History: Way back before Kanye, 50 Cent, Outkast's one bad record, and Dr. Dre's beats headphones, the mystical early 2000's left a lot of creative room for new rappers. With the mainstream success of late 80's and 90's hip-hop, more people were mceeing than ever before, taking chances and/or pandering to the mainstream rap radio stations. However, hip-hop as an expression, much like jazz, quickly left the United States and found homes in the hearts of people across the globe.
In South Africa, an aspiring mcee by the name of Watkin Tudor Jones (who will certainly become a staple of this blog, seriously his shit is fucking dope) and a few friends were signed to the once great label, now turned glorified graverobber that is African Dope records. These friends, Watkin (aka Waddy), his DJ Sibot, producers Felix Laband and Markus Wormstrum, and female mcee/singer Anri du Toit, recorded an album so extravagant and indulgent, an album that was so eclectic, and such a poor investment, that it nearly bankrupt African Dope Records. The album itself was released as a graphic novel (written by Waddy) and CD containing the first half of the album. The back of the book had a blank CD with instructions of how to download the second half of the album online because the internet was magical back in the early 2000's. Unfortunately, the ambitious album was too difficult to distribute, all parties involved grew frustrated, and the group disbanded shortly after. Some of the members continue to collaborate, the most famous of these collaborations is undoubtedly Waddy and Anri's current rap group, Die Antwoord. However, don't write off Constructus simply due to it's association with the polarizing Die Antwoord, the two have very little in common.
Why you should buy this album: This three hour epic is a testament to Watkin's ability as a storyteller and MC. The album vaguely relates the tale of two young rappers who travel through a futuristic city called The Ziggurat. The story, however, takes a backseat to the numerous characters that Watkin channels in order to presented an album akin to a broken mirror. Beautiful and fractured with a hint of melancholy, simultaneously presenting many different perspectives while remaining a cohesive whole. In addition to the novel concept, Watkin is just a fucking good rapper. His demented, possessed flow in addition to Sibot, Wormstrom and Laband's alien and sci-fi inspired beats create a uniquely dark album, both terrifying and beautiful in its grimness. The album is not perfect, however. Some skits go on for too long, Anri is somewhat unpolished as an MC, and the second half of the album has too few memorable tracks compared to the first half. Regardless, this diamond in the rough is one of the greatest and most unique hip-hop albums ever produced, the monstrous product of a dark and possibly mad hip-hop genius.
Bottom Line/Christgau Summation: If you wished Astronautalist rapped more about killing people, Gravediggaz era RZA rapped more about robots, or that Die Antwoord rapped more about shit that mattered, this album is for you.
Why you should buy this album: This three hour epic is a testament to Watkin's ability as a storyteller and MC. The album vaguely relates the tale of two young rappers who travel through a futuristic city called The Ziggurat. The story, however, takes a backseat to the numerous characters that Watkin channels in order to presented an album akin to a broken mirror. Beautiful and fractured with a hint of melancholy, simultaneously presenting many different perspectives while remaining a cohesive whole. In addition to the novel concept, Watkin is just a fucking good rapper. His demented, possessed flow in addition to Sibot, Wormstrom and Laband's alien and sci-fi inspired beats create a uniquely dark album, both terrifying and beautiful in its grimness. The album is not perfect, however. Some skits go on for too long, Anri is somewhat unpolished as an MC, and the second half of the album has too few memorable tracks compared to the first half. Regardless, this diamond in the rough is one of the greatest and most unique hip-hop albums ever produced, the monstrous product of a dark and possibly mad hip-hop genius.
Bottom Line/Christgau Summation: If you wished Astronautalist rapped more about killing people, Gravediggaz era RZA rapped more about robots, or that Die Antwoord rapped more about shit that mattered, this album is for you.
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