Local progressive rapper Know One and producer DamNathan have shared a 10-year working relationship that helped beget the Media Darling Records indie hip-hop collective. For the last five years, they’ve bobbed and weaved between various other projects while continuously working on Soundtrack: The Ballad of Know One & DamNathan, a deep and adventurous record. The fact that stylistic tastes didn’t outrun the album and make it sound dated in that time is a testament to the music’s uniqueness.
Know One is as much a vocalist as a rapper. Moving at the pace of OutKast—or, with his high, smooth voice, Bones from Bone Thugs—Know One’s flow would be a great counterargument to anyone complaining that rap lacks melody. Almost every lightning-fast word is sung as much as spoken. It wouldn’t be blowing smoke to call Know One a cross between Big Boi and Drake, though Drake only toys with ideas that Know One takes to mind-bending conclusions.
In little more than two minutes, the opening Saul Williams-esque song,“Soundtrack,” explores an elaborate analogy between movie-making and life, ending with the odd and compelling line, “Developed the character that makes the audience care.” “Dumb 4 Dances” is the first of several ultra-poppy songs featuring hooks by singer Rita LaGrange, wife of local staple MC Impulss (who also guests on several tracks, keeping the fast verbal pace set by Know One). The pop moments could turn off some hardcore rap fans—some songs even sound like Black Eyed Peas, if that group had brains, talent and pathos—but the musical scenes change so quickly you’d never get stuck too long with something you don’t like.
Other guests include rapper Able Chris (who, on “Suits and Ties,” skewers the rat race and succeeds in touching on every office cliché ever, while also creating many new surreal ones), deft turntable scratching by DJ Quickie Mart and even acoustic touches by Kelly Carlisle and Anthony Cuccia of psychedelic jazz-rock band the Other Planets. But Know One’s most valuable conspirator remains DamNathan, who keeps pace with his partner, providing fast beats ranging in style from complex disco pop to skittery, OutKast-esque bangers. Certain moments approach techno music and even electro rock, with ‘80s synths.
While Soundtrack may fly over the heads of some rap fans, many others might consider it the best, most adventurous and yet accessible hip-hop to ever come out of New Orleans. Or any other city. Popular rap could definitely sound like this, if only the corporations would let it.
