Agent of Change
By
TJ Chill
It is now time for me to focus on one of the oldest albums I
have in my list, and I’m taking you back to March of this year for an album
that has received a lot of paise from those I have spoken to about it. It comes
from an artist who has been on the blog before both as a solo artist and as
part of his crew. That artist is TJ Chill of Kaos Krew.
Agent of Change is the last in a trilogy of albums
that make up the Changing The Narrative trilogy. It began with 2021’s Changing
The Narrative which was followed with Concerned Citizen in 2023
(Which I reviewed here in November of that year, click the hyperlink to read).
To properly understand what trilogy focuses on. It would
best if I hand the reigns over to TJ Chill, for a minute:
“Since I was young,
the general portrayal of Black Men in particular has always slanted towards the
negative! Yet here I am, a decent, Christian, educated, professional, home
owning Hip Hop MC, that’s married to a decent, beautiful, Christian, educated,
professional, strong black Jamaican woman! So why don’t we see or hear that
narrative anywhere?? Most Black Men I know, share the same or similar
description of their life! I am still socially scarred having grown up in
London under Thatcherism and racism, but I know the current narrative of what
I’m perceived to be as a Black Man (as a drug taking, drug selling,
materialistic, booty loving, money grabbing, gangster baby father) is the fruit
and legacy of Thatcherism and her supporters past and present. It isn’t a
narrative that progresses me or any other human being that looks like me. So
even if they try and shut me down, it’s time to start Changing The Narrative!! TJ
Chill 2021
The intent from the beginning was always to produce a
Trilogy of albums using Hip Hop to tell a common tale for those that live it in
a way that is so uncommon in modern Hip Hop where such conscious clean lyrics
over the hardest beats are like finding clean clear quenching water in a desert
landscape. TJ Chill 2026
Now you have intention behind the music, there are just a
few things for me to do before we get into it. The album was written and
performed by TJ Chill, he also produces some of the tracks himself, as well as
creating the Artwork. There is also production from Markie 4Eyez, Daddy Skitz,
Daniel Niles, and the legendary Micall Parknsun.
With all that said, its time to get into the album. So, join
me…
Agent Of Change is ten tracks deep and kicks off with Funky
Benediction, which is produced by TJ Chill. This is a drum heavy track
which forms the funk fuelled backdrop to what is the introduction but can also
be seen as the benediction for the entire trilogy. This is a Christian based
benediction, but the thoughts and words here could be a call by any one of us
to their own higher power, you just have to have an open mind, one without
judgement. Now we are in the right frame of mind, Markie 4Eyez brings the
production for Hell To Shun. The intro has this almost jazz edge, then
the beat drops and brings this head nod vibe while that jazzy sound floats in
the background. Here TJ delivers his vocals with both strength and calm,
balancing both for when he needs to reinforce the words he is putting across.
The message here has a simplicity, even with wordplay that forms it, and that
is to turn away from the darkness in the world and turn your eyes and your
heart to the light. We all have our own versions of heaven and hell in our lives,
and it is important not to let the darker side of our nature win. With that
thought lodged firmly in our minds, we turn to Agents of Change. This is
the first appearance of Micall Parknsun on production. This one drops with an
organ and guitar heavy sound that will give you a funk vibe to get you bouncin’.
Here TJ Chill gives us all an insight on what it takes to make yourself an
agent of change. Your beliefs and how you choose to conduct yourself are the
ket element’s here, but also how you bring those beliefs to the world, how you
speak, what you say and how you stand tall. TJ also lists for us, some of the
names who have been agents of change, just listen to those names and realise
what they have, and continue to stand for and it will give you some
understanding.
Nee Nur is produced by TJ Chill and here he brings us
a drum heavy track that has a reggae vibe, but the drums are there to carry the
vocals. This one is stripped back, in terms of the music as the focus of the
track is so deep. TJ looks at the relationship between black people and the
police. This one has to bring the focus to the words because we are all aware
of how the police so often target black people, like they are guilty and to be
proven innocent. It is deeply saddening that this racism still occurs in world
where we understand the importance of unity and the fact that we are all
brothers and sisters. Something needs to change, quickly, and we just need to
keep bringing light to what’s happening and be a force for change. It’s Been
Emotional is produced by Micall Parknsun and brings us a more laid-back
sound with the focus on keys giving a sound that makes you want to take a few
minutes to sit back and listen. TJ Chill adjusts his flow likewise to speak on emotions
that are experienced on a journey of change, because to change is to confront
many situations that will elicit many different emotions from anger to sadness
and rage to grief, these and many more. So, when you reach the end of a journey
you can look back and see just how far you have come. Ludicrous Paradox is
produced by TJ and her brings us a proper banger of a sound that will have you
nodding, movin’ and groovin’ to the beat. Now as much as you may love the beat,
there isa message within that we need to look at. TJ gives us something to
enjoy that has a hidden meaning, just like some many of the things we enjoy
have hidden sides that you only realise when you look deeper, and even then,
you might not take that seriously. Think of what we eat and drink, which is
often full of chemical components, some of which are toxic at high levels, just
with the drugs we take for a headache. Then think of what can happen when these
accumulate over many years in the body. This is one example, there are so many
more, in all walks of life where so many of the choices we make are told are
for the better but, may not be. So, be the change and question everything…
The final track produced by Micall Parknsun is As I Grind
and this one has a heavy beat but a laid-back vibe that grabs your attention
and makes you take note of what TJ Chill is saying. Here TJ Chill takes us back
to some of his experiences coming up within Hip Hop and more. It is always
about how he kept grinding and moving forward, always looking to the future. He
also gives a huge shout out to many of the DJs and others who were there in the
day and supported or inspired him on his journey. One of those shouts goes to
the producer of the next track, Daddy Skits. Heavenly, produced by Daddy
Skits, has a banging sound with cuts and more to get you jumping. There is also
an etheric chorus that will almost have you floating away in the moment. This
one really speaks directly to you and brings the intention that you are the
agent of your own change. You are the one who can look forward, making the next
day better than the last. Don’t get dragged down by the struggles that each day
might bring, always look to the next day being better and make that your
intention for change.
We come to the album’s penultimate track Banquet of
Vanguards which is produced by Daniel Niles and brings a heavy sound backed
by electronic vibes that gives you a vibe that seems to keep your awareness on
alert. This one has TJ Chill forging forward with the torch of Hip Hop, asking
us all to remember where the roots of Hip Hop music come from. There is a lot
of Hip Hop has, as you would expect, evolved over the years to integrate many
other sounds. This was what Hip Hop evolved from, taking a sample of whatever
sounded good and making into something new. It is important for any Hip Hop
artist to know where the sound originated and pay respect to the roots of the
sound. The album is rounded off with TJ Chill producing imposing Heard The
Thunder Roll, and this album version is an extended mix that clocks in at
just under eleven minutes. It has this choral backing to a heavy drum beat that
is an imposing sound, making you want to listen and enjoy, and despite the
heavy sound that choral chorus touches you deeply. This one serves like a call
to all those who have chosen to find the change within themselves, to come and
stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as one. To be a beacon of light to those
who will follow. It is a sobering thought and one that many of us have been
kindling within us for years. TJ Chill also brings us some shout outs and a
reading that he brings forth as a further guiding message. The shout outs here
are extensive but, how else do you pay respect to those who have inspired you
and been a part of your journey…
I always feel humbled to be able to give my opinion, my
thoughts and inspirations when reviewing, because I want to try my best to help
you get a feel for what the music says to me and how it makes me feel. This
album is no exception of course.
Being the final chapter in a trilogy spanning five years Agent
Of Change sees TJ Chill with a lot to say, but not just that, with all the
different messages contained within and the incredible music making feel it all
to the core, Agent Of Change has one simple message when you really
break it all down. TJ Chill is simply being a beacon here, showing you his
journey and saying to you one thing, If you what this all the change, then it
is up to you, become your own agent of change and together we can change the
world and the beacons for the generations to come.
Now, I could just leave it there, but you I’m not gonna do
that right. I am glad that I have got round to bringing you my take on this
because, you might have already heard the album, it has been out for a few
months now after all. But I hope that by reading these words, you might go back
and listen with a different ear, listen a little deeper, and perhaps some of
you will go give it a listen for the first time.
Agent Of Change is a Hip Hop album that embraces the
true sound of Hip Hop, but also welcomes the sound of different influences,
while asking you not to forget the roots. It takes the Knowledge of Hip Hop and
display’s it with aplomb here, giving you so much to hear, think and feel. It
takes one mans journey and the values he stands for and brings you a guiding
light that you can take away and think on. It does not let you to do something;
it invites you to change if that is what you are ready for.
The production by all involved is spot on, it really
encapsulates the root of Hip Hop music and how it changes and evolves without
losing sight of those roots. Every sound fits perfectly in with the message
that TJ Chill is seeking to put across. If fact, the only elements of Hip Hop
that are not here are Graff and Breaking, but they get a shout and that is as
much as you can do on album like is honour the elements.
TJ Chill is as solid as ever in his vocals and world play,
delivering everything with flows and a depth of vocals that bring a real display
of the passion he has for the culture, his faith, and feeling he has to see
everyone treated with equality.
Agent Of Change, in rounding off the trilogy makes a
bold statement that if I can Change, then perhaps you can change too; if that
only serves to plant the seed within you then if has achieved so much.
Agent Of Change is available now.
My Humble thanks to TJ Chill for allowing me to bring you my
take on this and also my apologies for taking so long to get it here.
I’ll catch you all next time,
Steve.
LINKS
Stream the album here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0FGmJK8YZhwDltq5kWLjzG
TJ Chill Socials:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqBU2IME7Y3ZLoZfpiehaCg
https://www.facebook.com/tj.chill.35
https://www.mixcloud.com/TJ_Chill/
VIDEOS
Agents Of Change
It's Been Emotional
