Denmark Vessey - Cult Classic | Album Review

Background

Six months ago, you’d probably never heard of Denmark Vessey the rapper. Vesey the rebelling abolitionist, hopefully. I can’t blame you- most people hadn't  myself included. Despite working with some high caliber local acts (Guilt Simpson, Danny Brown, Slum Village) and dropping a new mixtape last month, he’s flown low under the radar. Even two weeks after his official debut release, he’s largely remained nameless. That ends now.

Denmark Vessey is a Detroit MC who, teamed up with Scud One, just dropped the LP ‘Cult Classic’. It’s a concept album themed around, you guessed it, cults. But Vessey really shows his lyrical ability by intertwining themes of theology, money and deception through each track. This is not a Jim Jones fantasy novel, it’s a social commentary on the state of religion in the today’s Western civilization. DV’s better half on this album is Scud One, a fellow Detroit-native, who handles 100% of the production, and even manages a verse on a later track. Scud samples everything from vintage Taiwanese pop songs, to interviews with maniacal cult leaders like Marshall Applewhite. If you’re a Madlib fan, you’ll probably detect notes of ‘Beat Konducta in India’ - it’s got a similar Middle Eastern background. Scud’s production and DV’s vocals mesh perfectly on this album, and make for a holistic listen from the start to finish.





Cult Classic is what listeners today would call a concept album. In hip hop, concept albums tend to focus in on a single story line or character, with little variation from the main plot. For reference, think about Undun, Only Built for Cuban Linx or A Prince Among Thieves. Cult Classic’s story leads us through the life of a budding preacher turned religious extortionist. Note: While it’s not the most intricate plot line you’ll ever hear , I wouldn't call Cult Classic a casual listen. You can throw on some Yeezy while you clean you house, but this story requires a more attentive listener.

Cult Classic: The Concept

The album opens with a sermon from Creflo Dollar, a controversial preacher who’s known for his infatuation with greenbacks. This segment plants the initial seed around the theme of corruption in religion. Denmark comes through with a strong verse, and starts a dialog on his feelings about deceptive tithing, cults and manipulation in the church. In the next track, ‘Just Talking’, DV get a message from God telling him to share his story. That story is one of crime, drugs and self realization. Fellow Detroit rapper Guilty Simpson comes in with the assist, and nabs one of three feature spots on the LP. As the track fades, our street hero steps up the pulpit to deliver his first message.

It’s during this first sermon that DV fails to reach the congregation. As he’s voicing his concerns on a world dead-bent on wealth, materialism and greed, he peers out into the crowd to see that nobody is listening; they’re schweeping. But Denmark continues. Over time, he’s able to build a loyal following of a disciples. As Dalberg-Acton famously said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” DV’s power and influence over his sheep is reaching a level similar those cult leaders that he once reviled.



On the track ‘Do You Believe’, he questions his followers: “…Will you die for me? If you love me you will die for me!” He’s officially made the jump into cult-leader-status at this point, and is fully engrossed in the manipulation of his followers’ minds and money (read: skrilla). But as his power grows, so does his paranoia. In ‘Deception’, DV raps about the downside that comes with having such power and influence. It’s a slightly less-colloquial version of Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems.

As the album ends, he sees the monster he has become. He repents, hangs up his robe and walks away from the preacher game for good. Fade to black.

Cult Classic is quite a concept. While DV’s commentary on religion and the cult system comes through clearly, it’s the deviations from the story that really hurt this project. Tracks like ‘Project Prog Rock’, ‘Let the God Eat’ and ‘Hoeinindagaddadavida’ detract from the plot that DV + Scud One worked so hard to tee up. Staying true to one story for 16 tracks is difficult- which is why so many concept albums fall flat. However, with such a strong backing from Scud’s production, and the vivid imagery that DV is able to paint on each verse, the storyline stays afloat through these sometimes murky waters. Verses on ‘Do You Believe’, ‘Attack of the Skrilla Gettas’ and the title track, ‘Cult Classic’ give listeners an unique look into the ever-transforming mind of a man of cloth.

Wrap Up

DV is a great storyteller, but he’s so much more than that. He’s a lyrical technician. He’s got a quick wit and a vicious flow, that lets him tear through instrumentals on joints like ‘Cult Classic’ and ‘Intro to Cult Classic’. It’s that very chemistry between a rapper and a producer that takes an LP from good to great, and it’s on full display throughout this album.

You’re not going to see Cult Classic on any Billboard charts this year, but that doesn't mean it’s not one of the best rap albums to come out of 2013. The LP has a unique theme, dope beats and a budding lyricist- I highly recommend you give this a listen.

I’m rating this one a 7/10, and giving it a solid spot in my current rotation. Don’t be surprised when you see it pop up on some Album of the Year lists in the next few weeks- I know it’s got a spot somewhere on mine.

Have you given Cult Classic a listen? What did you think?

Stream the album free and legally at AlbumStreams.com