The Most Intelligent Rapper: Cadence Weapon

SOP Special Report

Words by Hugh

While reading the Jan/Feb issue of my favorite magazine, URB, I came across a page and a half section of record reviews. Being the sucker for album critiques that I am, I immediately ran my fingers over the artist names and album titles to see if there was anything I had already heard. After scanning the first page, not only had I not heard any of these albums, I hadn’t even HEARD OF them. Finally my eyes met a familiar title in that of The Cool by one Walasu Muhammad Jaco, more popularly known as Lupe Fiasco. After reading the subheading for the review: “Self-Indulging Record” and seeing the shocking 2.5/5.0 rating that the album was given, I began to question URB’s music reviewing credibility (word to The Source). But after reading the review, it made some valid points that I couldn’t be mad at. But that’s a completely different discussion as I digress…

My reason for mentioning Lupe was the irony of the subtitle of the review that filled the column to the left of The Cool’s critique. “The Most Intelligent Rapper” was the line used to describe Canadian rapper Rollie Pemberton, who goes by the stage alias Cadence Weapon. My first thought was “Wow! What a dope name,” and then to call this guy the most intelligent rapper on the same page with Lupe Fiasco? That’s saying a lot. So after reading the brief, but positive review (3.5/5.0) about his sophomore album, Afterparty Babies, I scurried to the internet to do my research. After getting my hands on an advance copy of his new album (which drops officially next month), I was completely confused with what I was hearing. I was expecting something along the lines of Lupe or Nas and what I got was well...Cadence Weapon. When you listen to this guy you have to go into it with no expectations or preconceptions (if that’s possible) because his material is completely left-field. First off, Cadence’s delivery is hella unorthodox. This is no secret to him, as he raps on the opening track of his album: “…with an off-beat delivery and an awkward obscenity…” And if you can get past that Cadence will raise the other eyebrow with his unique production (he does his own beats). The sounds found on his album are a melting pot of genres that cover hip-hop, rock, pop and even techno. I must admit after the first time through, I was ready to write this guy off, but his humorous, clever lyrics were what drew me back for a second listen. Cadence spits several slick lines throughout the disc like:

“And to the jerk that said words don’t hurt, talk to me for a change/ I’ll treat you like Pac in a range”

or

“…I heard homegirl does the head bobble/for any John in the district, city or county/I sop up the goods like Bounty/like I, heard she got on his head like a bounty…”

Cadence keeps you laughing and listening with his clever and cynical lyricism. He actually reminds me a little of a guy J. Burnett mentioned recently, Danny Swain. If you’re open to something different from the norm, check out Cadence Weapon and let us know what you think.

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