New York, NY (Top40 Charts) "
Iam That Iam" is the title of female Hip Hop artist La'Vega's latest project, and it is not what you expect.
Every artist at some point in their career releases a project that catches new listeners and fans off guard, like Jay Z's "4:44", or Kanye's "Jesus Is King". These projects usually has the artists exploring topics and issues outside of current trends.
La'Vega, a Bronx, New York, raised female Rapper, has never shied away from personal or sensitive topics; just listen to "Freed Raven", "
Take Me Higher", or " Nappy". On this new mixtape, however, the female MC dives head first into socioeconomic, political, and religious topics. In one song she even Raps about keeping the Covenant: "a formal alliance or agreement made by God with a religious community or with humanity in general"; we had to Google that to find out what it was.
The lead track of the mixtape, "Black Power", has a catchy 90s era Hip Hop beat that is sure to get your head nodding, and her bars are as sharp as ever: "Puffy sheep hair, I know you peep the natural beauty boo, portray us like we're ugly, I'm a show you what this cutie do, don't need the fine texture, I'm a show you what this doobie do, looking like a snack, will have you calling out like Scooby-Doo". Her wordplay and flow on the introduction of this track is top notch. The next two tracks, 2. "Cursed" and 3. "No Different", are stand out tracks as well, and maybe the best on "
Iam That Iam".
After track 3. "No Different",
La'Vega really gets religious. The next track 4. "Bad To The Bone", is a laid back and groovy song dedicated to Yahweh; the name of God for the Jews in the Bible. In this song La'Vega goes down some of the commandments from the Bible. If you've forgotten some of the commandments, don't worry, she will have you singing a couple of them by the end of the song. Throughout the entire mixtape La'Vega tackles social issues that listeners will probably never hear anywhere else. You will hear Raps about
Black inventors not getting credit for their inventions; very real and true, and she paints a stark but true picture of
Black and Brown people living in the inner cities, struggling to make sense of their reality.
On track 5. "Swallow Up The Rich"; which is a quote from a Tupac and Kendrick Lamar interview, La'Vega rides the classic "Doo-Wop" instrumental that Lauryn Hill Rapped over in the late 90s. On track 6. "Less Conversations", La'Vega raps and flows in a melodic and laid back style, describing where she is currently at emotionally and mentally, and how she is at peace. In fact she Raps that at this point the only things that worry her are Black Men and Police. The final track 7. "
I Wonder", is a very creative song that features La'Vega Rapping in an unorthodox flow-switching it up every now and then, and finishing off her verses with a hook that you have to hear to appreciate.
"
Iam That Iam" will be released on November 12th on all music streaming stores. It is not what you expect from La'Vega, and especially not what you'll hear from any female Hip Hop artists in this day and time. It's unapologetically raw, truthful, very creative, and different; all at the same time. You will either love it, or pass it by.
