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Uncovering
TRUTH through The Anthropological Mixtape
By Staff Writer:
A. Kenyatta Parks
Life and its
complexities cause some people to go crazy while others revel in it. The latter
can explore their inner selves, creating socio-political changes in the world
in which we live. Obviously, Me’Shell N’Degeocello revels in life
and its complexities. N’Degeocello’s latest cd, Cookie: An Anthropological
Mixtape, continues her quest to amaze, explore and educate anyone that will
listen.
No
one can escape her wrath not even herself. There are many artists that don’t
want to collaborate with Me’Shell due to her candid outlook on life.
Her bisexuality, outspoken tongue, and non-regrettable comments on racism,
homophobia, sexism, and feminism increase the distance between her and these
artists. These pseudo-artists talk the talk but don’t walk the walk as
Me’Shell does. After a hiatus of three years, Me’Shell N’Degeocello
emerges with an engaging passion and honesty in every song. There’s so
many artists that talk about love and freedom, but few live their words.
But this cd is
infiltrated by hip hop guest stars such as socially conscious Talib Kweli
(of Black Star), Redman and producers Missy Elliot and Rockwilder. Me’Shell
criticized hip hop artists in the recent past. By including hip hop stars
it shows that doesn’t discriminate against the genre itself. Her appreciation
is evident in the remix to “Pocketbook” which features the grimy,
New Jersey native Redman, R&B newcomer Tweet and produced by Missy Elliot
and Rockwilder.
Me’Shell
describes Cookie as “a very open record with a lot of different styles
pumping through it. This album is looking at how I came to be and who I am.”
With the “Pocketbook”
remix N’Degeocello broadens her fan base without compromising her music.
Her content is still racially, emotionally, sexually, sensually, and politically
charged. Me’Shell pits material wealth against spiritual and emotional
well-being. Everyone can relate to this universal tug-o-war.
Me’Shell
explains that the title comes for the exploration of herself: “That’s
why I call it an anthropological mixtape; it is a musical and thematic excavation
of my own journey, one that I hope others might relate to. It is what I see
in the world, what I see in myself; it is as much as a self-critique as a
critique (of the world).”
Cookie: The Anthropological
Mixtape is the best offering by Me’Shell to date. This cd shows her versatility
and growth as an artist. From “Dead Nigga Blvd. (Pt. 1)” to “Hot
Night” to “Priorities 1-6” to “Earth” to “Pocketbook”
to the rest of the songs on the cd dig through the trials and tribulations
of life effortlessly, finding the good, bad and ugly about herself and the
world in which we live. The Leakeys would be proud.
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