THE BARBER SHOP | RJ Payne
Article BARSQUIAT
"With everything going on, you forgot I was cutting ya hair... didn't you?"
The above quote is the outro, and this is exactly how this EP felt when it ended. An EP, used to be a teaser or a method used by artists who struggled with covering an array of topics before running out of steam. However, the Hip Hop audience and the standards for an EP have evolved. Creators can no longer select random songs, throw it into an EP format and call it a cohesive body of work; that's a "shortcut", pun intended.
Today, the EP has to pass the same scrutiny as an album. What does this mean? It needs to be cohesive, hold your attention and the production must support the energy of the artist. And, most importantly zero skips. What used to be a "shortcut" actually raised the bar, which is proof that true artistry will always find a way to challenge artistic expression.
RJ Payne’s ability to switch from claiming his position as a high-level lyricist to creating cinematic "scores" gives him an advantage over the industry standards. He's proven that boxing him into one particular style is never going to happen. He is conscious of what his fans are accustomed to, which is, "bars". However, the emergence of "Cinematic Payne" is a lane the game desperately needs.
Hip Hop will always be a braggadocious sport and it should be. However, beneath the bravado is everyday life. "The Barbershop" EP, is a prime example of the human experience. We love the success Eminem received, but "Bunny Rabbit" is the character we all connected to. Lyrically, RJ Payne has found a way to walk with his listeners through the human experience without compromising his pen-game.
We often underestimate the importance of the barbershop until you move to a different state or your favorite barber becomes a truck driver and "retires" (respectfully). Shopping around for the right barber/vibe is similar to the process of finding a woman to settle down with. Not in all
cases, but before you become a "regular" at the barbershop, everything outside of the actual cut can be a deal-breaker for a new customer. The music a Master Barber chooses is one of those deal-breakers.
Every barbershop is like the Apollo. What do I mean by that? The barbershop is the ear and the voice of the streets. Do, wear or say the wrong thing and you'll get booed up the block or banned. It's naturally a tough crowd, so the music selection must coincide. Some Master Barbers are so knowledgeable of this fact, they select certain music to repel a particular demographic.
We've all been in the barbershop full of men and a mother walks in with their son and out of respect, the conversation may change. A seasoned Master Barber, will adjust the music to set a comfortable tone and basically take on the role as the DJ. Creating a body of work that can play on repeat at a barbershop says everything about this EP.
Before I give my detailed opinion on the artistry, I gotta highlight the production. "The Barbershop" EP was my introduction to Producer C-Lance. I don’t know how long C-Lance and RJ Payne have worked together, but the cohesiveness is obviously tailor-made to feel like Saturday afternoon.
It is extremely difficult to maintain a specific musical theme. Let's not get it twisted, the actual barbershop isn’t just about holding intellectual conversations, but the epicenter for the "streetlife". I’m peeling back layers on this point for a reason... My point, it would've been an easy layup for RJ Payne and C-Lance to create a "score" that only embodied the street aspect of the barbershop and its surrounding area. And to be honest, that's what I expected, you can't go wrong with RJ Payne over a "streetbanger".
Instead, RJ Payne and C-Lance chose to focus on subject matter that actually mattered and build a "score" around it. Sonically, this decision was intentional. | gained a deeper appreciation for RJ Payne the A&R. RJ Payne isn’t new to creating "scores". He pulled it off with the "Nino Brown Theory" hosted by Ice-T. In my opinion, "The Barbershop" project required RJ Payne to dig deeper into his own world verses recanting the character "Nino Brown".
Proving that he can lyrically hold a listener's attention about a Saturday at the barbershop the same way he held listeners' attention about "Nino Brown". This is why this lane belongs to RJ Payne.
Without a doubt, he's mastered painting pictures that can describe the smallest, significant details of everyday life, which is why connecting with producers who can "score" his concepts is vital.
Back to my A&R point, "The Barbershop" EP was strategic. In my opinion, this EP is a step back to analyze the over glorification of ignorance. Hip Hop was created to embody the human experience and not just one perspective. Not to sound old, but this is why the 90's was such a golden era. Musically, there was a voice for everyone. Even "Mr. Wendell" life mattered. "De La Soul" had pot holes in their lawn... and "Wu-Tang" was nothing to fuck with. Point is, Hip Hop covered the human experience.
Every experience is not about hustling or chasing down "OP's". Half the "rappers” that's rapping about hustling and chasing down "OP's", not even hustling and chasing down "OP's". "The Barbershop" EP, addresses these issues, but not in a condescending way.
This EP felt like the perspective from a guy that would knock you the fuck out, but not on a Sunday. Instead, he'd rather take five minutes to talk to the "Big Ma" on the block. A man that "knows better", but isn’t gullible to the world around him. An individual who knows how to survive with integrity... those were the days.. don't let that go over ya head.
Hip Hop is supposed to be flawed because the human experience is, but it's also supposed to provide balance when necessary. As an artist, you can literally feel the monotony. However, only a few will actually take on the responsibility.
It is what it is, but it will take much longer for the Hip Hop culture to move forward if it's voice doesn't expand beyond the perspective of a traumatized teenager.
I believe the timing of this EP was for that purpose. At any moment, RJ Payne can construct triple entendres and scrunch your face up with metaphors. I'm convinced that was not the goal with this EP. The goal was to send out a frequency that would create space for mature conversations to exist.
Hip Hop is the voice of all people and "The Barbershop" EP felt like you walked into your favorite barbershop on a Saturday, not for the cut, but refuge from a confused world.
If you read this far, I fuck witchu and I hope you enjoy my brief breakdown of each song below.
TRACK TWO - Uninspired
To me, this was A&R Payne’s perspective. Just because some listeners are just becoming aware of an artist doesn't take away from the artistic journey. Mcs/artist who take pride in being different can relate to "Uninspired". The belief that Hip Hop is a young man's sport has been debunked.
Intellect matters, sharing life experiences matter. In this particular song, you can feel RJ Payne’s disappointment in the climate. Coming from Philly, pushing yourself lyrically is what fuels creativity. No disrespect, but the emergence of "drill" put artistry in an awkward position. Hip Hop is not solely about the consumer, it's therapeutic for the artist. To me, this song expresses the frustration of being silenced by the popularity of ignorance. Placing this song first was intentional, it sets up the classic conversation about Hip Hop that often happens at the barbershop.
TRACK THREE - Already Rich
Another song where the placement is key to creating an EP without skips. "Already Rich" is a clever song about grounding ourselves from the illusions of success. Success is one of the biggest lies society told and unfortunately, it takes chasing the illusion of "success" to realize, it's nothing more than Richard Pryor in the "WIZ", but thank God for "Toetoe".
This song removes the curtain and reveals that success is nothing more than a way for society to muddy the waters when it comes to wants, needs and desires. A song like this could've went left if RJ Payne lyrically conveyed his message like a "knowitall", but he doesn't. He didn't construct his rhymes from the top of the hill looking down. Instead, it feels like he's sitting next to you, looking up.
TRACK FOUR - Manchild
Man oh man, the intro alone sets the tone. “Manchild" is heavy and the placement of this song continues the barbershop conversation. Every man hits this phase, and some never get out. Today's Hip Hop is breeding "man-children". "Manchild" feels like the perspective of a man that saw the "streetlife" trap and made a conscious decision to change. It’s that right of passage moment where your next move may determine the rest of your life. It's easy to write songs about a Friday night in the club, but it takes skill and wisdom to craft an adult conversation. The impact of this song reminds me of "One Love" by Nas. Soon as you hear "One Love" you felt like you were reading the "Kite". I'm not comparing Nas to RJ Payne, I'm comparing the execution of capturing a moment that will stand the test of time. As long as there are prisons, "One Love" will resonate with that experience. And, as long as there are barbershops, "Manchild" will always embody the boys to men experience. This song reminds me of the barbershop that is owned by an older man. The type of barbershop where you check those, "Manchild" characteristics at the door.
TRACK FIVE - The Ghost of Kevin Samuels
If you heard the EP before reading this review then you can confirm the placement of this song is perfect. Especially after "Manchild". RJ Payne’s perspective is clear. Stop calling each other out and call it what it is. I didn't agree with all of Mr. Samuels ideals. However, his soul purpose was necessary. To me, that's what RJ Payne highlighted and not just by the song title.
But, identifying Mr. Samuels as the catalyst of how OUR culture has become numb to what it truly takes to restore "black love". Historically no other race is played against each other like black people. We've finally reached the point where we can't blame anyone but ourselves.
After the passing of Mr. Samuels, more social media personalities crowned themselves as the torch carrier and used their platforms to play off of the biases that exist. How can we truly "heal" when men are still jumping from family to family, communication is replaced with memes? Men are chastising men from the perspective of a scorned woman. And, women are chastising women from the perspective of a misunderstood man... What in the reverse "LIE-chology" is going on here? The irony, all WE do is hit the button as if a change will occur.
"The Ghost of Kevin Samuels" isn't about pointing the finger, but analyzing the outcome and damage that pointing the finger causes. I believe RJ Payne purposely chose this topic to suggest an alternative way to discuss "black love" and not excuses.
RJ Payne shows his deeper understanding of the state of "black love" when he mentions the strategic plan to decapitate the head of the black family through State programs such as DFACS. Topics like this reign supreme in the barbershop.
This entire EP reminds of the movie, "Do The Right Thing”, by Spike Lee. One of the main characters yells into the camera, "WAKE UP!" This movie was shot in 1989, a prominent era in Hip Hop primarily because during this time Hip Hop represented every aspect of the human experience from N.W.A to Public Enemy. However, thirty-five-fucking-years later, we still need to be reminded to wake the fuck up and realize the black culture is the greatest experiment conducted in mankind.
RJ Payne is clever enough to use his voice to defend men for the sake of shock-in-awe. Lord knows we're due for a song that expresses a mans perspective from within a relationship without degrading women. RJ Payne could've taken this approach, but it would've been too easy and it wouldn't have been cohesive with the messaging of this EP. RJ Payne didn't take a "shortcut", he stayed consistent with speaking from the perspective of someone that wants to see change.
PRODUCTION
By this point, you're in full Saturday mode. Based on my breakdown of the subject matter from track 1-5, you would think the production/vibe is somber... NOT AT ALL. The production ranks this EP with some of the best. The ability to properly control, and match the energy of a themed body of work is vital. RJ Payne can clearly cover an array of topics, but it doesn't matter if the music doesn't coincide. You don't reach this level of cohesiveness just by picking a beat. C-Lance knew the assignment and somehow managed to create a soundtrack to a Saturday afternoon. If I asked you to create a soundtrack for a Saturday afternoon that would be easy. Now, imagine having to create and maintain that sound out of thin air.
Believe it or not, when it comes to an EP, the production holds more importance than the rhymes. What do Imean? A MC can lyrically take breaks, meaning, every "bar" doesn't have to be prolific. However, the producer does not have the same luxury. Producer C-Lance is the magic.
TRACK SIX - Losing My Religion
This song is brave. It was refreshing to hear another person's spiritual journey. The only Hip Hop artist I can think of that shared their spiritual relationship is the legend DMX. It takes vulnerability to express the stages we all go through when it comes to religion and spirituality.
What I appreciated most about this song is RJ Paynes breakdown of how strategically confusing religion was designed, the impact and then arriving full circle to his own understanding and principles.
Just like the previous songs, religion is a conversation that we've all had in the barbershop that can last for hours. Again, the placement of this song is immaculate. It takes wisdom and experience to share a religious journey without shaming or choosing one over the other. It was written without bias and just enough to be a reference/testimony for anyone cutting through the maze of religion.
TRACK SEVEN - Slave Food
If you're not aware, we are in the Age of Information/Aquarius. The power of technology is scary. The food industry has always been scrutinized, but the veil is being completely lifted. The energy of "Slave Food" is consistent with the song, "Uninspired". I felt RJ Payne’s frustration of realizing society is purposely creating a simulated reality. "Real" ain't real and fake is FDA Approved, literally. Society has found a way to maximize the "Newport effect" which is to blatantly tell you its poison, but not force you to use it.
RJ Payne has a unique way of posing questions/ scenarios that leave enough space for his listeners to develop their own understanding. This entire project remained consistent with this theme. The subject matter alone will be the reason this EP lingers around for years.
TRACK EIGHT - Conspiracy Theory
This is the last song and although the album isn't redundant, my breakdown of this song maybe. Why? Because it's all part of the conversation that RJ Payne intended to have with the listeners. This next point may not matter, but this EP is so cohesive, it could have been called "Conspiracy Theory" and my review would've been the same. Some projects are just supposed to exist. "The Barbershop" is one of those projects. I'll sum up track eight by saying, it was the perfect way to end a haircut, which leads me to the outro:
"With everything going on, you forgot I was cutting ya hair... didn't you?"
My response, "I always do, see you next week."