Mooka da Babe – White Man’z World Black History (Album Review)

Today’s review features the new album by Mooka da Babe called “White Man’z World Black History.” So what is this new album all about?

Mooka da Babe explains, “The Art of War uses the tools of perception, misdirection, and strategic planning. But there is another tool for elevating social status, and that tool is called positioning. Some have been practising positioning since childhood by playing checkers and chess. But if he or she hasn’t noticed while playing those games, the pieces are used as a team to win. This is how people of African descent can win; it can be our legacy for black history.”

So let’s have a listen …

White Man’z World Pt 2 Remembering 2Pac – The album kicks off with a clip of a President George H.W. Bush speech talking about the “new world order,” interspersed with lots of scratching. The artist then starts into a slow rap, interspersed with the phrases “what the fuck” and “what the hell.” The artist is making a point that we live in a “white man’s world,” “They change images, they change history, … they change minds.” And notes that this can only change with an anthemic cry, “Rise Up!” The slow rap style really has nothing to do with 2Pac’s style or legacy.

White Man’z World Pt 3 2Pac’s Legacy – starts off with another old TV clip. The artist is all about the lyrics, rapping about “the white man’s world” and “they can take everything from you.” I like the underlying slow track on this one. “We take, we kill each other, cause … we don’t like each other.”

White Man’z World Pt 4 the Running Man – starts with another old TV clip. The delivery here is more like listening to an old Cheech and Chong song. “You’re running, they’re coming, they’re coming to get y’all.” The artist notes that it seems like black people have to work “even harder” just to break out of the white man’s continuing oppression.

White Man’z World Pt 5 Harsh Reality – starts with a historical clip about William T. Sherman’s famous 40 acres and a mule order and the Freedman’s Bureau Act. “After 240 years, I’m free.” I like the eerie Halloween-style movie track underneath the rap. It even come with an evil laugh. A bass joins the fray, providing a more solid beat. The rapper notes, “I’m an American now,” as if that is supposed to erase hundreds of years of slavery and mistreatment. “I’m finally free.”

White Man’z World Pt 6 Jail Birds – starts with another old TV clip talking about the Constitution and Congressional powers to fix this problem. This song marks the first time the artist finally sings rather than just raps. The rhymes are a bit simple, and the delivery is slow and lacks punch.

White Man’z World Pt 7 Soldier On – “You’re the King (N-word), and I’m going to knock your block off.” “If you snitch, you’re going to get it.” Lots of different ways to say “_____ off.” (fill in the blank).

I like the use of old TV clips, and think they can be effective in storytelling, but I feel like the artist’s simplistic rhymes and slow rap style and delivery sort of undermine the message of the album. The production also seems to be lacking, making the record sound a bit cheesy. There is a real opportunity here to tell a very real story about the history of oppression experienced by the black community, and to empower them to overcome, but this album lacks the depth of storytelling that can truly deliver the message. I applaud the artist for the attempt, just not the execution.

SCORE/Mediocre: Rapper Mooka da Babe’s new album “White Man’s World Black History” contains some interesting old TV/film samples, but the artist’s slow rap style and simplistic rhymes undermine the political message at the heart of this album. Re-record, remix, and try again. Maybe with a bit more speed in the delivery. Much love, Beth

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