I downloaded Computer Chip's EP Hello World this past weekend. It's been on rotation for the past few days and since I commute to work everyday from San Jo to San Fran back and forth, I've gotten a good dose of the15 track EP mostly composed of short tracks of fierce rhyming.
The EP rides through with a special emphasis on rhyming over beat forcing the listener to pay close attention to every word enunciated with a tone and demeanor that demands to be heard. That's not to say that the production is bad in any way. The production sounds relevant as it has electronic overtones and to some degree even pop in some ways. The music carries a metallic quality the whole way through the seems fitting to Chip's style with some notable contributors such as the production from Tape Mastah Steph on For the Love and Goldenchild on What We Do featuring Nga Fish who spits a jaw dropping chopped verse, nothing less then what you would except from the CVE member, followed by 16 bars from Chip that balances the track as Chip is rapping at a much slower tempo but just as raw as Nga Fish.
Chips rappin has a no mercy word play, as in, he seems to mean what he says whether it hurts you or not, and also seems to not care what you think either. No word is ever wasted to make a point so when he gets to being critical about 'corny' trends, it hits with an extra punch. On the track NO POSERS he takes a stab at shoe collectors starting the track "what swag/ you collect fanny packs and hand bags/ I've seen you in queues/ sizing up other dudes/ spending your moms money on some bullshit shoes," and ending the track with "lobby against lay away/ and choosing cash over credit/ while you kids are stuck on trying to make each other jealous," and well, having seen his shoe collection first hand, there is a reason for the song. Being bold is nothing new to chip.
If you like music that keeps it real to one's artistry and home grown hip hop, this album is for you.
Download EP at Hello World