Edan’s third record, Beauty and the Beat, has managed the rather impressive feat of unifying the underground-rap community. The last album to do this was Madlib and MF Doom’s Madvillainy from last year. What’s particularly interesting about these records is that both are so deeply rooted in the past. Madvillainy channeled the jazz and funk of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, while Beauty and the Beat mixes psychedelic rock with a deep appreciation of old-school hip hop. Edan has shown his love for early rap artists through his delivery and production style on past records, but the material he chooses to sample here provides an interesting juxtaposition of genres that leaves the listener curious about the relationship between elements of rock, soul and rap music.
Thankfully, Beauty and the Beat can also be appreciated as a great hip-hop record with a strongly old-school feel. Edan is a positive rapper, and though he never ventures far into storytelling, his focus on braggadocio recalls the early MCs he idolizes. His distinctly lo-fi approach also mimics the early years of hip-hop, right down to his triple-threat standing: MC, producer and DJ all at once. “Making Planets,” the album’s finest track, highlights Edan’s ability as a DJ and producer, leaving the best segment of the track for guest rapper Mr. Lif to tear apart.
Still, full appreciation of the album rests on pulling apart Edan’s larger goals. The use of rock samples is part of it, but on “Rock and Roll” he seems to be basing his lyrics on psychedelic writing as well. The closing duo “Smile” and “Promised Land” show best how Edan has managed to capture the very feeling and essence of psychedelic rock within the framework of hip-hop. The great achievement of Beauty and the Beat is the unification of two genres that are all too often portrayed as diametrically opposed.
