About Kayode Kendall
Location: Oxon Hill, Maryland
Occupation: Writer
Bio: Kayode "KenKRK" Kendall has written for various websites over the last six years, and now serves as PopSyndicate's music editor.
Posts: 42
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On one level, I wish there were more MCs like Aesop Rock in the mainstream, but on another level, I’m thankful that there aren’t. One of the most out-there lyricists in hip-hop, Aesop is known for his off-kilter delivery and splicing of words to create a style I’d describe as an android suffering from schizophrenia. Casually listening to an Aesop track, one would be quick write off his rhymes as simple gibberish, and I don’t doubt the possibility that on occasion, that’s exactly the case. But for those willing to take the time to listen and process his rhymes, None Shall Pass has plenty to say.
Ranging from bizarre and downright silly, to bleak and apocalyptic, Aesop crafts cryptic tales covering a variety of themes, including personal growth, responsibility, and judgment. The album’s title track warns of a time when society will have to answer for its actions, while “Catacomb Kids” finds Aesop reflecting on his days as something of a juvenile delinquent, growing up in New York. The subject matter only gets darker as “Fumes” deals with a relationship revolving around substance abuse, and ultimately ending in suicide.
Even without the benefit of being able to decipher Aesop’s densely structured rhymes, None Shall Pass soars when it comes to its production, handled in part by Aesop himself, in addition to longtime collaborator Blockhead. Whether it’s the bass thumping soul samples and guitar riffs on “Getaway Car”, or the spacey electronic keys on “None Shall Pass”, no stone is left unturned when it comes to creating broad, atmospheric soundscapes to compliment Aesop’s surreal rhyme style. “Gun For The Whole Family” buzzes with a variety of moody sound effects and uptempo drum beats, before slowing things down on “No City”.
At times, None Shall Pass can seem a bit chaotic, but with an open ear and an open mind, it can prove to be an immensely satisfying listening experience. While I would hate to call Aesop Rock an “outside-the-box” thinker when it comes to hip-hop, he is still one of its more challenging personalities.
