Meet Martial. The Sacramento based rapper’s current album, “Collideascope,” successfully returns hip-hop to its raw traditional roots.
“When I’m fatigued from life or hung-over from heartbreak, my notebook serves as an ear that will listen to whatever I have to say, without prejudice. When I write, it’s like I’m speaking to myself, through myself,” said 22-year-old Martial.
The inventive lyrical substance definitely deserves widespread recognition and respect. The shady aspect of the hip-hop world today is that emcees sell-out originality for a financial gain. It is refreshing to observe the fundamental element of hip-hop without the artificially label-created catchy coating.
In order to completely comprehend the musical content, it is important to understand the emcee behind the rhymes. Martial said, “I grew up as a navy brat, born in Italy, lived in Cuba, grew up in Oxnard and matured in Sacramento.”
The collision of poetic greatness with advanced beats are unquestionably the force that steers “Collideascope” into an innovative, untraced direction. In “Pressure Points,” the meaningful chorus expresses, “So the world turns in a constant motion / when change is inevitable settle with devotion. / Cuz’ when relaxed, I still feel the pressure, / and thoughts fester, / even faster with the weather.”
Since the rap scene has exploded into the mainstream, the definition of real hip-hop is blurred with the typical formula-made images in the media. Martial’s unique and eccentric sound redefines hip-hop and playfully bashes the trendy imitations.
“A lot of artists aren’t pushing boundaries like they used to,” said Martial.
In “Precursor Method (Hollowman),” the humorous verbal attack states, “Now understandably hip-hop spans beyond the Bronx and San Francisco / But I don’t think that it goes as far as Sisqo. / Isn’t it a pitiful time/ when you can become profitable off of predicable rhyme / and the vast majority supports the minimal minded.” The track is the perfect anthem for the destruction of these record executive-powered robot artists.
Martial’s advice for upcoming emcees, “If life makes you cry, don’t be afraid to cry. If life makes you mad, don’t be afraid to break some sh– and people should be themselves and not let the brainwash box (TV) tell them what’s cool to wear, what’s cool to say, what’s cool to feel, and what’s cool to be! F– conformity is my basic message.”
Maybe the beauty of underground hip-hop is just that: it thrives underground. Instead of allowing hip-hop to emerge into the mainstream, it’s time for listeners to crawl underground and experience ‘Collideascope’ for themselves.
To purchase a $12 copy of “Collideascope,” or for show information, e-mail Martial, [email protected].