There are so many levels to the realm of lyricism and its role in hip-hop music’s history. Though lyricism is often crowned the jewel of rap’s construct, successful rap first and foremost requires a balance between production and penmanship. Between rhythm and poetry. In this arena, there is no exact formula and each artist is different. In the modern scene especially, lyricism and deep-rooted thought often come second to production and overall vibe. In eras past and certainly eras future, the favorited balance will again shift towards the lyrically-endowed. It’s cyclical. But, in a current hip-hop scene that has grown into the world’s most popular mega-genre, there is at any given point, enough space for anyone with any approach inventive and impressive enough to make it. Even the most contemplative and conscious artists can deliver a masterful project and receive deserved praise from a crowd of their making. 

 

Just look at Noname’s political, poetic, pensive Room 25.

 

It’s also what we’re seeing with philosopher-rapper-vast-creative, Milo and his new album, budding ornithologists are weary of tired analogies. The project, as could have been guessed from its title, is not an ordinary one. Strewn with understated and academic lower-case titling, the tracks themselves bubble over with hard-boiled ideologies and profound songwriting. 

 

As with any project so drastically book-ended in its approach – whether heavily experimental in production or like this one, over-cooked with lyrical focus – boawota is polarizing to the max. But, it’s also incredibly well done and its oftentimes backdropping production should not be discounted only because it takes a backseat to Milo’s delivery. 

 

At the end of the day, hip-hop is all about balance, and Milo’s boawota provides that at a macro scale where projects like Astroworld act as its counter. The lyrical dynamo should not only be respected for his unique take, but also celebrated in its mastery and inventiveness on display. 

 

Any fan of the lyrical tradition and the underground is sure to find home and possibly even a new favorite project here.