Album Stream: Ab-Soul ‘Control System’

Most of my favorite rappers these days are in the 30+ age bracket, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of young artists that I’m excited about, quite the contrary.  Ab-Soul has been overshadowed by Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolBoy Q in their L.A. based “Black Hippy” crew to this point, but his outstanding new album Control System looks to change that.  What Ab-Soul lacks in technical proficiency and lyrical dexterity, he makes up for in atmosphere and thoughtful creativity.  Control System follows up on several of the ideas and themes displayed on ScHoolBoy Q’s excellent album Habits & Contradictions released earlier this year, proving that while the collective may be moving up to the majors with Dr. Dre and Interscope soon, they will try to maintain their aesthetic and creative control.  Ab-soul’s skeptical, druggy vibe is on full display in these two excellent music videos.  Peep the full album stream and purchase from iTunes if you dig.

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Written by John Bugbee