Rating:
  Release Date: March 22, 2005
  Website: The Perceptionists Website
  Label: Def Jux

The Perceptionists “Black Dialogue” Album Review
I must admit that I’m one of those never-satisfied hip-hop fans. If someone puts out a hot album, I can usually find something that it doesn’t do right. Dope flow, but lacking lyrical content. Conscious lyrics, but lacking hot beats. Great production, but nothing being said. I’ve always viewed rap music as somewhat of a triangle, created from three major components: Lyrics, Flow and Production. Hip-hop’s fans measure these components with different weight.

Cats who listen to radio bumps are obviously more concerned with beats and production than with lyrics or flow. If a song doesn’t say anything but allows the ladies to shake it, it can still become a club hit (For examples, turn on your local radio’s “hip-hop” station). Meanwhile, those of us who embrace more of the underground flavor are more concerned with lyrics than beats. If a song has a weak beat but an MC is kicking some innovative lyrics, it will make my play list (For examples, turn OFF your local radio’s “hip-hop” station).

Now just because I’m a lyrics guy doesn’t mean I don’t value tight beats or an MC’s ability to rock over them. I love most all hip-hop. I like some of the radio stuff that is lyrically weak but has hot beats because it’s fun to dance to or clown out to. I like a lot of fun and freestyle tracks simply because I find an MC flowing skillfully over a beat to be quite soothing. But when an artist or group can bring those three components together in a uniform album, allowing them to touch upon all factions of hip-hop, it is undoubtedly something special. The Perceptionists’ “Black Dialogue” is one of these albums. In their own words, with which I would have to agree, “The Perceptionists crew is a who’s who of dope beats, rhymes and cuts - Now what!”

This album covers the entire hip-hop component triangle, offering something for all fans. I’ve found myself listening to it on an introspective road trip, then again on the way to the club. It wouldn’t surprise me if a couple of the tracks became club bumps due to the hot production of El-P, even though they likely will not. Meanwhile, other tracks focus on intriguing social and political commentary based on a leftist working class view of our country and it’s political system. Yet the MC duo of Lif and Akrobatik don’t get too serious, as they dedicated a couple songs to having fun and showcasing their lyrical skills and creativity.

The Political Side of “Black Dialogue”
My favorite part of this album was its political content. In my opinion, The Perceptionists have created this year’s first hip-hop album to effectively criticize our country’s current events intellectually and from the viewpoint of the ordinary urban lower-to-middle working class American. They trash Bush and his Administration, including their use of fear techniques, and question the reasons behind the war in Iraq, yet still manage to support our troops and the people’s potential to create change.

Fear - or is it just lack of information?
There - deep within the fabric of the nation
Question - what will it take to break the walls?
Answer - strength from us and all of y’all
Here’s the stance of the people: Repeat after me
Place a hand over your heart and breathe deep
“I will no longer pledge allegiance to a government
That makes no efforts to relieve my suffering”
Tax inflation, home invasion
Ask ‘em “what the fuck did they do with our payment?”
Put us out of work, then you claim we’re complaining
Raise health care, cut back on education
The world’s largest anti-war demonstration
Was answered by bombs dropping and blood draining
Don’t forget the rubber bullets and jail time
Catch it on the ‘Net, you can see it in Realtime
You don’t give a fuck about us, so we don’t give a fuck about you
The system works for the few
There’s plenty of us out there who might dare
Form an independent state where life is more fair
We’ll have our own laws, own schools, own cash too
And none of those funds will flow to you
We’re cutting you off, cause it’s clear we don’t share the same views
What have we got to lose?

I never thought of this the day that I enlisted
That I’d be dodging bullets seeking weapons that never even existed
For someone else’s personal beef I risk my health
While the Commander-In-Chief would never come and fight himself
I feel I’m being tricked even worse than the civilians
Nobody ever told me that we would be killing children
Feeling like the ones who sent me here are the psychotics
But if I say that out loud, I’m unpatriotic
But would Donald Rumsfeld back be up with the chrome?
Would Tom Ridge fight, or would he stay secure back home?
And would Condoleeza Rice cover grenades in a foxhole?
I’m starting to believe what I was told is not so
What’s the reason for the war?
I’m shooting at these people that I got no animosity for
I wonder if I’m just a pawn in someone else’s struggle
Or a hero even though I’m such a small piece of the puzzle

It’s the same old story
Turn on the news, the scene is mad gory
Another “old boy” in a suit collects glory and tells us all to worry
Cause it’s orange alert, there’s foreigners hurt
Let’s scurry to the nearest bomb shelter deep beneath the city
To talk about these imminent threats and Janet Jackson’s titty
Recipe, meant for me and you, meant to be consumed
“If we engineer the food right, we can feed the room for cheap
And their organs can corrode in their sleep
Pump ‘em full of nicotine ’til they’re six feet deep”
Peep the shit that’s going on
We no longer go along
With your disrespect, total neglect and shitty checks
It’s time for the people to stand up and stop being used
What have we got to lose?

No more! It won’t be tolerated
For your cause . will be eliminated
You’re selling us dreams and lies, but we’ll no longer be amused
What have we got to lose?

I vote the people for prez
Fuck that rich little dummy and the shit that he says
It’s just puppetry, fuckery
Haven’t you heard?
The shit is absurd Don’t trust a motherfuckin’ word!

The Perceptionists urge their listeners to “peep the shit that’s going on” and “don’t trust a . word” from “that rich little dummy” who’s “selling us dreams and lies.” They view this country’s fear simply as “lack of information” engineered by our government as a “recipe meant for me and you . to be consumed.” Yet they use these accusations to reach their listeners, so that the people may yearn to “form an independent state where life is more fair.”

The Social Side of “Black Dialogue”
Although The Perceptionists made clear their political distrust in this album, they spent a good deal more time commenting on social commentary and the immediate problems of working class Americans. From love and materialism to wack rappers and laziness, The Perceptionists touch issue after issue of everyday life and struggle, giving their listeners advice on increasing their happiness, success and motivation.

Love
When we met in the beginning, I’d a never have thought
We would have ever been caught In such an intricate plot
You possessed all the things I had sought
Intelligence, grace, a beautiful face, benevolent heart
Who’s to blame when people choose goals that oppose?
Though they’re kindred souls, yet they can’t find the time to grow.
I know you molded me into a better man
Showed me finer points in life, plus you helped me strengthen my plans
And I tried all these things I never knew
My abilities grew because I love you, over clouds I flew
But I landed in our own sorrow
Brought you tears today, I must say, I see you crying tomorrow
And I could conjure up a million selfish reasons to stay
But I know we’ll never grow that way
So I’m letting you go, although I truly don’t believe that we’re done
In my heart I always felt that you were number one
You’ve been my love, my joy, my guiding light
But I’m not the type to stick around if I ain’t treating you right
So I think we should leave before we tarnish what we have together
Our bond is hard to sever I’ll hold you in my heart forever

My intimacy is in my poetry and lurks behind closed doors
And in my head, I’m fighting my own wars
I feel I got a purpose and a cause, cause I lay away at night
My eyesight seems to be addicted to moonlight
An introvert kid who’d die to be converted
Loved, know and nurtured
Observed with a little intrigue
Inspired when I feel fatigued
A simple man with simple needs
Or so I believe

Materialism
Let me tell you ’bout my niggas nowadays
Nowadays niggas acting like slaves cause it pays in many ways
A - they get the pussy, B - they get the car
C - the jewels around the neck but their demise isn’t far fetched
Step with the Uncle Tom, fucking pawn action
And my TV’s always off, cause I see something truly black then
Aww, shit - got a call from Brother Malcolm
Awakened from the grave he’s asking what the fuck happened
I said these niggas all want homes in the Hamptons
It’s a minstrel show, so they do what white man asks them
Throwing money at the screen that other brothers ain’t catching
Yes, hell has frozen over, rest in peace, thanks for asking
We’d rather teach each other how to fire chrome than buy a home
There’s power in the land that we own
We need capital to start to win in capitalism
Take the money from the sales and buy some places for livin’
Rather black landlords than white chalk on the floor
Our mentality’s the casualty that’s keeping us poor
And the poor teach their kids how to work
Rich teach their kids how to invest - hence we’re dying from stress

Master yourself for maximum outreach potential
Respect that you get from that will grow exponential
Preferential treatment brings us heat when
It only goes to those who rock the diamonds and sequines
They invite kiddies to the video show
To watch the fake titty models all act like hoes
I guess it goes: the more ignorance, the more press
But everywhere I look, I’m seeing black people with more stress
But does that mean we should be shucking and jiving
Fucking and kniving, just to keep our bank accounts thriving?

Happiness
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 leaving 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

Here’s the plot: give it everything you’ve got
Make moves, then your life can truly improve
Now you thinking about the hours that you put in for them
And surpassing them for self, cause that’s the real gem
Here’s an idea: think to yourself “Yeah, this is my year”
Now proceed with your mind clear
All those things you’re saying you would do in the past
Make them daily tasks, or those bright ideas won’t last

Motivation
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 motherfucking TV
All the sudden there’s so much of the world to see
And step 4 is to explore your options and get it popping
To get in the game instead of just watching
Entrepreneurial maneuvers, self-investment
That’s the shit, I can’t contest it

If you ain’t doing what you love doing, you’re losing
Security’s illusion created by institution
To keep us moving to the job, bank and the store
A commonly accepted thus perpetuated war
And if what you’re waiting for is opportunity to knock at your door
Then step it up, cause it ain’t like that no more
Sure, you can sit at home rotting away
But in your heart I know you feel there’s something missing everyday

Wack Rappers
Instead of making records having everybody nervous
Maybe we should get you something with the Secret Service
Many applicants frowned when they first heard this
But what’s being an artist got to do with doing murders?
You wanna bust guns, here’s some fly shit
A war’s going on, be a front line private
Yeah, you could be a hero in Iraq
Or be the cat to stop the next plane from being hijacked
But you wanna party hard
Instead of being a rapper maybe you could be a bodyguard
Or maybe work a detail at Mardi Gras
Or chaperone at the naughty bar where the hotties are

Career Finders - Leave that life of rap behind ya
We got something to suit ya finer
We’re Career Finders - Put them pipe dreams on the shelf
And let us put you on the right path to wealth

The Perceptionists showed great innovative thought on many social problems. Yet unlike most other artists who tackle these issues, The Perceptionists did not preach, but conversed as if they were talking to family, friends, and even themselves. They seemed appreciative of love and its difficulties, refusing to hang on to love if “we’ll never grow that way.” They denounce violence, greed and materialism, questioning if we should still be “shucking and jiving, fucking and kniving, just to keep our bank accounts thriving?” And they urge their listeners to get motivated and stop “rotting away,” telling them “to get in the game instead of just watching.”

One of their most creative songs was “Career Finders,” a lyrical lash at image-based rappers in which Lif, Akrobatik and Shock G of Digital Underground (aka Humpty Hump) try to find jobs for wack MCs. They encouraged artists who are “doing murders” to join the “Secret Service,” those who “wanna bust guns” to “be a hero in Iraq,” and those who “wanna party hard” to “maybe work a detail at Mardi Gras.” Not necessarily one of my favorites on the album, but I found it innovative.

The Lyrical Side of “Black Dialogue”
The unfortunate thing about many hip-hop albums that show great political and social thought is that the MCs are not always that tight. Being a great activist poet does not necessarily make you a dope MC. But Lif and Akrobatik have skills, including intelligent use of vocabulary, good use of similes and creative writing, and the ability to access multiple flows and methods of spitting lyrics that will have you rewinding verses and songs again and again.

In my stance, I’m Definitively Juxtaposed
I’m blessed - promoters hitting me with bucks for flows
We the pros, can’t nobody oppose the Black Dialogue
Covered with my shine like it’s L.A. by the smog
Emcees - I laugh at y’all
Cause y’all some disappointments, like USA Basketball
This beat will make me zone out like Salaam Remmi
Fuck a VMA, y’all niggas should win Emmy’s
Better acting skills than Demi

I break sinks - eat formica right away
Rip a cipher, lay quick think of Perestroika Day
With a flair disappear for a century
Come back to present time through a rhyme in your memory
Kreuger maneuver, Hans Gruber Luger
Slide through the guard dog’s bowl of Eukenuba
Hoover Dam vs. Ram-Man, outcome: rapid water, rabid author
Louis Pasteur’s your Pasteur
Peace, catch you in the after
Bloody acetate’s rising out the acid lakes - lucid
New dimensia inventor - with improvements

Laser beam eye made a fiend cry
I seen die, I mean death - hurry for there’s nothing left
I vaporize the vapor rise to taint the skies
Into the mist with a list of things that fate defies
The saint describes a faint disguise
Bearly concealing the rogue who rode his hopes across the skies
The sage’ll cry when mage’ll sigh
Caustic if you watch it with the gothic eye
Get it off the hobbit fries
And his assailant, the virgin Connie Swail
In a boat sailing, on the seven seas inhaling
Some real plush green from NahMean
She said her trap was set with factors that were nah seen
Perhaps you couldn’t catch it with a tractor beam
Next time I might attack you with a blacker theme
But shhh - the children have to dream

I’m a genie
The next time you see mee it’s Ouiji
It’s easy I’m folding this dimension and breezing
Event Horizon, Miles Bennett Dyson, M. Tyson
M. Bison, the components for
Two black orators
Of the year
Yeah, hear the masters of the hemisphere
Universe
Pumping knowledge through the verse intensity
Adrenaline
Hip-hop’s propellin’ through my melanin

Injury - grab the ace bandage
Face damage
Rip out your tongue and to change language
Mi duele mi pierna
Did I scare ya?
Here’s some laws to adhere to
Step in, step up, or break north
My rebuttal is a space shuttle ready for take off
Blast away I eat the sun, pass the day
Peace to Jam Master Jay
We ain’t no Gilligan’s isle style of castaways
Bamboozled, doing what master say
We’ll bruise you Perceptionists crew is a who’s who
Of dope beats, rhymes and cuts
Now what!

Some of The Perceptionists’ verses are dope mostly because they just sound tight. MCs disappointments like USA basketball? Come back to a present time through a rhyme in your memory? I vaporize the vapor rise to taint the skies? Hip-Hop’s propellin’ through my melanin? My rebuttal is a space shuttle ready for take off? That’s hot stuff for sure.

Although The Perceptionists’ “Black Dialogue” successfully demonstrated each of my components for quality hip-hop, including introspective and conscious lyrics, skillful and creative flow, and quality head nodding production, I unfortunately was still able to find that one thing I didn’t like: 12 tracks. With the quality of this album, it would have sure been nice to have 18 or 20. Regardless, Lif and Akrobatik have further asserted their positions among rap’s elite, and Def Jux has again affirmed its position among the best labels in quality hip-hop.