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Scholar “The X Files” Album Review

- By Nathaniel Long

I ran into some cat this weekend at the Golden Fine Arts Festival who said he was a hip-hop fan. Naturally, I told him about Hip-Hop Linguistics and we went back and forth about our current and historical favorites in the world of hip-hop. He was talking mostly radio crap, but it was an enjoyable conversation nonetheless.

Following the discussion, the guy was curious as to why I didn’t review more mainstream albums. “If you want your website to blow,” he said, “you’re going to have to review some stuff the people actually listen to.”

Damn, man … I ain’t gonna lie; that shit pissed me off. But I couldn’t really figure out why. Therefore, I didn’t say anything. I simply smiled, finished the conversation and walked off . but for some reason, I kept thinking about what that cat said. Later in the day, I realized why I was so angered by the comment. In reality, it was because what was said was true. The mainstream isn’t in to the underground or conscious hip-hop. And as long as I maintain my loyalty to this type of hip-hop, I will probably never make a dime off of Hip-Hop Linguistics. No sponsors, no advertisers … nothing.

I started thinking about the future of Hip-Hop Linguistics. I mean, is this really what I want for something I have put my all into? Something that I have spent the past two years building? Something I intimately believe in? Nah, man … I don’t want the website to be a failure. I want it to blow one day. Maybe I should take the advice, I thought, and start talking about what everyone else is talking about. Sell out a little, just for now, to get to where I want to be. At the time, it seemed reasonable.

Who’s Gonna Ride with Me?

On the way home, I was bumping a new underground release from my man Scholar of Else Where? Entertainment. Listening to his lyrics, I started to think that maybe he was in the same place as me a little. He seemed to be talking from time to time about his struggles getting people to hear his music due to the revolutionary topics it presents. All of a sudden, a verse jumped out at me that really hit home:

Thinking on just what I can do next
Off minimal recognition and royalty checks
Often check reality, it wakes me up
That people really don’t want to hear conscious stuff
But oh well . it’s alive in my blood
The reason why I keep on when shown no love
Own no gloves, but I gotta box my way
Out of the system, the price to pay

Despite the possibility that Else Where? Entertainment might be struggling to sell records or get their music heard, they’re not trying to change who they are. And instead of complaining or looking for a way out, Scholar just sees it as the price he has to pay to stay true to his beliefs and values. Instead of changing his style to please the listener, he challenges the listener to join him in his quest for revolution:

Who gonna ride with me?
Fight for freedom, die with me
Expose the lies with me
Open people’s eyes with me
Who gonna roll with me?
Open up the soul with me
Open your mind with me
Help mankind with me

Damn, man . that inspired me right when I needed a little inspiration. I found myself rolling down the street, singing along, yelling out the window, “I’ll ride wit you dogg! Fuck money! Fuck selling out! And fuck the wack ass mainstream!”

This Ain’t about Money

So to answer that cat’s question, I don’t cover the mainstream because I don’t believe in it. It’s repetitive; it’s corny; it’s shallow, materialistic and fake. It is completely non-representative of the culture I have based a big part of my life on. And worst of all, it’s not inspirational. Even if it prevents me from ever making money on my website, I will never cover hip-hop that doesn’t serve to inspire, motivate or educate.

This ain’t about money. This ain’t about recognition. I do this because it is therapeutic to me, and because I love hip-hop and want to contribute to the culture in whatever positive way I can. No amount of money could ever replace that. And I believe you would hear the same from Scholar and the entire Else Where? Entertainment crew.

So check out “The X-Files” and learn about cats trying to make a difference with revolutionary topics, intelligent lyrics, positive vibes and the courage to do it their own way. Peace.

HipHopLinugistics.com

- By Eni Emesh

Rating: 77 out of 100

Love him or hate him, Scholar is here to stay. Armed with a strong political point of view and awareness of the current state of affairs he has something to say, and it’s worth listening to. Unlike some hip-hop acts with a message, Scholar makes the effort to keep the head nodding as he educates on the social ills of inequality. The X-Files, as the album is aptly titled, is what happens when you take a positive message, mix it with the right music and do everything in your power to keep the listener awake. Handling most of the productions duties, Scholar surrounds himself with beats that seem inspired by the likes of Little Brother’s 9th Wonder and the late Jay Dee. Which is why I was surprised to find the beat from the hit “Lean Wit It” by Dem Franchize Boyz, used on the cut “Gotta Get It,” simply because I expected a little more originality throughout the album. Aware of the fact that the mainstream may not immediately embrace his sound he took the liberty to stay true to what I suspect is his vision for this project which works on many levels.

The album does suffer from some over indulgence and poor production quality at times. Loudly pushing his agenda distracts from giving him his own identity as an artist. The delivery is nice and goes well with the subject matter, but he does seem to get carried away every now and then. Tracks like “Keep Keeping On”, “How Many Times” and “Payback” open the album and stand out as definitive moments. Also noteworthy are the laid back joints “Ride with Me” and “Need to Need You”.

This is not the project that will set Scholar up as a household name, but it is the project that establishes his long term potential. Outside of a handful of acts like PE, Common and Dead Prez, conscious acts come and go on what seems to be a daily basis, and very few get a chance to make a lasting impression. Scholar could break the mold and become a voice to reckon with, but in order to achieve this he has to take things up a notch going forward. Leave out some of the interludes, remember that in order educate you need to remain somewhat accessible, which at times Scholar is not.

Related Link

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Else Where? Entertainment
3540 Crain Hwy #381
Bowie, MD 20716
1.301.809.0162
www.elsewhereent.com

ELSE WHERE? ENTERTAINMENT SET TO RELEASE SCHOLAR IN “THE X FILES”

Bowie, MD – June 1, 2006 – As the international movement continues in pursuit for freedom, and equality for the masses, a new breed of politically inspired hip-hop continues to spread in 2006 – a breed of revolutionary hip-hop. Hip-hop dedicated to one thing – social change. At the frontline of this movement musically are many talented artists, mostly considered “underground” or “non-mainstream,” but there is one artist determined to take his message above and beyond borders – his name is Scholar.

To follow up the classic group effort “The Love Freedom Movement,” that was released earlier this year with label mate TrueBLESS, Scholar presents to you now “The X Files” – another unforgettable mixtape containing 14 hot tracks that should leave you in a state of self-determination after listening. Scholar paints an exquisite portrait of the current state of the world and how it can improve using exceptional lyrics as his brushes and innovative beats as his paint. In the end the album is none the less a masterpiece, which should get regular rotation in your CD decks if you love classic hip-hop music with a message.

With the exception of three of the tracks on “The X Files” – Scholar produces the bulk of the album, creating a unique style of production that can be compared to the likes of Pete Rock, 9th Wonder and the late Jay Dilla. The inspiration is clear within the production, to respect the old but keep with the new without losing sight of what’s important, “good head-nod music.” From heavy drums to crisp snares in conjunction with smooth bass-lines and sample chops, Scholar’s songs flow with consistency like waves during a calm night at sea.

Lyrically, Scholar’s motivation is to be “blunt” with his listeners, speaking on various topics that include the United States government, poverty, racial discrimination, violence and how minorities are “alienated” – thus the main reason for the title “The X Files.” Scholar incorporates the efforts of the late great Malcolm X in the tile of the CD as well, using the deceased leader as an inspiring factor to push listeners to get up, get out and do something (not to mention the design of the CD cover). As he simply put it, “…let’s re-open the file where Brother X left off..,” on the intro track “Freedom.” Other break-out tracks include “How Many Times,” Right Now” and “Demand And Take.”

“The X Files” should be at the top of your list if you enjoy soulful hip-hop with a message. “The X Files” is coming soon to CD Baby, iTunes, Tower Records, and other retail chains. Please contact the Else Where? Music Group for wholesale orders at:

Else Where? Music Group
3540 Crain Hwy #381
Bowie Maryland 20716
1.301.809.0162
www.elsewheremusicgroup.com

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