Nuclear Garden & The Blackface Jokah - The Legend of the Blackface Jokah Album
Also known as The Legend of the Blackface Jokah Album by Nuclear Garden & The Blackface Jokah, the album had plenty of humour throughout, and often a memorable palate. Nuclear Garden is a group led by a former comic book artist, and his style bleeds directly into his music. Not only do his words illustrate a story; but an accompanying comic book was included in package. The album’s concept is centered around a black man who is robbed and has ink thrown onto his face, transforming him into a superhero (The Blackface Jokah). Inspired by true events, the project was created as art therapy to deal with the black experience in America. Released on the 28th of February 2022, the result was a thoroughly enjoyable, albeit familiar, hip-hop record.
The Wu-tang influences are as clear as day on NiggaKnock; thankfully, the remaining album borrows from a multitude of styles, never stealing outright. General Card Reading’s flow is based around a frantic twirling guitar, before it detours in a comical soundscape, and back into a more demented version of its first section. Our Bad Karma’s varied, bizarre soundscape is a solid background to the progressive flow. The album is filled with many such creative examples in the composition department. Moreover, the vocals are distinct and memorable. Certain pronunciations of words rock their own memorable inflection. While the sound design is archaic, it’s pleasant. The beats hit hard with a sound cut straight from the 90’s. Sometimes the production is noticeably lacking, but it does the job. More importantly, the album concerns itself less with hooks, and more on free-flow verses. This choice results in a beautiful flow from the first track to the last.
My only real complaint on The Legend of the Blackface Jokah is that it relies heavily on its influences. Nuclear Garden ought to take a braver step on their next release. They’ve got the marketing down pat, but the sound design is lacking. Place any prominent west-side rapper from the 90’s over the instrumentals and you’d think it was genuine. Regardless, as an early work, there’s plenty of talent on show; the album comes with a solid recommendation to all fans of the genre.
Really Good
Listen to it here:
Nuclear Garden & The Blackface Jokah - The Legend of the Blackface Jokah Album
