Hip Hop Habit: Michael E. Blake
posted in: Features • Urban
Suburban Illinois might seem like an unlikely place to find organic beats strife with social commentary but, truthfully, it’s there. It’s also the place to find early ˜00 club hop and verses structured on ironic self-reflection. Midwestern rapper Michael E. Blake‘s style of rhyme recalls that of the dawn of hip hop, where simple beats were overshadowed by lyrical dexterity and content. In Can You Hear Us Blake inserts social commentary reminiscent of the early ’90s (albeit a more muted one), rousing rebellion in the hearts of the underserved, invoking audible unrest until they are heard: spend a million on the hubble/ there’s people layin’ in rubble and people sleepin’ on porches with nothing for heat but torches. The beat is skeletal at best, consisting completely of percussion and a looped soulful vocal sample of a woman in distress. Despite the absence of blatantly racial lyrics, Blake still manages to taunt the audience with his enigmatic quasi-racial persona. 
In Help! he highlights the confusion that must be caused from his lack of cornrows, knack for Starbucks (with sprinkles) and suburban upbringing: So y’all know/ I’m only getting better/ nothing hood about me/ v-neck sweater. He even lists Maroon 5 as one of his influences. Whether this nonchalant self-identification is just a disguise for insecurity remains to be seen, but it does not stop him from getting his point across. On the other side of the content spectrum, Blake is easily capable of writing club hop narratives dedicated to the familiar topic of bedding a stranger, like in track “No Agenda.” This song is structured in the same manner as Can You Hear Us ” platonic yes, and staggered with tacky pleasurable moans, but the persistent and unwavering beat pushes the song and plot forward deliberately enough to prevent us from getting bored. If you listen closely, a solid chunk of the beat is composed completely a cappella. Mr. Blake has only been on the scene for two short years, but has shown the potential to turn those two years into a full blown career. Check him out in this month’s hip hop, alt. hip hop, and rap contests, and listen to his material in the player below!