The new debut Album All Things Considered from Columbus, Ohio’s lyrical phenom B. Haz couldn’t come at a better time. As a new generation embarks in Hip Hop and in music in general, pioneering Artist’s are needed more than ever. Instead of following the same path, being in the same mold, using the same verbiage B. Haz put emphasis on respecting the craft. He has built a reputation for his wide variety of original music, sometimes gritty and translucent, sometimes smooth and intense- but always lyrical. B. Haz constantly incorporates other styles of music ranging from the 60’s to current into his cooking pot adding to the different strains his styles can generate.

His songs on the new album are driven by his intelligent lyrical rhyme patterns and content. He utilizes raw abstract beats that are reminiscent of 90’s Hip Hop with melodic instrumentation that is influenced by bass, piano, and other organic elements. As heard via the first single “You Know What You Want,” B. Haz paints a poignant picture of the same old story- Temptation. The Temptress acts like a dude, spends like a dude, drinks like a dude- but is 100% female. His verbal approach and snake charmer sample illustrates how you shouldn’t judge a book by the cover and be careful for what you wish for.

As a concept Album, All Things Considered rotates between hard-hitting songs that touch on modern issues like televised propaganda and media brainwashing/fake news (“Mask,” “Lookin 4 da Lines”) and more personal narratives speaking to life and love in the digital age (“It’s Yours,” “Knowing”). And while these larger stories are skillfully crafted in math, science, and physics- this is really an Album of epiphanies. LoRee’s voice speaking to the inner sanctity of family and friends in “Circles,” as an homage paid to Hip Hop with the chorus in “Slow Down,” B. Haz with his crew (Aviator Gang) coupled with the synthesizer that has a funked out Ambulance siren feel on “Grind Heavy,” the hook MIC SMIFF brings on “Married 2 This Life,” the depth of the bass accompanied with some dark alley drums behind the jingly piano and B. Haz lyrically summing up the whole Album “Rugbee…” All of these moments point to an artist wise beyond his years. Be prepared for raw abstract beats and intelligent lyrical rhymes with a sharp edge.

Haz presents a hugely laid back flow and musical backdrop with his latest track ‘You Know What You Want’. The song is explicitly directed at the more mature audience, though it’s dealt with in a pretty creative and smooth way. The music features an array of easy to listen to synths and riffs, an unusual beat, still in keeping with the easy going mood of it’s surroundings, and the artist’s leading voice alongside all of this has been recorded with a similarly mellow tone and performance style.

The track has a definite vibe to it that lasts throughout. Although there are moments of creative variation, the consistency is effective in its fusion of the classic r&b and hip-hop sound. There’s also a lot that is fresh though, perhaps even slightly more electronic music influenced, in fact on occasion the notes and riffs have something of a jazz-like ambience. All of this works well and the track on the whole has been kept pretty simple and chilled, adhering to the mood of the scene set by the lyrics and the subject matter.

The accompanying video works well with the music, the artist performs again in a fairly mellow, fitting manner, and the switch between shots keeps things simple and consistent with the set-up and structure of the song. The lyrics of the track are hugely striking and memorable at almost any given point, the rhythm of the hook is, and the artist’s voice actually has a definite sense of character and personal tone to it. It’s a voice that is likely to be recognised again throughout future releases or collaborations. It’s always good to have that unique angle, whether it’s vocal tone, performance style, accent, speed, volume – in this case all of the above.

By Rebecca Cullen

Rebecca is a Musician and writer from Manchester, UK, with an MA in Song Writing.