The Mic Planet Sessions have commenced, Insomniac Magazine’s audio mission has enlisted the abilities of a number of skilled and diverse mic technicians. Among those representing are multi-alias veterans Kool Keith and MF Doom, established underground favorites in Royce Da 5’9 and Planet Asia, plus flame throwers such as Immortal Technique, Breez Evaflowin and Poison Pen.
The albums title and emcee line up suggests that this album is all about the rhyme sayers, but that is not quite the case. In several cases, the beats steal the show. Mystic lets loose on “Current Events” over some hard-hitting drums and precise DJ Revolution cuts. Bahamadia is equally impressive alongside the Cali Agents and a bangin’ beat that they just ride. Erule probably gets the nicest offering to bless (“There It Is”), and bless he does.
The emcees still do their parts though, in fact, they all give you exactly what you would expect. Immortal Technique, while a little less social commentary and a little more braggadocio, spits his usual venom. The masters of the alter-ego both provide vintage offerings, MF Doom on the Kutmasta Kurt assisted “Pop Quiz” and Kool Keith on the aptly-titled “Spectacular.” The Spytech crew gives you the usual up-tempo banger, Styles of Beyond with “Atomic Zen” and Lexicon with “Come Up.”
The Sessions did not go off without a glitch though, Thirstin Howl III and Rack Lo’s “Mic Planet Freestyle” features a terrible beat and sub par rhymes from the usually impressive duo. “Listen” from 2Mex and Mums The Word isn’t too impressive either. Royce and the now retired Cash Brown’s “Double Homicide” isn’t bad, it is just years old. That aside, “The Mic Planet Sessions” is a fine piece of work that should be in your rotation. Don’t expect any new ground to be broken here, it is just some nice traditional hip-hip shit. That is just fine by me.
