Politically aware rapper/producer
I Self Devine is one-half of the underground duo
the Micranots, but his powerful solo debut, Self Destruction, is sharper and more immediately accessible than
the Micranots' sometimes hectoring approach.
I Self Devine's lyrics are at his sharpest on songs like "This Is It" and the anti-crime "Live in the Moment," and there's a newfound directness to his already strong delivery. The production, by a tag team of four producers along with the artist himself, ranges from the '70s soul feel of "All I Know" to the minimalist electronica of "Sex Sex Sex." There's a little bit of bloat on the 15-track Self Destruction, with a couple of tracks probably best reserved for B-sides, but by the time of the album-closing "Sunshine," which ends with a lengthy psychedelic funk workout reminiscent of
Shuggie Otis' '70s work (itself followed by an untitled bonus track thoughtfully examining the uses of the N-word to a trippy, woozy beat), it's hard to fault this varied and engaging album. ~ Stewart Mason