Top tracks — play these first
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What Does It All Mean? — This opening track sets the tone with its introspective questioning, establishing a critical lens on the music industry that permeates the album.
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Acceptance Speech — In this track, Ill Bill tackles themes of recognition and validation in the hip-hop world, showcasing his lyrical depth while blending humor with seriousness.
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Vio-lence — This song exemplifies Ill Bill's ability to merge dark themes with catchy hooks, making a powerful statement about violence in society through incisive lyrics.
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How to Survive the Apocalypse — With its vivid imagery and urgent narrative, this track explores existential dread while employing a catchy beat that contrasts its heavy subject matter.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical themes and varied flows, contributing to its solid standing in underground hip-hop.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of heavy bass lines and sharp snares, creating a gritty soundscape that complements the lyrical content.
- Ill Bill employs varied flows across tracks, switching between rapid-fire delivery and more laid-back rhythms to emphasize different themes.
- Several tracks incorporate samples from classic hip-hop and rock, blending genres while maintaining a cohesive underground aesthetic.
- The sequencing includes interludes that provide commentary on the music industry, enhancing the thematic depth of the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing with steady intensity
- gritty reflections on urban struggles
- thought-provoking lyrics for contemplation
- consistent flow for deep listening
- engaging narrative through introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer upbeat party anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Grimy Awards marks Ill Bill's fifth studio album, following 2012's The Grimy Awards: A Celebration of Hip-Hop. At this point in his career, he was solidifying his reputation as a significant voice in underground hip-hop, utilizing his distinct style to push boundaries within the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Vinnie Paz· Aesop Rock· Tech N9ne
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 What Does It All Mean? 1:48
- 2 Paul Baloff 3:03
- 3 I Don't Know How Long It's Gonna Last 0:34
- 4 Acceptance Speech 3:54
- 5 Truth 3:59
- 6 Exploding Octopus 3:51
- 7 Forty Deuce Hebrew 4:52
- 8 How to Survive the Apocalypse 3:16
- 9 Vio-lence 3:46
- 10 Acid Reflux 3:23
- 11 L'Amour East 4:04
- 12 Power 3:19
- 13 When I Die 4:22
- 14 Severed Heads of State 3:06
- 15 120% Darkside Justice 3:29
- 16 Canarsie High 3:13
- 17 World Premier 4:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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