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Styling Divine 3: Metal Gear Solid · by R.H.S.
We Pack Metal Thangs Just To Settle Thangs
For those of you just joining us, the Styling Divine series follow the exploits of adolescent New Jeruz microphone commando Divine and his journey towards musical excellence (he’ll have to document his aspirations towards spiritual or material greatness on his own). Last time I put a microscope on producer Verge‘s ongoing beat creation process but today’s focus is on emceeing.
Currently Divine and I are writing lyrics for a track that Verge produced that is tentatively titled “Real Shit” (there’s a vocal sample thrown in that pushed us in that direction). Now I know that this particular title and theme has been done to death but we plan to flip it in a manner that is thorough and insightful – I’ve constructed a verse that links themes of hellfire and floodwaters (you know, fall and absolution, attaining knowledge of self and rising like cream, that good ol’ stuff) and Divine has a stupendous verse in the works as well.
It’s refreshing to work with a younger emcee who looks forward to the challenge of making memorable music and has his finger on the pulse of contemporary culture. As I observe Divine and his friends hone their skills I’m continually struck by the way in which the local grass-roots rap scene has retained its foundational elements (the good with the bad) while embracing the global-tech avenues of promotion and branding (also, the good with the bad). When Divine noticed that OhWord readers were requesting that he show and prove on the mic ASAP, he sprang right into action (more on that in a minute). But don’t think for a second that he isn’t tearing it down like an emcee should in the concrete world.
Warfare’s inevitable; hot steel’s incredible
Case in point: recently I had the pleasure of witnessing Divine rip a hugely disrespectful challenger to shreds at an impromptu battle in front of the same multiplex where I first heard him rhyme. This particulare hoodlum eventually gave Divine his due props but only after he was referred to as “Radio” (the amicable retard played by Cuba Gooding Jr. in the feature film of the same name) in full view of his crew, who couldn’t help but laugh at the barb.
Back to the music – Divine and his producer/collaborator Slick recently recorded two promotional-style tracks for the denizens of OhWord and appended some messages/statements of purpose, presumably to brand and humanize their mission. Leave some constructive feedback if it striks your fancy – the next step will be to record Divine at Verge’s crib, possibly over some Dusty-Fingers breaks as a way to keep things moving while we tweak the more ambitious productions. I’ll report back sooner than later…
Divine “Promo #1” – Click To Download
Divine & Slick “Promo #2” – Click To Download
Comments for "Styling Divine 3: Metal Gear Solid"
Shit sounds promising so far. Always good to hear about your boy Divine.
— AaronM Apr 9, 03:52 AM
nice
— Liam Apr 9, 09:32 AM
Clean enunciation.
— J-Mass Apr 9, 10:10 AM
good stuff brah.
(love the Godzilla v Ultraman pic…my Pops tried to make me a Godzilla costume way back and I looked like an aligator with a beak)
— CommishCH Apr 9, 04:01 PM
love the feedbacck. thanxx alott. Look For “Evidence” Comming Soonnn<
——————->D*
— D*vine Apr 9, 09:45 PM
radio line sounded sick..keep up the good work
— big b Apr 9, 09:51 PM
Sounds pretty promising but I think you have a long way to go in terms of delivering stuff that people have never heard before. The rapping about rapping shadowbox shit talk generic punchline thing has been done to death at this point, and I sincerely hope you begin to push yourself in terms of putting actual ideas on the table. Sorry for the hate. Good luck.
— the dough Apr 10, 03:44 PM
I’m rooting for this kid, but y’all ain’t giving him nothing to work with. The first beat was okay, but it was a slow burner, didn’t give him a chance to showcase any verbal dexterity or a unique flow. The second beat was just bad in my opinion, the synth hurt my ears. I want to hear this kid on a beat where he can just go BEAST mode and rip it to pieces. R.H.S. keeps saying how nasty this cat is during a battle, but I don’t detect anything ferocious on these. I liked his opening verse on the first promo, just give him some fire beats and let him get bananas with his flow.
— coqui Apr 10, 10:30 PM
Coqui – The beats you’ve heard him rhyme over thus far were produced by his friend Slick. Verge is making beats for him that are in my opinion, a step above what you’ve heard and more fitting for different vocal approaches. Also regarding his delivery – he shined in the battle by being cold, not hype. He’s more from the Rakim school of delivery than the BDK one. I agree though that he should experiment and switch it up. We’ll see how he takes to that suggestion.
The Dough – I think your commentary is valid to an extent, I wouldn’t characterize it as “hate.” With that said, I would counter that a) There’s nothing inherently wrong with “rapping about rapping” – FUCK what some regional-fetishizing blogger has to say about the issue b) While the glut of generic battle rappers is not a group to emulate, neither is the even larger glut of pseudo-innovators who pursue being different for the sake of … difference. Divine is young and will hopefully skew towards innovation without sacrificing the foundation … give him time. As we develop complete songs together I imagine that the breadth of his subject matter will only increase, as he’s an intelligent, perceptive kid. I do agree that it is very easy to fade into the background nowadays if you stay too embedded in your comfort zone, and hopefully Divine will carefully weight the feedback he receives.
Thanks for taking the time to listen, folks, I know there are ten million other internet distractions out there and that you don’t have to review his rough drafts.
— R.H.S. Apr 11, 11:00 AM
RHS – looks like you found a kid with talent. the style, which he’s clearly still forming, is very early-to-mid-90s, which is great.
this is the early stages, but i feel there’s a lot to work with. i also liked how diviine DIDN’T sound like a battle rapper, which was my big concern. clearly thinking about how to construct verses, his lyrics. looking forward to the next installment.
good start, guys. keep up the hard work.
— London Apr 11, 08:07 PM
i get no feedbackk lmao =( im just a garbagee rapper man
— SLiCKK Apr 11, 11:51 PM