1988

On his first solo effort, Weightless Records honcho Blueprint offers a modern ode to his musical roots for the Rhymesayers-released album 1988. Capturing the epoch that spawned classic artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul and Digital Underground (to name a few), and inspired culture-chieftains such as Spike Lee and John Singleton, 1988 is an exercise in balancing influence with personal style and artistic vision. 

Once revolutionary, once makeshift, once the voice of a scorned culture in America, hip-hop has in recent years been the patsy of greedy commercialization and has consequently become the most popular tool in the white man’s money hustle. Through his socially conscious temperament, Blueprint uses 1988 to highlight the obstacles not only in mainstream and underground music, but also in the cultures they propagate. While it is, for the most part, music with a purpose, 1988 often takes time out to have fun, oddly enough offering such politically incorrect tracks such as “Big Girls Need Love Too,” and “Where’s Your Girlfriend At?” Write it off to Blueprint being true to 1988, a time where females were dealing with the resistance of furthering their social equality.

Catchy and well written, the real focal point on 1988 is Blueprint’s ever-growing proficiency as an emcee. With each release, Blueprint convinces more and more listeners that he is the greatest emcee alive, underground or otherwise. With a style as palatable as Nas and intricate as AesopROCK, Blueprint’s real strength is his ability to capture his beats perfectly with a peerless and unrivaled flow. Depending on how Common’s upcoming album turns out, Blueprint just might end up holding the crown of best classic-styled MC around, and 1988 is his proof.

1988‘s production is similar to Blueprint’s work on Brother Ali’s Shadows on the Sun album, yet even more so rooted in the beat-box loving, loop riding style of classic-era hip-hop producers like Erick Sermon and Marley Marl. Building dusty loops over customary drum breaks, 1988 finds quality in Blueprint’s zestful knack for craftsmanship.

Typically only using a single break and two or three other loops, Blueprint chops and arranges his songs with the skill of a master-producer, similar to Prince Paul or DJ Quick; and, of course, in the spirit of hip-hop, is always ready with a new idea.

With his modern-day version of roots rap, Ohio’s Blueprint has become underground hip-hop’s most valuable entity. Through flawed, 1988 is a strong contender for best executed and most important hip-hop album of 2005.   6/10

Written by G. William Locke