Reviewed by: Vida Michelle / Contact: mividamichelle@gmail.com
This month world famous Hip Hop/Jazz Producer, Teacher, DJ, Emcee, independent music Executive, Usual Suspect Crew member and Columbus’ own, J. Rawls released his final solo album, The Legacy!
The album has been creating a buzz on some of music’s most well known and highly respected media forums. “The Rest of My Life” is the first single and from there — the album overflows with positive energy all the way to the bonus track, #13 “Best Producer on the Mic II” produced by: J. Rawls himself/ featuring: Oddissee, Nottz, Raw & BluePrint, a follow up to 2011’s critically acclaimed “The Hip Hop Affect”
The ambitious title of the album proves legitimate, living up to the word’s definition.
In this album J. Rawls melodically shares his story, all the while reminding us of what is essential. After all a legacy is not only what you’ve earned, but also what you’ve learned.
With some of the dopest producers in Hip Hop listed in the credits like: DJ OSharp, Kev Brown, Rob Riley, The Mighty DJ DR, Rashad, Bombeardo, & Lakim, Rawls shares with us a portion of what his ears have tasted while on world tours and since officially beginning his music career in 1998. The Legacy also journeys taking J. Rawls full circle and back to the place in time where he first fell in love with music –
“I started out in Hip Hop beat boxing, moved on to rhyming, until I discovered samples and started making beats.”
But don’t expect The Legacy to leave you in a place comfortable enough to say goodbye to J. Rawls, the Emcee. The sounds are fresh! And tracks like “Rio” featuring & produced by: Rashad for Elevator Music, leave a strong and spicy aftertaste.
Rawls switches up his Emcee style various times throughout the album. His flow is fast and unpredictable in Rio and slow and low (almost like Ice-T) in “Southside” featuring Ms. Sara D and produced by: Bombeardo.
The story of sounds you hear create the perfect atmosphere for Rawls to exit the game as a solo artist. This is especially evident in Track #4 The Legacy, produced by: Lakim, where J. Rawls sets it off, followed up by John Robinson who builds it up, and ends with Ceezar who does an excellent job as closer. After I listened to it, I thought – That was the hand off.
From beginning to end, The Legacy proves to be a job well done. It not only includes names like Masta Ace, Wordsworth, P. Blackk, Jean P., Barbara Fant, J.G. The Juggernaut and Illa J, but it also comes with an immaculate sound quality provided by: Storm9000.
The Legacy album is the result of a musical life well lived by Rawls. With notable works already contributed to some of Hip Hop’s most influential artist including:
Mos Def & Talib Kweli, The Beastie Boys, Masta Ace, and many others this album is by no means the end for J., but instead a chosen turn in the direction of continuing his legacy by developing his record label, Polar Entertainment.
One of the benefits of having accomplished so much at what is still considered a young age is — It provides J. Rawls with the opportunity, and the public with the pleasure to check out what is left in his very creative arsenal.
The Legacy Album earns – 5 STARS!
