inspiring review from inspiring guy who listens to inspired hip hop.

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Review of a Paragraph President, August 28, 2005
By Nicholas Adam Chupka "Lover of wife, dog, stu... (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

Like any middle school child in 90-92, I thought I knew about hip-hop being the proud owner of "The Chronic", "Doggystyle", and "Predator". Yet, my liking of hip-hop was always extended to just a couple of the hot albums of the day, and I never really considered myself a hip-hop head.
When, just a few years ago, I realized there was an entire undercurrent of, not simply underground hip-hop, but hip-hop that is not force-fed to the masses incessantly, I was intrigued.
Because of acts like Blackalicious, my intrigue has waned in favor of outright militancy.
As a seventh grade teacher on the immediate outskirts of Washington D.C., I have the challenging, yet enjoyable task of trying to connect with some of the most brilliant teenagers in the world, as well as those whose futures have been pre-condemned because of socioeconomic setbacks.
I thank God for musicianns like Blackalicious because they project hope and positivity.
Throughout the year I will post quotes and play snippets of songs from NIA to pique the interest of my students.
With "Cliffhanger" we can study the elements of plot structure.
Not since Slick Rick has an MC made storytelling so compelling.
Gift of Gab displays an astounding ability to couple precise flow with a variety of tempos, always blessed with creative, and most often, thought-provoking lyrics.
The beats, ranging from soulfully-melancholic head-nodders to upbeat funk numbers, provide the perfect backdrop to Gift's signature flow, and foretell of the ability Chief X-Cel delivers on later releases.
From straight out we're here to impress songs like "A to G" and "You Didn't
Know That Though" to the conscious "Shallow Days", "Making Progress" and, "Deception" which supply ammo to those who continue to argue that hip-hop can be an inspirational and uplifitng tool, NIA stakes a major claim in the timeline of hip-hop for those who believe in its true spirit.