MIX-TAPE KING COURTNEY ANTIPAS DROPS EP :LWSOM Vol 2 REVIEW

We have always maintained that sometimes, the results of the Zim Hip Hop awards are far from pleasing; this isn’t any further from the truth with regards to Gospel hip hop categories. In the class Hip Hop Courtney Antipas formerly known as Illceey easily makes it to the top of our list. Actually, even when we take him out of the bracket of Gospel Hip Hop, Courtney Antipas easily surpasses a majority of Zim Rappers. (Tell em I said that!). Last week, Courtney dropped LIVE WISE STATE OF MIND Volume 2, here is our song by song review

Intro (reflection)

The moment we heard the jazzy, old soul kind of strings that Courtney chose to use (instead of some loud, bang clang, get our attention type intro), we immediately knew that it was no rookie material. The one minute forty second long intro seems to be a poetic recital, essentially an exposé on society’s hypocritical nature to choose the easy way out, i.e., lies, money, prosperity gospel etc. Ends with a bold affirmation of his resolve

Tha Blood

“All about the blood like we gang bangin”, like whaaaat? Did he just say that on a gospel song? Yep, that’s the type of chorus you can expect from Courtney.  It’s one thing to master the craft of creating punchlines, however, one needs to understand that it gets harder to craft them within the confines of Gospel rap without sounding Bible Bashy (annoyingly preachy with a hint of prejudicial judging). With Courtney Antipas though, the lines have detail that connect to the world outside the church but relating to the source of his content (bible), for an example, “the old rugged cross more than just a chain hangin” see that? Jesus pieces? Old rugged cross? Connect it makes sense right! The song follows a dancy type of new school trap type music. The bass isn’t too loud which might bum some out but it’s still good!

Forever Girl

This is a love song, straight up love song. The song features Prayer Soul who does an excellent job at singing the chorus and backing the whole thing up. The song is a sharp comparison to the love longs we have in rap music which mostly center on the sexual objectification of the women. This one pretty much places the wifey-material girl on a pedestal rather than the size if her bottom, the fairness of her skin or the fact that she can twerk.  Besides it being on the surface, the expression of love and praise to the ideal girl, it’s really Courtney Antipas talking about how men should treat women and vice versa i.e. “the best thing I ever did? Put a ring on her”, marriage, or “so when them other shawties step to me, I be like I got my girl with me” faithfulness.

NOMB (None Of My Business)

He has no kind words for floss or brag rap at all. This song will probably be a favourite for many, up tempo, loud and it packs a direct message at ignorant, materialistic rap music. The structuring of the lines have him switch styles and patterns in each verse. We liked how he would change pace depending on the variations of the instrumental.  It’s that song that you can do that Yeezy “N***as in Paris” dance. Basically the song says, “ stop talking about the stuff that you have because its none of my business” We had it on repeat. The song ends with an out of breath Courtney closing up a set explaining what’s really important.

Where I’m going

The sombre atmosphere created by this song is overwhelming.  The first verse is an honest admission of how any rap artist in Africa must feel. The truth behind the picture of how he feels in this song is so clearly explained that you understand the struggle of being an artist in a world that doesn't appreciate it. The subject matter isn’t new from Hip Hop. “Will I get Paid” by Dizzy Don, “Angels Say” by Tehn Diamond (sort of), “Munodei” by MMT all carry similar messages. However, the Courtney Antipas one targets the pain to a prayer, “all I know is I need you Lord to show me the right way”. The second verse is filled with sadder undercurrents, (some really tear jerking stuff). It’s the reality that in Zimbabwe, It’s still almost impossible to live on rap music and that really sucks. It’s a very open and transparent song/ prayer for direction, protection and strength.

Penga Tione

On a mostly dub-step beat, this is a, for-lack-of-a-better-phrase “Turn up” song, of course all in the context of the associated spiritual subject matter. It features J-Bars who delivers brilliantly on the song.  Probably targeting critics who downplay the radical methods of expression of praise to Christian deity, the song encourages living differently in the midst of being called crazy.

Overview

So why would we call him the King of Mixtapes? Check his repertoire! Courtney Antipas has been for years delivering fully packages mixtapes and EP’s that have seen him tour with some of the worlds and regions finest rappers! Your average MC hasn’t seen past your cities toll gate with his half- baked album.

To the EP itself, Live Wise State of Mind Vol 2, now takes the best EP this year (for us) joining the  Cutfface EP (Back 2 Basics) which dropped earlier this year. To begin with LWSOM Vol 2, has a bit of everything all in the context of the title. The two features don’t mess the project up, the production is good but what’s most impressive is the delivery on each song. Every song here besides the first and last one have very distinct and different messages. They were well addressed and articulated. While most Hip Hop artists may be able to write a song, some don’t know which beats to choose for that song, which tone to use on that song or who to feature on the song. Courtney Antipas has mastered that art well, changing the way he sounds with the song and not being monotonous as the EP goes.

It seems like he has a thing against prosperity gospel rappers though, if only it were possible to know who they were…

Any bad sides, well, its short, but it is an EP, we shall not complain. Get the LIVE WISE STATE OF

 MIND Volume 2 here or stream and download it from this link 

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