Let’s face it: Las Vegas is not exactly known for anything outside of gaudy,
expensive casinos, unbearable heat waves, Elvis Presley impersonators
and Celine Dion shows. Desert sands and hollowed-out,
unfinished housing projects are sprinkled throughout the city, while its bright
lights and packed streets stay true to its nickname, “The City That Never
Sleeps.” Despite the fact that its musical tastes goes largely ignored, beyond
the neon signs lies a Hip Hop scene trying to make a mark in an already
convoluted arena.
Oddly enough, despite Las Vegas being a Left Coast-based town, Sin City is
not really known for its Hip Hop atmosphere, save for the unfortunate spot on
the Strip where Tupac was murdered, atypical concert tours and
the politicians and law enforcement trying to ban said concerts from the city.
However, the city is home to a burgeoning underground scene, with a multitude
of highly talented acts seemingly coming out of the woodwork every day.
Chicago transplants 3Sixty and Verbal E are
one of those talented acts. Collectively known as The Chapter,
the innovative duo debuted on the Okayplayer True Notes Vol. 1
compilation, having been handpicked by the mouthpiece of The Legendary
Roots Crew, ?uestlove. After bursting onto the scene with the
critically acclaimed Us Vs. Them, The Chapter
continues to muscle in and make noise in the game with The Prewreck, a
collection of unreleased tracks from the various studio sessions that led to
the creation of the first LP.
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Similar to The Roots – and to a lesser extent the Gym
Class Heroes – The Chapter utilizes a surprisingly
innovative take on producer/rapper combinations, shunning computer-based beatmaking
tools for some old-fashioned live instrumentation with 3Sixty
providing the live keys, bass, guitar and drums while aspiring super-emcee Verbal
E provides equal parts hard-hitting and soul-inspiring lyrics, two
factors rarely seen in the world of Hip Hop music today. After 3’s
formal introduction on the scratch-happy “A Terrible Thing,” Verbal E
gets busy on the ethereal organ pumps of “The 24.” Further episodes of lyrical
gymnastics are also displayed on the “Landuvbrokenenglish trifecta,” where
the artist also known as Cla’ence Jo (or Jo Action,
depending on the day) effortlessly switches from battle to braggadocio to
insightful all in one swoop, while backed by his other half’s spectacularly
minimal but expressive soundscapes.
Not to be outdone, 3Sixty more than holds his own behind
the “boards,” so to speak. Whether displaying his spaced-out tendencies on the
trippy “Supaclaps”
or sampling Bob James’ timeless “Nautilus” on the uplifting “Star Gazing,” The
Revolver balances out his rhyming brother from another mother’s fiery
lyrics.
While the album is full of leftovers, it’s that same characteristic that
leads to some dull moments. Therapy’s off-kilter crooning is
rather unnecessary on “PolySci,” while the rock-influenced “On Ten feels”
out of place. But these missteps are minor, as the combination of Doc
Ahk’s Ummah-inspired beats and Verbal E’s throwback
rhymes provide excellent food for today’s lyrically-starved audience. Rappers
take note: class is in session.
