Diverse is a rapper you think you've heard before--not because this Chicago MC sounds similar to others, but because his presence is so powerful it seems impossible that this is only his first album. Intelligent without be... more »ing arrogant, conscious without being corny, Diverse also boasts two of the greatest assets any MC could ask for: an authoritative baritone and a confident flow. These help him keep up with some of the more seasoned rappers who appear on the album, including Vast Aire (formerly of Cannibal Ox), Lyrics Born, and Jean Grae. Complementing Diverse's superior lyricism is top-notch production courtesy of a holy trinity of underground favorites: Prefuse 73, Madlib, and RJD2. They push the album from raucously energetic to sinisterly moody to laid-back cool. At a mere 11 songs plus one skit, Diverse's debut accomplishes an unlikely feat in these days of overblown hype and rampaging ego: he leaves you wanting more. --Oliver Wang« less
Diverse is a rapper you think you've heard before--not because this Chicago MC sounds similar to others, but because his presence is so powerful it seems impossible that this is only his first album. Intelligent without being arrogant, conscious without being corny, Diverse also boasts two of the greatest assets any MC could ask for: an authoritative baritone and a confident flow. These help him keep up with some of the more seasoned rappers who appear on the album, including Vast Aire (formerly of Cannibal Ox), Lyrics Born, and Jean Grae. Complementing Diverse's superior lyricism is top-notch production courtesy of a holy trinity of underground favorites: Prefuse 73, Madlib, and RJD2. They push the album from raucously energetic to sinisterly moody to laid-back cool. At a mere 11 songs plus one skit, Diverse's debut accomplishes an unlikely feat in these days of overblown hype and rampaging ego: he leaves you wanting more. --Oliver Wang
Carl D. Foggey | Schweinfurt, Germany | 07/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am truly thankful to have purchased this album. Diverse is, without a doubt, one of the best MCs in the game (underground and mainstream). For this to be his first album is scary. I haven't heard a debut this potent since the likes of Nas' "Illmatic" and Little Brother's "The Listening". With a nearly perfect flow and lyrics that are flat out outstanding, he almost reminds me of Talib Kweli. The standout tracks on this album are "Uprock","Ain't Right", the introspective "Blindman", the melodic "Leaving", and the perfect song to end a album,"In Accordance". To be perfectly honest this is one of the best albums I have heard in a very long time and the sad part is the majority of Hip-Hop heads will never hear of him. I implore you to change that."
Unbelievable
cheerfree | Los Angeles, CA | 09/06/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As another reviewer said might happen, this was the CD that turned me into a true hip-hop believer. Diverse posesses mind-bending lyrical and rhythmic talents that must be heard to be believed."
Definately Classic Underground Rap/Hip-Hop Inspired Sic
William m Coles | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States | 05/25/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I mean this CHicago native is definately on the move. From the introduction you can feel that some relevant material is about to be exposed. And sure enough ......the collabo's with vaste aire, jean grae, with the exceptional word play and lyrical science and consciousness, Diverse's world. The tracks have a new found old school favor. I admit I had misplaced this joint but found it happily. Oh and "the eyes of a blind mind", is just a phenomenal track. It speaks volumes, hope you all are listening."
Dynamite from front to back
Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 05/04/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not even sure where I heard of Diverse, but boy am I glad that I discovered "One A.M."; an album that I'm loving more and more after every rotation. His flow is what makes this album so addictive. He possesses tongue twisting rhymes that could sustain the album's rhythm on their own. His flow is kind of like a see-saw, in a way that it sways back and forth gracefully in his delivery. It's easy to see his intellect upon first listen. His vocabulary is one of many, many words. It's actually possible to enjoy this album without paying attention to his mind-bending lyrics. But when they sink in, it's quite a treat. That adjustment period of "getting into" the album is much more pleasant than most complex hip-hop albums, mostly due to the variety in production and collaborative efforts.
There just isn't a wasted moment in the album's 41 minutes in length. The production is very different, and very accessible from most hip-hop albums. It's variety of trumpets, saxophones, keyboards, and guitar makes the album very appealing. The first cut, "Certified" serves as a great intro for his dense flow, which also features a funky guitar and bass line, accompanied by a sweet 70s style keyboard. "Uprock" is equally enjoyable. Then we get to "Big Game", a great collaboration with Vast Aire (Cannibal Ox). This is my first exposure to Lyrics Born ("Explosive"), he adds to the album nicely. But the album's best guest appearance is Jean Grae, on "Under The Hammer". That chick can flow with the best of them. The collaborative efforts on the album are very well done in comparison to some albums. They don't just get a chorus, they get a few verses, which is nice. A couple of my other favorites are "Blindman" and the sweet avant-garde jazz on "In Accordance".
Overall, I'm really digging the style that Diverse brings to the table. It's nothing that I've ever really heard before. Slowly but surely, Diverse's contribution is helping to put Chicago on the hip-hop map. I can't wait to hear his sophomore release, because this debut is absolutely stunning."