A Wall Album Of The Week – Breedology Volume One
A Wall is playing for keeps with his latest release Breedology Volume I. The 15 song collection is raw, uncut, and lyrically intense.
Such a bold move is expected from the 305 entertainer who first gained the attention of Hip Hop Fans by writing songs for other artists and also performing on the Miami Local Club Scene. His debut album, NBE released 5 years earlier brought with it no shortage of critical acclaim and greater recognition, but it was NBE to Da 2 released just 3 years ago, a concept album, that let A Wall spread his narrative wings and, in turn, announced him as a bonafide star and gave no doubt about his talents.
While “Breedology Volume I” is not entirely autobiographical, the album’s opening track is the title of the album, after all the album is clearly a collection of songs written with A Wall himself, not a publishing company or record label in mind. Lyrically, this is evident on tracks like “A Soldier Mind,” one of the Album’s rowdier numbers and a tribute to himself. Sonically, these songs offer more room for A Wall to showcase his rapping voice, a powerful, agile instrument that he wields masterfully, using a well-honed sense of dynamics to build emotion at key moments or pulling back to let the story itself take the spotlight.
A Wall The Storyteller
The fifth song on the album “Face In The Crowd” is a a short story of a song about hitting the club and checking out the ladies, rife with vivid imagery (“while I’m approaching the bar I see this tall, slim, cute fine, broad”) and cleverly constructed rhymes (“You know I gotta approach her, scheming on a way to get closer so I got a couple shots for bold, as the drinks got near I walked up pulled a chair and whispered in her ear”). A Wall’s vocal is part spoken, part sung, an effective combination that underscores the depth of his storytelling and allows for moments of catharsis for the listener. A thumping drum and a deep, woody bass guitar lends a smooth flow to the production.
“Trouble” featuring Lady Kash evinces Wall’s knack for a heart-wrenching rap and boasts one of the more gutting lines — and there are many — that he’s written: “So much killing, it’s often, violators caught slipping it’s gonna be awful. In this County of Dade it’s so much danger when playing this game.” While the track’s first- and second-person pronouns lend a cloak of vagueness to the relationship in question, it’s hard not to hear the song through a warning lens, adding an extra layer of devastation. A Wall’s masterful control of his voice heightens things further. At the chorus, for example, he allows his voice to break when offering a string of hypotheticals — “Stuck in my ways, that soldier shit pumps through my veins.” — each “soldier” delivered with an emphasis.
Global meets hyperlocal
Other highlights include “Pussy Play,” a playful portrait of sexual relationships with one of his rival’s woman — “go get your bitch cause I kicked her out for talking shit up out her mouth” and “I ain’t gonna put no trust in a bitch, me- never. More time with a bitch means less cheddar.” Atop a percussive bass guitar, A Wall delivers these details with a knowing wink in his voice, shifting into a higher register at the song’s more emotional moments, like when he admits, “It’s a dirty game but I love to play, I got some new pussy on the way.”
Ready Food Talent
“Boss Man” is almost lullabye-esque in its gentle, simple melodic flow, with a hardcore verse and harmony vocals from Skely. “Sex Games” Feat. Leadah Luchiayano is also another smooth groove on the album. A key moment on Breedology Volume I comes fourteen tracks in, when A Wall, King Pen and Hollywood Block join forces for the frank, poignant “True Friends.” A Wall takes the first stanza, setting up the song’s concept: Addressing a personified security, he raps, “I am my brother’s keeper. I am your true friend until we dead and gone.”
A Wall takes the concept deeper, addressing specific concerns: “When shit hits the fan dog, you are never alone, I got your back whether you wrong or you right, you my nigger, you ,my nigger, you my nigger, you my nigger for life.” The interplay of their voices is reason enough for repeated listens, but paired with such honest lyrics the song feels quietly genuine and radical.
Hip Hop Music has a rich history of people baring their souls and describing their everyday existence, but these days such songs are often overshadowed by the bravado of people – especially men – talking about bitches, beer and money. which dominates the airwaves. Bucking trends and returning to form, Breedology Volume I is a beautiful reminder of the potential that comes with opening up.
A lot of people talk about the streets but they ain’t never been in the streets. When I talk, Am talking about something am seeing, something am living, you feel me? Am talking about my life.
A Wall
CEO – New Breed Entertainment
“Breedology Volume I” Is distributed by Asani Ali Music through Believe Digital Worldwide and is available on all major Digital Platforms.
Start your weekend off right by listening to “Breedology Volume I“, there is a song on this album for everyone.
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