Chicago native Serengeti has released on several independent labels; F5, Day by Day Entertainment, Bonafyde, and Audio 8. His latest is a solid collection of tunes, all produced by Midas Wells.
Serengeti won’t blow anyone away with the force of his delivery, he has a slightly awkward, arrhythmic flow which doesn’t quite hit the spot on a purely sonic basis. He’s more a character MC than a skills to pay the bills type – relying on wit, observations, storytelling and conscious statements for appeal. There’s a strong narrative element that comes through on tracks like ‘Birds of Prey’, where he relays his strip club experience: “ I wanna look at the boobies but I don’t wanna be mistook”, and identifies himself as a typical penniless student, “it’s second semester and I’ve barely done enough to stay afloat”.
It’s an honest effort from these guys, but it doesn’t do enough to maintain interest over the full length. Like the press release says, think Anticon, Def Jux, and Mush, but in this case with a little less force. J5, People Under the Stairs etc. are probably more accurate reference points, but with more whimsy and less party vibe. Chicago legend Juice makes an appearance on ‘Cauc’s Remix’ as does MF Grimm, as a result it’s one of the albums strongest cuts, with a touch of political commentary.
Tom Smith
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