There’s a time in every artist’s life when some decisions need to be made. Aesop Rock has happily been an underground hip hop hero complete with the battle raps to prove it. But, considering his considerable skill at crafting catchy — dare I say pop — hooks, you would think that a move to the mainstream was inevitable.
With the recent release of “None Shall Pass” on the Definitive Jux imprint, it’s obvious which path this rhyme maven has chosen to tread. From the first track on the album to the last cut, this collection of quirky compositions does little to disappoint. Title track “None Shall Pass,” has an electronic background punctuated by the rapid release flow of this seasoned emcee. (Def Jux)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 6, 2007. Read the original PDF.