One of today's finest hip hop bands: THE PERCEPTIONISTS
But really, it's simply reached the same equilibrium as every other art medium: 90% crap, 10& excellent. Falling firmly in the latter category is the superb band The Perceptionists, including MCs Akrobatik and Mr. Life, and DJ Fakts One.
What makes these brothers so excellent--even though they might not appreciate this as a sales pitch--is that they're creating hip hop for those of us who've been listening to hip hop for at least two decades. In other words, this is hip hop for grown-ups.
That's not to say younger people can't enjoy this crew--one of my students, a young MC named Ejaz the Poet, loves them. But the range of topics and the sophistication of the commentary is as excellent as the lyrical rhythm and the vocal flavour of this band.
I'd already loved Akrobatik. Now this crew is one of my favourite. I listen to their lyrics the way I listen to KRS-One lyrics, i.e., closely, as if I'm reading a book (and I'm a guy who can listen to most bands for twenty or thirty years and still say one day, "Oh, that's what it says?"). Included below is one example of a typically insightful song. Read closely:
Now, this is dedicated to that little piece of mind
That you find every day when you leave your daily grind
The time is 5pm, and now you're leavin' your cubicle
It's Daylight Savings Time and the weather is beautiful!
Suitable to chill and breathe a sigh of relief
At last the day is yours for you to do as you please
Yeah, you feel the breeze even when the traffic is crossed
Because you on year way home, and bumpin' your favorite jam!
So you run into your crib, and then you lock your door
Zonin' out, listenin' to records galore
Lookin’ for some Perceptionists, maybe some Jill Scott
But so matter what you checkin', the selections real hot
Here's the plot: give it everything you've got
Make moves, then your life can truly improve
Now you thinkin’ ’bout the hours that you put in for them
And surpassin’ ’em for delf, ’cause that’s the real gem!
Here’s an idea: think to yourself, “Yeah, this is my year!”
Now proceed with your end clear
All those things you’re saying’ you would do in the past
Make ’em daily tasks, or those bright ideas won’t last
It's my time to shine, my time to be
I spent the whole damn day workin' for you
Now it's time to do sum’n for me
I just can't wait to get on home
Away from you--and be all alone
Turn off the TV, unplug the phone
’Cause it's 5 o'clock, now everybody sing along
Now you understand that you your own woman or man
Because you broke it down to a simple four step plan
Step 1 - Sit and make a plan, Son
Step 2 - Make time for you, Boo
Step 3 - Turn off your motherfuckin' TV!
All the sudden there's so much of the world to see
And step 4 is to explore your options and got it poppin’
To get in the game instead of just watchin’
Entrepreneurial maneuvers, self-investment
That’s the shit, I can’t contest it!\
If you ain’t doin’ what you love doin’, you’re losin’
Security’s illusion created by institution
To keep us movin’ to the job, bank, and the store
A commonly accepted thus perpetuated war
And if what you’re waitin’ for is opportunity to knock at your door
Then step it up, ’cause it aint like that no more!
Sure, you can sit at home rottin’ away
But in your heart I know you feel there’s somethin’ missin’ everyday
But all that matter t you now is you off the clock
Yo, this weekend’s gon’ be off the rocker, Son! (Yeah, Son!)
It's my time to shine, my time to be
I spent the whole damn day workin' for you
Now it's time to do sum’n for me
I just can't wait to get on home
Away from you--and be all alone
Turn off the TV, unplug the phone
’Cause it's 5 o'clock, now everybody sing along
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