Artist: Rhymefest
Album: Man In The Mirror
Record label: Allido/ J Records
Rating:
Reviewer: Alexander Fruchter

In advance of Rhymefest's sophomore album, El Che, the Blue Collar emcee recently released Man In The Mirror, a Michael Jackson dedication. The project takes the form of a collection of songs built around Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 samples. Rhymefest adds showmanship to the mix by creating skits in which he places himself in the studio with MJ during the creation of Thriller. Fest has said that he is trying illustrate that his new album's impact will mirror that of Jackson's seminal release. However, other parallels are drawn on this Mark Ronson presented mixtape that also features Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, Mary J. Blige, and Wale.

Rhymefest cleverly crafts conversations between himself and Michael Jackson, which move the album along, and border between self-effacing, and self-righteous. A perfect example comes when Rhymefest asks Michael Jackson, "How do great ideas hit us?" The question comes after Fest draws comparisons between some of Michael Jackson's work and his own songs in the style of "Bullet," and others on his Blue Collar album. Jackson's response is interrupted by the King of Pop passing gas. This kind of humor repeats throughout, as Mike brings up his love for animals, calls himself Peter Pan, discusses infidelity, and loses composure after hearing Mark Ronson's accent.

The music itself also contains elements self-inspection and self-braggadocious rhymes. Rhymefest comments on the state of Hip Hop, racial identity, and the record industry over musical canvases provided by 9th Wonder, Emile, Mark Ronson, and The Best Kept Secret. It is perhaps the later producer who contributes the most to this project. TBKS-produced "Can't Make It" is the first song on the album, and sets the tone for the mixtape. Rhymefest uses the vibe maintained by the melody, and swiftly flips the "Can't Make It Sample" to speak on what the Hip Hop generation, as well as his culture needs in order to survive. He raps, "Rappers [can't make it] thinking that these f**king record deals gonna change your f**kin' life when you sign/labels are falling/ whole industry's on decline/ it ain't no more dope on the streets, only mine."

He continues in the chorus, "if you keep selling dope in the block, [we can't make it], without education and jobs [we can't make it]...all these rappers [can't make it]/ that ringtone s**t is a wrap you [can't make it]/ I'm bringing real Hip Hop back, you [can't make it]."

Fest also links himself to cultural and historical figures such as Muhammad Ali, Brooker T, and "every revolutionary who defined their time," and separates himself from Common, Phonte, Kanye, and other rappers lumped into the "conscious" category." Fest puts the bullseye on his own back, and elects himself a leader. He asks listeners to examine his music, and in that, invites them examine themselves.

Rhymefest was also smart to use Michael Jackson to cover topics of racial identity. Another conversation on disc is entitled "Mike The Mentor." Here Fest asks Mike how he dealt with being labeled 'not Black enough.' Fest also shares with Mike his own feelings, and difficulty measuring up to the 'rapper' stereotype. He wonders how other cultures view his own.

The mentoring session ends with Fest putting his thoughts to song, he spits "Are we animals? Some suggest/ Better as slaves with chains on our chests/ nothing on our brains, no A's on the test/ Can we make it out of the ghetto? Yes."

The rest of the mixtape varies in form from Life of the Party, to Political Party, and stays fresh throughout. The Wale assisted "Get Up" is another stand out track, as is the Emile produced "Sunshine," and "Never Can Say Goodbye" featuring Talib Kweli.

From jump, Rhymefest has said he is for the people. His persona as the Blue Collar emcee means that he is in touch with the needs of everyday people, and again here, he reiterates that theme. Free of any label constraints, he is able to let the creativity fly, and appears at his best assisted with the familiarity and skill of Mark Ronson.

The table is being set for El Che, let's wait and see if Fest can dish out the main course.