After Monument Ave with Taylor Whitelow, which I consider to be Noah-O’s greatest work, the Richmond native-rapper is back at last with the late
After Monument Ave with Taylor Whitelow, which I consider to be Noah-O’s greatest work, the Richmond native-rapper is back at last with the late Kleph Dollaz-centric All Souled Out.
Its no secret Kleph and Noah were close, and when he passed in 2013, it left Noah to find his own way, which I believe he did. To me, that is what this project really represents. Recorded in 2012, releasing it now is aiming to carrying on Kleph’s legacy rather than just a moving forward.
And for Noah, this release is proof that he has overcome something that is hard for anyone to face, the loss of a friend, the loss of a brother. This project is not Monument Ave, its not supposed to be. With that being said, rather than that being a disadvantage, it’s an opportunity. As we get to hear verses from Kleph on here, and more so his spirit throughout, the eight tracks and two interludes we have something they both should be proud of.
Noah definitely sticks to the lyrical structure that was used on his earlier releases, but there’s more space here, more room for the production, more room for Kleph, not just Kleph’s memory. There are also, in true Charged Up Ent fashion, features on here from Joey Gallo, Garnet Boldin, Cheyenne Lavene, Erikka J, and Chance Fisher…all people who’s lives were touched by Kleph.
So as a fan of RVA’s own (if not Hip-Hop itself), I say listen to this project, not with thoughts of what could have been, but what actually is and is still growing, as it’s through loss that the strong truly gain something.
