MonoPoleJoe's "Hangin’ with My Senseis" Review
On August 10th the Chicago native and Twin Cities transplant MonoPoleoe released the tightly packaged and intriguing project “Hangin’ with My Senseis.” This project acts as a sort of precursor to something bigger by the end of year. Because of that, I will keep this review short and sweet and save the bigger cuts of meat for Mono’s main course later this year.
Mono’s “Hangin’ with My Senseis” acts as proverbial works cited for his Hip-Hop influences. Mono uses a group of legendary producers such as: DJ Premier, PNS, Alchemist, the duo of Pharrell and Chad Hugo known as the Neptunes, 9th Wonder, and of course his in house producer; Sayjak.
The mixtape’s first utterance of sound is nostalgic and iconic. In the track, “Next,” Mono uses a delightful flip on Nas’ New York state of Mind from the legendary Illmatic album. Mono’s first bar is my favorite and important to support the theme of the title “Hangin’ with the Senseis.” Mono spits:
My current self/
He idolizes his future self.
I’ll come back to the importance of the line down the road but, out of all the dope and densely packed lyricism Mono brings, this simple bar is simply the dopest. Mono’s hardest lyrical performance rests on this track as his rich and heavy voice acts as an anchor to the beat as he commands this track with ease.
Track list for MonoPoleJoe’s “Hanging with My Senseis.”
The second track, “We Set,” hosts an Alchemist beat. Slower in pace and more mellow in mood, Mono gives a more up close vocal performance without sacrificing tight lyricism and a passionate cadence.
“Kills” is a 9th Wonder beat that flips Kendrick’s “DAMN” track “Pride.” Mono delves into love along with the complications and miscommunications that come with any kind of interpersonal relationships.
“Steppin’ on Toes,” can be described in one word: Dirty. Mono puts up his dukes and goes bananas over the low-down grimy, yet crispy, Neptunes banger. Along with the ever so catchy hook to top it off, this joint has to be one of my favorites.
Mono takes his bow out lovingly and rightfully on a beautiful Sayjak joint. Mono holds no bounds when it comes to the knowledge he projects over the soulful, choppy samples. The subject matter Mono gives in this track is like he’s saying it out of the gospel. The attention he demands to speak his piece is truly powerful.
With Chi town tribute over a PNS production, Mono brings the mixtape to a close. That brings me back the first bar in the Mixtape:
“My current self/
He idolizes his future self.”
The whole point of this mixtape, for Mono, was to show his influences: his Senseis. Mono idolizes his future self because his future self is a sensei. He’ll fall into the same category of all his influences and be hangin’ with ‘em, just like in the cover art.
Listen or Purchase “Hanging with my Senseis” along with his other projects and merch here:
Also: MonoPoleJoe has livestream event tonight (Friday September 11, 2020) along with B&E’s Nacho Suave, Mijo, 4mative, Blaq Justice, and Solana. B&E Music and Parallax TV bring you “Discovering Fire: Vol 1” the first in their series of livestream shows. $5 access fee to stream and the show starts at 7PM. Find the link to the show info here:
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Review by: Paul Thorson, Hip-Hop Writer @PaulyT03
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner @PlaylistTC
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