Homeboy Sandman – Subject: Matter

Homeboy Sandman – Subject: Matter
Stones Throw: 2012

The day Homeboy Sandman released his Subject: Matter EP on Stones Throw he spread the word by releasing the song “Subject: Matter Out Now”. It’s not a very exciting way to draw attention to your new release, but in the context of this EP it makes perfect sense. Subject: Matter is a straight forward, no frills, 22-minute lyrical exercise. So, in that context, it seems fitting the announcement comes in the form of the blunt announcement “Subject: Matter Out Now”.

The album’s cover art serves as a wordy introduction to the release, detailing the context of every song and some background on Sandman. Even though he already has a few albums under his belt by now, this EP serves as his first release on Stones Throw. Opening track “The Miracle” kicks things off with an outline of his creative process over a familiar beat for most hip-hop heads. The rest of the release has his creativity on full display while he covers “content no one has ever rapped about before in the history of rap music”. This includes “Mine All Mine” about all the stuff he owns (lotion, toothpaste, socks, etc.), “Canned Goods” where he takes a look at his history with canned goods and how it demonstrates some of the world’s problems, and “Soap” which is, well, about soap.

On paper it might seem like this release’s actual ‘subject matter’ isn’t very attractive–But, Sandman’s slightly off-kilter delivery and intricate rhyme schemes keep all six tracks highly engaging. Subject: Matter is a perfect introduction to Homeboy Sandman’s direction on a new label. His raw lyricism and unique flow over dusty groove production on Subject: Matter prove he might have found a perfect home on the Stones Throw artist roster.

4 out of 5