Beat Maker Elaquent “Rediscovery” Chill-Hop Ode to Joy and Innocence

Elaquent shares, “The record signifies a return to form. I wanted to rediscover the things in my life that make me happy and help me find my inner child.” The album is a dedication to the joy found in martial arts movies, pro wrestling, video games, collecting action figures, and the simple pleasures that might have been forgotten over the years. Across 14 tracks, the album offers a nostalgic return to the mindset of a teenager with outsized dreams, unremitting passion, and the desire to infuse soul into every soundscape. Beat maker Elaquent, primarily known for instrumental hip-hop, expands his horizons by collaborating with a mix of seasoned and emerging artists. The result is a heart-on-sleeve record that blends Elaquent’s signature warmth with the expressive narratives of the featured emcees.

Although the project has a demo-tape vibe, it’s a cut above your average release. The album’s opening track, “Tiger Cage II,” sets the tone with chill-hop grandeur. The blend of lo-fi drums, organic timing, soulful hio-hop fanfare, and vivid synths transports the listener to a realm where sounds and images are seared into memory. The new beat maker on the block, Elaquent skillfully channels the traditions of hip-hop legends like Pete Rock, DJ Hi-Tek, J Dilla, and Madlib, paying homage to the roots while expanding upon them.

Now for you true “hip-hop represent” heads, “Carnival” unapologetic-lly delivers that classic underground flavor. Elaquent serves up the beat production, hand crafting legendary modern-vintage era flavor. Keeping it bouncing with exponential vibrations, featured emcees Mathematik, Solar-C and Es engrave the track with captivating word play, seasoned delivery and flavorful tones.

Skyzoo is arguably one of the most featured rap artists of our time. In “Spirit of Richard Wright,” Skyzoo’s poignant verses summon the three-dimensional insight of the late author, weaving a narrative that reflects on the ongoing civil rights struggle. Elaquent’s symphonic chill-hop melodies provide a timeless backdrop, tapping into the matrix of classic soul. The collaboration with Chester Watson on “Away” crafts a surrealist journey, where Watson’s laser-focused vision slices through the dreamlike beats. Tracks like “Hoes Mad” with Brittney Carter and JazzStar showcase Elaquent’s ability to create a cozy atmosphere for rappers to exhale fire.

Published on November 3, 2023: Elaquent “Rediscovery” Produced by Elaquent. From Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Hip-hop uniting artists in a universal way… “Vintage Dior” featuring Sonnyjim and “Lobster Spaghetti” with Brainorchestra reveal the cross-continental telepathic connection between Elaquent and the featured artists. The instrumental “Tuscany” is a sonic journey to the Italian coast, a work of stunning beauty with postcard-gorgeous chord changes and celestial boom-bap timing on the drums.

The album’s finale, “I Made You A Song,” is a testament to Elaquent’s mastery. With an unquantized, beatific soul reminiscent of Dilla, it brings the listener full circle, back to the essence of what made them fall in love with music. “Rediscovery” is more than an album; it’s an odyssey. It invites the listener to grasp the sense of possibility, reminding them that the past is always accessible, ready to be discovered, and the future remains unwritten. In a world often weighed down by the complexities of adulthood, Elaquent’s musical journey is a celebration of rediscovering the joy and innocence that lie within us all.