Rating:
  Review Date: November 12, 2007
  Website: TrueBless Website
  Label: Else Where? Entertainment

TrueBless “Mission ISPossible” Album Review
I was fortunate enough to be able to build with TrueBless a couple months back, and it was an uplifting experience to say the least. The former college basketball star turned educator and youth mentor has a life story that reads more like a Hollywood script. The story of TrueBless is filled with struggle, hardship and loss – yet illuminates lessons of love, strength and perseverance. And his debut album “Mission ISPossible” does the same.

Above all, “Mission ISPossible” is a very universal album – consisting of both joviality and seriousness; both modesty and braggadocio; both happiness and sadness. While the first half of the album is dedicated to feel-good throwback tracks which showcase fun lyrical wordplay and positive vibes, making for an enjoyably head-nodding listen, it is the second half of the album where Bless really shines as a storyteller and inner-analytical emcee. This can be seen with heartfelt tracks dedicated to his mother, wife and children.

My favorite track on the album is Thankful , Bless’ ode to his late mother who’s untimely passing continues to affect him today. The following verse demonstrates how Bless continues to view his life in relation to her passing:

Remember the man you said I act and look like? You were right
When you passed he stepped up fast and we grew tight
Your siblings tried to do the same thing
But the visions of pain made me stay away
I miss ‘em so much I don’t know what to do
But every time I see them, I see you
And it’s so painful
My comfort zone’s hidden like
Living in Maryland now with my wife
Is one of the Redbones you didn’t like
But she treating me right
Taught me much about life, trust, communication
Y’all so much alike, moms it’s illuminatin’
A strange loving situation
Thankful for many things
Her hugs feel good, for yours I’d give anything

Price To Pay is the story of a breakup with a child’s mother that gives hindsight understanding of the decisions Bless made as a young father. The following verse tells the story of adolescents forced to juggle parental responsibilities with relationship problems:

First time parents
At the time, we was coherent
Four months later togetherness was abandoned
Love took flight like pilots and bandits
And we got caught in a plight when reality landed
Wished upon my star – it wasn’t granted
Pictures depict the scars, the shots weren’t candid
Was this just a mirage that was taken for granted?
Cause love shot like blood clots after they hemorrhage
Finished – at least we thought it was
Few weeks we caught a buzz
If our son’s gonna succeed, he gon’ need both of us
Seemed hopeful ‘cause when we was supposed to fight
We spoke polite to curve a fight
So she cried a lot of hopeless nights
I shot jumpers ‘til my stroke was right
Holding on like their was hope in sight
But all I saw was a hopeless fight
So I made a choice I hope was right

And in Pray For Me, Bless dedicates a verse to his children that illustrates his love for them, and willingness to give anything for their safety and happiness.

Now this verse here is for my children
Lord knows I’m willin’
To give my life if you promise to shield ‘em
Sacrifice me if the product will heal ‘em
A generation curses
Lay me in the hearse and spray my name in cursive
Across the heavenly gates in the book of life
I was born in Nazarene – that’s why I took the Christ
Now look me in my eyes
Know daddy never lies
No matter what nobody tell you know daddy tried
To hold the family together – gave it all my might
But through the stormiest weather, still was down to fight

The more I listen to this album, the more the title makes sense to me. While half the album is dedicated to real life events that inspired the songs, the other half is dedicated to unique feel-good hip-hop. As if TrueBless is showing his ability to use faith and determination to turn struggle into happiness – to show that all missions are in fact possible.

Whether you’re into lyrical storytelling, head nodding beats or personal introspective music, TrueBless’ “Mission ISPossible” will have something for you. It is an album that has the potential to make you laugh or make you cry; to make you sit and think or make you get up and dance – all at the same time. I highly recommend picking up a copy. Peace.

Album Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. Hot Trax
3. Mission ISpossible
4. Hip-Hop Aristocrats ft. ScholarMan
5. Interlude
6. Melodic Wings ft. Deuce Deuce
7. They Dont See
8. Sound The Same ft. Mac Truc, Chaneese
9. Thankful
10. Price To Pay
11. Put Your Lighters Up ft. ScholarMan
12. Pray For Me