December 23, 2004 @ 8:32 am

K-OS - Joyful Rebellion (Astralwerks/Virgin)

Hua Hsu

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“Hip hop’s not dead, it’s really the mind and the MC,” trueschool purist k-os raps on “Emcee Murdah,” a scathing indictment of the shiny excesses that saturate today’s hip hop.

“Hip hop’s not dead, it’s really the mind and the MC,” trueschool purist k-os raps on “Emcee Murdah,” a scathing indictment of the shiny excesses that saturate today’s hip hop. While k-os’s antimaterialist ranting can wear thin at times, Joyful Rebellion builds and improves on the rich, organic, live sound that made his debut, Exit, such a left-field hit. “Crucial” is a reggae-tinged gem that showcases the Canadian MC’s strong singing, while the frenetic “Crabbuckit” borrows its drum ’n’ bass swing from the Cure’s “Lovecats.” Along the course of his rebellion, k-os might detest the state of hip hop, but at least he has a convincing plan to save it.

Article tags: K-OS, Joyful, Rebellion, Astralwerks/Virgin 

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