Reks – Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme
Brick Records: 2011
Reks’ debut, Along Came the Chosen (2001), featured production from a young Statik Selektah, as well as collaborations with Pace Won, J-Live and 7L & Esoteric, and his critically-acclaimed follow-up Grey Hairs (2008) paired the Boston MC with DJ Premier, Large Professor and Lil Fame, amongst others. And while much has changed in the decade since his debut, Reks once again shows why he is revered by hip-hop heads.
Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme opens with “25th Hour”, the MC’s second pairing with DJ Premier. It’s exactly what you’d expect from both: hard-hitting drums, dominant keys, scratched chorus and a perfectly chosen Nas sample from Primo; direct lyrics from our host. Get your repeat button ready – because it’s bound to get a workout.
The album’s second cut, “Thin Line,” pairs Reks with Pete Rock – and Reks’ intense lyrical performance is a perfect match for the Chocolate Boy Wonder’s slightly different production. Lyricism reigns as both Reks and fellow Massachusetts representative Termanology rip Sha Money XL’s beat on “Face Off”, while Reks and Philly MC Freeway sounds like naturals over Hi-Tek’s production on “U Know”.
But it’s not all about the guests. On “The Underdog”, Reks calls himself the greatest rapper no one heard about – and, unfortunately, he’s not far from the truth. And despite production that is eerily similar to “Purified Thoughts” from Ghostface Killah’s Apollo Kids, “This or That” (one of five collaborations with Statik Selektah) is a definite success – and showcases the obvious chemistry between the rapper and producer.
The album isn’t without missteps. The concept track, “Kill Em”, is slightly underwhelming – in both production and lyrical content. The subdued production on “The Wonder Years” (courtesy of Hi-Tek) seems to slow down Reks – as it sounds as though he’s fighting to stay on beat. And the Nottz-produced “Limelight” features a more pop-oriented production that just doesn’t seem to mesh with Reks’ lyrics or delivery.
In the end, Reks’ combination of astounding lyricism, the ability to craft introspective and timely rhymes (see “Mascara” or “This is Me”) and an obvious ear for beats makes Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme a success.
4 out of 5
Nice flow. I don’t think we need to analyze things to the point of judging whether a “throwback” style is worthy of less points or stars or fans because it’s not boundary-pushing or in the nowest sense of present. Truth is, more emcees are making moves right now, emcees that were just starting to rhyme in the 90’s but had no platform like the electronic free market. There is a place for everything and good lyrics over a slamming beat should never be looked down upon because it’s not pushing a boundary. Hanging in the sweet spot is just as good for hip-hop as it is for jazz. Sticking to what you know and perfecting that is called honing your craft.
“i just want it to go back to having those standards.”
word
my opinions are the truth…. FACT. hahaha
but for real. i dont want hip hop to go back to the 90s.
i just want it to go back to having those standards.
or atleast if hip hop thinks the 90s are too far back then just go back to around 2003 atleast we still had standards back then.
peace.
i said artists these days arent as good as artists back in the 90s. FACT.
the beats these days arent as good as the 90s. FACT
south,west or east the beats are below standards. FACT
it doesnt matter who you mention.
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Haha… now you are just being stubborn.. haha!
But you win me with “the standard has been lowered.” Totally with you on that!
Still dat doesn’t prove your FACTS right. Its all your OPINIONS. Since you are acting ignorantly kiddish now, no use continuing this further.
peace out or some other totally cliched sign-off term from hip-hop heads!
haha another 90’s discussion on an review… kanye sucks tho
Mmmmmmhhh alot of truths goin on there @afan … I like Reks tho, but i honestly like the mixtape Reks more … the “In Between the Lines Vol. 2” tape had some of his best material ever on it and the production was WAYYYYY more impressive.
@ A Reader!
wasnt commenting on the album. i was replying to someone who used the term throwback.
i havent listened to this album. the dj premier tracks sounds good though. but like i said artists these days arent as good as artists back in the 90s. FACT.
the beats these days arent as good as the 90s. FACT
south,west or east the beats are below standards. FACT
the sound of the 90s and the rawness of the beats created a atmosphere of unbelievable and unique artists.
from jeru the damaja to big punisher. from capone n noreaga to onyx.
it doesnt matter who you mention.
over 90s style beats it made you have to spit at your best because if you didnt it would be noticeable.
now days kanye west can rap over that h.a.m beat and get away with a wack verse.
respected artists like pusha-t can release a terrible mixtape with 3 good tracks and get away with it. same goes with a majority of other respected artists.
eminem can rap over some corny ass tracks like im not affraid and get away with it.
the standard has been lowered.
lupe fiasco can release a track call dumb it down and a couple of years later release a dumbed down album. and blame it on his label.
REKS is alright but whats the difference between him and everyone else.
peace
It was a solid album but wasn’t unique in any way of course. I liked Grey Hairs better but that’s just me..
REKS is tight, but the theme of “I’m better than all these fake ass rappers… government sucks….. underground rules” is getting kind of tired. Give me something new.
Some newer artists I’ve been bumpin’ are Big K.R.I.T., Moe Pope, Gilbere Forte, Duckdown duo of Ruste Juxx/Torae (especially with Marco Polo on the turntables).
And here’s some good music for you, cos, trust, actually I’m on the same boat with you. BUT not exaggerating shit and labeling whole genre worthless!
Oh, and Drake got a new SOUND or actually influences (Phil Collins) to accompany his lyrics. Lyrics, which are good or bad, that I leave up to you!
Forget that! Here take a hit of this: http://jasonjamesrodneyhazard.bandcamp.com/
Meaningful rhymes WITH unique sound.
“the fact is; that 90s sound is hip hop at its best.”
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Stopped reading… right there !!!
He said, fact…. he said FACT… F-A-C-T !!!
My only response to @afan is – don’t even begin to think your comment is gonna help listeners to listen this album or putting this product in a positive light, in fact it causes absolute negative effect. At least, to uninitiated listeners who were actually planning to give this listen!
*goes back to playing W.A.R.*
It shouldnt be called throwback.
hip hop artists should thrive to be the best lyrically and musically.
its not about going back and trying to copy that 90s sound.
the fact is; that 90s sound is hip hop at its best.
aritsts are at there best lyrically when they rhyme over boom bap type music. or for west coast artists when they rhyme over funk sampled hip hop beats.
artists today arent as lyrically good as most of the artists 10-15 years ago.
hip hop is also boring because we have lost all of our characters and everyone sounded different.
80s: slick rick, rakim, krs-one etc
90s: busta rhymes, redman, ol dirty basterd, biggie, pac,
big pun, bone thugs etc
all these rappers were unique. they didnt sound like anyone else. they didnt rap like anyone else.
i couldnt name one ‘respected’ rapper who is making name for himself this day and age who sounds different or is very unique.
the producers are boring. and the new crop of artists are boring.
the mainstream artists are boring.
and some of the best artists from the 90s have now started making boring music because there trying to sound like the younger generation.
seriously. damn. you even have dr dre making a song that sounds like something lupe fiasco or b.o.b would make.
what next bruno mars is going to make a track with dr dre?
and dont let me start on hip hops most famous boring rapper. eminem. if the reason he sings on every track now is to put me to sleep then its working.
u serious Julien. Indie artists get to do whatever they want, unlike mainstream i.e. Lupe Fiasco… Kanye owns his own records so he cud do watever he wants. Even Big Boi cudn’t even put on his best songs on his album (lookin’ 4 ya) cuz it had Andre. In the undergound u can do whatever u want and thats y usually the albums r better from it
Ugh i get so bored with this indie rap/throwback hip hop stuff these days. Very little of it is creative enough. At least Big Boi and Kanye’s records were creative. El-p and Aesop Rock are still good though.
All I kept thinking through this whole album was “Why the fuck can’t anyone else make rap music this solid and good anymore?”