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\n“Blasphemy”, the collaborative album from esteemed Mello Music Group producer Apollo Brown and Ras Kass, is a thought-provoking and highly personal treatise on the unspoken. The sub-rattling and operatic opener \u201cHow to Kill God,\u201d a scathing indictment of major religions and the transgressions enacted in their name, serves as a statement of purpose. No \u201cism\u201d is out of bounds, no topic too untoward. Whatever you hold sacred isn\u2019t above aggressive inquiry. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Behind the boards, Apollo Brown orchestrates with divine aural vision. Though “Blasphemy” is his first album with a west coast rapper, he doesn\u2019t retread g-funk synth grooves. He also forgoes the minimal, rubbery bounce popular with the current crop of west coast talent. Amidst a sea of production crafted for the drug-addled turn up, his work is a life preserver, saving ardent hip-hop fans with hard-hitting beats made buoyant by donuts of soul and blues. On his deftly layered suites, drums hit with the force of an unabridged Bible to the dome, the samples masterfully selected and utilized. WithBlasphemy, Brown has created MPC gospel, sonic scripture. <\/p>\n

In his seminal memoir Soul on Ice, Eldridge Cleaver wrote, \u201cAll the gods are dead except the god of war.\u201d Ever since Ras Kass titled his 1996 opening salvo after Cleaver\u2019s book, the critically revered Carson, CA rapper has waged verbal warfare against all those with aims of obscuring the truth. Rappers, preachers, politicians \u2013 none have been spared from the wrath of his sharp, illuminating rhymes. <\/p>\n

When not eviscerating MCs and poking holes in theologies, Ras Kass surrounds himself with a rogue\u2019s gallery of decorated veterans. Pharoahe Monch, Rakaa Iriscience, Xzibit, and Royce Da 5\u20199\u201d are among the handful of the elite lyricists present. Each delivers their singular bars in top form, making the songs on which they appear some of the best posse cuts you\u2019ll hear in 2014. <\/p>\n

Above all, this album displays Apollo Brown & Ras Kass\u2019 undeniable synergy. Their sacred writ is the same, their blasphemy for those who want to think as they nod to the rhythm. When Ras Kass crucifies supposed facts over Apollo\u2019s beats, it\u2019s clear he is the West Coast\u2019s preeminent philosopher. When Apollo\u2019s blaring suites soothe your soul, it\u2019s an ontological fact that he ranks among the best producers in the game. WithBlasphemy, the duo has delivered the truth.<\/p>\n