Sorry I’m Late, the debut album from Baltimore emcee John Regan, is, on the surface, your typical underground Rap album. It takes a “me vs. the world,” anti-mainstream stance, professing to be “real” Hip Hop in an era of pretenders. But while it features those familiar themes and doesn’t push any new boundaries, it also manages to be much more. It manages to be a portrait of someone that loves Rap music dearly, but knows full well that love and enthusiasm are not always enough and that all the underground support and cosigns don’t put food on the table. The 24 year-old emcees portrayal of the conflicts, sacrifices, and compromises that go into pursuing one’s dream are extremely revealing. As an aural representation of what it takes to both do what you love and take care of the people you love Sorry I’m Late succeeds totally.
Opener “Sorry I’m Late” sets the stage musically for much of the album with its heavy drums and ringing guitar lines. Frequently on Sorry I’m Late, on cuts like “Yesterday” 
and “She Loves Me…Not”, the soaring guitars are given the most prominent place in the mix, overshadowing the beat. Sonically it works wonderfully, even when the arrangements are a bit over the top or a little rote the instruments still sound great, recorded for maximum warmth and clarity. “Breath of Fresh Air” follows closely to that template but with more edge to it. Regan matches the songs intensity, placing himself in direct opposition to the mainstream: “Tell me, why is everybody so hard for? Music’s so hardcore / So what’s he gonna do for an encore / If everybody’s shooting each other there’s none left / Reputations created in one breath / Photoshoot done with a screw-face / But kid is a two-face/In real life softer than toothpaste.” This a common underground claim, that mainstream emcees are often less real than their lesser known counterparts, but Regan backs it up by keeping his daily life in the forefront of his music, reminding listeners that he has more in common with them then he does with chart topping rappers, regardless if they share the same profession.
“Nobody’s Somebody” is both an anomaly and a standout because of its minimalist production, care of Nottz and 88-Keys. Over just a marshal beat, soaring, wordless background vocals, and throbbing bass Regan spits lyrics further affirming his outsider status, “On the outside of the industry just peeking in/I would act cool but jealousy was deep within.” And Nottz’s guest verse almost matches up to his production work on the track: “Everybody want respect / Nobody takin’ the walk / Somebody tell these nobody’s please / The real boom-bap is back / The real active / Long as I’m walkin’ and breathin’ / Hip Hop is attractive.”
Despite the fact that Regan is travelling some well worn territory (industry struggles, family strife, self-doubt) it doesn’t feel like you’ve heard it all before. For example “All I Got To Give” , a piano and strings driven track again produced by YZ, could have easily ended up overly maudlin but Regan avoids clichéd sentimentality through his dedication to keep his lyrics specific and grounded in his real life: “It was hard losin’ my grams / She nurtured all the roots of this man / You understand, she was the glue to the fam / It crushed my heart in that hospital seeing her cry / Holding my hand telling me she was scared to die / I couldn’t take it at the wake / The straight face she had gave me the shivers / Made me want to crawl into that coffin with her.”
Regan’s willingness to acknowledge that while Rap is what drives him it’s not always what comes first allows the listener a fuller understanding of the trials of the working musician, who while devoted to his art nevertheless must also hold down a steady job. On “9:57 Interlude” the emcee admits “When the rents due gotta put away the pencil / Put the rhymes aside because my nine-to-five / Will feed my family faster than an instrumental / Faster than potential / And that’s deep but my daughter can’t sleep on these scribbled on sheets of paper.” The track was once again produced by YZ who along with John Regan stands as the star of Sorry I’m Late. The little known producer won’t stay that way for long if this album gets into the ears of enough people.
The record isn’t going to shock anyone, it doesn’t set out to push music into new areas but that’s no great slight against it. It carves out its own space in previously explored territories. Also, Sorry I’m Late can at times be a trying listen because the world that Regan inhabits is a high-stress, low reward one, commercially and financially at least. One could argue that the record could use some lighter spots, some fun tracks, but that would blunt its ability to effectively serve as realistic document. In a just world Regan will be rewarded for his efforts on this album and have many reasons to celebrate on his sophomore record.
Nice hip hop album im feelin it
Best album of the year by far! i didn’t know the dude until I heard the song with Marsha Ambrosius the other day on HHDX.
I think the 3.5 is way too harsh!
you just heard of dude, and you’re calling it album of the year?
Suspect.
Fuck this nigga
The album is definitely worth checking out.
Definitely worth at least one listen. You might get hooked.
can you please review the new curren$y album (pilot talk2)?
Just wanted to stop by and say Thanks to Kevin for the excellent review and Hip Hop DX for considering the album. Hope y’all have a great holiday season!
I really appreciate everyone that took the time to check out the album! Happy holidays to you and your’s as well!
Very well put together album! Definitely recommending it to all my friends!
I appreciate you taking the time to review the album. I thought it was a very accurate and fair review. Been a big fan of HHDX for many years, so it’s a thrill to have our work reviewed here.
Thanks!!!
Wil
I love this album
GREAT ALBUM. 1 of the best hip hop albums this year. 1 of the best indie albums of recent memory.
Dope Record…4 out of 5 ATLEAST…She & H.E.R was the highlight of the album for me
Album is amazing!
I’ve been listening to John for years since I first heard him as Poizun Vapors with Culture VI. He keeps getting better and this album proves it. I love and appreciate the honesty of his music.
Regan’s honesty and wit on the mic make this a compelling listen front-to-back. Songs like Yesterday, All I Got To Give and the title track are everything rap in 2010 should be.
John Regan has worked really hard to gain recognition. I salute you!, and look forward to working with him. This is a warning show respect when it’s due!
John Regan really puts his heart into his lyrics. He is not afraid to be personal with his listeners, something a lot of rappers are too afraid to do because of a persona they are trying to keep up. John just talks about what he’s gone through in the music industry as well as in everyday life. He has excellent production backing his lyrics as well.
This album is a true breath of fresh air for hip hop. This is where hip hop would be had it been allowed to evolve in the lane of ATCQ, DeLaSoul and BlackStar & hadn’t been taken in the direction of the corporate interest. It seems that lyricism is making a comeback in hiphop with the success of such acts like SlaughterHouse, Drake and J. Cole, but John Regan is in a class of his own. His lyrics come a genuine place that’s rare to hear in a hip hop artist. He bears the pain of a blues artist in some of his music all the while being inspiring to the listener instead of depressing. This album is simply one of the best of the year and should be in every hip hop fans ipod.
Great album, a reflection that sincerity still has a place in hip hop…
One of the best indie debut artist this year! No pun intended on being a breath of fresh air. Keep it up!
If u Know about Hip hop,u already know that John Regan is a problem in the rap game coz lyric’s are on point ,the whole album is tight, and is just the Opening of a new era…..keep goin bro dont stop..Str8 to the top 4life.one.Sorry Im Late.
saw your post in Twitter… came in to listen, I’m pumped I like your sound your flow is tight and the beats are good enough to keep me listening!
Regan Sorry im late is a variety of Music
its hiphop its Rock a little bit but it still has that hiphop feel ..i love the features who is on the album pretty impressive. deffintley a buy if someone is looking for something good to hear through there ears
Great album!
I don’t usually wander into this genre but it’s really nice. A nice mixture.
a great fucking album. nothing else to say. don’t not give it a chance because youve never eard of him. Its worth it
HipHop Finally. John Regan’s ability to paint a vivid picture in his lyrics spells talent. Transparency is always a plus in music.
This guy’s music is true. 5/5
I’m pretty happy with this album. As a Baltimore native and having to go through some pretty bad rappers over the years, I found about John Regan not too long ago. The track produced by Needlz, “Suicide EdiciuS,” is one of the best of the year. I am really happy overall with the lyricism presented. I think at times it is boring and I can skip a track but his production and guest artists on a debut record is pretty impressive. Not many people can get talent such as Joell, Skyzoo, Nottz, Needlz, 88-Keys, and Sha Stimuli on a mixtape, let alone a full-length LP. Skyzoo’s verse on the “Heaven” joint is phenomenal. Props to John Regan, he may not be getting that many record sales right now but he is worthy of at least a top 10 album of the year nomination. He’s up there with Roc Marciano, Celph Titled, Kanye West, The Roots, Big Boi, and many more. For that, he can’t complain.
NICE SONGS….I LIKE A SONG
Album was alright.
love this album…
ive had the pleasure to hear john evolve with his music,. this is definatly good hiphop, some is very laid back.. not a crazy Club album but more about some real life shit,, just by listening to the music you can tell it was hard work put into it,,
i fux wit this joint
oh and btw – “Suicide Edicius” is one of my favorite songs now. i love that song
If you dont like this, you dont like hip hop
If you dont likr this – yiu don’t like hip-hop
this is one of those album where u can listen to from the start till the end without skipping any song. on point lyrics and realistic beats.
In my opinion I put this right next to KanYe’s album…
This is one of those albums where u can listen to from the start till the end without skipping any song. On point lyrics & realistic beats. In my opinion I put this right next to KanYe’s album…
I liked this. Can tell John Regan and Culture VI along with everybody else on the album put their all into it. And the features for a debut album say it all for me. Respect due. From London.
love it, love it.
The whole album is DOPE!!!!!!!!!!
Definate breath of fresh air…. It’s a pleasure to listen to an Emcee that understands his craft and can come across as an artist AND a professional. His work sounds organic, well thought out and genuine. Plus, the fact that the lyrics and beats are dope is a definite plus….. GO HIP-HOP!
I came across this album by accident and was happily surprised. It’s inspirational in many ways. It was refreshing to hear a record that doesn’t “try” to be anything other than SINCERE. It was a nice treat to hear some of the dope collabs, but, the record is solid regardless.
Without a doubt, I’m keeping my ears to the street for future work from John Regan.
This is one of those albums where u can listen to from the start till the end without skipping any song. On point lyrics & realistic beats. This one is on my Top 5 albums of this year
DOPE ALBUM
Stand out album.
i think the album is hot
thought the album was dope and really different brand of hip hop. my mom would love it.
Great album for a new artist
perfect ten. i like the record
just bought this earlier and have yet to skip a track, well worth it. good shit.
This album does not have a single skipable song on it. John Regan is definitely dope and deserves to get more attention. I look forward to working with him more in the future.
Damn.. I wasn’t planning on clicking this link on svp, but I did and I’m kinda glad I did. This is a pretty dope album so far.
Really good tracks!
Viral marketing everywhere up in this bitch.
This album is HOOOOTTTTT!!! I wouldn’t expect nothing but the best from John Regan!!!;-) 5 STARS all the way!! Matter Of Fact, I’m listening to “Painting The World” (#7 on the album) as I’m posting this comment!!!
hot hot hot hot
Dope!
whole thing is hot, front to back
such a great collection of meaningful songs. very well put together.
This album is siiick, especially track like “She & Her” & “Suicide Edicius”
Album’s fuckin niiice. Definitely creates a mood and expounds on the theme as it progresses. Lyrics is fire, production fire…jus a really dope piece to have. Great job!
Wicked. dope. fresh. album. one of the best hiphop cds of last decade. loved it sincerely.
Toronto stand up
this was surprisingly good
Dope debut album! Very Surprising!Respect to the Baltimore finest!
i slept on this album. seen it posted on alot of sights but never gave it a listen. really special album.
Really amazing album. I’ve followed Culture IV for a long time and am really happy to see them doing so well. Great job on this album Jon.