Hazakim New Album "Son of Man" - Sept 23, 2014

[The Light Within]

^ like that song Ras posted.

[benjamin]

This joint is super dope.

[undadog4eva]

This joint is super dope.

Wow. A rare Ben sighting!

[unworthy]

After listening to this project a few times, I love it. The quality of Hazakim's music is sublime and their sound is as unique as is that of Beautiful Eulogy in my opinion (and I think that Beautiful Eulogy is great.)

[mstrom]

Havent listened to the entire album straight through, but I love what I have heard. Lyrics, hooks, production, everything is superb.

[jeyjey34]

yes!!!!

[undadog4eva]

Ok, so this is going to be extremely unpopular, but these are my honest thoughts on the album so far.

The album is ok at best. I don't know how some of you think these beats are unique. This album was generic and bland. Out of 12 songs, 2 were interludes so in reality there were 10 songs on the album. Out of the 10, the first two and the last 3 songs were good. That's 5/10. The other five songs were forgettable at best.

I don't know what it was about this album. I think I got caught up in the hype that they hadn't released an album in 5 years and so I might have expected something amazing so this was a huge letdown for me. The beats were in no way unique (I don't know what some of ya"ll definition of unique is),

It felt like they went through a checklist:
Reggae chorus? check
Popular female chorus singer? check
Song with fast rapping? check
Controversial song about jews being in the promise? check

Kingdom come and The other side were highlights of the album. Grace & Supplication...well conversation starter for sure and a dope song nonetheless, but overall the album was a huge letdown. Even the highlights of the album were nothing "unique" as some of you keep saying, You could have substituted any other CHH rapper over those beats. It didnt feel like a Hazakim album for me.

However, I think this was probably what I was expecting and hence, it was a bad album for me personally. I was expecting unique beats (even hip-hologetics showcased some of the unique flows and beats of the wray brothers), unique flows and also more passion. It felt, TO ME, that the middle portion of the album lacked passion. From track 3 to track 9, it didn't move me and bored me. You could have substituted Young Noah on some of those tracks and they would have had more passion and oomph than what the wray brothers did on them.

Overall, this was a 2.5/5. This will go on the regretful purchase pile for me.


Sidenote: Lampmode is fast turning in the new CMR. Their last 6 albums have been all pretty dismal (Son of man, Lyrical theology & Doxology, Braille, Diadem & christ of christmas). Lampmode needs to get their act together fast. I think a lot of people have been buying those albums just based on the artists who are making them but the albums have not stood the test of time and dont get any replay from me at all.
The last great lampmode albums were So it continues, the restoration and The last missionary which still get plays to this day.


anyway, those are my honest thoughts...and im ready for what is about to be unleashed on me. Bring it!

[The Light Within]

Ok, so this is going to be extremely unpopular, but these are my honest thoughts on the album so far.

The album is ok at best. I don't know how some of you think these beats are unique. This album was generic and bland. Out of 12 songs, 2 were interludes so in reality there were 10 songs on the album. Out of the 10, the first two and the last 3 songs were good. That's 5/10. The other five songs were forgettable at best.

I don't know what it was about this album. I think I got caught up in the hype that they hadn't released an album in 5 years and so I might have expected something amazing so this was a huge letdown for me. The beats were in no way unique (I don't know what some of ya"ll definition of unique is),

It felt like they went through a checklist:
Reggae chorus? check
Popular female chorus singer? check
Song with fast rapping? check
Controversial song about jews being in the promise? check

Kingdom come and The other side were highlights of the album. Grace & Supplication...well conversation starter for sure and a dope song nonetheless, but overall the album was a huge letdown. Even the highlights of the album were nothing "unique" as some of you keep saying, You could have substituted any other CHH rapper over those beats. It didnt feel like a Hazakim album for me.

However, I think this was probably what I was expecting and hence, it was a bad album for me personally. I was expecting unique beats (even hip-hologetics showcased some of the unique flows and beats of the wray brothers), unique flows and also more passion. It felt, TO ME, that the middle portion of the album lacked passion. From track 3 to track 9, it didn't move me and bored me. You could have substituted Young Noah on some of those tracks and they would have had more passion and oomph than what the wray brothers did on them.

Overall, this was a 2.5/5. This will go on the regretful purchase pile for me.

Sidenote: Lampmode is fast turning in the new CMR. Their last 6 albums have been all pretty dismal (Son of man, Lyrical theology & Doxology, Braille, Diadem & christ of christmas). Lampmode needs to get their act together fast. I think a lot of people have been buying those albums just based on the artists who are making them but the albums have not stood the test of time and dont get any replay from me at all.
The last great lampmode albums were So it continues, the restoration and The last missionary which still get plays to this day.

Well...

people have to be willing to be critiqued. And people who will be honest if there art needs improvement. Get their feelings hurt. And have people who are willing to hurt their feelings.

[The Light Within]

Now, I haven't heard the album, but I have heard two of the tracks and liked them. Kingdom come is such a blessing and I've sent it around to quite a few people who don't even listen to rap and they liked it (and shared it). #yearnforhisreturn

[jeyjey34]

anyway, those are my honest thoughts...and im ready for what is about to be unleashed on me. Bring it!

No need to invite/encourage criticism. You're entitled to your opinion just like others who may like the album.

Everything on HCR doesn't have to be a debate.

[eternal]

Everything on HCR doesn't have to be a debate.

You are so wrong. Repent, heathen.

[reneac]

Refreshing Sounds and im not much a lampmode fan but Im feeling this!

[tony_hazakim]

"Ok, so this is going to be extremely unpopular, but these are my honest thoughts on the album so far.

The album is ok at best. I don't know how some of you think these beats are unique. This album was generic and bland. Out of 12 songs, 2 were interludes so in reality there were 10 songs on the album. Out of the 10, the first two and the last 3 songs were good. That's 5/10. The other five songs were forgettable at best.

I don't know what it was about this album. I think I got caught up in the hype that they hadn't released an album in 5 years and so I might have expected something amazing so this was a huge letdown for me. The beats were in no way unique (I don't know what some of ya"ll definition of unique is),

It felt like they went through a checklist:
Reggae chorus? check
Popular female chorus singer? check
Song with fast rapping? check
Controversial song about jews being in the promise? check

Kingdom come and The other side were highlights of the album. Grace & Supplication...well conversation starter for sure and a dope song nonetheless, but overall the album was a huge letdown. Even the highlights of the album were nothing "unique" as some of you keep saying, You could have substituted any other CHH rapper over those beats. It didnt feel like a Hazakim album for me.

However, I think this was probably what I was expecting and hence, it was a bad album for me personally. I was expecting unique beats (even hip-hologetics showcased some of the unique flows and beats of the wray brothers), unique flows and also more passion. It felt, TO ME, that the middle portion of the album lacked passion. From track 3 to track 9, it didn't move me and bored me. You could have substituted Young Noah on some of those tracks and they would have had more passion and oomph than what the wray brothers did on them.

Overall, this was a 2.5/5. This will go on the regretful purchase pile for me.


Sidenote: Lampmode is fast turning in the new CMR. Their last 6 albums have been all pretty dismal (Son of man, Lyrical theology & Doxology, Braille, Diadem & christ of christmas). Lampmode needs to get their act together fast. I think a lot of people have been buying those albums just based on the artists who are making them but the albums have not stood the test of time and dont get any replay from me at all.
The last great lampmode albums were So it continues, the restoration and The last missionary which still get plays to this day.


anyway, those are my honest thoughts...and im ready for what is about to be unleashed on me. Bring it!"


We appreciate the feedback bro. There was a concerted effort to step outside of our comfort zone...and we realized that some people will either love it or hate it. This kind of feedback is good though. We did wrestle with just how far we should take the "commercial-ness" without going too far. At the end of the day though, although Theophanies got love and acclaim for its uniqueness of sound and content - it kind of worked against us. Uniqueness in this market is not what creates opportunity. Uniqueness and "deepness" seems to ostacize a large portion of the market. The people that "got" Theophanies unfortunately aren't the ones who book events and support beyond downloading an album....and at the end of the day an artist has to be able to justify the time, energy, and resources they put into their craft. I'm not at all bitter....it just is what it is. The secular market, because it is so big and trend-setting, has more room for avant garde and eccentric artists. It's not so easy to sustain yourself doing that in CHH. Branching out into more commercial territory is something I personally feel had to be done this time around.

We're already working on new material though....and have sort of reverted back to the traditional Hazakim formula (much to the joy of Mike). We'll be dropping more material over the coming months - and hope that the audience can follow us back into our own territory.

Thanks again to everyone who gave feedback - good or bad. The support and time is apprecaited. Shalom...

Tony

[tony_hazakim]

I'll also add that Grace and Supplication was probably the song that was nearest and dearest to my heart as I share Paul's heart for the salvation of Israel (though I certaintly could never say that I wish myself "cut off from Christ" for their sake..thats quite a drastic statement...lol).

Not to take this thread down a rabbit trail but I indeed pray it gets conversation started and, Lord willing, affords me the opportunity to do some formal debate/discussion on the topic. I've already extended the offer to discuss Israel/eschatology to a few within the movement. One has graciously accepted but is extremely busy. If anyone knows of a qualified willing brother let me know. Lord willing it will happen as I think it can be very fruitful and enlightening - and has great import for the days we are in.


BTW.....THAT ALI GIF IS CRAAAAAZY!

[unworthy]

I have lost count of how many times I have listened to this project so far.

Definitely not Theophanies 2, but many of the songs still have an underlying sonic layer that is unique and reminiscent to a significant part of Theophanies. In other words, I am not aware of other artists that have Hebrew singing and instrumentals layered into their songs and a guy speaking through a translator about why he is not afraid to confess Jesus as His Messiah and Lord.

Unda brother, you are fine. This is a message board, not a war zone. Everyone has their own opinions.

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Without getting too far sidetracked, generally speaking I like Lampmode's more recent projects more than I do their older ones (not including To Die Is Gain). In my opinion, Shai Linne's best projects are his most recent three. Aside from the first couple of tracks, the Christmas project from God's Servant is very good. Braille is my favorite Json project, all of his other projects are hard for me to listen to. Diadem and Simple Love are good as well. The Collective was a borderline instant classic. The Restoration is excellent.

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Back to Son of Man: I am really glad Hazakim did Grace and Supplication. (Anyone who has listened to the song knows why.)

[tony_hazakim]

Ali was a beast - the baddest to ever do it. That is all.

[The Light Within]

Ali was a beast - the baddest to ever do it. That is all.

The Rumble in The Jungle hey! How did he weave and dodge through all of those punches? It looks as if not one even landed. How is that even possible?

[undadog4eva]

No need to invite/encourage criticism. You're entitled to your opinion just like others who may like the album.

Everything on HCR doesn't have to be a debate.

i was kind of half joking with that last part hence the gif.

[undadog4eva]

Ali was a beast - the baddest to ever do it. That is all.

If you are into boxing, i would recommend reading AJ Liebling's book, The Sweet Science!

Blurb

A.J. Liebling's classic New Yorker pieces on the "sweet science of bruising" bring vividly to life the boxing world as it once was. It depicts the great events of boxing's American heyday: Sugar Ray Robinson's dramatic comeback, Rocky Marciano's rise to prominence, Joe Louis's unfortunate decline. Liebling never fails to find the human story behind the fight, and he evokes the atmosphere in the arena as distinctly as he does the goings-on in the ring--a combination that prompted Sports Illustrated to name The Sweet Science the best American sports book of all time.

[undadog4eva]

We appreciate the feedback bro. There was a concerted effort to step outside of our comfort zone...and we realized that some people will either love it or hate it. This kind of feedback is good though. We did wrestle with just how far we should take the "commercial-ness" without going too far. At the end of the day though, although Theophanies got love and acclaim for its uniqueness of sound and content - it kind of worked against us. Uniqueness in this market is not what creates opportunity. Uniqueness and "deepness" seems to ostacize a large portion of the market. The people that "got" Theophanies unfortunately aren't the ones who book events and support beyond downloading an album....and at the end of the day an artist has to be able to justify the time, energy, and resources they put into their craft. I'm not at all bitter....it just is what it is. The secular market, because it is so big and trend-setting, has more room for avant garde and eccentric artists. It's not so easy to sustain yourself doing that in CHH. Branching out into more commercial territory is something I personally feel had to be done this time around.

We're already working on new material though....and have sort of reverted back to the traditional Hazakim formula (much to the joy of Mike). We'll be dropping more material over the coming months - and hope that the audience can follow us back into our own territory.

Thanks again to everyone who gave feedback - good or bad. The support and time is apprecaited. Shalom...

Tony

I'll also add that Grace and Supplication was probably the song that was nearest and dearest to my heart as I share Paul's heart for the salvation of Israel (though I certaintly could never say that I wish myself "cut off from Christ" for their sake..thats quite a drastic statement...lol).

Not to take this thread down a rabbit trail but I indeed pray it gets conversation started and, Lord willing, affords me the opportunity to do some formal debate/discussion on the topic. I've already extended the offer to discuss Israel/eschatology to a few within the movement. One has graciously accepted but is extremely busy. If anyone knows of a qualified willing brother let me know. Lord willing it will happen as I think it can be very fruitful and enlightening - and has great import for the days we are in.


BTW.....THAT ALI GIF IS CRAAAAAZY!

I am elated with the humble response to a critique of your music. It's rare to see a CHH artist accepting negative critique humbly. Definitely need to acknowledge that as we need much more of that in our little corner of the internet world.

I agree with you that theophanies was a niche album but it depends I guess whether or not you as an artist are trying to make a living primarily off music or not. You guys do "niche" well and literally no one else in CHH, or hiphop for that matter, does your type of CHH. So it really sets you guys apart.

It didn't seem like you guys were doing CHH to financially sustain yourselves. I say this because Hiphologetics was released in 2001 while Theophanies was released in 2009. So it seemed like you guys take your time making albums, fit it around your own schedule and generally didn't seem to worry about being commercial. Am I wrong in that assumption or have things changed over the past few years?

Looking forward to that new material, Based on your last few project timelines, i would have thought that you wouldnt have dropped another project until 2020!

sidenote: on Ironclad it was interesting to see Monty G featured. I thought Tony would have done the reggae hook as you did on The Restoration for Tim Brindle. You did it well.