Air Cartoon

Azeem

Oaklyn Records

Azeem’s “Air Cartoon” is an interesting collection of rap styles, unique beats, humor and politics. The Bay Area MC/poet is a well-rounded, professional hip-hop artist. With an impressive resume of artist like Tribe Called Quest, George Clinton, Micheal Franti, Living Legends, among others, he has earned the respect of the hip-hop community and fans round the world.

On his latest effort, Azeem delivers lyrics with energy, meaning and purpose. Even the more humorous tracks like “I’m Wac pt2” is focused on the reality of less-talented MCs thinking they’re something they’re not. It reminds me of the last open mic I attended and wished the headliner played all night.

Azeem’s lyrical skills are amazing; he creates emotions in his truthful storytelling abilities.

Sonically, the beats hit you in the chest! Unfortunately I found the beats hard to listen to. The arrangements don’t seem to match the flow of Azeem’s cadence making some songs feel jerky and taking away from the power of his lyrics.

But it has the potential to grow on me with the lyrics holding my interest long enough to grasp the beats.

“Air Cartoon” is a solid release that will continue his legacy in the Oaklyn and the Bay Area. With its backpacker sensibility, I think “Air Cartoon” will be liked by a wider audience than to be expected.

No doubt his world-wide core of fans will be pleased.