Has-Lo – In Case I Don’t Make It

Has-Lo – In Case I Don’t Make It
Mello Music Group: 2011

Has-Lo’s new project, In Case I Don’t Make It, was not built for the casual, lighthearted listener. But this is nothing new. For some time now, the emcee/producer has crafted tracks that the listener will gain far more from by giving it acute attention than they would by just popping it in the deck and walking away.

Although In Case is primarily laid-back flows over slow yet solid, methodical beats (which sometimes have you craving something a bit more uptempo), overall the album satisfies with its calculated, heavily introspective verses. In addition and to his credit, Lo provides all of the production himself, lending itself to a near seamless match between the beats and (the tales of his) life.

Starting with a beat built around a short, seductive set of strings, “Build Jewelz” finds the emcee questioning his reasons for rhyming, intoxicated lifestyles, religion and facades. “Fiber Optics” stands out as one of the faster songs on the 15-track album, with more driving strings over a quick kick-drum beat. Lyrically, this one tackles the debate of emcees vs. entertainers, civil rights and media propaganda.

Pulling the tempo back a bit, “Kinetic Energy” is based strongly around a piano loop with rhymes focused on a random collection of thoughts including strife in the Middle East, police abuse and hip-hop’s evolution. Pushing a man to the absolute end before he can do nothing but react is the topic Has-Lo touches on in the all-too-short “Limit”. This two-minute track is lyrically strong as is but could have benefited greatly from another verse, a hook or possibly even two shorter verses.

The soulful feel and samples used on “Untitled #1” creates the perfect base for the emcee to layout past and present family issues. It also touches on neglect of a loved one at the hands of medical staff that anyone with an elderly adult in their life should take note of. “Sub-Ether” again tackles emotion and inner turmoil and “Forgotten Styles” uses a mid-tempo beat which Has-Lo takes to attack everything from the state of rap to love of Hip-Hop culture.

Other standout tracks include the bass-heavily “Storm Clouds” and the album’s title track, which finds the emcee reflecting on his past life in high school and difficult family situations. Throughout In Case I Don’t Make It, Has-Lo uses his own deep self-reflection to conjure questions and memories within the listeners’ own life. Certainly not full of club bangers and tracks to rattle your trunk, the album instead has sleeper qualities and lyrical content that sticks with you far after the last song ends.

3.5 out of 5

You can buy In Case I Don’t Make It on Amazon.