Music: Macklemore - The Language Of My World

          The Language Of My World is thought by most Macklemore fans to be his first release (it isn't).  This album is hip-hop at it's purest.  Out of the nineteen tracks (the Intro doesn't count) there are ten that I consider unskipable.  I expect less than a 4th of songs from albums to be gems. The other nine are good, but not my cup of tea.  With that said it was really difficult for me to pick three to share with you.  I was almost tempted to add a bonus. 
            He's a Seattle-based emcee.  His style is very different from the East, West, and South coast (even though Seattle is in the West). Here he covers topics such as: homelessness, racism, the war in Iraq, class-ism, drug use, love, and the immaturity we had as high school students.  The beats on this album were amazing.  I'm not sure who all the producer are, but I've been following Budo, who (did The Magic - Track #13) has a uqnie style of his own.  Overall, it's a very well thought out effort from Macklemore, who seems to be (like wine) getting better with time.  If you like The Roots, Mos Def, Common or early Kanye then you've got to check out this album.

Gems (Top Three)

1.) Hold Your Head Up Ft. Xperiance - Track #6

It's (as the title suggests) about staying positive, no matter how grim things are.  It focuses on how relationships grow apart and the strength needed to accept that.  Macklemore puts pure hearted poetry (it's more then rap) to a mellow semi-jazz beat, an immaculate combination. The chorus is sung by Xperiance, who's voice sounds like someone who just realize how to deal with the pain and is passing that along to you. Definitely good cruise music. Life goes on is the message here, but it won't be understood until you've lived it or until you've lost some friends for no reason at all.

2.) Contradiction - Track #17

It's about being aware of being a hypocrite, but trying not to be.  I find it very interesting how he developed this concept.  In the first verse he holds a conversation with a female fan who's calling him out on his shit.  The second verse is traditional to a point, that he's speaking directly to you, but you can argue that he's still talking to her.  We're not perfect and most of us talk a big talk, but actions speak louder then words. There's a fine line between saying it and living it, Which side are you on?

3.) As Soon As I Wake Up By Step Cousins (Macklemore & Xperience) - Track #19
This is a great feel good song.  Both artist go back and forth spitting poems full of pure positivity.  The song doesn't have a focal point, instead it branches out treading lightly in each verse.  It never loses momentum or that "make you smile" energy.  The beat is very light (innocent in a sense) complementing the verses flawlessly.  By the end, you can't help but have a better outlook on life.

-Don't Just Be A Robot, Be Happy