![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.altwire.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/FrontCover47RoninPRINT-840x750.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Listen to and purchase AK-47 Ronin at ish1da.bandcamp.com<\/a>\u00a0 It is also available for purchase on iTunes and Amazon Music.<\/em><\/p>\n What is evolution?<\/p>\n The dictionary defines evolution as the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form.<\/p>\n In the musical dimension of the multiverse, evolution has just been re-defined by AK-47 Ronin<\/em>.<\/p>\n I reviewed Ish1da\u2019s <\/a>first album, Hood Hemingway<\/em>, 2 years ago. I thought it had the makings of a classic album then, and I still consider it a classic now. An artist’s inspiration is always his most memorable album. THAT album is the weathered cornerstone that everyone walks past and nods, even though nobody is there.<\/p>\n Respect.<\/p>\n Respect for the words that turned fans into lifetime friends. An adoration for the music that made you figure out what the logo for “repeat” looked like on your car radio.<\/p>\n But, eventually, an artist’s goal is to achieve growth. There will be some traditional Hip hop<\/a> fans who won\u2019t appreciate the motive of this album. This album will appeal to a much wider swath of fans than Hood Hemingway <\/em>did. The production on this album is on point and updated to trends that we hear today. That\u2019s why this album will appeal to today\u2019s streamers.<\/p>\n AK-47 Ronin<\/em> displays an evolved Ish1da. Well, given the theme of the album, maybe evolved isn’t the proper adjective to use.<\/p>\n AK-47 Ronin<\/em> is illuminated by an ascended Ish1da.<\/p>\n Just in case you don’t understand what I mean by “AK-47 Ronin<\/em> is illuminated”, let me put it into Nurban terms.<\/p>\n It’s lit.<\/p>\n The first thing that’s obvious is that Ish1da and his team are ready for war. Listening to the intro, AK-47 Ronin<\/em>, I could picture the squad in a smoky ’05 Impala, on the hunt for rappers who oppose this modern-day Otaku revolution. This track describes the expectation of the street samurai:<\/p>\n Born under a red sky, child of tha Ainu\/<\/em><\/p>\n Your soldiers don’t respect you if they won’t die right beside you\/<\/em><\/p>\n This track sets the tone for the album. This album showcases a man at the crossroads. Behind him, lies the traditional Hip-Hop loving community that raved over Hood Hemingway<\/em>. Ahead of him, lies an unknown path. This path is full of rivals, both known and unknown. But, is Team Ish1da ready to wage a battle against the unknown? What about the clandestine rivals? As Ish1da says on “Tha Code”<\/em>:<\/p>\n Bring the hate and Imma cleave it straight\/<\/em><\/p>\n Susanoo to a fu—- snake\/<\/em><\/p>\n You all fu—- fake, you wouldn’t bust a grape\/<\/em><\/p>\n Live and die by the blade, I only trusted fate<\/em><\/p>\n For the most part, the features on this album are dope. However, I have to be honest. There were a couple of features that I felt were just “placeholders”, not because they weren\u2019t quality artists, but because their lyrical content didn\u2019t quite match the theme of the song.<\/p>\n But, my focus is on the overall value of the album and not a critique on a guest feature. One of the songs with guest features that really stood out to me was \u201cNext\u201d (feat. Nostic the Poet & AGenius)<\/em> Nostic the Poet seems to be chasing a divine intervention, but at the same time speaking the thoughts of everyone trapped in this life of seemingly few choices:<\/p>\n I don\u2019t wanna die though, who\u2019s gonna watch my kids<\/em><\/p>\n My verses are hollow if I don\u2019t practice what I spit<\/em><\/p>\n If my temporal decisions hurl me into the eternal<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019m aiming for the cross and hope I miss the inferno<\/em><\/p>\n Por supuesto, Mega Ran<\/a> gives us an expected barfest on Yojimbo <\/em>(produced by RoboRob). He and Ish1da compliment each other well, which is a testimony to the versatility of both artists.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.altwire.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/47RoninInsideLeft-840x750.png\")
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.altwire.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/BackCover47RoninPRINT-840x751.png\")
<\/p>\n