Backbreakanomics

Description

Backbreakanomics is the sophomore album by the American hip-hop duo Mars iLL (rapper/lyricist manCHILD and deejay/producer DJ Dust), released on Gotee Records in August 2003, distributed in US by Chordant Distribution. The album was produced by band member Dust except track 17 produced by Playdough. Mixed by Steve Lotz.

In early 2004 the band recorded a new album Pro Pain. It was scheduled for release in October 2004. Demos were circulated to the media. But then the release was postponed as the duo had to tweak and take some samples out for legal reasons. A new date was set. And again it was postponed. In May 2006, the album was finally released.

If you’re a hip-hop fan you’ll already have encountered the underground sound of the cleverly named Mars Ill. The duo of Greg Owens (Manchild) and Nate Correna (DJ Dust) have been creating uncompromising hip-hop for a while but now they break the surface with an album on American label Gotee Records. And what an album! With creative rhymes, well chosen samples and a selection of rhythms that separate them from the crowd, the duo are surely destined for great popularity. «Planes And Trains» is designed to establish their true hip-hop credentials whilst the disturbed rock feel of «PSA#428» neatly underpins the lyrical content of the song. This is a million miles from the pop pap rap fellow Gotee artist John Reuben and hopefully an indication that the American labels are seriously investing in hip-hop talent. Mars Ill belong in the premier league of Christian hip-hop and make music that is every bit as good as anything that’s out in the mainstream. [Mike Rimmer, Cross Rhythms, November 2003]

Mars Ill is an up and coming hip hop act that does its best to take the sounds of modern rap and mix it with old school styles a la Public Enemy. Since I have known DJ Dust since he was 14, this comes as no surprise to me, having watched him recite the album It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back from memory.

Backbreakanomics treads familiar ground, in that it portrays pictures of street life («Alpha Male», «The Calm Before»), but also shows some insight and different perspectives on the Christian life as well («Inside Out», «Sideline Speech»). «Speech» in particular speaks of the need for people to act, rather than talk and watch. «Eighty-Eight» is a shout out to a local indie radio station in Atlanta, a dying breed.

«Black Box Artist (Boom Bap)» is a homage to old school rappers. Vocalist Manchild takes an old lyric, restructures it to fit his style, and makes it his own with a more modern soundtrack. «Breathe Slow» takes a long view of life, hoping for perspective. «Planes and Trains» features Pigeon John (LA Symphony) on guest vocals. «Let Me» could be the companion piece to «Sideline Speech», spurring the singer to action in taking the lead to fix problems, rather than bemoaning his fate and waiting for someone else to help.

It should be noted that I am not a fan of hip hop, but Mars Ill speaks in such a way that I temporarily forget that while listening to Backbreakanomics. DJ Dust works seamlessly in mixing the music samples in, while Manchild’s vocals complement them well. Much like Arrested Development in the 90’s, this could be the group that breaks through my anti-hip hop bias. [Brian A. Smith, The Phantom Tollbooth, 1/4/2004]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/backbreakanomics/1533114985)

CD tracklist:

01. Eighty Eight
02. Breathe Slow
03. Planes And Trains (feat. Blueprint and Pigeon John)
04. Afterlife
05. Black Box Artist (Boom Bap)
06. Inside Out
07. Enterchange
08. Let Me
09. Alpha Male
10. PSA #428
11. Freeze Framework
12. Sideline Speech (feat. Bigg Jus)
13. Next Door
14. Piecemeal
15. Stepson
16. Sunstep
17. Lump Sum
18. The Calm Before
19. He

Note: CD released in Jewelcase in a cardboard slipcase. Also released as a 12-inch vinyl double LP.

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