Search - Capital D & The Molemen :: Writer's Block: Movie

One of hip hop's best in 2002

carterfactor | Toronto | 11/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Writer's Block is a tribute to the art of storytelling in hip hop. This is not to place emphasis on whether the actual stories told are fabricated or not (a strange trend in hiphop). It's more a return to hip hop's roots... the streets.

All the elements of a hip hop story are there. The neighborhood block. The violence, drugs, racism and poverty that surrounds the block. The characters who have to overcome these obstacles just to sustain the hope of living a normal life. Some take the quick route of crime and sex while others wisely choose to travel the safer, morally-guided path. It's the life-lessons contained within these opposing perspectives that fascinate the average hiphop listener.

Capital D is a master storyteller. His tales of Chicago city life hold your attention from start to finish. "Crossfire" and "Currency Exchange" seem like your typical crime stories. The former focuses on youth violence and its absolute senselessness. The latter a tale about corrupt cops interestingly told using a basketball anology. Not all the songs are crime-driven, though. "Young Girl Lost" centers around a female subject with big dreams of leaving the block but is unaware of any legitimate means to meet that end. "Mrs. Manley," the standout track, is an emotional tribute to that rare and special supportive figure. The beat is nicely laced with a simple but dramatic piano loop.The Molemen, the team behind the boards, create a nice nostalic feel using distorted samples and 90s eastcoast-beats. This album wouldn't feel out of place if it were released 10 years ago or 10 years from now. It really has that classic feel.

Don't sleep on one of the better hip hop offerings of 2002.

Peace,
carterfactor"

Still in the rotation after a year of listening...

troolivin | 06/04/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Truly one of the greatest hip-hop concept albums ever, the structure and form of the work as a whole is complicated and fascinating from a writer's point of view. Capital D not only tells stories of the streets didactically, he weaves different facets of the recurring characters into the lyrics in such a way that each person's story is enriched by what the others bring to it. He is truly a writer's writer and an inspiration.

The beats are spare and accessible, perfectly blending with the timeless feel of the lyrics. This is not music you'll hear bumping in a club, however Mos Def gives it a nod (by nicking the beat complete with breaking glass from Judgment Day) on Napoleon Dynamite from his latest, True Magic, proving this album inspires and has relevance five years later. No matter how many times I listen to it, I find something new - it's like reading one of Borges' short stories - with a fresh and deeper understanding every time. Perfect."

GOGO Finest Producer

Michel Mees | Ekeren, Antwerp BELGIUM | 04/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm surprised only 2 reviews have been submitted for this very solid album. capital D is one of those rare rappers that also produce most of their own tracks. I've always felt he was the new school Diamond D for the previous reason but also cause they both mostly rap bout social issues. I got all the Molemen & All Natural releases and I must say this is one of my favourite."