DJ Absurd: Flying Colors EP (Album Review)

“It’s that trash that you’re doing that’s fucking up Hip-Hop…”

New Jersey-based DJ Absurd is fiercely proud of his Garden State stomping grounds. For his debut compilation (Flying Colors), he brings together  a combination of veteran and new school underground emcees for a collection that’s focused on straight spitting for those with a predilection for East Coast boom-bap.

Although the majority of project is filled with verses focused on braggadocio, the EP format keeps it from becoming monotonous. The first two songs focus on the elimination of anonymous wack emcees and assorted thuggery. Ransom, Snype Lyfe and Cyssero don’t drop bad verses on the opening “East Coast Assault,” but their styles, in content and presentation, are so similar that their bars seem to just run together. There’s more distinction on “Ain’t Hard to Find,” which features Dead Poets and Pacewon meeting the confrontational tint of Absurd’s production. The aforementioned rappers are different enough in the voices and flow to make the track work.

The old school heads take center stage in the middle. Jaz-O shows again that’s he perfected the art of flowing as he nimbly rides a beat accentuated with orchestral violin and brass horn chords. From a technical and energy aspect, it’s the EP’s strongest track (hence its first single status). Craig G has never been one to bite his tongue, and he takes aim at labels and radios for “fucking up Hip-Hop” on “Slap Nerds.” At a time where nearly everyone is afraid to give a dissenting word because of “hater” accusations, Craig G’s words have truth to them. Absurd’s production has a mellow and sad tone, but he adds a vocal sample of Audio Two (“Step up if you want to get hurt…”) to make it clear Craig G is willing to meet anyone lyrically who’s willing to challenge his stance.

DJ Premier’s influence on Absurd is evident throughout Flying Colors. Most of the tracks contain vocal samples and are punctuated by routine drum patterns. The clearest example is “Life Is Hard,” which scratches up vocals from the likes of Shyheim, Tupac and DMX.  But when he does experiment, like the sprawling sax playing and southern-influenced drum patterns on “In My World,” Absurd also has success. Termanology and Big Lou have no issues riding the beat and close the EP as it should, with you wanting to hear more.

DJ Absurd offers no surprises or avant-garde experimentation on Flying Colors. This is strictly for fans of the East Coast underground. As Absurd moves onto his full-length, it will be interesting to see if he can expand to directing concept tracks and handling more diverse line-ups of emcees.

LINKS: ITUNES, AMAZON

DJ ABSURD X JAZ X COPYWRITE X MELA MACHINKO “FLYING COLORS”

DJ ABSURD X DEAD POETS X PACEWON “AIN’T HARD TO FIND”