Posted on 06/14/2005

 

Heads might know him best as Medaphoar, but from this moment on just call him MED. Now let's get this out of the way; the phrase "rap game" is probably overused as much as "classic", so let's get down to basics. Med is definitely an MC in the truest sense: one who has moving, powerful, humorous, and in-your-face lyrics; and a flow to match. The idea of "grabbing the mic and going for what you know" may be an odd concept to some, but that is how a rapper gained respect in his field of work. After years of singles and cameo appearances, Med's long awaited debut album has arrived.

Was it worth the wait? For longtime fans, definitely. For new fans, Med is the kind of guy who raps as if he's going for broke, taking pride in what he writes, how he delivers it, and also the right music to rhyme over. It's a craft, and Push Comes to Shove may become one of those albums that sets the stage for the shape of hip hop to come.

Let's talk about the tracks though. With productions from Madlib, Dilla, Oh No, and Just Blaze; MED gets a chance to place his words and flows within different soundscapes. Each one is capable of pushing MED over the top, and he's able to succeed. Everyone compliments each other. Some of these beats are quite complex, with rhymes following suit. All the tracks are in 4/4 time, but this is not video-game music.

There's a lot more thought put into it, where MED talks about the struggles of staying alive while being tempted by the various elements that could bring him down: be it the drugs, violence, or ladies. What makes him and this album different from others is that it's him telling his story, and he doesn't necessarily keep it clean or reserved. You get to know what his personality is, and how his music defines him, and that's rare in a time when people seem to care only about polishing their personas. While the album is produced by different people, it is Madlib's tracks that stand out the most. Those familiar with Madlib will know that he can be unconventional for the hell of it, not willing to pull out a template and trace the pattern.

The many references to a green, leafy substance may be an artist recommendation on one way to listen to the 18 songs, ranging from hardcore gems to songs with a small pinch of R&B flavor (but not too much). Unfamiliar with the haze of that green, I can't tell you what it sounds like under the influence, but you can smell the richness of this bag before ripping off the cellophane. Replete with clever metaphors, Push Comes to Shove is a fantastic, high-class hip-hop album deserving of much praise as MED pays respect toward what hip hop is all about.