Why fix what’s not broken? That’s the ideology of many people whether pertaining to something that is literally not broken, but more figuratively in art and media. Particularly in music and even more particularly in hip-hop music, fans are oddly short when it comes to consistency of style. With the 21st century ushering in a generation of “now-ers,” anything that is deemed to take too long is left in the dust for something bigger, better, faster, stronger (that-that-that-that don’t kill me….).
But to a select few (generally those over the age of twenty-five or so) have a tad more patience and accept consistency as an ode to what works essentially. In regards to Jermiside and Danny Diggs, these two stuck to their roots while crafting their latest effort Quiet As Kept. After their debut was applauded by fans and honestly reviewed by critics, the producer-rapper combo checked back in by honing in on a similarly , if not the same scrupulous, soulful and undisguised demeanor.
As a producer, Danny Diggs has a predictable progression, but also a genuine sound that aims to create smooth melodies pulled from highly-chopped samples. “Life Lessons” for example is essentially the same four measures repeated over and over again – save for drums that drop in and out of the track and the cuts at the end – but the way Diggs chops the sample into precise bits, the track features a nice swing to it that also boasts a sentimentality to it that works well with the lyricists’ subject matter.
Speaking of lyricists, Jermiside’s strongpoint is personal objective narratives. Whether reflecting on his life in “The Depths” or appreciating his growth as both a rapper and person overall on “How I Feel,” Jermiside lets the world know how he feels and see things and hopes you can relate. It’s an employable tactic, of course tons of rappers do it, but it’s always the execution that makes or breaks this type of subject matter.
For the most part, Jermiside successfully instills a sense of relation in the listener by not spitting too personally down to the minute details; rather, the Cincinnati emcee touches on elements of his life that shaped him into the person he is today and that is enough to make a listener go “hey, I can relate to that!” This sensibility adds to the likable factor Jermiside possesses and just makes him all around an enjoyable entertainer.
That is for the most part as the semi-repetetive production and almost overly-consistent emceeing adds little diversity to Quiet As Kept. It’s the classic album ailment of sounding good but lacking a bit of substance. Not to say Jermiside does not lack substance because he certainly has that aspect under control, but the tracks blend together at the end of the day. The interchangeable nature of these songs is apparent, but not dominating.
Jermiside can spit and Diggs knows how to drum out a rhythm and whether or not the decision to employ the same sound featured on the first album was a good one or not is undoubtedly unique to each listener. However, the effort is there and Jermiside keeps it real by rhyming about himself and the world through his eyes rather than commercial themes that we all know and love (*cough). Therefore, this sophomore album is applaudable – as was the first – and adds more to the ground these two hip-hop artists stand on. Perhaps with the next effort though these two can add something more to the record to take it that much further. Otherwise, this album is one underground heads will like to nod their head to.
7/10
Tracklisting:
1) How I Feel (feat. Destruments)
2) Book of Rhymes (feat. Theory Hazit, K. Sparks & DJ Mayhem)
3) Never
4) Bloodline
5) Life Lessons (feat. I-EL & DJ Mayhem)
6) The Depths
7) The Innocent
8) Thank You (feat. L-Marr the Star & Ill Poetic)
9) Victory Is Mine
10) Be Forever
11) Victory Is Mine (The Expert Remix)
12) Bloodline (Illustrate Remix)
***Notable Mentions:
Blu & Nottz: Gods In The Spirit EP
