Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


High Society Collective, Circa MMXI - The Collective
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

High Society Collective
Circa MMXI - The Collective



Album length: 14 tracks: 7 minutes, 39 seconds
Street Date: January 17, 2012


Former Reach Records rapper, Sho Baraka, along with J.R., Swoope, and Suzy Rock, have formed a rap super group of sorts called High Society Collective. Hearing this group of people were banding together to release an album was extremely exciting, but they excitement quickly turned to disappointment before the album finished playing through even once.

The first track, which is spoken word, "This is High," explains what high living is by saying "...we create with a greater purpose. We live with a greater purpose and we use our funds and resources and our talents with a greater purpose. This is high." The second track, "One Moment," will have you looking at the album with serious promise, but the feeling doesn't last as the next track starts. "#High" is a song based off the opening track. As the song gets going, it starts to feel as if the group thinks they are better than the world; almost a sinful pride seeps through the words. Lyrics like, "Homie we, we live high, stay high, pass on anything that ain't fly," or "Yeah momma I'm so high; can't remember the last time I was this fly," seem to glorify self. The track goes on to talk about how good and "high" they are but never even hint at how you can become "high" like them. The only positive to be drawn from the track is that it proves Suzy Rock can bring it as a rapper and not just a vocalist as she is usually used.

The album goes downhill from here. "Mad About" crosses a line both politically and lyrically. The group make racial profiling and abuse of power from police seem like the norm and strongly push their views on immigration indicating that those who believe something should be done about illegal immigration are, "Ignorant, racial discriminants." They go on later to question capitalism as a national policy as they make other complaints on our "corrupt" government, including gas prices. On top of this anger, which has an extremely unrighteous feeling that nearly borders on hate, the group feel the need use the word "p*ss" on more than one occasion. As the song finally starts to take a better direction while they express their discontent for pedophiles and prostitution, it quickly takes another turn to questionable lyrics as Suzy Rock, from the view of a stripper, proclaims, "I give 'em heart in these bars, but they rather me get 'em hard, give 'em a little manaj."

Overall, the album features some decent beats and some good raps, as should be expected from this talented group of individuals, but the whole thing seems to be a bit hypocritical. "High" is supposed to be how they are above the things of the world, but it really almost feels like they are saying they are better than others are. As humans we are all scum; as Christians we are simply saved by grace but no better than any other person. They go on with a thinly veiled message of God that never really shines through what seems to be their own personal agendas. Then after saying they are so "high," they use some questionable lyrics that really have no place in Christian music. Perhaps this album could shed some light on Sho Baraka's departure from Reach Records and their ministry. I recommend passing on this one and waiting to spend your hard-earned money on the new Trip Lee record releasing in April.

- Review date: 2/3/12, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: Lions & Liars / Syntax
. Album length: 14 tracks: 7 minutes, 39 seconds
. Street Date: January 17, 2012
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. This Is High (feat. Tom Ason) (0:52)
  2. One Moment (4:18)
  3. #High (4:36)
  4. devil (6:06)
  5. Mad About (5:43)
  6. Press On (3:31)
  7. Applause (3:13)
  8. Y.D.L.M. Interlude (1:15)
  9. Y.D.L.M. (3:57)
  10. Before Goodbye (5:44)
  11. Dedicated (4:38)
  12. Take Off (3:19)
  13. Winner's Cirlce (We Major Remake) (feat. Propaganda) (7:33)
  14. T.G.C. (2:54)

 

Leave a Comment


 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images