Rating:
  Review Date: July 16, 2008
  Website: Core Rhythm Website
  Label: Spitmatix Sciences

Core Rhythm “Ronin” Album Review
Back in Japan’s feudal period, samurai warriors who lost their masters were called ronin, a word that literally means “drifting person.” Samurai became ronin upon the death of their feudal lords, or if they escaped their masters. These ronin were often shamed, discriminated against, and left without a means of survival. In earlier times they were even expected to commit “oibara seppuku” – or ritual suicide. Yet many went their own direction, continuing to live the way of the samurai. You often see a similar mind state in the world of underground hip-hop.

Many of us do not agree with the current direction of hip-hop. A lot of people believe hip-hop is dying – and if you only see the majority view, they may have a point. Yet many hip-hoppers refuse to commit oibara seppuku – they refuse to die with it. Many become drifting persons, those who stay true to the code and practice the culture. In creating the album “Ronin,” NYC underground emcee Core Rhythm demonstrates the mind state of these hip-hop ronin.

The majority of “Ronin” demonstrates a positive system of beliefs – a viewpoint that following what Core Rhythm might refer to as this “path of a ronin” leads to enlightenment despite the troubles and hardships it might cause. This can be seen in tracks such as Eagle, Power of Soul, Glide and Spread Ya Wings.

Power of Soul, one of my favorite tracks, claims that “with the power of soul, anything is possible.” The following verse from that song stresses a samurai-esque regard for wisdom and humility:

Street cred is for insecure monkeys/
Jungle gyms tear it down/
With words that astound/
Many rock blackface – can’t even see it/
Many talk revolution – can’t even be it/
So while your fists pump up in the sky/
I follow code of rhyme samurai/
No publicize, stay humble, disguised/
’Cause oft times blabbermouth means a timely demise/

However, other parts of the album focus on the struggles inherent or hypocrisies witnessed while following this “code of rhyme samurai.” This can be seen in 8 am Bluez, When, and Apocalypse Wow.

My favorite verse on the album is from 8 am Bluez, a track that expresses anger and depression towards the struggles of an artist trying to stay true to the code. This verse tells the story of a relationship turned sour due to “dreams of spittin’ urban poems”:

Used to have a girl who was down for the cause/
‘Til the cause became Nathan butter steady paws/
Codependent as fuck, enhance each other’s flaws/
Rude resentment to let bubble like a sauce/
Separate but together, dead words heartless tones/
Disconnected love making, obligatory moans/
Her claim was that I did not acknowledge all her groans/
Was too wrapped up in my dreams of spittin’ urban poems/
Smiled to stone grills, cheated with blue quills/
Artistic adultery practiced with no frills/
She left on a Sunday, gathered her broke will/
Now I’m left with memories of cold and a spine chill/
I did that man shit, said ‘Now she ain’t real’/
Knowing the truth, eagle could love kill/
Don’t commit your heart – son you will get nailed/
‘Cept hows, whys, and whats, life at a standstill/

Damn, man – I swear that verse was written about my last girlfriend and me. Just replace “spittin’” with “chroniclin’.” But I’m sure a lot of people could relate.

Core Rhythm’s “Ronin” is not one of those albums you can listen to one time and understand. I’ve been bumping this regularly for over a month now, and still find myself rewinding verses and pausing to dissect the rhymes. If you’re looking for a quick, easy, dumbed-down listen, you might not get this album. But if you’re down for a thinking man’s hip-hop, pick up a copy. Peace.

Album Track Listing:

1. Morning Breath
2. Eagle
3. Power of Soul
4. Glide
5. Ronin
6. 8 am Bluez
7. WHEN
8. Apocalypse Wow
9. Strange Dayz
10. Spread Ya Wingz
11. Dusk
12. The 6th Day