Reviewed by Steve Hayes

S.O. (Seun Otukpe) is well known as Lamp Mode Recording's first international artist and has been on the Christian rap scene for over a decade. His latest release is a complex, diverse and yet cohesive collection of tunes with outstanding production to boot. The album title comes from the name of Seun's father (Augustine) who would have been 60 this year (2019). "Augustine's Legacy" moves from powerful lyrical exposition and declaration, suddenly contrasting with the sound of his wife and daughter as the track ends. "London Nights" is a standout track, as is "The Only One" featuring Mallory Jackson's vocals. S.O. has written that he sees "I See The Giants" as the anthem track from the album as he confronts fears and sees these "giants" fall, over a backing of booming bass and breaks. The album provides a platform for the lyrical, rapping and singing abilities of S.O. ("Headwrap Diaries" as one example). There are several outstanding tunes but S.O. is not afraid to challenge norms too. In "White Jesus" S.O. gets heavy on the beats and in tone as he investigates the (inaccurate) stereotypical view of Jesus presented as a white man. Calling out the truth that "Jesus was a Middle Eastern Jew" he also looks at some of the harm the portrayal of a "white Jesus" has done. Listen to the track before judging the song title. The album ends with the almost lounge house "Open Arms". . . except the album doesn't end because the rapper chose to add another banger of a track at the end, "Boast". S.O. would no doubt not boast over this album, so I'll do that for him!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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