PARIS >> PISTOL POLITICS
PISTOL POLITICS
LIMITED-EDITION 2-DISC SET
BUY IT
Pistol Politics marks a return to form for Paris, arguably one of the most politically outspoken artists in hip hop history. It is a fusion of some of the best gangsta and revolutionary rap talent ever, and serves as a musical statement of solidarity - and a much needed united front - against oppression and institutional racism in an age almost devoid of meaningful commentary in urban entertainment. It's both a condemnation of society's ills and a celebration of its virtues, emphasizing themes promoting unity, progression and community upliftment.
Its first single and video, "Night of the Long Knives," is Paris' opening salvo and entry into the ongoing culture wars surrounding the issues of police brutality, racism and violence that have been exacerbated during his six year hiatus from music. It is a vicious commentary on America's current state of affairs, and captures the white-hot rage so many feel but rarely see reflected in the media or their popular entertainment choices.
In "Buck, Buck, Pass," Pistol Politics' second single and video, Paris chronicles the carnage of escalating gun violence-related loss of life - but with a twist - detailing the journey of the life of a firearm from its perspective, from its manufactured inception to its illegal use on America's streets. His commentary on gun violence, and its often ignored racial implications and after effects, provides a spotlight on what he considers to be the real enemy - the corporate and political machinery that benefits from the steady diet of death of mainly young people of color.
His third single and video, "Hard Truth Soldier (Redux)," features the trademark snarl and aggression that have made Paris a political rap stalwart, and serves as what he calls "a general statement of purpose, emphasizing the principles of self-love, self-reliance and self-determination."
"Lethal Warning Shot" and "Power," Paris' 4th and 5th videos from Pistol Politics, round out the set nicely, with "Lethal Warning Shot" touching on the 2016 election, police misconduct and gentrification, and "Power" commenting on the perils of rappers not having a "Plan B" in the likely event they aren't successful in music.
Unity is a recurrent theme on Pistol Politics, and Paris enlists top-notch talent to reinforce it, especially on the anthemic "Search Warrant," featuring WC, E-40, KAM and Tha Eastsidaz. "Truce Music" continues the sentiment, and is an infectious rallying call to curtail black-on-black violence, showcasing longtime Paris collaborator T-K.A.S.H. and newcomers K.E.V., Mellinium and B3Hree.
It's all here, from the brash militancy of the dead prez-assisted "Martial Law (Redux)," to the solemn introspection of lives lost too soon in "Murder Suit," to the cautionary tales of "Brown Eyes" and "The War Dance," Pistol Politics hits all the right notes, providing a thematic album experience that moves mind, body and soul.
Continuing in the tradition of artists who can be relied upon to remain consistent with both content and dedication to musical quality, this sixth effort by Paris pleases not only his existing loyal supporters, but continues to gain him many new listeners as well.
"A-"
- VICE Magazine
"Paris Brings Some Much-Needed Realism on Pistol Politics...On the perpetual heels of yet another mass shooting in America, no song out right now sounds as prescient as Paris' 'Buck Buck Pass'...it packs a pertinent punch...with a Bomb Squad-esque type of production that'll have listeners banging their heads instead of just nodding...a much-needed dose of medicine..."
- XXL Magazine
"...spry in his lyrical dexterity as he was on Sleeping With The Enemy...a lesson to his black brethren on how to combat racist, trigger-happy police officers...The album pulls off a feat that is difficult for double LPs, which is to put all of the songs in their rightful places. And it's timely as a full circle moment for his career, and a full circle moment for society at large...In today's America, where we are now more war-torn in our own classrooms than countries abroad, Paris doubles up on Pistol Politics to show an intelligent approach to the problem at hand. But with an onslaught of production that has a West Coast bounce, straightforward duple-metered drum beats, and occasional keyboards that find their way to fit in the track, Paris crafts a deft double-disc worthy of the weighty moniker, Pistol Politics..."
- HipHopDX.com
"While many black artists have released efforts that express solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement this year, Paris takes his political expression one step further than others who obliquely reference the movement do, choosing instead to provide an insightful examination of some of the root causes and systemic issues that have become a persistent part of political discourse in the United States...Paris's true calling seems to always have been his role as a socially-conscious militant, with his activist speech simply taking the form of rap music...Pistol Politics is a powerful radical left indictment of the American social and political system. This album begs to be carefully heard and slowly digested."
- BlackGrooves.org
"The music - long branded as "guerrilla funk" - backs up his every step. It's urgent, powered by an erratic, eerie synth drone and vocal flourishes that sound like those pieces of George Clinton's funk Mothership that fell off as it left Earth's orbit, repurposed as the fortifications on a battle-ready Buick Regal scraper...militant, streetwise, reality-aware, self-reliant Black nationalism that's heavily indebted to the political stances of the Black Panther Party, down to the continued usage of "pigs" as terminology for the police. Nothing is new here, but everything sounds fresh and current - updated even."
- NPR
TRACK LIST >>