a guy that doesnt sound a lot like him, because ANTHM’s voice reminds me of Blu’s.
I lied, it is more incest-ful. Stooonnnneeeddddd
beat on low class is GOLDEN
Simply amazing.
Blu is amazing!!! Not only is he one of the best underground MC’s but his production is on point on this project. ANTHM compliments his beats with creative lyrics. Definitely ANTHM’s best album thus far.
such an engaging half house of music. definitely check this out! you can “purchase” it for free…so go for it.
dope
I fuck with Low Class and Debbie and I like how the whole project is an easy listen just wish it was a little longer. I’ve been dummy sleeping on Blu as a producer.
http://slimsamurai.blogspot.com/