Of course, romanticization of the past plays an important role in Clear Soul Forces‘ concept. When HipHop was declared dead once again in 2012, the musicians from Detroit and their fun 90s-aesthetics combined with their juvenile enthusiasm popped up on the so-called map, making bloggers copy-paste comparisons to ATCQ all over the place. Three years, 5 Million youtube-clicks, one mixtape and three records later, E-Fav, LAZ, Noveliss and Ilajide comfortably fit next to Slum Village or Jurrassic 5 in each traditionalist’s Expedit who’s got his boom bap in the right place. In short, »Fab Five« brims over with love for HipHop. Ilajide’s sample-flips have traditional roots, meaning they seem to get their arrangements straight from Dilla’s or Black Milk’s zip-drive. And still, it is experimental enough to keep the listener (whose ears are still weary from the throwback-sound) interested. 70s fusion-jazz, 80s sci-fi-soundtracks or 60s soul are being combined on top of easygoing drum-programming, slightly reminding us of what we would have expected from Motor City in 2010. Between all their creativity, the dynamic MCs keep placing quotables and demonstrations of their shared love for the greatest pastime in the world in an impressive Hieroglyphics-manner. Refreshingly relaxed lyricisms are kissing stakkato-flows without being stagy, translating delivery-methods of Souls of Mischief of The Pharcyde into the year 2015. Of course, romanticization of the past plays an important role in Clear Soul Forces‘ concept. However, when they shout »HipHop, you’re the love of my life« on »BPSWR«, it doesn’t make you cringe in shame. Instead, it reminds you of what HipHop used to be about: Fun.
Fab Five
