Blog posts

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  Mar 31 2008, 06:36 AM

  Popmatters.com's Review of Soul Purpose

  ScholarMan: Soul Purpose

  (Soganic)

  US release date: 22 January 2008

  by Quentin B. Huff

  [ popmatters link ]
  

  
  

  On Soul Purpose, when ScholarMan calls his experience and career a “journey”, it inspires me. Not because the image of a man embarking on a journey is automatically inspiring, but because you can hear his determination in his rhymes. His delivery is deliberate and somewhat painstaking, as if he enjoys the experience of uttering each syllable but feels a little sad that they have to leave his lips. It’s not an effortless flow, like a nimble freestyle, but it’s smart and methodical. You can tell he invested himself in the construction of his verses, and his work ethic is evident, as is his considerable love and affection for history, community spirit, and hip-hop culture. His previous albums, The Love Freedom Movement with partner in rhyme TrueBless and Candy Medicine, continually celebrate these themes. This is what inspires me about the Maryland emcee, and whenever I hear him I think, “Damn it, I need to work harder too!” But I also think it highlights some room for improvement.

  Here’s the good stuff. Soul Purpose (I’m diggin’ the play on “soul” and “sole”, by the way) could be a companion piece to ScholarMan’s Candy Medicine, an album that found him branching out lyrically while further tightening his production skills. This time around, love and affection still rule the day, but in various forms: physical attraction ("No Questions Asked”, an interesting take on LL Cool J’s “Pink Cookies"), long term romance ("Keep the Love Alive"), familial bonds ("My First Seed"), and respect for “real hip-hop”. The latter category basically consists of all the other songs, with the notable exception of “Hood Stories, Vol. 2”, a solid storytelling exercise that provides a follow-up to a “Hood Stories” narrative on Candy Medicine.

  ScholarMan reminds me of veteran emcee and beatsmith Large Professor—a compliment which I do not hand out lightly!—but his beats might steal the show from his flow. They’re jazzy and filled with well-chosen and intricately chopped samples, horn loops, and orchestral flourishes, without sacrificing his flair for ‘90s-style boom bap. It’s got a real chill vibe to it and, as far as vibes go, the album gets bonus points for depicting historical figures like Marcus Garvey, Charles Drew, and Kathleen Cleaver on its cover. Reading is fundamental, but History’s essential.

  All of this is good, providing consistency and dependability in ScholarMan’s output, but I have the feeling he can do more and add even more depth to his craft by being less rigid in focus and delivery. Continuing to expand his versatility might be the answer, as songs that center around “being real” or providing “real hip-hop” continue to be a mainstay. The songs on Soul Purpose that deal with other topics provide a welcome change of pace, which suggests that an eclectic approach to subject matter could yield dividends. Personally, I like the “Hood Stories” installments enough to listen to an entire album of his detailed storytelling. That type of album might better showcase his wit and charisma in addition to his hard work.  That might inspire me and enlighten me.

  6/10 
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  Mar 31 2008, 06:35 AM

  Rhymehouse.com Interviews ScholarMan

  R.M. London w/ ScholarMan

  The first time I came across ScholarMan I was searching the internet for a new source of interesting hip hop related articles. I found an alluring piece on why a majority of African-Americans do not support "real hip hop," written by ScholarMan, and also saw that he made music. Real hip hop music.

  Equipped with a soothing voice, socially conscious lyrics, and soulful production, ScholarMan is a Maryland bred MC on the rise and is ready to snatch your attention with one listen. ScholarMan, after recently releasing his new album "Soul Purpose" and new free download "The Pull Forward EP Vol. 1," sat down with Rhymehouse to talk about his beginnings, his purpose, and why true hip hop heads should check him out--

  ---

  Rhymehouse: Tell us a little about ScholarMan and how you got your start in the hip hop industry?

  ScholarMan: Like many emcees in the game, I started out rhyming in cyphers with classmates at my schools and with those who lived in my neighborhood. From there I acquired a cheap stereo, microphone and turntable and started recording my own tapes in junior high and high school. Before you know it I was able to land a job that provided a means for me to get a little bit more professional equipment, so got into beat making and laying tracks on a 4-track recorder. The rest is history really; I kept grinding to improve my talent as well as my studio.

  Rhymehouse: You started your own label- Soganic Music-- can you tell us why you started your own label and what Soganic's purpose is?
  
  ScholarMan: Soganic Music is actually a new name for a preexisting company Else Where? Entertainment. I started Else Where? Entertainment in the late 90s to establish myself and my team in the music industry as artists who release professional music and not just demos. We were able to release a few projects and do a few big things but I had trouble trademarking the name. Around the same time business differences divided my team. So being that I couldn't trademark the name and other issues surfaced, I felt it would be good to start fresh, so Soganic Music was born, meaning soulfully organic. Our goal is to give you soulful and organic music that encourages a positive change in our societies.
  
  
  Rhymehouse: Since running your own outfit takes a lot of money from your own pocket what are your thoughts on file sharing, bootlegging, and torrents where music fans can trade music and download albums for absolutely free? Do you think this hurts independent artists or helps them?
  
  ScholarMan: Mannnnn, lots of money indeed. It seems like every year a new forum or site is brought online sharing music and I believe its slowly killing the business side of the game for some, and for others its a boost for their careers. I feel that when a person gets a free copy of your project from somewhere, listens to it, likes it and then buys it, it's a good thing for the industry. Its those who get a free copy, listens to it, likes it but doesn't buy that is hurting us. If it wasn't for touring, merch and other means to make money in the industry, you wouldn't see many cats consistently dropping albums. I personally encourage my fans to promote my music by releasing a free EP/mixtape every so often that they can download. This way, they can preview my music and then support me if they feel it. Not too mention putting my albums at a reasonable price to get them off the shelf in comparison to my counterparts.
  
  
  Rhymehouse: You recently released a record entitled "Soul Purpose"-- What was the "purpose" of this album. Was the purpose fulfilled?
  
  ScholarMan: The main purpose of "Soul Purpose," haha..that sounds weird, is to encourage listeners to "define their purpose in life." Many of us walk throughout our lives wondering what our purpose is, what we should be doing with our talents; on this album I am sharing what I think my purpose is and how I plan on getting there. I feel my purpose is to inject positive change in the world through dope hip-hop. Hopefully when you listen to my album, you can hear and feel my message.
  
  
  Rhymehouse: What is the album like and why should a hip hop fan check it out?
  
  ScholarMan: "Soul Purpose" is soulful and organic hip-hop music that blends rich and lively samples with heavy drums and thick basslines, with a sweet layer of intelligent lyricism. Music with a message that doesn't hit you like a sermon but instead like a conversation between you and your best friend.
  
  
  Rhymehouse: In a editorial you wrote for HipHopLinguistics. com you said: "The government is using mainstream hip-hop as a means to extort the black community targeting our children from their early teenage years to their mid-20's. This is why certain artists who promote negative themes are heard numerous times on the radio. It is a classic case of conditioning our youth thru modern day slavery." Can you explain your outlook on this situation more?
  
  ScholarMan: Sure. I believe that corporate America is using hip-hop as a tool to control us. "Us" being the young folk who follow hip-hop. The tactic being, start with the young because their minds are easier to condition than trying to reach the old. So what better place to start than young black youth; those who live in what they classify "lower-class" areas. My view is that they want us to stay deaf, dumb and blind. They want us to only care about money, drugs, sex and violence and nothing more. Forget being positive and changing your community. This is why damn near all that you see on TV contains these elements. Mental slavery or modern day slavery are terms I use, as we are no longer physically forced into slavery (at least for now), its all mental. All they have to do is flash money in front of a kids face and say "rhyme like this" or "do this in a video" and its done. Thats just a taste of what I wrote and how I feel, the issue is definitely a hot one and needs to be frequently addressed.
  
  
  Rhymehouse: What other things do you believe are infecting the true essence of hip hop? How can artists/fans make changes?
  
  ScholarMan: Good question. I talk a lot about "real hip-hop" and I think its just that, we need more real music. What I mean by real is simply share your struggles, your pain on your tracks. Every song doesn't have to be about how you "stack more chips than me," and things like that. My answer to this question goes along with your previous one. A lot of cats rhyme just for money, just to boast, and thats not the essence of hip-hop. Hip-hop came from poverty, struggle, racism, hate, love but we don't hear enough of this journey in the music. I like earning money like the next man but money is not my only motivation for being in the game.
  
  
  Rhymehouse: What is the hip hop scene like in Prince George's County, Maryland?
  
  ScholarMan: Not that big like some other places but its growing. There are spots in Baltimore, DC and Northern VA that bring in good acts so its improving.
  
  
  Rhymehouse: How did growing up in that setting (lots of gangs/gang violence) inspire your music and you as a person?
  
  ScholarMan: Emmmm, I dabbled in the "crew" life growing up. I always called them "crews" as we really didn't refer to them as gangs in my neck of the woods. All in all they operate the same in certain aspects. Gangster rap was a huge influence during this time for me; I guess a soundtrack of the life I was trying to live. During that phase of my life I was rebelling against a few things that I didn't agree with and rolling with a "crew," doing illegal things, listening and recording "gangster rap" was just a few ways I tried to rebel. Over time I matured, changed my "crew" to a more positive one and my music is a reflection of my tranformation.
  
  Rhymehouse: What current hip hop artists do you listen to and why does their music affect you?
  
  ScholarMan: I have always been a fan of Common, he has inspired me more than any other artist because I guess I felt like I knew him personally through his music; I could relate, plus he is unique. At the time when he first came out for about 5 years or so I was one of the only cats in my area promoting him.. The same goes for The Roots, "Do You Want More?!?!" is a classic. Mos Def and Talib Kweli as well, I have been waiting on the next Black Star joint for a minute now!!! haha
  
  Rhymehouse: What is next for ScholarMan musically? What projects can we be on the look out for?
  
  ScholarMan: I drop a solo joint once a year right now so you can expect a new joint in 2009. In the meantime I am promoting my latest "Soul Purpose," my boy TrueBless's joint "Mission ISpossible" that I produced, the latest free EP "The Pull Forward EP Vol.1" apart of a series of free downloads and a couple other 2008 releases in the works.
  
  Rhymehouse: What does hip hop mean to ScholarMan and what does ScholarMan mean to hip hop?
  
  ScholarMan: Hip-hop means love, change, and growth through music for those who embody the culture. ScholarMan means a vehicle to mobilize that movement.

  You Can Listen/Hear More About ScholarMan at the Following Websites:

  http://www.myspace.com/scholarmantheofficial

  http://www.scholarman.com
• 

  Mar 31 2008, 06:33 AM

  Lifeonwax.com's Review of Soul Purpose

  LifeOnWax.com's Review of Soul Purpose

  Check out the review from LifeOnWax.com. We corrected a couple errors they posted in ScholarMan's lyrics and song titles.
  
  LifeOnWax.com's Review of Soul Purpose
  Written by: FullMetal
  
  http://lifeonwax.com/content/view/994/58/
  
  I had anticipated Soul Purpose landing in my mailbox, so when it came early, I was more than pleased. Some people make the mistake of expecting too much for an album, then writing a scathing review based on their own disappointment. That being said, ScholarMan's "Soul Purpose" is nothing but a success, filled with incredible flow, lyricism, and a message that defies the ones conveyed by his contemporary counterparts.
  
  From the very first cut, "Last One Standing", Scholar let's us know that "Real Hip-Hop is what I'm demanding", and spits verbal flame over a jazzy horn loop, and unique drums. He gets nasty on the second verse, showcasing his obvious skill, starting off with : "I rhyme with deep impact, complexity the syntax, I'm the General MC you Lieutenant".
  
  Through the CD, Scholar helps the listener forget that he's primarily rhyming over beat loops, with his impactful lyricism, and overall style on the mic. (I'm sure it helps that he's also very good at picking samples). Also, I feel he is adept at writing hooks that don't take away from the track, as is the case with most Underground emcees that are all lyrics, and zero listenability. Speaking of listenability, SM gets a pure 9 on the production scale from a runthrough alone, as even the minimalist tracks are top notch ear candy.
  
  One of these such tracks is "Dreams", where Scholar pitch shift tempo loop and kicks are extremely infectious, and knowing that he refuses to slack with his pen game is always an added bonus. However, even this song takes a backseat to what I feel is the highlight of the album, "Hood Stories Volume 2", A vivid short collection of street tales, presented to us in amazing fashion.
  
  "Took the cash and ran, thug life, cash advance, drove off a tinted van, quick like a minute man, next thing he heard sirens, he tried to run out, see marks where they spun out, neighbors wouldn't come out. Instead, if was the boys in blue, lookin for the dudes in black, Chris got on grey slacks, but regardless he's fuckin black. "FREEZE", get on the goddamn ground, one move I'll lay ya down, nice and easy now.... They took Chris downtown.. wrong place wrong time the truth cannot be found".
   
  Another album Gem is "Correct-ION", SM's vicious call to arms for everyone to stand up for our liberty as people, and as human beings. The rise strings accompany his message admirably, as he gets real on the listener, spitting "Ready for the warfare, fightin for the welfare.. of my family, but theres limited healthcare".  Truth exposed through music is the best kind, and this is what Scholar does best.
  
  Keeping a message in your music while not boring the average listener out of their skull, and not alienating the UG elitists is a tough task, and rarely is it accomplished, but I feel that "Soul Purpose" should be put into those ranks, as it is a nearly seamless blend of artistry, mixed with great production, and lyricism with depth. You really can't ask for more.
  
  4.25 out of 5 stars