Enter the mind of Social Memory Complex: thought provoking, intelligent in content and superior in production best characterize the nature of this particular Hip Hop group based out of Carrboro, North Carolina. Even though Prequel is their first completed project, with it, SMC demonstrates that they are certainly a force to reckon with. Emcee Stajprezence, rumored to be an intricate hybrid of human and alien, delivers dark yet beautiful left field thoughts in the form of fresh and powerful rhymes. Producer Modest, physicist by day and mad scientist by night, launches an excellent display of well integrated sounds that intensifies the mood of each piece. Additionally, DJ TrizzKomplex hits you in the head with the cuts of “Doom and Pain”, simple yet compound, and extraordinarily well placed. Any listener will find that the entire album merits replay.
When asked to describe their sound, SMC members simply stated, “Imagine Deltron, Mr. Lif and DJ Krush crashing a flying saucer in Twin Peaks”. Visions such as this can easily be achieved by exploring songs like “Fantastic Machines”. It illustrates a journey into Phillip K. Dick’s proto-cyberpunk fearscape, and admirably quotes, “worst case scenario: all of a sudden, Armageddon’s downloaded with the press of an escape button”. Further, “True Light”, an exploration of the matter-of-fact life in Carrboro, more intricately conveys a Twin Peaks vibe; its lyrics and sound alike are an elite combination of seriousness and humor. The rawness of which is expressed when Staj proclaims, “I can’t afford to lash out on society like these rich white kids/The consequence is just to big/I’m already stuck behind the counter at the coffee bar/Servin’ hippie fucks with guitars”. On another level, “Suze” delivers an image of a desirable, yet depressed female who has found herself unable to cope with life; with a mind forced to focus on utter destruction, she wears all black in preparation for the apocalypse. Alternatively, tracks such as “Sirenz” bring a hard hitting bang, an equally appreciable part to the whole.
The production is sick, encompassing both skilled scratches and smooth yet aggressive wordplay. One should rethink never judging a book by its cover. Embedded in the artwork, which envelops the prequel, lies the following submission: “SMC equals intelligence”. Social Memory Complex is on the rise and has already shared the stage with names such as DJ Vadim, One Self, Dalek, Insight, Count Bass D, MeatBeat Manifesto, Perceptionists, Alias Brothers and Hieroglyphics. It’s simple: if you want Hip Hop with an edge, Social Memory Complex is that crew.
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