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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