For years now, the most exciting thing happening in US rap has been the vaguely defined subgenre known as abstract hip-hop. Slurring rappers with repetitive flows and depressive stoner energy; fragmented lo-fi beats with mushy drums and washed-out samples; a general feeling of: I am already far too stoned and reflecting on my bad decisions far too intensely – but I might as well smoke another joint, so my eyes stay at half-mast into next week.
billy woods and Navy Blue are among the representatives of this style, as are Earl Sweatshirt – formerly of Odd Future – and the equally great MIKE. The latter two have now joined forces for a collaborative album titled Pompeji // Utility, produced by the collective Surf Gang. In doing so, they have chosen an approach reminiscent of OutKast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below: each made his own album, and in the end both were released as a double album.
Stylistically, both move across similar terrain, mumbling away to themselves and sounding at home even over the most intangible beats. Unexpectedly, I even prefer the MIKE half of the double album to Earl Sweatshirt’s – although I would actually describe myself as the bigger fan of the latter. Earl Sweatshirt does not quite match the quality of his previous album Live Laugh Love, while MIKE is in top form throughout. Favourite song: »AFRO«.
