Duos work best when they can play off each other, like Abbott and Costello, Sonny and Cher, and Knyte and Laz. The latter being the most recent and hip out of these pairings, these two sons of the Bronx have teamed up to compliment each other on an impressive debut album of intelligent hip-hop stylings that is more potent (and a tad cleaner) than what is currently heard on BET.
Knyte is the more reflective writer who takes the time to structure his songs, while Laz is faster and punchy using those attributes to build and accentuate his rhymes. Together, the merging of these two styles makes for some multi-layered urban messages that are relevant and aurally pleasing.
The instrumentation for each track is unique, incorporating a mixture of real instruments with synthesized tones and sound effects. “Too Many Mics” opens with a quirky harpsichord-esque pad overdubbed with heavy LP scratching. Switching it up, “Elbow Room” features a full array of trumpets and baritone saxophone while “Classic” embodies echoey synthesized running eighth notes and an unworldly synthesized voice in the chorus.
A highly enjoyable piece, “Tickled Pink,” combines a whimsical celesta sound with fun sound effects like giggling and sipping. Jamaican rapper J-Rock adds his influence to this love song which emulates longevity in relationships and not one night stands. However, this message is completely juxtaposed in “Irresistible” where female singers Denae and L’Monte sensually sing the hook, followed up by Dead Poets rapping about doing it everywhere from on top of the washing machine to the back of a Buick. However, the group turns around another 360º with “Uncomplicated” where the rap duo, along with R&B singer Sadie, sings about the love for their daughter.
In keeping with the flowy R&B feel, giving a smooth accent to the fast-paced free-styling, Mike D’mello adds his voice to “Step Up” where Dead Poets expound on the virtues of staying strong despite adversary and taking responsibility for your family obligations. Then again, there is a tune towards the end of the album entitled “Smoker’s Paradise” which opens to the sounds of inhaling, flicking lighters, coughing, giggling and soaring strings.
Starving Artist undoubtedly covers both sides of the coin. Heard in the title track is a monotone chant “Starving Artist” descending line hidden beneath a fast-tempo, high energy free-styling explosion stating, “You can’t break the spirit of a starving artist.” Whether Dead Poets is rapping about idealistic virtues or not, every tune keeps it real and utilizes current references and clever analogies to get its point across. By working together and staying true to themselves Dead Poets has done a stellar job.
Reviewed By Kelly O’Neil
