Locust “I Used To Love Hip Hop”

Hip Hop is culture and as in any culture that’s influential, many start to flock and migrate immersing themselves in the culture wanting to take part. All who do so bring different aspects to the culture altering the tenets and principles. As the culture burgeons the more space is cultivated for diversity. The fundamental framework either holds up or like many genres of yesteryear the culture mutates into a different version of itself by expanding upwards or eventually withering. 

Alberta, Canadian artist Locust’s latest full length release is forthcoming, dexterous, and diverse. “I Used To Love Hip Hop” delves in further on the aforementioned premise investigating the current state of the culture and queries the metrics. All while serving up a versatile spectrum, a technical virtuoso, a musical clinic. Offering different soundscapes and production the lyrical marksman leaves ruins of all palettes queued. The Canadian artist is so enamored with the culture that his passionate rhetoric sees him at odds with it. 

“Lights Out” the commencement of the album is dark and sinister. Gloomy piano keys adorns the backdrop, paranoia infused lyrics are in the forefront. Skillful wordplay and expert delivery grabs the listeners attention. The bass is saturating, the chorus is impactful. The cadence is heartfelt and raps delivered with grinned teeth and grit, validates his conviction. 

“One Life” follows the boom bap template. The  infectious rhythm makes you an audio slave to it, nodding along as he’s rhyming along. He uses alliteration to emphatically slaughter the production. The cadence is in pocket the chorus lacks luster, but the rhymes take centerstage filled with rage fracking out of his teeth he spews his sage. Couplets spewed in rapid succession this MC is a trained sniper who takes his craftsmanship seriously. The Alberta artist in this recording cautions competitors to take heed. 

“State of Mind” employs soundtrack vibes. Big cinematic instrumentation sets the stage for Locust who switches up the trajectory offering self evaluation. As he states “I find myself out of step with my own reflection, confused, so deceptive, to see the eye that’s in front of your thoughts and feel no connection”. Alliteration is Locust’s weapon of choice flowing in the meter with thoughtful lyrics. Harmonizing on the chorus ushering in a ruminating aura. 

“Bird Box” is an apocalyptic theme production which incorporates a sliding synth bass with filtered keys, trap inspired back drop while Locust raps “ all you had to do was look”. Influenced by the Netflix movie bearing the same title Locust flow is in the driver seat weaving through snare and hit-hats with wordplay that lands flush. 

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“Made for Kings” this underground grungy production has the first feature thus far with guess artist Rocka G. This concept challenges aspect of certain religion with agnostic views. 

Rocka G delivers an incredible verse that’s in stride with Locust’s oratory. 

“I Used to Love Hip Hop” features a groovy guitar bass line and plucks. The emotional beat conjures a heartfelt performance. The Canadian MC pours out his love for HipHop which is rooted in the nostalgia. His impassioned draw to the culture is eminent. 

“Heart” with a strumming guitar this has country, latin appeal. While the Canadian spews lyrics uttering conspiracies, and disappointment with the lack of earnest support shown. The production is glorious with a ghastly vocal vacillating in the backdrop. 

“No Mas” is loaded with grainy static crackling, a sliding synth bass, and accompanied by melodic keys. The production finds Locust getting back in his comfort zone as his prowess once again is on display. The MC shatters the beat shredding it from every angle. “Write to the beat like I’m fighting” he utters in this recording. 

“The Untouchable” is another soundtrack vibe employed on this go around which is inspired by Blaxploitation films with organs stabs light pianos hovering during transitions, and suspenseful string stabs. The Eminem influence is evident and undisguised on this cut. As he raps the chorus “The untouchable” this wordsmith uses cunning wordplay, lingering rhyme schemes trademarked by the aforementioned predecessor. Proving to be a worthy pupil even the caricature like metaphors are curated gushing wit and extremism is eerily comparable. 

“My Past” implementing pop chords and progressions Locust hums a tune showing his diversity on this reflective composition. 

P.L.U.G.(Freeverse) has the Canadian artist rapping over a pop rap style trap beat. The artist delivers staying true to his techniques while proving engaging with his content. Switching flows during beat drops, riding for 2 minuets strong with no chorus. 

“Cold Case” is an underground boom bap Sound plate which features Bobby G, and RNB. Attentive to wordplay this offering is haunting and chilling. With a dark theme soundscape each rapper brings their own essences to the recording holding more than their own in this lyrical onslaught. 

“Get Down” is driven by a chilled muffled piano and a dirty drum-break.  Locust takes it back to the 90s with a Das EFX style tune that’s authentic and raw. 

“Yallreadykno” is gritty, crude, accosting this recording is in your face and brash. The chorus features scratches and the verses are what we’ve come to expect from Locusts at this juncture. 

“Better Days” is laced with dreamy keys flowing elegantly while Locust croons for better days on this heartfelt recording. Locust pours out an emotional verse as voices in the background belt shrills. 

“I User Lover Hip Hop” is a bitter love story rooted in merit. The reasoning behind the title stems from the current state of the culture. Wordsmiths with 10,000 hours plus logged into their craft are stunned feel slighted, and shunned from the mainstream perspective because pop hip hop is now in tune with an algorithms fetching mammoth streams. This angst bleeds in the music and the lack of meritocracy breed animosity. A pocket of the culture embraces this rhetoric by being on the attack and a selection thrive in this niche, the remaining composites of the culture are aware but ignore pleading ignorance and exchanging merit for entertainment. So what often transpires is said artists is left bewildered and consumed with what consumes the culture ultimately obsessing over the content that leaves them bewildered. Then there’s artists like Locust who adapt accept the state of the culture and embrace it for what it is. While showcasing their diversity, remaining true to the essence hence being aware that everything comes in full circle . In 1992 a Southside, Chicago artist by the name of Common felt this way and made “I Use To Love Her” which is dedicated to HipHop a hot song. 2019 Alberta, Canadian artist named Locust made “I Use To Love Hip Hop” a hot album.