"Just remember ALL CAPS when you spell the man name" -MF DOOM
After the 10th anniversary of the goliath of an album that was created by MF DOOM and Madlib, Madvilliny, we've been gifted by a project involving each of these masters of Hip-Hop. Word of a new DOOM collaboration album stops everyone's heart for a second, the legendary MC/Producer has made name of himself that no one can fuck with. What appeals most about DOOM is how he can still be seen as under the radar, even though everyone who sees themselves as a Hip-Hop Head knows of him, DOOM still resides under the public's eye (Madvilllany, only peaking at the 117th spot on the Billboard 200, not like that matters), and due to this DOOM seems always more than willing to work with up and coming artists. This is where Bishop Nehru comes in. The 18 year old rapper really steps into the spotlight when working with DOOM, and though this album it begins to show off his talent at a young age.
Fist noticeable thing about this album is DOOM's beats, one of the major highlights of the album. While not as cohesive as albums like "Mm..Food", the general feel of NehrivianDOOM is mediation, spirituality, and finding yourself. Maybe finding one's self is what Bishop and DOOM wanted, with Bishop being so young this could be him finding his sound. Songs like 'Caskets' have Bishop reflecting on his career and life, with being so young in the game Bishop needs to prove his skill to stay in the game. 'Great Things' has Bishop reflecting on what he wants to do with the rest of his life, but not explicit saying what. Doing so, it gives Bishop high hops but nothing weighing him down.
It's no doubt Bishop has talent, but on some songs (Mean the Most, So Alone) you see his weakness: hooks. Even on 'Great Things' his hook feels repetitive and annoying, actually almost all of them do. If repeating the same three or four words is his version of a hook, then more power to him. The singing on 'Mean the Most' is probably the lowest point of the album, it's simply bad. When DOOM sings it sounds if he's trying to be bad, but when Bishop steps up to the mic it sounds like Bishop thinks he can sing. Bishop can always improve, and he should start with his hooks.
DOOM's few appearances on the album are what I was really looking forward too, which you can't blame a DOOM fan for. I understand that this was Bishop's time to shine, but a 50/50 DOOM/Bishop vocal album would have made to be interesting. Overall, the album holds up, with it only being 9 songs it feels more like an Extended EP than anything, but it holds up. I can't see the album growing on me more than it has, but who knows!
6/10