Testify

posted in: Artist Features • Urban

Erudition isn’t requisite for a successful rap career (See: Lil Jon). But it’s definitely a game changer. That’s probably the first thing you’ll notice about Newark, New Jersey artist Khan Solomon. Dude’s eloquent. His lyrics name-check figures ranging from Greek mythology to sports to pop culture, all in rapid succession. One minute he’s summoning an army of minotaurs, a nanosecond later he’s referencing LeBron James. But the subject that holds Solomon’s interest the longest is religion. Clearly a spiritual man, Solomon uses his music as a pulpit, denouncing the sins of his rivals. The ferocious, booming Bone Collector is an electrifying example: You pagans are slaves to material things / 50 lashes to you fascists, I don’t if you scream/ That you rich/ I don’t give a shit/ Cause I’m a man of god. Like an inner-city Hamlet, Solomon’s weariness with his fellow man is palpable. On War Cries an electronic symphony keens while the rapper chants, Lord, I’m exposed in the dark while you hide in the light. But, just when you think you’ve got Solomon pegged as a minister of doom, he surprises you by sampling, of all unholy things, t.A.T.u’s All The Things She Said. Solomon’s music needs to be heard to be believed ¦ ye of little faith should give it a spin.