“ Rear View” Substance Abuse ft. KRS-ONE
Review By Heather Jones
If you were to think about a rear view mirror what would be the first thing that comes to mind? Like most people you would think about seeing what is behind you in order to decide on your next move. Substance Abuse and KRS-ONE are using that same concept in this song off the album“ Background Music”.“ Background Music” marks the long awaited return from one of hip hop’ s most revered and critically acclaimed groups, Los Angeles based outfit Substance Abuse. Known for rhymes and beats that evoke what has now come to be known as hip hop’ s golden era, Substance Abuse has tracks that will endear modern audiences to a style of music that is consistently yearned for but seldom made. With contributions from legends like Tash of Tha Alkaholiks, KRS-One, Percee P, MC Eiht, Sadat X, and Max Julien( The Mack), Background Music is the album that true fans of the genre have been waiting for.“ Rear View” is all about remembering and paying respect to those hip hop artists that came before, and using their lessons to become better. They tell about how in the past artists had more respect and that we are headed towards a future with fewer chances. How does that make you feel to hear that we are headed towards a future with fewer chances? For me it is motivation to find the purpose of my life sooner rather than later. A lot of what people feel and think about themselves is based upon what they download into their soul, mind, ears, and heart.“ Rear View” has a line that says,“ If I’ m gonna listen ya’ ll betta make me think.” Can you really change your future chances without stimulating your mind? This song at first listen did not evoke a strong feeling from me, but after listening the second time and really giving it my full attention I smiled with every further listen. It made me think and open my eyes and mind to a different way of thinking. It offers you an old school vibe, but the lyrics are of a future presence. The song is definitely worth the listen and might just help you in the future. Respect the past, Live in the Now, and Leave Something for the Here After.
17 JUL-AUG 2013 ResponsibleARTistry. com Issue II