Saul Williams takes us on an exploration of communication with his latest concoction.
Doing away with conventional "lyricsm", Williams traverses the FULL spectrums of rhyme, genre, culture and politik, in search of what makes up the intrinsic fabric of our humanity.
Asking, what one has to leverage for their death to count.
Under capitalism, what is the cost of having your birth name read at your funeral?
And what of those who couldn't afford it?
As we journey through various styles, and languages of the spoken word. There are these stunning gems, glittering in the rhythm.
Amplifying the power of each moment, carrying generations of urgency, restraint, compassion, but most of all wisdom.
Leap Life steps between sonic eras with poise. Each born through protest then shaped through love on the dancefloor.
Each a brick laid by generations before.
From the dark and moody bass, to infectious breakbeats and back to the roots, pre colonial rhythms fused with notes of jazz and soul.
These choices combine to underline the nuanced complexity of the record.
The musicality, the cultural relevance, and the modern political moment all speak to the deep rooted urgency of this record.
On this record, Williams asks us to take a photograph of the river, to remember the world as it was before what comes next.
Done with the precision of a kid throwing a stone at a tank. Which as a Palestinian, I absolutely LOVE.
Words by Emad Al-Hatu