Review: Common Market’s Tobacco Road

It has been said that English is the hardest language to learn. Being a native speaker and having to learn grammar in schooling past, I can absolutely see why. It is riddled with contradictions, exceptions, and funny-sounding words. When you take all of this crazy-sounding language and make it rhyme, you have something special.

Common Market’s newest release Tobacco Road is the second full-length album from the group consisting of emcee R.A. Scion and producer Sabzi. Sabzi also produces for group Blue Scholars, and his chemistry with Scion is what makes the project successful. The album starts off a little slow, honestly, but the pace quickly rises. “Gol’ Dust” is laced with triumphant horns, and the production mastery only continues as the album goes on. Soul samples (“Winter Takes All”), crisp drums (“Back Home”), and even an occasional synth (“Certitude”) are scattered throughout the album, and all utilized effectively. Sabzi is very gifted musically, as he even plays a piano solo on the album’s closer and title track.

R.A. Scion, quite frankly, is one of the best emcees around today. Marked by symbolic tattoos, glasses, and a bad-ass beard, don’t let his somewhat unexpected looks fool you – the man is, dare I say, genius. I’ve never had to use a dictionary before in a hip hop song, and I sat with one in my lap as I tried to dissect two of my favorites – “House” and “Forty Thieves”. The guests, in Blue Scholars’ Geologic and newcomer Chev hold their own with respectable appearances. However, Scion really steals the show here. The album stalls only in the beginning, and also slightly in the middle, with the dud of “Weather Vane” and other slow points. If this were trimmed down to a 14 or 15 track journey, it would be that much better. However, I highly recommend this album, and it’s really surprising that my favorite album of the year (so far, and I doubt it’s going to get knocked off the pedestal) isn’t getting more recognition. The path of the Tobacco Road might be a long one in some ways, but it’s worth taking every single step.

Overall: 8.75 out of 10

Interview Session: Skipp Whitman

Had a chance to track down Skipp Whitman, who released a pretty solid debut last year in Free Agent. Make sure to show the man support, cop his stuff of amazon or his myspace! (I think my man deleted some questions on me hahaha…)

1. Alright Skipp, thanks for taking the time to do this. For anyone not familiar with your music, could you just share who you are?
Word.  Thanks.  Im pretty much the greatest rapper of all time.  That about sums it all up . . next.

2. Why did you choose to make music, and who/what were your major influences growing up?
I did it for the girls.  My main influences growing up were.  Mainly. Girls.  And it kind of grew from there.

4. Do you feel that being white gives you a certain stigma? I mean, there aren’t many white rappers around…
check out myspace one more time.

6. What was it like for you to release an album? Did you feel you had weight lifted off your shoulders, or that you had accomplished something incredible?
Not at all.  I think anybody that feels they’ve accomplished something incredible by releasing an album especially a first album, is buggin.  Meaning, I put forth my best effort, and was definitely excited during the process, but by the time it was released I was ready to forget about it and move on to the next shit.

7. Where did the idea for the cover come from? It’s not often you see beautiful sunsets on album covers…(hahaha just messin’ man)
yea that one backfired aye?  I just did it to be an asshole, and cats really took it serious.  Such is life!

9. How do you plan to combat the ever-popular “sophomore slump” most artists have?
Simple.  Put out a stunning second album.

10. Is there a tour in the works?
Let’s hope so.

11. What’s been your favorite concert that you’ve attended as a fan?
The roots.

12. Who would you like to work with?
Adriana Lima.

13. If someone’s never heard of you, what would you say to get them to listen? Be your own sales promoter for a second…
Don’t listen to me.  Im nothing different than everyone else you’ve ever heard.  I won’t have a mixtape out next month hosted by Richard Pryor.  I won’t have an album out next year.  I’m not even talented and girls hate me.  Whatever’s on your ipod now?  Just keep it there you paid enough for that.  (let’s see if reverse psychology works)

14. Any last words?
Thank you for the opportunity to air out fam.  Check me out at skippw.com