Living in the southern US is a complex blend of emotions. This album, by a group from Atlanta, deep in the heart of the south, captures many of the less discussed aspects of the south beautifully - it’s a story of terrible history, lingering prejudice, economic struggle, yet also one of faith and family and relentless optimism.

It plays like a response to the east coast / west coast gangsta rap scene, offering people a hip hop voice that doesn’t endorse the violence and anti-glamor of the mainstream artists of the era, the Ice Cubes of the world. It’s introspective where its peers fought over slights to their outward images. It’s about love where much of the 1992 hip hop world glorified violence. In short, it’s powerful enough to make you drop everything and listen, and when you’re done you have to sit in silent contemplation for a while.

Jams

“Dawn Of The Dreads”
“Mr. Wendal”

From the roundup Jamwise #40 - Best Albums of 1992, pt. 2.