Wordpower, Vol. 2: Directrix

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Long a phantom of the underground hip-hop scene, Divine Styler has been met with extreme anticipation upon his return. Newly converted to Islam, he devotes much of Wordpower 2 to his faith. Yet where others are didactic, the Styler speaks of conviction without alienating rap's core audience--he still sounds as raw and insightful as he did in years past. The album opens with "Al-Ahdan," an Islamic prayer; a later track, "Hajji," relates the tale of Styler's own haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that is a cornerstone of the Islamic faith. Over thundering beats that wouldn't sound out of place in Queensbridge, he tells his tale with a thuggish delivery, ensuring he's preaching well beyond the converted. --Jon Caramanica

Wordpower, Vol. 2: Directrix,Divine Styler,Mo' Wax,Hip-Hop,Pop,Rap & Hip-Hop,Soul/Reggae/Rhythm & Blues

Tracks:

Al-Ahdan
Al-Faatihah
Satan Dynasty Killer 1
Unseen Letter
Triple Irons
Oneself Duel
Invitation To Life
Intel
Before Mecca
Reflection (Interlude)
Hajji
Tiime Fold 79
Directrix
Nova
Nature
Make It Plain
Microphenia
Satan Dynasty Killer 2
Gift Of Love

Amazon.com

Long a phantom of the underground hip-hop scene, Divine Styler has been met with extreme anticipation upon his return. Newly converted to Islam, he devotes much of Wordpower 2 to his faith. Yet where others are didactic, the Styler speaks of conviction without alienating rap's core audience--he still sounds as raw and insightful as he did in years past. The album opens with "Al-Ahdan," an Islamic prayer; a later track, "Hajji," relates the tale of Styler's own haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca that is a cornerstone of the Islamic faith. Over thundering beats that wouldn't sound out of place in Queensbridge, he tells his tale with a thuggish delivery, ensuring he's preaching well beyond the converted. --Jon Caramanica

Customer Reviews:

How Hip-Hop should Be..................2000-01-10

I've been listening to hip hop since '79 and I've heard many albums, but undoubtedly this is one of the BEST hip hop albums I've ever heard. The thing that really shines on this album is the positivity. No mediocre tales of guns, hoes, and drugs on this CD. Divine Styler who originally started out with Ice-t's Rhyme Syndicate in the late 80's released the album Wordpower which did well and contained a positive pro-black vibe. After severing ties with The Rhyme Syndicate and re-emerging on a new record label(Giant) he released the incredible "Spiral Walls Containing Autumns of Light" which was a blend of hip-hop, spoken word, industrial, speed metal, and acoustic. The content here was more mature, addressing his belief in the 5% Nation of Islam Theology, but is still easily embraceable by those of a different faiths. Now on his most recent Word Power 2:Directrix he chronicles how his beliefs and life have changed since his trip to Mecca where all Muslims make an excursion to pray and worship together. "Word Power 2" like his previous album don't necessarily fall under the tradionally sound of other hip hop albums with overused samples and beats. On this CD as with his previous album he plays all his own instruments and produces most of the album himself. The lyrical content on this album is very thought provocking. Take for example "Before Mecca". This song chronicles Divine's mentality before his conversion to Islam and his philosophical beliefs afterwards. The insert in the CD breaks down exactly what all the terms mean and exactly what he's saying on the song for those who aren't familiar with terms associated with his religion. Another stand out song is "Time Fold '79" which is a dedication to old school hip hop on which Divime reminisces on his days in New York during the time of Breakdancing and Graffitti. It brought back alot of memories for me too. Other notable songs are:"Hajii", "Nova" (with label mates Styles of Beyond), "Invitation to Life" and the last cut: "Gift of Love" which is an acoustic number with Divine doing spoken word. It's definately worth listening to.

Pure pefection!!!.......1999-10-03

WOW!!! What an album, great. Fially somebody with something to say thats positve without coming off soft. His flow is like the Nile his mic stance is strong and definate. Yet his words are sweet and knowledgable, some you rearly if ever see in any type of music let alone rap. The musical side of this album doesnt get put on the back burner because of content its elevated to another level! Undiscribable..

Average customer rating:

Degradation of Hip Hop
bam, brake your face.
A very solid album
AWESOME

Wordpower, Vol. 2: Directrix
Divine Styler
Manufacturer: Mo' Wax
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

West Coast | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

Trip-Hop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Spiral Walls Containing Autumns of Light
Wordpower, Vol. 2: Directrix

ASIN: B00003OSYI
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

The Ahdan
Contact 1
Al Faatihah
Satan Dynasty Killa 1
Unseen Letter
Triple Irons
Oneself Duel
The Grand Design
Before Mecca
Contact 2
Hajji
Time Fold 79
Directrix
Nova
Make It Plain
Microphenia
Satan Dynasty Killa 2
Sound Quest

Album Description

UK version of 2000 release from Islamic/Afrocentric rapper with different tracklist that includes 4 tracks not on the U.S. release 'Contact 1', 'Brand Design', 'Contact 2' and 'Sound Quest'. Paper sleeve.

Album Details

Hip-Hop. Most Stunning Record to Date, Combining the Lyrical and Musical Experimentalism of 'World Power'& 'Spiral Walls' with a Deep Maturity in Content and Production.

Customer Reviews:

Degradation of Hip Hop.......2004-01-21

Now dont get me wrong, Im all for the natural progression of hip hop, but Divine Styler and his latest album "Wordpower 2" completey strays from the path that his forefathers have paved for him. Comparing DS to any of the once underground hip hop artits such as the roots, talib kweli, asheru and blue black, and even younger artist like kanye west, you can begin to understand that the likes of DS, aceyalone and company have completely forgotten about rythym, flow, and beats. I.E. thats why he doesnt sell any records. Im not hating but all my life hip hop has been so inspiring because of every single aspect of the beat and the way that the vocals just play off it. DS has taken that away from hip hop and therefore taken away the inspiration. I give him 2 stars simply on the basis that he's not Bird man, Juvenile, or the latest Outkast cds.

bam, brake your face........2003-03-08

this CD has 4 songs that blow doors, the rest are so-so by'n'by.
if you like music and hate 14 dollars, buy this cd

A very solid album.......2000-09-05

This is a very good, solid album. I would recommend it for those who have followed Divine Styler. His beats have always been somewhat different from everyone else and this album is no different. The lyrics are on point as usual. However, sometimes he gets just a little too abstract, some tracks leave me going 'what was that?'. No doubt though, if you like Divine Styler, even just a little bit, you'll love this album; just don't be expecting any super-classic material here.

AWESOME.......2000-09-05

WOW. I was truly surprised by the quality of this CD. A friend of mine had told me to check out some guy named Divine Styler, but I had never heard of the guy before, and I was expecting just another MC trying to sound smart and trying to blend some Drum and Bass into his music, so I decided to pass. But then he played it in my car. Like I said before, WOW. Lyrics, style, beats, originality, quality, everything I wasn't expecting. This guy comes hard with all that makes a good hip hop CD good. This is definitely something to check out.

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soul music

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