In the rap universe, it is difficult being a duo because ego is the force driving most lyrics. “I am the best”, “I am the greatest” are phrases often caroled by performers. Hardly do you ever hear a “We are a team and that is why we excel! Teamwork!” One of the few duos, that were able to transcend self-centeredness and become greats in their own right, have been in an undetermined hiatus since their last album Idlewild. The idea of Outkast, in itself, is another reason why it is difficult to be a rap duo. Any new group’s music and identity will be forever compared to the work of the Atlanta artists until one finally surpasses them. This is where California artists U-N-I currently find themselves.
While most would view this comparison as a curse, U-N-I sees it as a blessing. Yo takes chances in his personal and lyrical style. Thurzday, on the other hand, can be viewed as more mainstream, yet and still his vocabulary is the best out of the two. Even their promo photograph (seen above) seems to pay homage to Outkast’s Stankonia album cover, but their charisma is a creation of their own. “Donkey Kong” sees the group beating their chests as they mock their competition that they view as having “…braces on their teeth trying to bite [their] style.”
Thurzday and Yo exchange raps back and forth, but the lyrics lack any real substance. With a title like “Donkey Kong” you would expect a sledgehammer and barrel throwing approach to their choice of words, but instead it is a bit lackluster. What saves the track is the industrial video game beat produced by Dibia$e. It’s the grime you would expect, but takes unsuspecting turns once the listener gets comfortable. “Donkey Kong” is off of the duo’s upcoming Kings Keep Marching mixtape.
Rating: 7.0
MP3: U-N-I – Donkey Kong
