AWOL One:AWOL One

Title: AWOL One

Label: Paladin

Genre:  underground hip-hop

Rating: 4 of 7

Slated as on of the “next big thing” by the likes of Spin and Urb, AWOL One seems to come up just a bit short on this release. His laid back rhyme flow resembles MF Doom, but without the little spark that most people would refer to as Madlib. The beats are a bit redundant, though the presence of some distinguished producers including Kutmasta Kurt and Evidence from the Dilated Peoples. The context of the rhymes are the highlight of the album. His observational lyrics resemble Subtitle or the creative forces of Anticon and Mush. In my opinion AWOL sounds the best when he teams up with his guests (Circus, 2Mex, Abstract Rude). The album may have not lived it up to the hype, but it still remains decent and worth a play or 2. I’d definitely keep an eye on this MC in the future though.

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