Substantial- Sacrifice

By: R.M. London

((1.8.2008))

Straight from the catacombs of the Quintic Nickelism (QN5) camp, home to popular underground acts such as Cunninlynguists, PackFM, and Tonedeff, as well as a motto that aims to stay "5 steps ahead of the game," rises the Prince George's County, Maryland bred MC, Substantial. Seven years after his extremely popular debut album, "To This Union a Sun Was Born," which bombarded Japanese charts in 2001 and outsold a collection of top American artists (Ja Rule, Jermaine Dupri, Angie Stone, and Faith Evans), Substantial is back with his sophomore record that blasted from the blue into hip hop fans headphones to begin this new year's first quarter of rhythm and poetry.

As the first track post-intro, "Let it Go," carousels around your system Substantial immediately lays his purpose out on wax with vigorously delivered rhymes over a cascading jazzy instrumental. It is this song that not only sets the pace of the entire record, but captures the listeners attention and demands them to stay away from the skip button and keep listening.

Tearing through the beginning portion of the album I was drawn to Substantial's crisp, deep, and powerful voice. Over dome-nodding tracks like 'That Damn Good,' 'Chain Reaction,' and 'Resurrection of the House Party' the right coast MC's cadence proves it was born with the gift to glide over throwback cuts like Clyde Drexler in Portland circa '92. It was a total shock to hear an east coast spawn mix in Pacific personalities with Bronx swagger and force, but the end result continued to impress me track after track.

Not only does Substantial exude a melting pot of originality but he nonchalantly smashes the repetitive pattern that a lot of artists tend to accidentally (or purposely) follow by constantly switching up his style of delivery, lyrical content, and production. As the album continues, the QN5 samurai spitter switches from brash, to fun, to slick, all while keeping his cool as he mouths off brisk metaphors. With a slithering sex laced track in "U Can Get It", an addicting hip-hod head hit single in 'My Favorite Things,' and a staple crowd moving track in '4dozdatdonkno' Sub's sophomore effort never loses stride, but either picks up pace, or cruises with the chronic sonic current.

With every year's beginning hip hop fans begin to wonder and worry what the new year will bring to their ears. Will they be let down? Will their most anticipated record come up short? Can it top the year before? And as 2008's first quarter continues to whiz on by it is Substantial's surprise sophomore that has lifted the community's spirits by dropping what will be one of the year's dopest releases. Boasting minimal slow spots and throwaway tracks I would recommend this album to any true hip hop head.

As the QN5 brand comes off the buzz of the heralded 2007 Cunninlynguists record "Dirty Acres" they can now safely brush off their shoulders and boast one of the most exciting, fresh, creative, and original labels the industry has going today. Although I'm not quite sure what Substantial was shooting for with his album cover (that depicts himself dressed as a Samurai warrior while stabbing a sword through his frame) I think it is safe to say that if this record was the MC "sacrificing" all he had for the better of the genre it was a success, and like the QN5 label strives to be-- Substantial remains on top of 2008 five steps ahead.

Favorite Tracks: My Favorite Things, 4DozDatDonKno, QT
What to do (Buy/Try/Frisbee): Buy + Blast
Digits: 8.0 // 10