Ratking's "So It Goes" is a genuinely unique hip-hop record, one with a distinct style that's been aped in the years after its release but never to the same effect. The trio (now duo) is composed of MCs Patrick "Wiki" Morales, Hakeem "Hak" Lewis, and producer Eric "Sporting Life" Adiele. They come from Harlem, NY, their main source of inspiration and pain. Ratking seemingly came out of nowhere in 2014 (although they were signed to XL Recordings since 2011) with "So It Goes", an album that mimics their neighborhood and experiences through a filter of multiple styles and in doing so, made one all their own.
"So It Goes" is a fascinating album in how it straddles accessibility and experimentalism. This comes mostly from Sporting Life's amazingly intricate beats that are often swallowed in layers upon layers of samples that weave through heavy sub-bass and brittle hi-hats. From the vocal sample calling out of the fog on lead single "Canal" to the recurring sound clip taken from a police interaction on "Remove Ya", Sporting Life really uses samples to make an atmosphere. We truly get the feeling that Ratking are leading us into a place only they understand. This is not to say there are no helpful touchstones: while 90s boom-bap is a recurring theme, everything from Suicide to Animal Collective are clear influences. From an instrumental standpoint, there's really nothing like it.
When it comes to what is said on the album, it's just as good, if not better. Admittedly, this comes mainly from Wiki's absolutely amazing flow and personality. His energy practically carries every single track here, with Hak adding supplemental verses to anchor Wiki in a realm of reality. His delivery is an acquired taste, definitely, but once you get on his almost off-the-dome style his storytelling is impeccable. This is especially true on the title track: the beat, constructed with controlled chaos by Sporting Life, compliments Wiki's stop/start machine-gun flow. When the hook (something Ratking usually eschews in favor of pure bludgeoning) arrives, it's a much-needed breath in the verbal onslaught.
In terms of highlights, the album is chock-full of them: the first track, "*", features a piercingly high sample screeching along with almost juke-style kick drum runs. "Canal" has one of the most ferocious verses on the whole LP, while the second single "So Sick Stories" is much more laid-back (due to King Krule's pitch-perfect, deep-voiced hook). "Eat" is oddly beautiful, led by Hak's singing and a fuzzy kick-snare pattern.
But "Snow Beach", to me, really elevates the album to a realm no other artist would be comfortable in, let alone make an almost seven-minute cut in. The opening is downright psychedelic: plinking bells compete with crashing waves, voices fade in and out, Wiki's voice loops in the background and a trap-style beat rattles against the entire thing. When Wiki and Hak emerge form the mess, they appear with such charisma (in Wiki's shout-along ad-libs and Hak's smooth singing) that its hard not to love. But the track suddenly shifts gears, throwing in a 90s NY sound replete with jazz horns and fuzzy piano samples lying on top of a busy bass line. Wiki adapts to the sound with his rhyme scheme and style, and Hak forms a truly memorable hook with gorgeous lyrics. It's pretty fucking cool.
Also, when they perform live, Wiki hits the mic against his head. What's not to love? Links below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAWzCmkJqpc ("Canal" video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzdb4gEaF6E ("So It Goes" video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihextXXsLew ("Snow Beach" video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdn3__jAH64 (Boiler Room show)
http://tinyurl.com/hrju7x3 (MEGA)
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