Jurassic 5

"I'm not trying to say my style is better than yours, I'm just on some other shit"

Jurassic 5 - Concrete Schoolyard

It's been a while since I've reviewed an artist or song. But Jurassic 5 are an artist too talented and too under appreciated to let slide by. Jurassic 5, which consisted of Charlie 2na, Akil, Zaakir (Soup), Mark 7ever and DJs Nu-Mark and Cut Chemist, started in LA and began their career by releasing Jurassic 5 EP in'97. Often compared to De La Soul or A Tribe Called Quest, Jurassic 5's tracks consisted of meaningful and topical lyrics, often touching on the subject of rappers losing themselves in the fame and wealth. (I often wonder if these MC's even know how it feels/ To dedicate they whole life to this mic of steel./Its not about the bills, that's not keeping it real./ A lot of tight rappers out here ain't got no deals).

Jurassic 5 later broke up in 2007 for reasons not known for certain.

Concrete Schoolyard opens up with that familiar smooth feel to it that I've grown so attached to. It's not just the music the flows smoothly though. This song is a true definition of smooth rap. Each verse is being sang/rapped by a different MC, often switching off line by line, like the first verse. It's so smoothly done, you might not even notice that every other line is different MC. The pattern works harminously, switching off lines and coming together as one at the end of the verses. The voices match the music dynamics as well, most notably would be when Charlie 2na starts his voice in his characterisitc unbelievably deep voice; as he begins, the highs drop out leaving mostly bass, but not enough bass to overwhelm Charlie's voice or the listener's ears. The ability to bring all of the MCs together to sound as one is a talented skill that Jurassic 5 flaunts in almost every track of theres.

Lyrically, the song hits the subject of rappers becoming too obsessed with money and fame, all the while showcasing some of J5's own rhymes and promoting themselves in typical rapper fashion. Claiming to bring it back to the old days, before popularity/money was the most important aspect of music, in the chorus of the song, the group just does that.
"Let's take you back to the concrete streets/ Original beats with real live mc's/ Playground tactics/ No rabbit in a hat tricks/ Just that classic/ Rap shit from Jurassic"

Jurassic 5 - Concrete Schoolyard (drop)


And a great video that Jurassic 5 and Dave Matthews Band created for their single "Work it Out." I need not comment on the political satire in this. It's funny and satirical. It's like J5's Southpark.