Hood Rats (LP) - Lisa Jo (Hip-Hop) This week’s album review comes from Lisa Jo with her latest project, “Hood Rats”. While we typically just focus on the music, selecting those projects that stand out for their quality, we feel the need in this circumstance to also highlight a little about Lisa, and all of her trials, as it brings a heart-wrenching context to the work.
Lisa Jo has used music throughout her life to get her through the ups and the downs, of which we find Lisa has had far too many downs for any one person to have to shoulder. Tragically, a terminal illness took a toll on her vocal chords, and so she began writing music to find her musical fulfillment. She lost her husband and is also caring for her mother and sister, and unfortunately struggles under the heavy weight of medical bills. But in the darkness of losing her career and battling multiple forms of cancer, she has become a creative powerhouse and firehose of new content. It appears she clings to music to get through, and what incredible music it is.
Learning her story before diving in, we were surprised to find that though there is the occasional commentary on the haves and have-nots, sometimes with respect to health care, the album is mostly commentary on the everyday struggle and speaks very little about Lisa’s personal circumstances. It shows a multi-faceted woman who has a lot to say beyond her personal circumstances, and instead of creating a sort of diary of her current trials, she has surprisingly created a very catchy 90s hip-hop record about life in the hood. Let’s dive in to a few of our favorite tracks.
Most of our favorites are in the front half of the project. The album kicks off with a 90s hip-hop flare in “Everyday Struggle” and immediately introduces Lisa as a powerhouse lyricist with a sick pen game. J-Mac, who is the primary vocalist on the project, has a low-key flow, with a delightful rasp to his tone that makes each track he is on sizzle. There is a melancholy mood to the mid tempo, just someone trying their best to get through their mundane daily life, feeling as if they will never win.
“Voodoo” continues the 90s feel with a real West Coast vibe—Tupac, Dre, Snoop…this is where this track sits. This song hovers in a cloud of chronic, painting a picture of life in the hood. “Hope in the Hood” adds a level of darkness as a cloud passes over what had previously been a relaxed acceptance of circumstance. We also get a bold female vocal that cuts through the darkness like a ray of sunshine.
“Everybody’s Friend” brings Ebony Reign to the track, a female rapper who tears into the record with fierceness, showing off a delivery that reminds us a lot of Eve. On the track, Ebony has had it with the fakes and they can kiss her ass. Later in the project, “Sassy Frassy” gives us a twinkling piano underlying a rough hip hop percussion as a man contemplates the single life or going after the girl.
As we write this, Lisa is preparing to go into a life threatening surgery which may permanently destroy her voice. So as you listen to this incredible collection of music, which gave us all the retro feels, keep Lisa in your thoughts.
Tracks:
Everyday Struggle
Voodoo
Hope in the Hood
Everybody’s Friend
Lord of the night
Instascam - Special Version
Unbroken
Sassy Frassy
Beast With Rage
Same Ladder
Victory is Mine
Street Queens
Fierce