Like A Gospel Hymn

Fatlip & Blu “Gangsta Rap”

Madlib goes absolutely wild with the sampled surface noise on this track, foregrounding it to the point that it becomes a heavy ambient element so it sounds like Fatlip and Blu are rapping through a literal nostalgic haze. Both rappers take the cue to reminisce – Blu’s verse offers a wry perspective of growing up and finding some direction in rap, while Fatlip recalls friction in the music industry back in his Pharcyde days. There’s an interesting low-key tension in Fatlip’s performance here, like he’s holding back from going off and actively deciding to focus on what he’s happy about in his life. The whole song feels happy but a little bittersweet, the way looking back on the past can just dredge up old disappointments and even if they don’t mean much anymore it still can sting.

Buy it from Bandcamp.