Has-Lo & Castle – Live Like You’re Dead

Has-Lo & Castle – Live Like You’re Dead
Mello Music Group: 2014

In terms of hip-hop duos in 2014 so far, Freddie Gibbs and Madlib seem to be the reigning kings, and a second record from Run the Jewels nears closer with each passing day. But a recent release bringing together two talents from Philadelphia and North Carolina shouldn’t go unnoticed. Splitting the roles of both emcee and producer, Has-Lo and Castle have brought forth their collaborative debut titled Live Like You’re Dead—a piece of advice worth taking to heart as well as a fitting title for the fourteen tracks of musings on both the serious and sillier things in life.

The chemistry Has-Lo and Castle share together largely proves to be a good force. Leading with a Malcolm X quote in a move reminiscent of Mos Def’s The Ecstatic, a jazzy guitar lick slickly slides over the tightly compact lyrical fare on “Go to Work.” Back on their grind, their efforts throughout the rest of the disc hold up, too, whether it be struggling with their own bad habits on “Stubborn Vice,” taking a provocative look at the life of a rap star on “The Uncomfortable Truth About Stardom,” or trading bars on the Arcka-produced “D.L.S.” over its quirky, half-step drum beat.

Said chemistry even manifests itself on tracks dealing with what could be considered lighter subjects. The playful funk of “Yoga Pants” recounts a number of times men have checked out a woman’s more suggestive social media photos, projecting commentary both of an insulting and lustful nature (likening a woman to “Cher with hips” or asserting, “To lift that ass, you going to need about two cranes”). Perhaps no truer statement could be issued in the opening moments of the record, subtly mocking a growing culture in this country and beyond: “Hey girl/I see you in those yoga pants/But I know you don’t do yoga.”

This sexual fixation is demonstrated in a more forward manner on “The Big Ol’ A$$,” which likely smashes any sort of record pertaining to “How many synonyms for ‘ass’ can be fit in one song?” “Hennessey-Yak Rap” seems to suggest self-parody, with the emcees struggling to keep their laughter suppressed after every bar. It’s instances like these that play a significant part in making the record appealing. The fun of creating these rhymes is all out on the table, resulting in a listening experience that’s not only genuine, but also jovial.

The two not only trade off bars with one another, but production duties as well. It may require a quick look over the liner notes to discern who produced what, with both Has-Lo and Castle lending preference to strong, steady drums and finely chopped soul and jazz samples. Two heads prove to be better than one on “The Big Ol’ A$$,” as they both team up to cement the rolling electro-funk as a production highlight of the project.

One can only imagine the atmosphere inside the studio fortunate enough to house Has-Lo and Castle, but it’s a safe bet that spirits were high the entire way through. Whether reflecting about living out their rap artist dreams or keeping tabs on attractive women online and in real life, Live Like You’re Dead succeeds in delivering a healthy balance of both ambition and amusement. At its core, the fourteen tracks largely capture the feeling of two artists simply having fun with their art–a positive trait that this record should be proud to exude.

4 out of 5

You can purchase Live Like Your Dead on Amazon.