Rating:
  Review Date: January 22, 2008
  Website: ScholarMan Website
  Label: Soganic Music

ScholarMan “Soul Purpose” Album Review
I just knew that ScholarMan’s third album, “Soul Purpose,” was going to be dope. What I didn’t know was how much the album would surprise me. Now don’t get me wrong: It doesn’t surprise me that this album has dope lyrics, because ScholarMan’s 2006 release, “The X Files,” had dope lyrics. It doesn’t surprise me that this album has dope production, because ScholarMan’s 2007 release, “Candy Medicine,” had dope production. However, ScholarMan still managed to surprise me with “Soul Purpose.”

As the title hints, this album surpasses the emcee’s previous two releases in terms of basic purpose. While “Soul Purpose” demonstrates the profoundly conscious lyrics and head nodding production seen in Scholar’s other material, this release is a major improvement in terms of album direction and structure. “Soul Purpose” seems to have been created meticulously from start to finish, with each track literally flowing into the next, and with each direction literally evolving into a musical movement equipped with reason and purpose.

This evolution can be seen simply by listening to the album from beginning to end. ScholarMan opens up the album with three epic-style hype tracks that serve as a crescendo for what’s to come; tracks four through seven show off an intellectual lyrical prowess that few in hip-hop, mainstream or underground, can match today; tracks eight, nine and ten even out the content with themes of love and dedication; and the last three songs evolve into more melodic feel good tracks, with a smoothed out finale of inspiration and encouragement. When listening to them in order, it becomes clear that “Soul Purpose” aims to take the listener through a journey of sounds and topics intended to teach, motivate, and inspire.

Production
In terms of beats, ScholarMan’s “Soul Purpose” is a great accomplishment. The score blends elements of vintage ScholarMan production, defined by accelerated blues samples, subtle bass lines and boom bap influenced backdrops, with newer electronic experimentation, such as computerized horns, strings, keys and woodwind sounds that create a vibe I can only describe as futuristically organic.

Several tracks strategically switched up the beat in mid-song – but did this so cleanly that it often became difficult to realize. Last One Standing, Tell Me, and Dreams all shift the production during the second verse as if ScholarMan created two beats to each song and couldn’t decide on just one. Then, following the second verse, each track merges back to the initial beat in one seemingly effortless motion. This effect creates an enjoyable change for the listener.

Lyrics
In terms of lyrics, ScholarMan’s “Soul Purpose” is yet another example of conscious hip-hop that is both unique and pleasant to the ear. Correct-ION contains one verse extending over two minutes in length that would be quotable if it wasn’t so long. Hood Stories Vol. 2 is a continuation of an ongoing ScholarMan series – this one telling the tragic story of a young man forced to take the wrap for a burglary-homicide he witnessed as an innocent bystander.

Many songs on this album take a positive lyrical stance. Cool Off, Fly and Claim Heavens all contain heavily motivational subject matter that pushes a feel good vibe to the listener. In Dreams, ScholarMan drops a verse advocating unity and action:

I’m dreaming of a better world my child can live in/
Where it’s safe to walk the streets – not a deadly decision/
A system for the people and not for the paper/
I’m talking real leaders, not these known fakers/
Real solutions at real debates/
Execute put ‘em all in place/
No matter what your race, skin tone or your state/
We all got a birth, indeed a death date/
We wake to the same sun, sleep to the same moon/
A greater change gon’ come, yes it’s real soon/

Other tracks stress love and affection. No Questions Asked and Keep The Love Alive are heartfelt love songs stressing the importance of family, relationships and commitment. My favorite track of this series is My First Seed, ScholarMan’s ode to his daughter. The following verse expresses the emcee’s rendition of how having children can change one’s perspective on life:

When you were born I became a new man/
Adjusted my plans/
Put a hold to worldly demands/
Every time I look into your eyes/
I see the reasons why/
I was put on this Earth – you are my sweetie pie/
You are my sunshine/
My special yum-yum/
A better man – you are helping me become one/
A stubborn fool I was before you came into/
My little life you’re the reason I can make it through/
You are my motivation, you are my lifeline/
The blood in my veins, crucial pipeline/

Yup – ScholarMan has done it again. “Soul Purpose” is an exceptional underground release that somehow blends conscious lyrical reality with a positive soulful vibe – yet doesn’t come off as being preachy or elitist. If you’re a fan of what the masses like to call “real hip-hop,” this album is a perfect example of it. Pick up copy immediately and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Peace.

Related:
If you liked this album, you should definitely check out ScholarMan “Candy Medicine”. In addition, you’ll probably digg other revolutionary-minded emcees, including X-Clan “Return From Mecca”, Public Enemy “How You Sell Soul To A Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul”, and The Coup “Pick A Bigger Weapon”.

Album Track Listing:

1. Last One Standing
2. My Place, My Taste
3. 1 Man, 1 Soul Purpose
4. Tell Me
5. Dreams
6. Correct-ION
7. Hood Stories Vol. 2
8. No Questions Asked (Pink Cookies 2008) feat. TrueBless
9. Keep The Love Alive
10. My First Seed
11. Cool Off
12. Fly
13. Claim Heavens