"Return of The Mack" is the song Mark Morrison is most known for. A favorite song of my father's generation and a song my generation loves simply because it reminds of us of being forced to listen to our parents old music. That song was over a decade ago. Recently Mark Morrison reappeared to release a 7 track EP entitled "I Am What I Am." forcing us to remember who he is, but is that for better or for worse?
The first thing I notice from the first track is his voice. Morrison is known for his heavily synthesized vocals. Morrison bridges the gap between Roger Troutman and T-Pain. More than Roger but less than T-Pain. With age the voice tends to weaken. I expected a heavily edited sound for this EP, but I was wrong. Morrison has taken good care of his voice over the years because there's no difference. In fact it might sound a little better since the audio is so much clearer now. He also hasn't been tempted to turn into a rapper similar to other artists in his genre. When he knows what he is, he's telling the truth. Even in 2014 Morrison delivers a incredible mixture of genres. Soul, Reggae, Hip-Hop, funk, it's all here.
I Am What I Am was originally going to be an album but ended up a 7 track EP. That may sound discouraging but it's not. Maybe it was for the best. You can tell the work that went into this project. The theme is clearly stated that Morrison knows who he is. He's a man who worships God and does the best he can but still makes mistakes. Songs like "My Life" apologizing to his wife for infidelities and other issues. Almost begging her to come back. Only to be followed up "I Want To Be Your Man 2.0." Eventually he closes the EP with "I Don't Want To Die" and a second version of the title track "I Am What I Am" with subtle changes and a verse from Crooked I. The only song that isn't about his personal life is "N.A.N.G. 2.0" it's a song urging women to leave abusive relationships.
Instrumentals for the album are completely different. I mentioned earlier how he touches on a ton of genres. The instrumentals reflect that. None of the instrumentals are similar. Usually this might cause some snags in listening but Morrison tells a story that weaves through several genres and makes you want to continues listening.
My favorite song is a tossup. The song "I Want To Be Your Man 2.0," is a remix of the classic Zapp and Roger song with Morrison taking lead. It also features some nice verses from Young Buck. The song "Father Forgive Them," is awesome in another way. It features several artists that haven't been heard from in a while. While Tre Tha Truth and Crooked I aren't in hiding Morrison managed to find Kieth Murray, Beanie Man and Black Rob. It's a reunion of 90s artist who found God. It's beautiful the way that it shows the evolution of all these artists in their personal lives.
I don't have a song I hate. They're all great. I do have one problem. On the song "I Don't Want 2 Die," Morrison sings about not wanting to die and go to Hell. He's haunted by Bible verses like "You reap what you sow." It's an amazing song and touching. Then DMX appears like the resident crackhead that he has become. This wouldn't be a problem if he was doing one of the prayers he's known for. Instead he calmly raps the same things he always does such as "Niggas think they won't get got, BUT THEY GON GET" then he says something about an albino black rhino. DMX started his verse like he understood the entire point of the album. Everyone makes mistakes but you own up to them. Nope, in the end DMX just threatens to kill people and paints himself as a victim. Then he says something about an albino black rhino coming through. What does that even mean? Every guest on the album mentioned the mistakes they've made and took responsibility. The only reason I don't hate this song is because you could cut it off before DMX and you'll only miss the chorus being repeated again.
When it's all said an done, Mark Morrison has returned with an EP that reminds you who he is, and shows you that he's still got it. He also shows his evolution as a man and brings along some friends to share their story. Usually when someone says they've found themselves they haven't completely. Morrison on the other hand knows his shortcomings as well as his strengths.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He's also playing Pokemon Liquid Crystal on YouTube
Follow @OriginalKingD
I Am What I Am was originally going to be an album but ended up a 7 track EP. That may sound discouraging but it's not. Maybe it was for the best. You can tell the work that went into this project. The theme is clearly stated that Morrison knows who he is. He's a man who worships God and does the best he can but still makes mistakes. Songs like "My Life" apologizing to his wife for infidelities and other issues. Almost begging her to come back. Only to be followed up "I Want To Be Your Man 2.0." Eventually he closes the EP with "I Don't Want To Die" and a second version of the title track "I Am What I Am" with subtle changes and a verse from Crooked I. The only song that isn't about his personal life is "N.A.N.G. 2.0" it's a song urging women to leave abusive relationships.
Instrumentals for the album are completely different. I mentioned earlier how he touches on a ton of genres. The instrumentals reflect that. None of the instrumentals are similar. Usually this might cause some snags in listening but Morrison tells a story that weaves through several genres and makes you want to continues listening.
My favorite song is a tossup. The song "I Want To Be Your Man 2.0," is a remix of the classic Zapp and Roger song with Morrison taking lead. It also features some nice verses from Young Buck. The song "Father Forgive Them," is awesome in another way. It features several artists that haven't been heard from in a while. While Tre Tha Truth and Crooked I aren't in hiding Morrison managed to find Kieth Murray, Beanie Man and Black Rob. It's a reunion of 90s artist who found God. It's beautiful the way that it shows the evolution of all these artists in their personal lives.
I don't have a song I hate. They're all great. I do have one problem. On the song "I Don't Want 2 Die," Morrison sings about not wanting to die and go to Hell. He's haunted by Bible verses like "You reap what you sow." It's an amazing song and touching. Then DMX appears like the resident crackhead that he has become. This wouldn't be a problem if he was doing one of the prayers he's known for. Instead he calmly raps the same things he always does such as "Niggas think they won't get got, BUT THEY GON GET" then he says something about an albino black rhino. DMX started his verse like he understood the entire point of the album. Everyone makes mistakes but you own up to them. Nope, in the end DMX just threatens to kill people and paints himself as a victim. Then he says something about an albino black rhino coming through. What does that even mean? Every guest on the album mentioned the mistakes they've made and took responsibility. The only reason I don't hate this song is because you could cut it off before DMX and you'll only miss the chorus being repeated again.
When it's all said an done, Mark Morrison has returned with an EP that reminds you who he is, and shows you that he's still got it. He also shows his evolution as a man and brings along some friends to share their story. Usually when someone says they've found themselves they haven't completely. Morrison on the other hand knows his shortcomings as well as his strengths.
You can hear Darrell on the CP Time and Powerbomb Jutsu podcasts. He's also playing Pokemon Liquid Crystal on YouTube
Follow @OriginalKingD
