Akrobatik's Absolute Value
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Before I knew Akrobatik as his own entity, I knew him as one third of the Perceptionists, a group that also included fellow Bostonians DJ Fakts One and Mr. Lif. Following 2005's Black Dialogue, a friend offered me a ticket to see them at Boston’s Paradise Lounge. Throughout their entire sweat-soaked set (Akrobatik is not wearing those Patriots sweatbands just for style), Akrobatik and Mr. Lif brought their supreme lyrical skills and full-force energy, while DJ Fakts One provided the beats for a crowd-moving good time.In listening to Akrobatik’s latest album, Absolute Value, I was relieved to discover that Akrobatik is just as capable of coming raw with it in the studio as he is on the stage. Like the rotating spectacle of MCs you’d be likely to see at one of Ak’s live shows, the album’s filled with notable guest appearances from B-Real, Talib Kweli, Chuck D, Little Brother, Bumpy Knuckles, and, of course, Mr. Lif.
In “Step It Up” Akrobatik does just that, pointing out that “a rapper’s only as good as his last cut,” over eerie, organ-filled samples and enough bass to “fuck your head up.” This is one of the stronger tracks off the album, as it’s when Akrobatik has something to get off his chest that his rhymes command the most attention.
The same can be said for the album’s title track. Offering a funky, piano-and-tambourine-fueled beat enriched with heated words aimed at the current state of rap, Ak shows he’s just as pissed off as his like-minded cohorts. “Nobody got shit to rap about/ But all that’s about to change when I come out/ And I know what y’all are askin’ ’bout, ‘Where’s our absolute value from Ak?’”
It’s no surprise that “Beast Mode,” featuring Mr. Lif, is a standout. With a minimal beat comprised of a deep bass drum and sparse, Neptunes-esque clicks and clacks, it’s something you could imagine Busta Rhymes rapping over; nonetheless it turns out to be the perfect concoction for these two Boston MCs. Akrobatik’s deep voice booms with the bass, while the nonchalant Mr. Lif nearly steals the show. He throws his lyrics down on this beat so effortlessly, it's like he came across the rhymes by accident.
The first single “Put Ya Stamp On It,” produced by the late J Dilla, features a beat heavy on the strings, and guest verses from Talib Kweli. Then there’s “Soul Glo,” where Akrobatik finds his groove in this horn-influenced mid-tempo soul sample; this one, unfortunately, overall sounds like it could have been left off for a Def Jux compilation. “Kindred” features social commentary snippets by Chuck D and finds Akrobatik mulling over the atrocities African Americans have faced, even though they’ve descended from kings. “Ak B. Nimble” relies mostly on beatboxing, as Akrobatik flaunts his quick and nimble side.
A healthy smattering of guests, none of which distract from Akrobatik (save for Mr. Lif, who’s more like a sidekick or a brother than a rival), means there’s something for everyone. Same can be said for the live performances that Akrobatik brings to the stage; it’s a welcoming party where everyone’s invited.
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