If there’s one thing that can’t be denied about the Justuce Street Poets, it’s their diversity. From the drastically different styles amongst the members to the various themes on their tracks, this group of individuals takes a shot at everything from conscious rap with a true message, to weed anthems, to just straight up “beats to the rhyme” hip hop. While the decision to be a jack of all trades works for some, it comes up a little short on “The Future Is Now” as the good tracks are either overshadowed by an awkward verse from an MC who doesn’t quite fit on the beat, or by the bad tracks which really come up short. Make no mistake though, there are definitely bangers on here, and the solid tracks are quite nice, but the lack of cohesion makes for a disjointed mixtape, however the potential still bleeds through, and shouldn’t go unnoticed.
After a misstep on the “Intreaux”, the Justuce Street Poets serve up a nice little heater in the form of “It’c Happen”, with an epic hook and a guitar-heavy beat, in which each MC really introduces his style and flows with ease. Next up is another solid track “Haters Hatin’”, mostly due to the beat and the flow on the verses, the hook is definitely energy-filled and grows on you over time, but is still a little strange, although the 3 Stacks sample helps save it. “Get Down” is a straight up banger, but with Shade Cobain on the beat, it’s hard to be anything but. The conscious joint, “Sign of the Times” is probably the most lyrically impressive track on the album, with each MC dropping some serious knowledge on issues that we hate to deal with but are in front of us every day. “Thermostat” is a nice ride out anthem and “Martin Luther McCain” is that drop drop track that still has a good message and makes for a nice ending to this mixtape.
The main issue with this effort is that the off-tracks are really really off. I understand experimental hip hop (as I’m a huge fan of Anti-Pop Consortium) but “LFD Unlimited” is just awful, from the spacey beat to the cluttered hook (although props for the “glass menagerie” reference). “Love Her, Not Fighter” also suffers from a lackluster hook and the track drags on for too long, and the weed anthem sounds more like a Kottonmouth Kings track than something I’d actually roll up to.
With all the criticism, “The Future is Now” is still worth a spin or two, as the different styles of rhyming will appeal to a wide variety of people and when these cats are on, they are pretty good spitters. These guys also clearly have an understanding of hip hop history as there are several old school references in their lines from the obvious to the obscure, all showcasing an intimate knowledge of the culture. I wouldn’t eagerly anticipate the Justuce Street Poets next release, but I also wouldn’t rule them out yet as there is definitely potential and room for improvement and with their passion and drive I encourage them to keep doing their thing.
LISTEN TO THE FUTURE IS NOW
