Rating:
  Release Date: September 12, 2006
  Website: Artists Over Industry Website
  Label: Sky’s the Limit Productions

Artists Over Industry ”Leaps & Bounds” Album Review
This is one of those albums I would have reviewed in depth if I wasn’t crazy busy right now. It contains a lot of topics for discussion, including songs touching on diverse subjects ranging from life, hip-hop, history, struggle, politics, current events, materialism, overcoming obstacles, and calming down in the face of anger. Lyrically one of the stronger underground releases of the year.  

However, while researching my review for “Leaps & Bounds,” I came across just one album review, which was quite unfavorable, from some ignorant cat at RapReviews.com (go figure). The kid felt that this album “consists of just two reoccuring (correctly spelled recurring) themes: the dissing of imaginary rappers, and the whole idea that these guys are pretty much the best thing shy of Jesus Christ (cite).” This angered me, because the review made it clear that the reviewer had either not listened to the album at all, or gave it a horrible review based on his mood that day, which was obviously not favorable.

Sure, Artists Over Industry threw a few cracks at wack mainstream rap, but underground artists have the right to talk a little shit. And yeah, the production was pretty basic and the turntablism a little rough at times, but what do you honestly expect from unsigned artists? It’s not like they have the money to buy the high end equipment that produces the quality sounds you hear with signed artists. But most of all, I was astounded by the reviewer’s claims, because only a fraction of the subject matter revolved around dissing other rappers, and I could find no lyrics from anyone in Artists Over Industry claiming to be the best.

In reality, what Artist Over Industry’s “Leaps & Bounds” accomplished was proving, yet again, the serious amount of quality and depth that exists in the underground, and demonstrating what type of hip-hop is possible with a little intelligence and positive effort. These cats have some lyrical skill and direction, which puts them ahead of the current hip-hop curve. I highly recommend checking out their album, as well as future release from Sky’s the Limit Productions.

And for RapReviews.com, I mean no disrespect, because I like that website. But they should think about having an editor go over some of the reviews college kids or other nobodies submit to their website. If not, they’ll run into a lot of angry young guys who feel the need to diss hip-hop albums simply for the fact that they can and someone might actually take them seriously. It’s a power trip, really. That’s why I write all my own shit yo … and run spellcheck. In the case of their Artists Over Industry review, a second listen to the album by someone who knows something about hip-hop would be a great idea.

Album Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. Back in the Day
3. Critical Conditions
4. Against All Odds
5. The Abyss
6. Life is Calling
7. Hunger Pains
8. Silent Echoes
9. Pushed to the Edge
10. Potential
11. Rhythm & Strings
12. Sunlight Remix
13. Insight
14. Is This It?
15. Throw in the Towel
16. Deep Breath
17. Come To This
18. Die Another Day