Album of the Week #17: Canserbero - Muerte
This is Album of the Week #18 ~ This week's album is Canserbero - Muerte
Year of Release: 2012
Genre(s): Conscious Hip Hop
Country: Venezuela
Length: 70 minutes
RYM | Listen! (Album.Link)
RYM review by ligetifan137:
When you go to Venezuela, caserbero is everywhere you go. His mark not only on the Venezuelan rap scene but worldwide is so tangible it's almost impossible to process he is gone. The power with which he delivers each line, with so much anger as he describes such raw descriptions of daily venezuelan life is haunting, it's so poetic yet so realistic. He was very well read, which can be seen all through out the numerous references of various thinkers as well as laying a very grim philosophical and political groundwork present all around Venezuela. The concept of this album functions perfectly, each song flows so nicely and feels very natural. Even though the beats can be a but repetitive and under produced, they are so overshadowed by his performance you almost forget they're there: it's as if he's speaking to you face to face. A legend to many, gone too soon. Rest in peace
Discussion points:
Have you heard this artist/album before? Is this your first time hearing?
Do you enjoy this genre? Is this an album you would have chosen?
Does this album remind you of something you've heard before?
What were the album's strengths or weaknesses?
Was there a standout track for you?
How did you hear the album? Where were you? What was your setup?
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Hip Hop is unfortunately a genre that doesn't do well crossing language barriers. I've listened to my fair share of 'foreign language' Hip Hop and do try and lookup lyrics where I can to get a feel for it (unfortunately it seemed most of what I found went through a hard time being translated), but you're generally along for the vocal performance and the beats.
This was a very accomplished record. 70 minute is a long stretch, but the album slowly builds on itself and grows into the runtime. Some songs here are 6+ minutes long, and they were often the strongest - I'm glad Canserbero was given more room to speak. He had an incredible voice for a young man - it sounds aged and affected. Even despite the language barrier, moments like in the second track as he describes his heart going 'tucum-tucum-tucum-tucum' are really felt, there's a great sense of urgency - I think it's the standout track.
The beats are a little dated, even for a 2012, and sound a little flat, but each one had something I could hook myself on.
I knew nothing about Canserbero before this album came up for the week. He died at 26 - he had fallen from a building and his friend was found stabbed to death from where he fell. It's quite a coincidence that this album should appear here just a couple months after the criminal case recently re-opened after a decade to reflect on the original homocide/suicide ruling after his manager confessed to the killing. A roller coaster that's currently unfolding. Certainly a lost talent.
It can do well if it's actually good/interesting beats and a catchy hook/chorus, mixed with some more melodious parts, and some decent singing. E.g. Two of my favorite Eurovision entries over the last few years were Joci Pápai - Origo and Kalush Orchestra - Stefania even though I don't understand either language.
But even as a huge rap/hiphop fan I struggled with this album and lost interest about half way through. As you said, the beats were super dated (even for 2012). They reminded me of 90s era Horrorcore beats, like something from Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind Tricks, Ill Bill, or Necro. But the major problem with conscious hip hop in a foreign language is it's typically all about the subject matter, more than any other subgenre (other than rap comedy), so you absolutely need to be able to understand the lyrics to appreciate it.
So this album unfortunately gets a meh from me, even though it should have been up my alley. If I understood Spanish, I probably have enjoyed it a lot more though.