Vaudeville

"Ray Charles looking for a star/ But wishing on a plane again"

I have to tell you, I stumbled on a big ol' chunk of gold with this album.  As always, I'm really hesitant about new hip-hop.  Bad hip-hop is very bad, so I try not to branch out too much with hip-hop unless I have a recommendation or a review or something of the sort.  Well, D-Sisive had none of that: he's an independent hip-hop artists, has no reviews for his album whatsoever, and hasn't been on the scene very long.  I have to say though, I could not have been happier with picking up D-Sisive.  He is easily, without question, one of the best new rappers I have come across since Lupe Fiasco.  His style is incredibly interesting, mixing a flow like that of Slug from Atmosphere, but at the same time he has a sort of quirkiness like Travis McCoy from Gym Class Heroes.  In addition to that, D-Sisive manages to have a sort of uncertainty behind his music; several of his songs have an eerie undertone which really sets him apart.

"Vaudeville" is the newest album in a surge of creativity from the Canadian artist.  After his mother died, D-Sisive had a bout with depression and didn't make anything for six years.  Surprisingly enough, after listening to The Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice," he was inspired.  Since then, he's signed with URBNET Records and has released one EP and three LPs.  Suffice to say, he's had an explosion of creative juices.  While D-Sisive's sound may not cater to the pop culture hip-hop listener, he will definitely appeal to any hip-hop listeners who sway in the direction of independent or underground artists.

"Vaudeville" starts off incredibly light hearted with an almost fairy tale like beginning which consists of a little girl reciting a little poem.  D-Sisive then continues to sing a short melody and then transitions into his rap.  What makes "Vaudeville" so eerie is that it doesn't stray toward hard or soft rap in any particular way.  What he does a good job of is maintaining a steady tightrope act between comforting, heart-felt songs and raw, aggressive, almost angry songs.  At the same time, D-Sisive could easily emerge onto a pop culture scene with some of his more upbeat songs, "Ray Charles" and "West Coast" among them.  Now thinking about it further, there's no way I can really pin any sort of mood to "Vaudeville;" "Ray Charles" really gets you tappin' your toe, where as "Riot" is most definitely a fight song; "The Night My Baby Died" is an expressive, angry lamentation where as "I Love a Girl" is uplifting and love inspired.  D-Sisive is a master of expressing emotion and his flow is definitely the beginnings of greatness.   He carries himself with confidence and while not every song is gold, he's confident in what he brings to the tavle and his lyrics never suffer.  Each and every song has great content and the entirety of the album is a joy to listen to.  I know I won't be able to put him down for months and will definitely be a frequent visitor to "Vaudeville."  If you were to consider any of the recommendations I've made so far, consider this one.  D-Sisive is easily the best independent rapper I have ever stumbled upon and is an artist every hip-hop listener should have in their library.  Take a listen here.