A stain on the shared Hip Hop experience has been the glass ceiling placed above musical creativity, as artists who break free of already set molds are generally overlooked and almost discarded altogether. The West Coast’s underground scene has maintained an exhausting fight for recognition, perceived as unorthodox in juxtaposition with pioneers of California’s formerly ubiquitous Gangsta Rap. A most notably thriving symbol of this battle has been the Bay Area’s Hieroglyphics crew, who have played a salient role in branding a distinct sound centered around off kilter flows and layman rhymes for nearly two decades. Pep Love is but one of Hiero’s socially aware unit, hoping to further their consistently progressive legacy with his latest release Rigmarole.
Where Pep Love’s aptly titled 2001 LP Ascension was designed to uplift, Rigmarole exchanges its positive messages with a dose of stark reality. The album finds him to be a B-boy documentarian of sorts, still inspiring motivation through relating his parables to the ongoing living condition of commoners. Pep’s approach to rap pulls no punches as his passion for life commands attention on “Top O’ The Mornin'” and “Everywhere,” songs focused on the dedicated blue collar fiber of his being. Likewise, he demonstrates a lesser heard concern for the world’s strife on “Cloudy Days” and “I Know This Pain,” bringing his healing ethos full circle.
Rigmarole‘s weakness stems from a longwinded monotony, as the album lags at points and the core of Pep Love’s vocal delivery is an acquired taste, often boosted by the strength of the album’s production. Long-term devotees stand a greater chance of being thrilled than first time listeners who may consider the emcee a hard sell, despite his respectable merits of holding true to Hip Hop’s authentic cultural mores without dumbing down.
I think that’s a fair review/rating. Pep Love, along with Del and Casual, are the more talented soloists in Hiero. Souls of Mischief are my favorite thing though.
Except for the producer Domino, you just named the whole crew. But I agree, they all kill.
nah he forgot extra prolific (Mike G & Snupe). They only made 1 album called Like It Should Be. it came out in 94. It’s definitely hiero affiliated and according to for example the liner notes of 93 til infinity album they are a part of the crew. and they both get a shoutout on the song 93 til infinity. Anyway, check their album out, it’s dope as fuck
also left out Tee Double and Safir/Hobo Junction…jus saying ! hiero fo’ life
Dope review. I enjoyed the read.
Pep’s always been one of my favorites and one of the west coast’s most underrated…that said the good jams on this album are stupid dope! But I agree with the review that in the 2nd hald it lags on a few tracks…4/5 is fair….but tracks 4-8 are 5 mic worthy
The albums dope. 4/5 Then again, I’ve been a Hiero fan since day 1.
This album is really solid. But new Opio shit that just came out is even better, my fav album of 2012 so far.
its okay.
Pep is flyin at that Hiero altitude. This a album is tight, well mixed and in the words of Company Man, a vintage lyrical experience. My favorite tracks is Cant Nobody.., Cloudy Days, Rofftops and No Unsung.
This is a dope album. I’ve been on board with Heiro since 93′. I love this mans voice and his flow. I also love how he has stayed true to his roots. Right when all the garbage hip-hop has my head spinning Pep’s lyrics bring some substance to my headphones.
I like it
always on point…
Fire. Good to see somethign this refreshing….worth the long wait