Rating: NNN
Palestinian MC Arabesque follows up The Frenzy Of Renown with this cohesive collection of robust rhythms, including a slick Anonymous Twist production.
In the catchy little ditty Marlboro Man, ’Besque pokes holes in the facade of Bush Inc and similar evil empires. Stick A Match Screwed throws the flow off slightly.
Rah Digga sounds inebriated at times, and she even admits she’s anxious to celebrate happy hour. And later on, Gil Scott-Heron’s In A Bottle is the chaser for Arabesque’s ode to alcoholism.
Generally fun to listen to and similarly fun to deconstruct, Arabesque does a good job establishing his personality. Free-flowing essays on racism, personal loss, politics and the music industry hit the mark, though he doesn’t really offer any solutions when he questions our tendency to destroy the idols we build. Living well is still the best revenge.
