Sa-Roc is a 38 year old MC from Washington D.C. who’s dropped a total of 6 albums a rarities compilation, 2 EPs & 2 mixtapes throughout the the first half of the previous decade before signing to Rhymesayers Entertainment in 2015. But after several years of singles, we’re finally being treated to her debut on the label & her 7th full-length album overall.
The opener “EmergencE” tells her haters to look at her now over a quasi-jazzy instrumental from longtime collaborator Sol Messiah whereas the next track “Gold Leaf” flexes her prowess over a boom bap beat with a well-incorporated flute. The song “Rocwell America” with Styles P sees the 2 tackling the corruption in our country over a beat with a somewhat mystical vibe to it while the track “Something Real” talks about wanting to get to know her partner over a sample of Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name”.
The song “Hand of God” talks about proving one’s authenticity over a boom bap beat with an old school video game feel to it while the song “Deliverance” talks about elevating in a stress-free zone over a nocturnal instrumental from Evidence. The song “Lay It Down” talks about counting your blessings over an operatic beat while the title track over a funky, psychedelic beat. “The Black Renaissance” with Black Thought is a phenomenal ode to the Black Lives Matter movement with a piano-inflicted beat while the song “r(E)volution” talks about nothing’s gonna change but them over some popping drums & what sounds like a bass guitar.
The track “Goddess Gang” talks about being royalty over some horns & plinky keys while the song “Forever” talks about being a star over an slow beat. The track “40 & a Mule” comes through on the battle bar tip over a beat with a nice, faint background vocalist while the song “Dark Horse” talks about how they can’t deny her strength anymore over a thumping instrumental. The album finishes with “Grounded”, where Sa-Roc talks about being right about herself over a J Dilla inspired boom bap instrumental.
To me, this is Sa-Roc’s magnum opus & I think it further solidified her as one of the illest female spitters hip hop has to offer currently. The production is a lot more refined in comparison to her previous efforts & the listener gets a great look into her upbringings.
Score: 8/10