Vic, The Scholar x TDC
Like many of you, before I even knew of a “Dat Boi Vic” I was reading “MASTER STUDENT” aka MusiciandBuilds on Twitter/X. Shining through the clutter like the Excalibur. Very well placed, very well put, here we have this well thought out “build”. For context, to “build” means to elaborate, a term widely used by Five Percenters as they communicate with one another.
Now follow me as I set the scene. So here we have this random black man, from who knows where, on this opinion based platform where you’ll find more bullsh*t than a little bit so eloquently “building” and showing “mad” range. If you ever came across VIC’s Twitter/X you know exactly what I’m talking about and if you haven’t, stop right here and go check that out.
At this point I don’t know when I started actually following Vic on Twitter/X but the year was 2022, and “MusiciandBuilds” announced that he dropped an album.
Now me, I’m lost, like “wait, what? He raps?”
Of course I wasn’t too interested because how many guys have we seen find success in one lane build the confidence to pursue an alternate career as a “rapper”?
But whatever, here we are, yet again.
Now I don’t remember how much later exactly it was that I first decided to actually give the black man a listen but I’m sure it was during one of my solo road trips where I really didn’t have much else to do but watch the road and listen to music. Driving long distances is usually when my time and attention allows me the opportunity to have an open mind for something as strenuous as listening to a “new rapper”. In my mind I really couldn’t lose, because worst case scenario if it was trash (like they usually are) I’ll just reconvene with something a little more battle tested and proven.
Off the rip, I noticed (knowing or unknowingly) his approach was very strategic. I’ve come to notice that he tends to lead with something very thought provoking. Wondering to myself, if he did this intentionally.. given the attention span of the today's audience or the exponentially low conversion rate as one attempts to sell someone a new idea. I have come to notice the beginning of his projects are very easy going but yet hard to follow. Akin to the technique of a professional speaker. Rather than take the expected approach and fill the room with a loud, confident voice, one goes the exact opposite direction and speaks very softly. Rather than forcefully overtaking the room, they command attention by strategically inspiring you to want to hear what they are saying. Forcing oneself to listen a little more closely to this speaker than that of a traditional orator. But, to put it simply, you’ll find yourself rewinding a lot of Vic’s music in an attempt to catch and keep up.
The level of artistry exhibited here is beyond crazy though, from the artwork to the word play, Vic is not just another “rapper”.
You are listening to a teacher, a student, or should I say, a scholar.
It’s been a minute since I heard an artist include such relevant commentary throughout a body of work as such. Vic found a way to put the movie and the score on a mp3. He intertwines all of the ingredients of a good book that was turned into a movie. Race, religion, street sh*t, politics provide the structure for these omittable 16s.
To help put it in perspective, imagine Fudge from John Singleton’s “Higher Learning” dropping an album at the end of the movie.
That’s Vic!
It’s been a about 2yrs since “Othellos Child in a New World” (and I can admit) I’ve been off and on with his music since then. However, this new project, “The Sad Poet” was on time and on point. The feel and flow of this joint cut through all the noise and put my mind on cruise control, like a well rolled blunt after a long day. I sat with this album for days on end to make sure this editorial wouldn’t personify the tone of a hype beast waiting on line for a Supreme T shirt in 2015. I really appreciated the authenticity Vic exemplifies here on this project. The vulnerabilities I think most “rappers” wouldn't dare to express as they (god-forbid) might appear to actually be human after all.
Conversations about fatherhood or the lack thereof might strike a cord for most African American men but here it seems to be therapeutic. Encouraging you to explore those uncomfortable conversations in the back of your own mind. I like to think there is an unspoken generic struggle for most rappers, between being “real” and being “marketable” that the vast majority have a hard time finding a balance with. This struggle, I think it’s safe to say Vic could really give a fxck about.. respectfully.
He sounds really comfortable and content here, as if this is the last one. Which I don’t know but sonically that’s how this great this project flowed. But if it is (hopefully not) but if it is, what a hell of a closing scene. Then again, what GREAT movie didn’t leave you wanting another one? That feeling that you feel as you exit the theater, not knowing if there will be a sequel or not, but hopeful enough that the writer left enough out for a PT 2.
Only the scholar, Vic, knows.
As for the rest of us.. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.
All & All, Great Work Family!