Cymarshall Law & Mr. Joeker – Hip Hop in the Soul
Rating: 
Review Date: February 10, 2009
Website: Cymarshall Law Website
Label: Freedom Entertainment
Cymarshall Law & Mr. Joeker “Hip Hop in the Soul” Album Review
At the beginning of every year, I find myself going through the stack of albums that is left over from the previous year – and I always come across one or two that I missed out on. Cymarshall Law and Mr. Joeker’s “Hip Hop in the Soul” is that album for 2009. While this record dropped back in November, it took me until recently to get around to it, and boy am I glad that I did. “Hip Hop in the Soul” is one of my favorite albums of the year thus far.
Why I Like This Album:
1. Dude’s flow is mad unique – I read a couple other reviews that hated on Cymarshall Law’s flow a little. Some called it forced, others called it overpowering. But personally, I call it lyrical and just plain hot. I’ve never heard anyone rap like Law before, and that’s not an easy thing to say these days. Cymarshall Law has a very powerful, staccato, in-your-face type of flow that makes an impact on every song on the album, and that alone makes “Hip Hop in the Soul” worth a long listen.
2. Beats, beats, beats – I don’t talk about production much in album reviews, being that HHL is a website focused on lyrics and all, but Mr. Joeker’s beats were perhaps the perfect complement to Cymarshall Law’s lyrics on “Hip Hop in the Soul.” Joeker demonstrates a real old school vibe with a combination of high quality turntablism and sample integration. Tracks like The Takeoff, I’m a MC (Hip Hop in the Soul), Control, and Sticks & Stones hit a little harder to make you bump your head, while They Gon Know, Truth, Out of the Rain, and Love, Sex or What smooth it out with soulful samples and choruses for a slower, yet equally feel good vibe.
3. Storytelling – While Cymarshall Law boasts a wide range of lyrical abilities on “Hip Hop in the Soul,” his skills as a rhyming storyteller made a big impact on me. Songs like Out of the Rain, Greed, and No Explanation all feature storytelling verses. One of my favorites is from former HHL track of the week Out of the Rain, in which Law drops the following verse about a basketball star who worked his way to greatness:
Basketball the name of his game since a little thang/
His mom used to joke, ‘You came out the womb dribblin’’/
Since a little man, Skill’s loving the show/
He even had big plans of becoming a pro/
He was better than good, an urban legend in the hood/
Everyone said if anyone would make it he would/
He was faster, stronger, and could jump higher/
‘Til one day on the court got caught in crossfire/
The bullet went straight through his right knee/
The doctor said walking again was not likely/
But he was smart and knew it was all in the brain/
Used his heart, and everyday hard he would train/
And even though they said he would never be the same/
Best believe a few years later he was playing/
He never gave up even when things low/
Now the boy plays overseas for big dough/
4. Passionate rhymes and songs – “Hip Hop in the Soul” is composed of fourteen individualized tracks consisting of a variety of different topics and themes. However, the album still flows together brilliantly from track to track. And I think the glue that holds this comprehensiveness together is the obvious passion and determination with which Cymarshall Law performs on the album. From track to track, from verse to verse, Law raps in a way that makes it easy to believe his words and feel his movement.
One great example is from No Explanation, a track that basically questions why bad things happen to good people. After two exemplary verses, Law drops the following heartfelt rhyme doubting the existence of karma as many believe it exists:
How come I see people prosper who live wrong?/
How come the good die young and the bad live long?/
Maybe everything don’t have an answer/
Like how is Cecil healthy and still got cancer?/
Kid asked a question but I don’t know son/
Why she was so giving and still got stole from?/
We make bets on the future but really never know/
How she practice safe sex but still got pregnant though?/
How was he able to get away with murder?/
And by putting people back, how did he get further?/
How do you put me down but still get higher?/
Burn my ass but not get touched by the fire?/
I’m trying to believe, but it’s easy to be a doubter/
I can’t understand how the corrupt stay in power/
My mentals strain when using my brain/
I’m like, ‘Karma must not come back the same way it came’/
Overall: Although the album dropped in 2008, Cymarshall Law and Mr. Joeker’s “Hip Hop in the Soul” is easily one of my favorite albums of 2009. I honestly like every song, have been bumping it for two weeks straight now, and it’s that album that I throw at all my friends and make them listen to. I highly recommend picking up a copy. Favorite tracks include The Takeoff (Getting It), I’m an MC (Hip Hop in the Soul), They Gon Know, Out of the Rain, Love, Sex or What, Live While You Can, and Sorry.
Album Track Listing:
- Intro To The Soul
- The Takeoff (Getting It)
- I’m A MC ( Hip Hop In The Soul)
- Control ft. KRS One
- They Gon Know ft. Skit Slam
- Truth ft. Skit Slam & Supastition
- Sticks And Stones
- Out Of The Rain ft. Mary Lou
- Love, Sex Or What
- Greed
- No Explanation
- Live While You Can
- Sorry
- King With 4 Wives
BeatRoot wrote:
I need to hook this album up, everything I’ve heard from him has been crazy nice. His lryics and storytelling are up there with the best. I’m with you on his flow, it’s unique but it reminds me a little of k’naan.
Too many good albums came out at the back end of ‘08. I’ve been bumping the Pace Won and Mr Green album for a month now, looks like another ‘08 album to the list.
Posted on 10-Feb-09 at 9:08 am | Permalink
Boy Sand wrote:
i got this album. this cat is a brute. i’m amped to see him rock at the nuyorican poets cafe march 4th. i know he’s gonna knock socks off.
Posted on 10-Feb-09 at 10:07 am | Permalink
Jay-Izzle wrote:
I love this album – every track is off the hook.
Posted on 10-Feb-09 at 10:10 am | Permalink
Benoit-Philippe wrote:
Hip hop in the soul is in my classic list!!! Great album.
Cymarshall & Mr Joeker kills it
Posted on 10-Feb-09 at 11:13 am | Permalink
Jone$y wrote:
just bought it today. it is worth listening to. imma definitely be listening to this for a while.
Posted on 10-Feb-09 at 6:38 pm | Permalink
Poirier wrote:
i went to a bunch of stores and no where in t dot has heard of this cat
fuck.
Posted on 10-Feb-09 at 11:10 pm | Permalink
303 b-boy wrote:
Poirier – click the BUY NOW button above and you can download it for $7.00. Trust me – it’s worth it!
Posted on 11-Feb-09 at 10:03 am | Permalink
dopest* wrote:
this album is sick !!!!
can’t wait for the next one to drop!
cymarshall law has been coming out with nothing but bangers lately.
Posted on 18-Feb-09 at 2:38 am | Permalink
London wrote:
Up until about 20 minutes ago I had never heard of this guy Cymarshall Law… but MAN! Lyrically he is sick and the beats dont lack any character. I am getting this album right now!
We met last night at Shabeen with D’Wayne
Posted on 11-Mar-09 at 3:36 pm | Permalink
jewelle wrote:
i checked this guy out after i read this review and i am happy i did, sure ear/soul/heart pleaser thanx
Posted on 21-Mar-09 at 9:58 pm | Permalink
HiPNOTT Records Signs Cymarshall Law & K. Sparks | HiPNOTT Records wrote:
[...] just a year ago, the album has received rave reviews from top hip hop sites such as Okayplayer and Hip Hop Linguistics. Cymarshall Law has also been recognized by peers such as Talib Kweli, who has said, [...]
Posted on 29-Nov-09 at 6:26 pm | Permalink
HiPNOTT Records Signs Cymarshall Law & K. Sparks « MiSSLs.net wrote:
[...] just a year ago, the album has received rave reviews from top hip hop sites such as Okayplayer and Hip Hop Linguistics. Cymarshall Law has also been recognized by peers such as Talib Kweli, who has said, [...]
Posted on 29-Nov-09 at 6:59 pm | Permalink
HiPNOTT Records Signs Cymarshall Law & K. Sparks | "I do this for my culture..." wrote:
[...] just a year ago, the album has received rave reviews from top hip hop sites such as Okayplayer and Hip Hop Linguistics. Cymarshall Law has also been recognized by peers such as Talib Kweli, who has said, [...]
Posted on 30-Nov-09 at 12:20 am | Permalink
HipNOTT Records signs Cymarshall Law & K. Sparks + Brand New Track from CY « DA WH@T wrote:
[...] just a year ago, the album has received rave reviews from top hip hop sites such as Okayplayer and Hip Hop Linguistics. Cymarshall Law has also been recognized by peers such as Talib Kweli, who has said, [...]
Posted on 01-Dec-09 at 6:24 pm | Permalink
davidfresh wrote:
I love HHL. Although honestly, I wouldn’t mind more reviews like this that include a section about beats, I’ve found so many unknown shit off this site. Many thanks from Cali.
Posted on 31-Dec-09 at 3:23 am | Permalink
Mr Singh wrote:
Thanks for this review I am somewhat of a music junkie this album stands out amongst thousands I have listened to a very positive message with tight beats and nice flowing rhymes.
This album will give you that little pick me up you need on a bad day or just make you feel good
Get this album now its worth ten times its price
Peace
Posted on 14-Mar-10 at 7:14 pm | Permalink