Gods’Illa

The album artwork is unassuming: Three blood brothers sit side-by-side, two of them peering intently into a camera lens as a picture of the iconic Duke Ellington looms above their heads. Both Godallah Truth and Acem gaze at you with a confident stare, while their brother, Powerful, sits in the middle with hands clasped, looking away in apparent deep thought. The three men — known collectively as Gods’Illa — look assured, as if Ellington himself was a calming spirit over their EP, The Pre-Lease, a collection of six songs aimed at generating a buzz before the group’s full-length debut album hits the street. The recording, which has some certified heat, has already garnered acclaim from producers DJ Scratch and 9th Wonder. But with only 32 minutes of music to digest, this album leaves listeners hungry for much more.

Truth immediately sets the tone for The Pre-Lease. “I don’t want nobody else saying they the king of D.C.,” he says on the introduction. “It’s universal music and it’s a problem.” Then after a brief and impressive verse from Powerful, the album transitions into the head nodding and thumping groove of “Got Y’all,” produced by Maryland beatsmith Joe D. The song, aided by an instantly recognizable sample of Rakim’s “My Melody,” features an exceptional blackout verse from Acem. In Prince George’s County, Maryland, he says; “you had to be up on your white tees, now these youngins wear jeans like I cannot believe.” Truth goes in as well: “Bet you all often gotta wonder like, how the blind man play the keys, and you can’t do shit but you can hear and you can see.”

“Should Know Better,” produced by Definition, is backed by a sample of the unmistakable voice of Curtis Mayfield. “You should know better to think that, I am who I am so expect me to be that,” Powerful says on the hook. “Why would you doubt me, knowing that it wouldn’t be the same without me.” “I’m Here,” featuring Substantial and Kokayi, easily stands out from the rest because it’s a deeply heartfelt song about the joys of raising children. Listeners are treated to lighthearted flow of “Feel” before getting snippets of four songs on the last track.

Gods’Illa is refreshing in that its emcees rhyme about positivity without being corny or preachy. At the same time, Truth, Acem and Powerful display more than enough street to encourage all types of hip-hop listeners to absorb their messages. The Pre-Lease proves that the trio has the potential to make noise in the industry, although a more distinctive sound could further catapult them into the musical atmosphere. Still, this album should suffice until the full debut is released.

- Marcus Moore