An Album I Care About Today

Written by Rizoh. Posted in Gumbo

Published on February 10, 2008 with 8 Comments">8 Comments

akrobatik-cover.jpg

I first heard of Akrobatik in 2001, a year after the arrival of his debut EP titled, well, The EP. His song “Internet MCs” was popular in the underground circle. I, being knee deep in text-battling at the time, had mixed reactions to lyrics like “You ain’t a MC just because you could type/On the mic in real life your ass’ll get sniped.” In 2003, however, Ak made an indelible impression with his first full-length, Balance. One of the songs on Balance would end up becoming my favorite rap song ever. If you’ve never heard Akrobatik’s “Remind My Soul,” stop reading this and get to googling right away.

Anyhow, it’s great to see Ak back on his grind after a 5-year hiatus (not counting the Perceptionists’ group album Black Dialogue). I’ve been bumping his latest joint, Absolute Value for a couple of weeks now and like fine wine, it gets better with time. It’s loaded with fresh cuts and the guest lineup is unbelievable. Proceed for the tracklist and a couple of audios.


Akrobatik – Absolute Value Tracklist

  1. A to the K (feat. B-Real, prod. Illmind)
  2. Soul Glo (prod. Da Beatminerz)
  3. Put Ya Stamp On It (f/Talib Kweli, prod. J Dilla)

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  4. Step it Up (prod. Hezekiah)
  5. Rain (f/Brenna Gethers, prod. Illmind)
  6. Be Prepared (f/Little Brother, prod. 9th Wonder)

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  7. Absolute Value (prod. J-Zone)
  8. Black Hell Breaks Loose (f/Therapy & Willie Evans Jr., prod. Therapy)
  9. Kindred (f/Chuck D, prod. Illmind)
  10. Front Steps Pt. II (Tough Love) (prod. Tzarizm)
  11. Beast Mode (f/Mr. Lif, prod. Fakts One)
  12. If We Can’t Build (f/Freddie Foxxx, prod. Illmind)
  13. Ak B. Nimble (prod. Baba Izreal)
  14. Back Home to You (prod. Therapy)

In stores February 19th.

TRU

Rizoh

Rizoh is the most powerful man in all the lands. He lives in Houston where he earned a BS in Nerf Herding. He's the founder of The Rap Up, the editor of Roc4Life.com, and is in the Grammy-awaiting band Pervertable Disciples.

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  • khal

    i need this. put ya stamp on it is that shit.

  • khal

    i need this. put ya stamp on it is that shit.

  • AaronM

    “Remind My Soul” is such a great song. Ak is very underrated.
    My jaw dropped at that lineup too.
    Props for getting Chuckie D, Bumpy & B-Real on there, too.
    Damn.

  • AaronM

    “Remind My Soul” is such a great song. Ak is very underrated.
    My jaw dropped at that lineup too.
    Props for getting Chuckie D, Bumpy & B-Real on there, too.
    Damn.

  • J to the AAP

    That lineup is insane! Definitely gonna check for this, The Perceptionists album was criminally slept on imo.

  • J to the AAP

    That lineup is insane! Definitely gonna check for this, The Perceptionists album was criminally slept on imo.

  • Big Rils

    Ak has been my man since I saw him and Mr. Lif rock the back of a tower records when i was in high school in ’97. Those were the type of dudes who were always happy to kick it after a set and sign some stickers or cds or whatever. I also gave ‘em props back in the day for always trying to open up their shows to the underage fans. A few years later we even got a drop from him for our radio show in Boston.

    Glad to see him finally getting his due.

  • Big Rils

    Ak has been my man since I saw him and Mr. Lif rock the back of a tower records when i was in high school in ’97. Those were the type of dudes who were always happy to kick it after a set and sign some stickers or cds or whatever. I also gave ‘em props back in the day for always trying to open up their shows to the underage fans. A few years later we even got a drop from him for our radio show in Boston.

    Glad to see him finally getting his due.

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