Let us talk about the role of hip-hop for a second. While hip-hop may have been shaped into a black version of a journalist putting their boots on the ground to cover the cruel world outside, it always began as a source of fun. Records, parties, rapping, the act of carving a good time out of bad periods within history. Within this template should be what feels like a middle ground: Using art to escape.
But the act of using hip-hop to tackle personal issues is neither new, nor it is ever frowned upon. It feels like post-Mr. Morale, more and more rappers are taking themselves to therapy. Though that may be, on the concept EP created by Aige Rue (also known as MC Rue) and Mikey, you will not hear any tap shoes or pianos. Just raw, lively hip-hop bars traded amongst the two emcees.
As the album opens up with distorted jazz samples, a man says over them: “You are at the part of the retreat where your head in still in the world / you are still thinking about what you left.” The EP, however, feels more like a practice in looking back in time to excavate and confront past issues. A dive into the muddy mire of all that became you, if you will. After all, you don’t begin a rap like “I really grew up a bad child” on songs like “’87 paint job” unless you seek to heal and improve instead of just meditate. Such healing, however, does not promise easy access or softness as “blend through” briefly touches upon, keeping such sensitivities under wraps and over a sunny, psychedelic beat, “Comfortable” finds Aige Rue (also known as MC Rue) looking back on past situations with a subtle grit in his teeth.
In a way, Retreat II is another addition to a genre whose oeuvre is very focused upon authenticity and revolutionary action, however small or big. Except this one is more about the unflinching reality of trying to show up and heal rather than the calamity that awaits outside. At least through bars both raw and reflective, this EP might likely inspire you to retreat inside.
Written by mynameisblueskye
