Album of the Year 2016 #01: Ka - Honor Killed the Samurai - HipHop | HipHop Channel

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Album of the Year 2016 #01: Ka - Honor Killed the Samurai - HipHop

Album of the Year 2016 #01: Ka - Honor Killed the Samurai - HipHop

Album of the Year 2016 #01: Ka - Honor Killed the Samurai

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 09:01 AM PST

Artist: Ka

Album: Honor Killed the Samurai

Listen:

YouTube

Spotify

Apple Music

Background

Kaseem Ryan, or Ka, hails from the Brownsville neighbourhood of Brooklyn. Through much of the 90s, Ka existed on the peripheries of the hip hop world, his search for recognition proving mostly futile. Ka was briefly part of the Natural Elements Crew, his most notable appearance coming on "I Mean This". After Natural Elements failed to obtain a record deal, Ka left the group, feeling personal guilt regarding this failure.

The next step in Ka's journey came in the form of Nightbreed, a duo he formed with fellow rapper and close friend Kev in 1998. Once again, Ka progressed no further than an unheralded demo tape, featuring the semi-cult-classic "2 Roads Out The Ghetto".

Ka was one of many victims of a musical climate governed by record labels, and after failing to gain even a semblance of success, he turned his back on hip hop. For 10 years Ka existed in a state of forced complacency regarding his musical ambitions, committing to civilian life. Notably, he rose to the position of Captain in the Fire Department of New York, a position he occupies to this day.

In 2007, Ka self released his debut album, Iron Works. This was not a renewed bid at the fame he had long since abandoned, Iron Works served merely as a passion project by Ka, something he intended to gift to his friends and family. Inadvertently, Iron Works made its way to the GZA. An elite lyricist himself, GZA found himself thoroughly impressed by Ka's intricate and unique rhyming style. Ka was invited to record with GZA, his contributions eventually taking the form of the Roc Marciano-produced "Firehouse", a solo Ka song appearing on GZA's 2008 album Pro Tools.

Although this was the principal factor buoying the resumption of his hip hop dreams, it was only four years later in 2012 that Ka proved himself a concrete force within the genre. Grief Pedigree, completely self-produced and self-released, served as Ka's introduction to those who paid attention, and through this album and its follow-up The Night's Gambit, Ka built up a steady following and some well-deserved critical attention.

Early in 2016, Ka released the promotional singles "30 Keys" and "Grapes of Wrath". These songs, not tied to any project, served as a means of portraying Ka's current musical and emotional frame of mind.

Honor Killed the Samurai, released on Ka's own Iron Works record label on the 13 August 2016, is Ka's 4th solo album, and his 6th major project. As is tradition for Ka, he used the release date to sell copies hand to hand, interacting with his fans.

After taking a hiatus from production duties, with Preservation producing 2014's 1200 BC and 2015's Days With Dr. Yen Lo, Honor Killed the Samurai sees Ka returning to his traditional style of controlling every facet of his music.

On this album, Ka draws from a variety of Japanese samples, exploring the parallels between the titular Samurai culture and the grim world of crime and poverty Ka has chronicled throughout his career.

No stranger to minimalism within his music, Honor sees Ka taking the bold measure of excluding drums from his productions, this done in a bid to accentuate the weight of Ka's words.

Accompanying the release of the album was an animated video for the song "Just", with this visual serving as an excellent means of portraying the ideas explored within Ka's music.

In the aftermath of the album's release, Ka made a rare public appearance, giving an insightful lecture for the Red Bull Music Academy.

While still far removed from the mainstream, Honor adds to Ka's gradual rise in esteem amongst those who value lyricism and ingenuity within hip hop, receiving high praise from multiple respected publications.

Review

One of the most difficult feats for any musician to accomplish is the creation of an album that offers the listener appropriate insight into the mind of the artist, while avoiding a potentially obnoxious isolation from the broader world. It is just as easy to fall into the trap of self-aggrandisement as it is to create a work that feels shallow and impersonal. On Honor Killed the Samurai, Ka paints the portrait of a world that is all too real, and closely examines his own place within this world.

Ka describes the process behind his albums as one of catharsis, a way for him to release the turmoil inside him before it builds up to the point of danger. Naturally, this process reflects in the nature of Ka's lyrics. Pain is an unavoidable constant in life, and it is at the centre of Ka's work. Extending past his lyrics, Ka's delivery echoes his state of mind. His flow is slow and deliberate, he never raises his voice or begs for your attention. At points on the album, there are audible cracks in his voice.

Honor Killed the Samurai is the rare album that exemplifies the ethos of a musical era gone-by without ever feeling like cheap revivalism. It sounds New York, it sounds "hip hop", but it simultaneously builds on its influences to create a work that can not be so simply classified. The production here exists far outside the realm of boom bap one might expect an artist such as Ka to inhabit, and occupies unmatched sonic territory. A significant portion of this album is devoid of the drums that so often serve as a staple within hip hop production. Ka allows his voice to serve as the chief means of percussion. Ka's art is in his words, and he does his utmost to ensure that these words carry the weight they merit. It is in this unity between all facets of the music that Honor Killed the Samurai shines. The lyrics, vocals, production and vocal samples all enhance each other, and in doing so contribute to Ka's vivid creation.

The opening track, "Conflicted", serves as an effective introduction to Ka's philosophy. Duality is at the heart of this album. Ka proclaims himself to have "always been conflicted." While these tales are grim and wrought with pain, they also form the foundation of Ka's upbringing, and these experiences define his identity as a man. There is no glorification to be found on Honor, but neither is Ka consumed by condemnation. The result is an intimate portrait that refuses to pigeon-hole its subject matter. At no point does Ka shy away from the darkness surrounding the people and places he chronicles, yet at no point does the album lose the 'human element' at its core. The lines that best exemplify this are not found on Honor Killed the Samurai, coming from "To Hull and Back" off of Ka's 1200 BC.

You named them hustlers, killers, fiends, ex-cons

I called them cousins, aunts, pops, moms

To you? Hoodlums, crackheads, gunmens

To me? Just neighbors, classmates, young friends

Frequently, praise is doled out to artists who are "relatable." I think that the most accurate measure of an artist's ability is not simply creating work that might directly resonate with its listeners by force of sheer coincidence, but rather comes in the creation of work that is able to foster a sense of empathy and understanding even in the presence of foreign subject matter. This is where Ka's talents come to the forefront. One might not have any personal experience with the stories he is telling, but that doesn't hinder the resonance he is able to transmit by melding universal themes with acute social commentary.

The idea of necessity is one that surrounds Honor Killed the Samurai. On "Just", Ka proclaims "To get what we need, we did what we must." This is a theme that echoes throughout the album. Ka details the hardship he has endured, and laments the choices he was forced to make, but the story of Ka, for better or for worse, is that of survival. Ka has emerged from his predatory environment, and through this has been irrevocably changed. He may not have taken pleasure in his actions, but he persisted for the sheer sake of his having to persist. It is in this experience where Ka's unique perspective manifests. He is not the enthusiastic mafioso, and nor is he the powerless victim of circumstance. Ka represents the unacknowledged majority, he speaks for the humans behind the constant barriers between different facets of society.

This necessity is present not only within the world Ka constructs, but can also be found within the structure of the album itself. At 10 tracks and 36 minutes, Honor Killed the Samurai does not overstay its welcome. This is not an all-purpose album, Ka himself asks the listener to give the album their undivided attention, it is a short burst of unadulterated hip hop.

On a more microscopic level, Ka's chief strength as an MC is his unmatched gift for concision. The curse of the lyrical rapper is frequently a lack of focus and the sometimes problematic "rapping for the sake of rapping." Ka's work is the antithesis of this. Every line on this album links to the next, every word Ka utters can be directly linked to the message of the song as well as to the broader thematic concepts behind the album. Ka knows his message and he knows how he wants to convey it, and every detail in Honor Killed the Samurai is geared towards serving a specific purpose.

Seeing as this is a hip hop album, it is important to take note of the technical qualities that make Ka an exceptional rapper. Each of these songs is packed with dexterous multi-syllabic rhymes, as Ka employs poetic techniques as a means of enhancing his message. His use of assonance and alliteration allow him to change the tempo of his delivery at a moment. His individual lines are written with the intention of being picked apart, and close analysis makes Honor Killed the Samurai an even more rewarding experience. Ka is equal parts poet and technician, the power of his words is matched by the force provoking their delivery.

Honor Killed the Samurai is not an album that can be enjoyed by anyone at any time. It is dark and dense, challenging, and perhaps even off-putting to the first time listener. In the short term, these factors may work against it, but I believe that in time this album will cultivate the legacy its quality merits. Ka is a writer at his pinnacle, and his unique ability to document his world deserves universal respect, if not universal adoration.

Favourite Lyrics by /u/mikeest

Crooked in the town with a crew of raw people

That'll put you in the ground for the root of all evil

Kill in the building, the proof is in the bricks

We revel in the present like the future don't exist

Trying to find a reason I'm still alive breathin'

I wanna heal my inner child, it's been a while grievin'

Ones dropped from cocked semis and clapped with the fours

Can't remember none of my members gone from natural cause

Guess I was destined, my progression is evident

Want the best, so it test 'til I rest in the sediment

Was steady pride, try to show you every side

I give it life, but write like I already died

No petty fray, every day I hail the truth

Let it spray, never say Ka failed the youth

  • "That Cold and Lonely"

So I stood on mine, during the hoodest time

Was a nightmare, felt like life here was as good as dying

We was born in the thorns, few arose

Once a town's noose, now in soundproofs pursuing golds

What you minin' for? If unaware share with blind and poor

You tellin' stories that's celebratory in times of war

With bars of greed, I plead, how many cars you need?

When fathers bleed to fill ribs of kids that hardly read

Fuck your little rhymes, and the new finds you purchased

If you ain't buyin' no soup for them soup lines and churches

  • "$"

Hard to take high road when down in the gutter

Stop the flow, I pop and go with the pound and the cutter

Rule the streets faceless, dodgin' police bracelets

Draw weapons before jettin', the shells don't leave traces

The routes I scored I doubt the Lord ever condone

Steps was reckless, reppin' for precious metals and stone

But now knowledge power, this assemblance evidence shown

Walk with ghosts of close family and friends, I'm never alone

Virtually so thirsty my eyes watered

Served on curbs where they bought it, no gods lorded

I wrote flesh, sold death is morbid

Was on the scene you only seen what press reported

Truly there's beauty in this ugly

Scared to put seeds in the uterus that love me

Growing, knowing my roots indeed rotten

Producing bad fruits, all my family tree's dropping

Motion picture scripture, every song scored

They want grief, unsheath the long sword

It's hindsight of the fights I've endured

In my twilight, getting right with the lord

Get down for the crown, even if it got thorns

Fights are final when might is primal we lock horns

Won't dupe the block you shoot to stop no shots warned

Never slack cause attack first time we spot yawns

Discussion Questions

1) What is the place of lyricism in present-day hip hop? Will writers such as Ka always hold a place of admiration?

2) Do rappers have a responsibility to paint a more balanced picture of their socio-economic surroundings? Is "glorification" wrong?

3) What makes an album enjoyable to you? Can you find enjoyment in pieces of work that are intentionally desolate?

4) Are misguided attempts at revivalism the reason that New York hip hop has lost relevance?

5) Is hip hop too cluttered by excess, both musically and in terms of content?

submitted by /u/mikeest
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Kendrick Lamar and Young Thug performed together last night for NYE

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 10:59 AM PST

[FRESH] Tory Lanez - The New Toronto 2 AND Chixtape 4

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[FRESH MIXTAPE] Chief Keef - Two Zero One Seven

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BIGQUINT Run the Jewels 3 First Raction

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Young Thug is supporting Drake on his European tour this year.

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New Gucci x Metro Track Coming Out Midnight ET

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 04:17 PM PST

NEW YEARS DAY 2017 GENERAL DISCUSSION THREAD

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 10:06 AM PST

2017 is lit 🔥

NSFW: r/HipHopGoneWild

submitted by /u/TheHHHRobot
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Posted: 01 Jan 2017 11:26 AM PST

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BJ The Chicago Kid - His Pain (feat. Kendrick Lamar). Originally this was supposed to be on Section.80 as an intro to “Kush & Corinthians”

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 12:05 PM PST

I Dropped A Song W/ Saba For My 20th Birthday That's Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 09:19 PM PST

Best Verse: Special Edition, Week 93 - Best Verse of 2016

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 01:43 PM PST

Its a best verse special edition!

Special Edition Background: In this thread we will vote for the best verse of 2016. Submit and upvote your favorite verse of the year, please no downvoting!

Past 20 Week Results:

.....
Week 72 - Big Pun - "Twinz(Deep Cover '98)" - verse 1
Week 73 - 2 Chainz - "Mercy" - verse 4
Week 74 - Young Jeezy - "Seen It All" - verse 1
Week 75 - Denzel Curry - "Ultimate" - verse 2
Week 76 - Cam'Ron - "Down and Out" - verse 3
Week 77 - Isaiah Rashad - "Heavenly Father" - verse 3
Week 78 - Fabolous - "Wolves in Sheep Clothing" - verse 1
Week 79 - YG - "Twist My Fingaz" - verse 1
Week 80 - Gucci Mane - "Steady Mobbin" - verse 2
Week 81 - Mick Jenkins - "P's & Q's" - verse 1
Week 82 - Curren$y - "Airborne Aquarium" - verse 1
Week 83 - Meek Mill - "Dreams and Nightmares Intro" - verse 1
Week 84 - Killer Mike - "A Christmas Fucking Miracle" - verse 2
Week 85 - Future - "Codeine Crazy" - verse 2
Week 86 - El-P - "The Last Huzzah REMIX" - verse 5
Week 87 - Kodak Black - "No Flockin" - verse 1
Week 88 - De La Soul - "Stakes is High" - verse 3
Week 89 - Kevin Gates - "Angels" - verse 1
Week 90 - Q-Tip - "Excursions" - verse 1
Week 91 - Migos - "Bad and Boujee" - verse 1
Week 92 - Del The Funky Homosapien - "3030" verse 3

Please provide links with your votes!

Post your favorite verses here!

remember just because a verse may be iconic that does necessarily mean it's their best verse.

And as usual taking suggestions for next week

Spotify playlist for /r/HHH's Best Verse of 2015

Spotify playlist for top 5 best verses for every week!

submitted by /u/KHDTX13
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Maxo Kream announces new music releasing in 2017

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Yasiin Bey: December 99th Pitchfork Review

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Tory Lanez - The New Toronto [NO DJ]

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Capital Cities - Farrah Fawcett Hair ft. André 3000

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Snoop Dogg & The Doors - Riders On The Storm (NFS Underground 2 Soundtrack)

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XXXTENTACION - I don't wanna do this anymore

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Best Beats: Special Edition, Week 23 - Best Beats of 2016

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 01:47 PM PST

It's a best beast special edition!

Special Edition background: Submit your favorite beats of 2016 here.

IMPORTANT TIPS BEFORE VOTING:

  1. All Votes must provide a one-two sentence justification for it to be counted.

  2. Remember to provide links!

  3. One vote per comment as well.

Past 20 Week Results:

Week 2 - J Dilla - "J Dilla - Time: The Donut of Heart"
Week 3 - Metro Boomin - "Travis Scott - Sky Fall"
Week 4 - Madlib - "Freddie Gibbs - Thuggin'"
Week 5 - Just Blaze - "Jay Electronica - Exhibit C"
Week 5 - Dr. Dre - "Dr. Dre - Still Dre"
Week 6 - RZA - "GZA - 4th Chamber"
Week 7 - Noah "40" Shebib - "Drake - Tuscan Leather"
Week 8 - Pharrell Williams/The Neptunes - "Clipse - Grindin"
Week 9 - DJ Premier - "Royce da 5'9 - Boom"
Week 10 - Zaytoven - "Future - Oooooh"
Week 11 - The Alchemist - "Mac Miller - Red Dot Music"
Week 12 - Mike Will Made It - "Future - Move That Dope"
Week 13 - DJ Dahi - "Kendrick Lamar - Money Trees"
Week 14 - Knxwledge - "Kendrick Lamar - Momma"
Week 15 - Timbaland - "JAY Z - Big Pimpin'"
Week 16 - Swizz Beatz - "DMX - Ruff Ryders Anthem"
Week 17 - Flying Lotus - "Flying Lotus - Never Catch Me"
Week 18 - Hit-Boy - "JAY Z & Kanye West - Niggas in Paris"
Week 19 - Pete Rock - "Pete Rock & CL Smoth - T.R.O.Y."
Week 20 - 9th Wonder - "Anderson .Paak - The Season/Carry Me"
Week 21 - El-P - "Cannibal Ox - Iron Galaxy"
Week 22 - Boi-1da - "Drake - Pound Cake"

Post your favorite beats of 2016 (with links) here!

remember just because a beat may be iconic that does necessarily mean it's their best beat.

taking suggestions for next week

submitted by /u/KHDTX13
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Smooth Sunday. Post your smooth tracks here.

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 01:46 PM PST

Let's start the year off right. Give us that smooth shit to vibe to today. One Love.

submitted by /u/downtothegwound
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Documentary about the making of Fugees - The Score

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Ab-Soul - The Law ft. Mac Miller & Rapsody

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Hip-Hop First Week Sales Numbers - Final Chart

Posted: 01 Jan 2017 11:19 AM PST

Rank Artist Album Pure Sales Sales + Streaming
1 Drake Views 829K 1.075M
2 Beyonce Lemonade 501K 664K
3 J. Cole 4 Your Eyez Only 378K 511K
4 Frank Ocean Blonde 232K 278K
5 The Weeknd Starboy 228K 366K
6 Bruno Mars 24K Magic 190K 226K
7 Various Artists The Hamilton Mixtape 171K 190K
8 Kendrick Lamar untitled unmastered 144K 182K
9 Rihanna Anti 125K 172K
10 A Tribe Called Quest We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service 111K 136K
11 Future Evol 108K 139K
12 Kevin Gates Islah 90K 112K
13 Childish Gambino Awaken, My Love 76K 107K
14 Jeezy Trap Or Die 3 71K 87K
15 DJ Khaled Major Key 59K 96K
16 ScHoolboy Q Blankface LP 52K 77K
17 Wiz Khalifa Khalifa 50K 71K
18 Solange A Seat At The Table 46K 72K
19 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis This Unruly Mess I've Made 46K 56K
20 Alicia Keys Here 46K 55K
21 Yo Gotti The Art Of The Hustle 45K 59K
22 Travis Scott Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight 44K 89K
23 Meek Mill DC4 44K 83K
24 Gucci Mane Everybody Looking 44K 70K
25 Big Sean & Jhene Aiko TWENTY88 40K 48K
26 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne Collegrove 35K 51K
27 Mac Miller The Divine Feminine 34K 49K
28 Tech N9ne The Storm 32K 37K
29 Tory Lanez I Told You 31K 53K
30 PARTYNEXTDOOR PARTYNEXTDOOR 3 29K 50K
31 YG Still Brazy 28K 39K
32 Kid Cudi Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin' 25K 48K
33 The Game 1992 24K 31K
34 A$AP Ferg Always Strive And Prosper 23K 37K
35 Young Thug Slime Season 3 22K 36k
36 Post Malone Stoney 20K 59K
37 Flatbush Zombies 3001 A Laced Odyssey 19K 24K
38 Young Thug Jeffery 17K 41K
39 Yo Gotti White Friday (CM9) 17K 28K
40 Run The Jewels Run The Jewels 3 17K 18K
41 Young Thug I'm Up 16K 23K
42 Gucci Mane The Return Of East Atlanta Santa 15K 33K
43 Rae Sremmurd Sremmlife 2 15K 30K
44 De La Soul And The Anonymous Nobody 15K N/A
45 Common Black America Again 13K 16K
46 Aesop Rock The Impossible Kid 13K 15K
47 Isaiah Rashad The Sun's Tirade 12K 21K
48 Atmosphere Fishing Blues 12K 13K
49 Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa & TM88 The Rude Awakening 11K 17K
50 The Game Streets Of Compton 10K 13K
51 Joe Budden Rage & The Machine 10K 12K

FAQ:

Q: Source?

A: http://hitsdailydouble.com/building_album_chart

Q: How is this list sorted?

A: It's sorted by pure sales

Q: Where is X album?

A: Only albums with 10K in pure sales are listed

Q: What about "The Life Of Pablo"?

A: It didn't have any sales first week as it was a Tidal exclusive. It had 90K in sales+streaming

Q: Where can I find last year's list?

A: Right here

Discussion Points

  • Who sold more/less than you thought?
  • Does x artist sell more or less with their next album?
  • How much would TLOP have sold?
  • Is it easier or more difficult to do numbers with streaming?
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[FRESH] Playboi Carti- Another Day ft. Lamb$

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