“Mars Ill, a “Christian hip hop group”, in many different aspects of artistry is one of the best hip hop groups representing the music. Mars Ill’s release Raw Material is one of the best albums ever made, and it is easily a classic, especially featuring tracks such as “Sphere Of Hip Hop pt 2”, “Black Market”, “Loves Not”, “Rap Fans”, “Touch And Go”, and “Sphere Of Hip Hop (original)”, and more. All material from beginning to end contribute to this albums elite status. Mars Ill has put together a great album for fans, giving fans what they want. The intro track entitled “Mars Ill” is fashioned in such a creative fashion, that the dialog, and music combine to forge the perfect introduction for an album… “We looped the intro track alone, for a whole day, before we even broke into the albums sack of goodies.””
The first concept that enters many minds of today in regards to Christian hip hop music is….drum roll…… “wack”. Magnificently talented artists such as Braille, Tunnel Rats, and Mars Ill cleanse this concept from fans on a regular basis. Its safe to assume that a large majority of fans may not even realize on their first few listens, that the above mentioned artists are Christian hip hop musicians. Mars Ill creates great hip hop music fans can easily appreciate, and enjoy, and they do not plague the concepts presented through their music by use of extreme-religiously fanatic statements. For example, “Love’s Not” is a classic cut, conveying the concept of what love is not, by presenting an assortment of examples of actions that do not show love. One of the best conceptual tracks put together, a positive rhyme reflecting good Christian values that easily relates to the rest of the planetary population, and from first listening, the only mind grasping concept is….drum roll…..”damn that was raw material.” Mars Ill simply put, are 110% hip hop artists, who have an abundance of skills, and simply happen to have faith in Jesus the Christ.
Mars Ill’s music is designed for those heads who are over-entertained, and under-challenged; however, make no mistakes Mars Ill’s music is highly entertaining. Raw Material leads off with a self-titled tack ( wouldn’t it be more cool if it was a Celph Titled produced track – hint for future recordings ) obviously entitled “Mars Ill”. The content of this recording is very creative, and interesting. Answering machine messages from artists such as Chief XL, and Gift Of Gab ( Blackalicious ), amongst a variety of other “super-talents” mesh well within this track, as they are nicely integrated into the cut, leading up to a banging switch up where the beat hits fans hard with purely fresh vibes that you could countlessly play-back with over delight. One of the best beats these ears have been blessed with, no question. Fans need to speak up as the group asks: “Hip Hop’s dope from the inside, how’s it look from where your standing”.
On an album as good as this, its hard to select one “spotlight” track over another; however, the tightest joint on this album is “Love’s Not”. All other cuts run a very close second; therefore, it’d be pointless to single out, and mention other notable tracks. Love’s Not is an outstanding conceptual track which features outstanding vocals, and production. Hands down. The creativity behind the creation of this track is enlightening. “I know what love is, and it just don’t stop/ but I can explain it better when I say what love’s not.” – very interesting approach. “Love is not abortion” and “Love is God Divine, crucified for mankind”. ManCHILD, Mars Ill. Another great track we want to single out is “Rap Fans”, as this is an exceptionally put together track, simply put together for the fans. Making reference to all elements of hip hop, this cut is very refreshing, and easily enjoyed. A truly classic cut, on a truly classic album.
Fans might have questions after reading this review like, “Is Mars Ill really that good?” To answer that, lets examine a few points. Mars Ill came out, their album Raw Material came out on a label ( Sphere Of Hip Hop ), and then a larger label picked their album up, and now you have a re-released version of Mars Ill’s “debut” album Raw Material ( the version this review is based on ) instead of an album that features tracks such as:
Track Listing ( Original Version Of Raw Material )
1. Mars Ill
2. Sphere of Hip Hop
3. We’ll Live Underground
4. Black Market
5. Love’s Not
6. Monotone
7. Unsound
8. Send a Man
9. Compound Fractures
10. Rap Fans
11. Under the Sun [MP3]
12. Sounds of Music
13. Who Will Answer?
14. Indulgent Instrumental #1
15. Try Again
16. Touch and Go
17. Indulgent Instrumental #2
18. the END
You have tracks such as:
Track Listing ( Re-Released Version )
1. Mars Ill
2. Sphere Of Hip-Hip pt.2
3. We’ll Live Underground
4. Black Market
5. Love’s Not
6. Monotone
7. Unsound
8. Send A Man
9. Compound Fractures
10. Rap Fans
11. Sounds Of Music
12. Who Will Answer?
13. Indulgent Instrumental #1
14. Try Again
15. Touch And Go
16. Indulgent Instrumental #2
17. Sphere Of Hip Hop ( original )
18. Fade To Black
19. The Abolition of manCHILD
Now your question might be, “What’s does that got to do with anything?” Artists know that to get picked up, and invested in by a bigger label, your material must be raw. Its rare for artists to even be looked at by smaller labels, unless they hold a certain degree of talent. Now you might say, “What do the labels know anyway’s?”. In Mars Ill’s case, they clearly knew that the music featured on Raw Material was raw enough to draw a huge fan following, and be praised by many third party publications, and fans as a “classic”. To answer your original question, Mars Ill defines the meaning of “bomb”!, they are that good, and the music featured on Raw Material will be very easily appreciated by any fan.
Next question, “How can you improve on perfection?” Answer, have some “super-talented” friends, and get them to guest appear on your album. Some of the tracks on Raw Material feature guest appearances by “Rahlo”, “Flynn Adam Atkins”, “Sharlock Poems”, “Neogen & Decon”, “Listener”, “Sev Statik”, and “Playdough”. Never heard of all these artists, no problem, cop the album, you won’t be disappointed.
Raw Material is the perfect example of an “underground / indie” classed album that surpasses the large majority of mainstream albums in each, and every aspect ( besides budget, distribution, and sales ). A true tragedy would be not to have this album reach each, and every fan world wide, because its definitely worth your support. Great music, non stop, on a refreshing positive tip. This album is listen-able the whole way through, as fans never get the urge to press……drum roll…… “skip”. Its no understatement, this is one of the best albums yet recorded, and presented to the hip hop world. You’ve heard it loud, and clear, Mars Ill is here to stay, and they will only move forward, never fading. Cop the album, you won’t be disappointed.
This album receives our highest recommendation.
Track Listing ( Re-Released Version )
1. Mars Ill
2. Sphere Of Hip-Hip pt.2
3. We’ll Live Underground
4. Black Market
5. Love’s Not
6. Monotone
7. Unsound
8. Send A Man
9. Compound Fractures
10. Rap Fans
11. Sounds Of Music
12. Who Will Answer?
13. Indulgent Instrumental #1
14. Try Again
15. Touch And Go
16. Indulgent Instrumental #2
17. Sphere Of Hip Hop ( original )
18. Fade To Black
19. The Abolition of manCHILD
