It takes something special to make a hip-hop album that’s intersting to listen to these days. So much of hip-hop is derivitive that sometimes it seems as though there is just nothing _new_ out there. Outkast would be a fantastic example of what happens when hip-hop gets new inspiration, the entire crunked sound springs forth from Outkast’s first major album and, as of yet, no one does it quite like they do.
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K-Os, although reminiscent of the past, is one of those rare new sounds. It reminds you of classic hip-hop you love, while not crossing that thin line that seperates influenced from rip-off.
Hard-edged lyrical presentation, smooth mellow vocal choruses, great beats and a menagerie of musical styles define this album. Mariachi, asian, 80’s, Jazz, regae, soul, it’s all here, and K-Os has done an impressive job of making it not only sound good but sound good together.
Artistic without sounding pretentious or losing its edge, Joyful Rebellion should be a staple in your hip-hop collection. K-Os has done an amazing job of sounding like nothing else, while still managing to remind you of your favorite hip-hop throughout the ages. If your like me, and you miss what hip-hop once was and lement its inability to live up to its potential, you should quickly fall in love with this album.
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