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Review Thu Jul 27 2006
Really Quick Record Review: Rhymefest
Chicago rapper Rhymefest (aka Che Smith) blasted onto the stage at Intonation back in June, but you might have heard him even before his debut album Blue Collar (J-Records) hit the streets as co-writer of Kanye West's Grammy-winning superhit "Jesus Walks". What shines through on Rhymefest's solo efforts is his intelligence and his desire to infuse his rhymes with a broad range of non-hip hop musical influences. Whether it's a bit of rhythm inspired by The Strokes' hit "Someday" or a collaboration on "Build Me Up" (a reworking of The Foundations' 1968 hit "Build Me Up Buttercup") with the late O.D.B., his tracks aren't what you're expecting. His lyrics reflect an intense need to speak for people in his Southside Chicago community. As he discussed on Chicago Public Radio's Sound Opinions program, songs like the amazing "Bullet" come out of a need to address "real issues" not just stories about bling. Rhymefest is not just the latest buzz in the hip-hop community, but he's one to watch for the way he's absolutely going to influence the music industry as a whole.