Just by the title of “Industry Ready”, you will want to know what’s up with this record and what The Black Abstract has been cooking to put it all together. Consisting of six unforgettable hip-hop tracks, collaborations from other artists, and the genius within the songwriting, you wouldn’t want to miss out.
“Intro”, the first track features Dunny Gage and F Dot Notarized, and it’s mainly about being ready for the industry, with taunting notes of the industry not being ready for him instead. It shows firsthand confidence in his art, and if the concept of a self-fulfilling prophecy were to be actualized, The Black Abstract and this EP would be it. “Emotionally abused, but I prefer no pity / Industry approved, they ain’t ready, but I’m willing” just about sums it up; the confession lines are a breath of fresh air in terms of creativity, all of this amongst the steady beat and piano melody.
Hype-inducing brass comes in with “Take It Like a Man”, a song about wanting to achieve success, reiteration of being ready for the industry, or in other words, to take the crown. All the while, it touches on the toxicity that comes with the field: “When money come to play, the true villains come instant”. Additionally, there’s dialogue in the near end, which sounds like mockery at first, but it’s really the reality of making an image for one’s self out there (“You can’t be Wiz Khalifa, we already got one!”), emphasizing just being himself, being authentic.
The acknowledgement of everyone having their own bad and good sides are tackled in “Angels & Demons” featuring King Jester and Lbizzzy. The lines in the song almost go back and forth, acting like persuasion and debate between two voices, the angel and the demon. It’s all structured pretty well; for instance, one speaks about trusting the divine creator, and the other contradicting everything the first voice says.
“Sent Love” featuring Zhané is nostalgic in a sense that it’s somewhat a combination of R&B and hip-hop, with the overall vibe and pacing, as well as extra elements like a thumping bass line and intricate rhythm. It’s reminiscent of the days when those genres ruled the charts; it’s easy-flowing, something to simply jam to. On the other hand, “Bottom of My Cup” featuring Ben Streetz and eWw has a more futuristic and experimental sound, really adhering to the influence of more recent years to the genre of hip-hop. The verses are catchy, both fun and real that you wouldn’t really be mad at it. It’s the type of song to be put on full blast at a nightclub.
Wrapping everything up, “Mom” featuring ILL Tone Beats is the sixth and last track of the EP. It’s certainly more than just a song; it’s an ode to his mother, and something about the way it sounds screams power as if every word from it came straight from the heart. There’s a monologue and personal declarations in the end, and one particular line struck a chord: “She colors outside the lines / Breaking down barriers, and that is where the stillness lies / The fragrant culinary aroma fills the air of the house she built”.
You can easily tell from the start that everything’s made from passion, and it clearly shows in how it makes listeners feel what every song exudes. It’s a great EP with a great message and intent, and everyone should give it a shot.
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About the Author
Kate Clarice Lee is a psychology major in Ateneo de Naga University with a knack for music and writing. She takes interest in playing guitar, poetry, creative writing, and lyrics that—subjectively—hit close to home. Kate mostly enjoys indie, alternative, pop & punk rock music.
