As hiphop celebrates 30 years since it started busting into the world it’s easy to forget the music’s original reasons for existing in the first place. It was uptown New York’s punk rock, a way for poor kids to make their own music by any means necessary, get out of the gangs and make a statement to the world while having a party. Then the panto-violence and cabaret bling merchants crept in, robbing this vital movement of its soul as negative aspects sent the streets back to the bloody mess it was supposed to replace. Afrika Bambaataa started the Zulu Nation as a positive alternative and Dynamax, who hails from the South Bronx and lives in France, is now European ambassador as well as leading the Bronx Syndicate, Ice T’s new Rhyme Syndicate. His forcefully-positive personality and campaigning for peace, stripping away the bullshit which has plagued hiphop, is making him a lot of new followers. ‘The Funhouse Adventure’, created with Syndicate legend Donald D, trailers the brilliant Equilibrium album as a declaration of intent with catchy vocal hook, intricately-dense production and a helpful acapella. Flip-wise, ‘We Want ‘Em Free Now’ carries a political message with Dynamax’s sometime collaborators Sticman/Dead Prez joining in the production by Lords of The Underground’s Lord Jaz. Finally, ‘Streets And Rhymes’, featuring music by 3/5, plants dramatic block chords beneath an urgent manifesto. Hiphop needed someone to pick up the original spirit and carry it into the 21st century. Here he is.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
