Blitz the Ambassador - Stereotype

“I do this for you!”

So starts Blitz The Ambassador’s Stereotype, one of the most impressive hip-hop albums in 2009. Strong, demanding lyrics backed up with live instrumentation are somewhat rare in hip-hop. And yet, there’s no denying the impact when such a successful combination of a powerful emcee with impressive musical artists is pulled off.

Stereotype is an example of going all out. From second one, it screams originality as loud as possible. There’s not one moment while listening that you’re going to feel the album was half-assed or that any track was settled on without being perfected in Blitz’s eyes. When he set out to work, Blitz claims he focused on pushing the status quo. And based on the twelve tracks on Stereotype, it’s impossible to doubt him.

The album took three years to complete, and it sounds like it. The subject matter that the album covers blankets a huge arena, varying from your basic emcee show-off lyrics on “Breathe,” to more serious tracks like “Lovers Remorse,” where Blitz discusses a relationship gone awry. Death, desperation, and political issues are not safe from Blitz’s playbill, as each are tackled through the project. The album comes off like it’s three years of personal emotions from actual ups and down from Blitz’s life. A breath of fresh air from the typical “hustle hard and finish this” type approach.

Any instrument one can think of is probably used on this album, yet it never sounds overwhelming. And luckily for listeners, there’s no shortage of time given showcasing the work of the musicians. It’s an effective balance of instrumentation and lyricism throughout the entire project.

If looking for a light-hearted album, look somewhere else, it's not Stereotype. Blitz is going to be brutally upfront, dealing with issues with a maturity not typically found in commercial hip-hop. He may not wow you with his lyrical metaphors, but he’ll blow you away with his style and absolutely hit you in the head with his energetic delivery.