Czarface & MF Doom
Czarface Meets Metal Face
Get On Down
Czarface is the moniker for a hip hop supergroup bringing together the talents of Wu-Tang clansman Inspectah Deck and the hip-hop due 7L & Esoteric. Early Wu heads and fans of alternative hip hop (Dr Octagon, Def Jux recordings, etc) take note – this is hip hop for hip hop’s sake. No trap, manufactured drama, beefs, overwrought auto-tune ballads, or pop-disguised-as-rap to be found here. Instead we just have crushing-hard soul and jazz-inflected beats and virtuoso lines that teeter between the sublime and the absurd, chock full of the sort of garishly cartoonish imagery hinted at by the cover art. To lend further fire to proceedings, Czarface are joined by the ever-mysterious living legend MF Doom. With a pedigree this strong, it seems impossible for this project to fall flat. Indeed, together they produce just shy of a hip hop classic.
The three aforementioned MCs (7L is on production duty) trade verses with reckless abandon. Inspectah Deck plays the role of elder statesman, aggressive and commanding. MF Doom is an enigma – his mush-mouthed delivery, odd rhyme schemes and tangential lyrics are beguiling as always. Coming out strongest here is Esoteric. His flow cuts the hardest and his wit is sharper than a samurai blade, as he slings out pop culture references ranging from Conor McGregor and suplexes to the menacingness of Ben Mendelson. Overall highlights are numerous – some choice cuts and their lyrics follow.
Despite production niggles this is a showcase of three MCs still at the height of their powers. A must-have for any fans of Wu Tang, Doom, and alternative hip hop. Get on it.
MATIJA ZIVKOVIC
