Posted on 12/01/2008
Handling personal material can be a difficult ball to juggle. The goal is to tell your story, while not indulging in too much abstract specificity that no one else can relate. Ursula Rucker’s latest strikes a challenging, yet accessible mix of confessional and observational poetry and song, in an enjoyable exercise in historical relevance and personal identification. While proudly asserting her contrasting sides (a poet who doesn’t slam, a Catholic who curses), she encourages her listeners to embrace all angles of who they are as well. Even if they can’t, Rucker refuses to be held to anyone’s preconceptions of who she should be and how she should act.

“Read Between the Lines” is a tongue-in-cheek condemnation of the labels put on Rucker because of her contradictions, a self-proclaimed “banshee and butterfly” whose true identity dwells below the surface of what is written or perceived about her. She even pokes fun at the chopped and screwed and Auto-tuned hits that flood the airwaves, but on “Ever Heard of It” proceeds to rock her truth, her way. But Soundsysdom isn’t all about making social commentary, though there’s plenty of it. “Thinkin ‘Bout U” grinds to a slight electronic beat with Tomasia’s rapid-fire verse striking the right chord between Rucker’s seductive, whispery vocals. With Philly rapper Kuf Knotz, “Cypha” finds ‘U-Love’ rearing her game-checking head again as Rucker comes out swinging against those ruining hip-hop and their supporters, “Can’t believe all the uninformed suckas on the sidelines cheering ya/see the cypha is a altar, you defamin’ it/ plus you don’t even write your own damn lyrics.” Even Rucker’s droll sense of humor is present on “Call to Axiom” as she informs those unprepared for revolution of the opportunities awaiting them at Waffle House.

The organic flow of Ruckus Soundsysdom is so fluid that you never question the subtle changes between hip-hop, R&B and poetry. Rucker is so adept at handling all three and creating her own pathways within and between them that it doesn’t matter what genre she skirts, it’s going to be a dope endeavor regardless.

- Candace L.