Hip Hop Habit: Doujah Raze
posted in: Features • Urban
Doujah Raze has had enough success over his career to warrant ample confidence, the essence of which is audible in his product. Blended between his native DMV and the Big Apple, his rhymes are a cross pollination between chest-thumping anthems and social commentary. His most recent full length album, 2007’s Where You Are, continues to deliver on all fronts.
Album standout track Loose Cannons is structured around slack line fuzzy guitar that flirts with the eerie halfstep interval throughout, all the while emitting a tone that breathes danger loud and clear. The strict percussion remains nothing more than diligent quarter shots, providing foundation for the guitar and rhyme to dodge around dexterously. The chorus grows thicker, even if ever so slightly, with sustained horn harmonies and smooth vocals. The content is just as lethal as the foreboding beat, as Doujah and guests ruthlessly spew virulence, in the same vein as Immortal Technique, towards everything in their path”from celebrities to your mom: Leave you crooked like Ellen Degeneres and Put my timbs to your mom/ and tell the bitch ˜give me the loot’/ so I give her the boot.
Title track Where You Are paints an entirely different story, this time portraying Doujah’s sensitive side as he relates the story of childhood romance transforming into the struggles of keeping ties in adulthood. Whereas Loose Cannons is sonic incarnation of lurking evil, the beat in Where You Are is quintessential feel good nostalgia. The golden era of hip hop Mr. Raze refers to as his ultimate artistic destination is best represented here, with 70s soul era big horns, riffy guitar, and an earthy vocal sample. His story-telling skills, while not entirely tested due to the platonic nature and commonality of the subject matter, show potential if nothing else as he connects chapter to chapter with emotion and fluency.
Doujah has been touring internationally for 8 years now, and has shared the spotlight with some pretty big names, including but not limited to Dilated Peoples, Busta Rhymes and Little Brother. He was also fortunate to be a part of Camp Lo‘s 2002-2003 European Winter tour. The only question that remains concerns his popularity”why isn’t he a bigger name? The beats are there, the flow is there and the content” ranging from the token thuggish threats to softer pop sensibilities” is definitely there too. Listen to his material below and help publicize his name by purchasing any of his outstanding albums ASAP!