Lyrics Born – As U Were

As co-founder of indie hip-hop collective Quannum Projects with DJ Shadow and Gift of Gab, Bay Area's Lyrics Born (Tom Shimura) has earned a reputation as possibly the funkiest rappin' crooner there is. For his fifth album the Japanese-American sticks strictly to his guns, delivering a danceable set imbued with his breathy flow and inimitable, larger-than-life persona. For anyone already acquainted, there's no great charting of new territory.

But there are highlights; opener Kontrol Phreak finding Lyrics Born asserting his independence in typical style, proclaiming: “I don't need no introduction, 'cos these folks already know me, when my people ask me questions, you don't need to answer for me”. I've Lost Myself includes the unlikely self-comparison to a cockatoo as Shimura laments the pitfalls of success, while Gab pops up to discuss pill-poppin' and Pushed Aside/Pulled Apart rings in an overdue reunion with Latyrx partner Lateef. More of that, please. [Martin Skivington]