Dan DaranciangDoujah Raze
“Doujah Raze”
Grade: 4 stars (out of 5)
Songs to Download: “Plastic World,” “Ghosts of Mars,” “Irish Cream”
For fans of: Atmosphere, OC
Bottom line: A sure bet to check out during next week’s KWUR events.
When thinking about Virginia, hip-hop is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Though the state has produced mainstream acts like The Neptunes and Timbaland, it has failed to turn out talented underground artists – until now. Industry newcomer and North Virginia native Doujah Raze (pronounced dough-jah rays) is making waves in the business and making a name for the Old Dominion State.
In his self-titled debut album, Doujah Raze shows that he has the confidence and skill necessary to make a real breakthrough. The album showcases his lyrical skill through songs based on a variety of topics. Doujah ranges from playful to spiritual, with songs like “Clear” – his self-proclaimed “weed-smoking song” – and “360,” a song with its foundations in Doujah’s personal philosophy and the idea of karma.
Doujah’s lyrical proficiency is impressive for an MC’s debut album. Not bound by the rap clich‚s and easy rhymes on which all but the best rappers too often rely, Doujah provides a fairly original album. His lyrical skill is best exhibited in “Ghosts of Mars” where Doujah puts a new twist on the typical braggadocio of an MC. Doujah’s thought-provoking lyrics blend well with boom-bap style beats from producers Da Beatminerz, Shuko, Double-J, and Disko Dave.
Soul-soaked beats and Doujah’s tough rhymes come together to make the album’s standout track and lead single “Plastic World.” In true underground form, the song blasts the superficialities of the music industry.
Doujah Raze provides a fresh sound in a scene that is bloated with talented artists trying to make a name for themselves. This album, released on Doujah’s own label, is a triumph. Look for Doujah and his label, Trilogy Records, to do big things in the future.
Doujah is currently on a tour of Europe and the United States and will be in St. Louis on Friday, Feb. 17 at Blueberry Hill and Wednesday, Feb. 22 at the Gargoyle.