Rare is the release that encompasses a concoction of poetic rhyme styles with potently precise production from the “Prelude.” With Stereotype, Blitz The Ambassador [click to read] makes the rarity look effortless. Utilizing every instrument within sight to heighten his creative prose, the Ghana native is able to pen an album worthy of praise from Africa to New York and back.
Stereotype‘s seamless sound makes the album feel like a series of records instead of a dozen tracks. By creating cohesive connections, combined with enough changes to make each track feel fresh, the album makes a listener forget about a skip button. Excellently played wind instruments enhance the album’s sound with powerful trombones, trumpets and horns, exemplified wonderfully by “Something to Believe.” Without missing a step, “Lover’s Remorse” has horns that make the track go from ska to smooth, perfect for romance and heartbreak. “Instrumentalude” and “Home” carry the tradition, the latter a scenic backdrop for inspirational story telling and depth. The album also incorporates other styles as the Spanish guitar in “Ghetto Plantation”enchants and the violins in “Nothing to Lose” sting. A melodic piano drives “Dying To Live” as soulful samples, a flute and an electric guitar add texture to the beat. A sonic shout out to classic Rap records, “Goodbye Stereotype” is respectfully done by incorporating several beloved instrumentals as a way to genuinely pay homage to a culture that goes far beyond its original boroughs and borders. Overall, the music backing Blitz is impressive and cohesive.
The best beats in the world won’t hold weight if the emcee drowns trying to ride them. Fortunately, The Ambassador has the flow and content to stand on his own. Clutching the mic like he’s got something to prove, Blitz is able to showcase detailed narratives with “Home,” “Dying to Live” and “Goodbye Stereotype” and boastful proclamations like “Something to Believe” with great ease. Whether speaking on the culture (“Breathe”), love (“Lover’s Remorse”) or political injustice (“Ghetto Plantation”), Blitz spits with purpose and skill evenly. He can flow with his up-tempo cuts as well as he can rhyme on the mellow ones and rarely misfires. Penning a snapshot of his thoughts in what ’90s critics would have dubbed “conscious,” this emcee shows he can bring intelligence and skill to the booth.
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With all of the praiseworthy work on Stereotype, it isn’t for everybody. Find a different disc if you’re looking to do the latest pop dance move. Accessibility aside, expect to find consistent content full of worth-while maturity and musicianship with little filler and compelling results. It may be rare to find an album quite as good as Stereotype but it’s arrived courtesy of Blitz The Ambassador.
