Artist: Brand Nubian Album: Everything Is Everything

Year: 1994
Duration: 0:0-1

Everything is Everything: A Critical Review of Brand Nubian's Album

Hip hop has been known to produce some of the most innovative music of our time and Brand Nubian is no exception. The American hip hop group which gained popularity in the 90s with their conscious and socially conscious lyrics, released their third studio album: Everything is Everything in 1994. The album is a true representation of their sound and style, tackling topics that range from injustice, racism, and urban decay. Join me as I embark on a journey to review and analyze the album's music, lyrics, and overall production.

Firstly, let's dive into the history of Brand Nubian. The group was formed in 1989 in the state of New York, consisting of Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Alamo. They quickly gained recognition for their conscious rap style that focused on pro-African and pro-Black messages. Everything is Everything is a continuation of their style with songs like “Word is bond” and “Love Me Or Leave Me Alone” exposing the group's strong conviction for social justice and critiquing the commercialization of hip hop.

The genre of Everything is Everything is hip hop, but the album also incorporates reggae and jazz elements which are heard in tracks such as “Probable Cause” and “Dedication”. Though hip hop is prominent throughout the whole album, Brand Nubian fearlessly experiments with other sound textures to present their message in a less conventional way.

One of the best songs of the album is “Alladat,” which has a mellow and laid-back beat accompanied by Lord Jamar's storytelling which lays out the struggles and triumphs of growing up in the inner city. You also can't help but vibe along to the catchy chorus of Don't let it go to your head. Another amazing track is “Step into Da Cipher” featuring Diamond D. The piano chords are catchy and bring out the group's infectious flow.

One of the most innovative parts of the album is the interlude “Concerto In X Minor” which is named after one of the members of the group. The sample that's used in the track is taken from classical music which creates a unique sound texture. It's a great example of how Brand Nubian was able to fuse hip hop and classical music to create something fresh.

Lastly, let's take a more critical look at the album. One of the downsides of Everything is Everything is that some of the beats tend to sound rehashed, which ultimately makes some tracks less interesting. On top of that, some lyrics are repetitive which can get tedious. But overall, Everything is Everything is a classic album that nicely represents the group's signature sound and philosophies.

Everything is Everything is a masterpiece that showcases the true potential of hip hop as a genre. Brand Nubian is a group that was able to create an album that seamlessly blends social commentary, jazz, reggae, and classical music. It's an album that deserves to be remembered and revered for generations as it serves as a reminder of hip hop's roots and its versatility as a genre.

Everything is Everything is a masterpiece that showcases the true potential of hip hop as a genre. Brand Nubian is a group that was able to create an album that seamlessly blends social commentary, jazz, reggae, and classical music. It's an album that deserves to be remembered and revered for generations as it serves as a reminder of hip hop's roots and its versatility as a genre.