Prelude to the
Mantis
By
Chino XL
It is humbling to be able to bring you my take on an album
by an artist such as Chino XL, who has become one of the most outstanding
lyricists of the modern era.
Born in the Bronx in 1974 he grew up in New Jersey. He
started his musical career as one part of the duo Art of Origin alongside DJ
and Producer Kerri Camar Chandler and go on to release his first solo album
Here To Save You All in 1996. He also broke into acting with appearances in
Reno 911, CSI: Miami and the movies Alex & Emma and The Beat. During is
career Chino XL featured on many tracks alongside some of Hip Hop’s greats such
as the likes of Rakim, RA The Rugged Man, Immortal Technique, and Kool G Rap.
Chino sadly passed away in July 2024 to suicide, and my heart goes out to his
family as this is a pain I know only too well.
I could easily write an entire blog post around Chino XL,
his achievements and the respect he has across the world, but I feel the best
thing to do is to let his art do the talking. Prelude to the Mantis is his
fourth posthumous album and a follow-up to Ascen7ion. The album features a host
of production credits including Nick Wiz, Apathy, VoodooLion, and Johnny Slash.
Plus, some incredible feature artists: KXNG Crooked, Rittz, Statik Selektah,
TechN9ne, Apathy, M-Eighty, Copywrite, Cappadonna, Planet Asia, Canibus, and
HRSMN (Ras Kass, Killah Priest & Kurupt). The album is also executively
produced by Chino’s daughters Lyric & Bella.
With that said please join me for a journey through the
Prelude to the Mantis…
The album is some twenty-two tracks deep, which also
includes one remix. The Mantis kicks things off with a heavy beat backed
by guitar notes, produced by Johnny Slash, that give this a sound that
immediately sets the tone, providing a solid platform for Chino’s vocals. Here
Chino’s technical and cerebral wordplay hits with a power that infiltrates your
mind and gives you but a glimpse into his own mind. With the tone of the album
set and the bar raised, Blue Bird, which is produced by VooDooLion, hits
with a sample from the Blade Runner Soundtrack, which gives this deep
reflective tone, even when the heavy beat kicks in. This one is packed with
intense personal narratives and reflective tones that touch you deeply and
allow you to understand that Chino knew who he was and the depth of his own
struggles, channelling that energy into the music he created. I Know is
produced by Nick Wiz and this sound that is infectious first getting your head
moving before the rest of your body follows. Here Chino asserts a dominance in
the rap game with lyricism that challenges you listen and keep up with every
bar as it drops. There is no question here as to who you are listening to, this
is Chino XL. Steezy has a more modern sound with heavy bass, electronic
sounds and a high paced ticking that tweaks your nerves. The overall sound has
a club vibe while Chino unloads fast paced vocals that seem to mash up brain
cells before a more soulful bridge gives you a brief respite.
Terminally Ill sees Tech N9ne, Rittz, Kxng Crooked
and Statik Selektah step up alongside Chino. The beat is heavy with big bass
notes and that modern sound coming through once more. Here we have top tier
emcees dropping verses that not only showcase their lyricism as they trade
verses that give insights into their personal journeys and battles along the
way. This is a posse cut for the modern era that hits hard with a no fuck’s
given brutality to boot. Next, Apathy joins Chino and both produces and
features on Blood, Sweat and Tears. The beat has a pounding sound that
creates an energy that begins in your ears and explodes from there. The
lyricism is fast paced and intense looking at the sacrifices you often have to
make, but also that by consistent perseverance, the right steps forward can be
made. Guillotine has a more laid-back vibe and sees Chino focusing on
execution as the metaphor. This might only be a short verse but says so much
and makes you realise that in the rap game, there is often no room for mercy. Loving
You features M-Eighty and Chino over a sound that is piano heavy with a
pounding drum beat that gives a big sound that vibrates throughout you. This
one looks at love as a selfless energy between two people. Something that
transcends the struggles and hurdles of life to always keep you together as
one. Shots Through Ya Vehicle is produced by Anno Domini (Germany) and
has a heavy sound where piano and flute note come to the forefront, giving this
one a reflective air. Chino drops heavy rapid-fire lyrics that hit with an
intensity that you might expect from vocal drive-by. With aggressive delivery
and complex bars that leave no room to relax in.
Chi Chops hits with a heavy beat and piano notes
giving this a sound that carries you along with the vocals. Here Chino gives us
a showcase of his technical skill as he builds vocals around chopping down his
competitors with lyrical skill. Acapella is exactly that as Chino gives
us a short verse that hits like a freestyle battle rap that highlights his
wordplay and delivery without the need for a beat. Next up is Basquiat
which hits with a heavy boom bap sound with a big orchestral edge which gets
you moving. Chino gives us a display of abstract artistic metaphorical lyricism
that frames the art of creative destruction in the rap game. The title suggests
that Chino’s creative expression in Hip Hop could mirror that of New York
Neo-Expressionism artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Triple Seize is produced
by Terminal 3 Productions and sees Chino joined by Kxng Crooked and Copywrite.
The heavy sound brings rock guitar notes to the forefront giving this one a raw
sound that vibrates through your body. Here we have three emcees dropping the
kind of rhymes that threaten to blow your mind from the inside-out as the
wordplay brings intense mental images into clear focus.
Paradigms once more brings piano notes to the
forefront, this gives this one an energy that makes you reflect on what you are
hearing. Chino brings complex and deep lyrical wordplay that seems to focus on
mindset and a visceral lyrical display that pulls no punches what comes to
taking on competitors. The Rapture hits with an eerie sound that has a
Hip Hop horror vibe about it, putting you in mind of the horrorcore sound; and
Chino is joined by Cappadonna, Planet Asia and Kxng Crooked on this one. Here,
each emcee delivers top notch verses that are packed with the kind of wordplay
gets you fired up and bouncing, leaving you wanting more with a huge smile on
your face. Next up is Chemistry which has a more modern sound it with a
more relaxed sound opposed to the rapid vocals from Chino. This one focuses on
free-flowing rhymes which puts you in mind of freestyle rap. No written words
to read from just what comes to mind instinctively in the moment. Lyrical
powerhouse Canibus joins Chino for We Just Spit Bars. The beat is heavy
with guitar notes and cuts giving this one an infectious sound that gets you
moving. Chino and Canibus trade verses delivering the kind of bars that not
only bring a huge smile to your face but also leave you feeling mentally
exhausted by the end.
Cruel World has a sound where keys take the forefront
and the beat is sparse, sitting in the background giving this one an easy
listening sound that brings the vocals to centre stage. This one might have
multiple interpretations, but as I listened to this one there was a lot that
spoke of hardship and negativity, there was also much that spoke on internal
struggles. The complex metaphorical images created as you listen will tease
just what you see in the world around you. The HRSMN (Kurupt, Ras Kass &
Killah Priest) ride in to join Chino for Champion. The sound is gritty
with a ragga edge to it, which is reflected in the bridge lyrics. Here we have
four emcees trading verses that seem to focus on celebrating their individual success
as artists, but also, collectively as four horsemen, utilising clever use of
metaphorical imagery. The penultimate track here is On My Grind, a
single verse where Chino delivers incredible metaphorical imagery that focuses
on Chino doing what he does best. However, the verse is cut, rather abruptly
and the Grand Finale is the final track of the project. The sound is a
heavy beat that is backed by this almost haunting sound. Chino brings rapid
flows and deep wordplay that references spiritual and religious aspects. This
brings a powerful statement to close the project and giving you much to reflect
on.
There is still one track to go though, a remix of a track
that featured on another posthumous album, DJ Fokus Presents… Chino XL – Map Of
Bones. Still Sailing (Vodka Gravas Remix) has a laid-back beat which is
backed by chilled keys which give this one a reflective edge. Chino brings a
symphonic edge to this one which sees him looking back over key moments from
his life, moments which helped define the person he became and the messages he
delivered within his music. This has an inspirational and uplifting vibe that
is a great way to celebrate his memory.
When trying to think of the overall impact of this album,
there is a lot to consider here. First up is the fact that this is like a
celebration of Chino XL, his music, and the man that he was. It is also has
this element that is like a thank you to the fans, as we are given some verses
that might have been from unfinished tracks and give us the chance to enjoy
those moments; and reflecting on this does bring some deep feelings to the
surface.
Many of you will know that in 2020, I lost my youngest daughter in same way that Chino’s family
lost him, and when I think of the ways that I have celebrated her memory over
the years, I can really feel the energy that runs through something like this album.
Celebrating a person’s memory is not always about the things you do to remember
them, but also about how you can help others to celebrate their memory too, and
in keeping the music of Chino XL alive, his family are celebrating his life and
his music in so many ways.
Prelude to the Mantis showcases the incredible talent that
Chino XL was. The way he used metaphorical imagery to put across his messages
or to just display his writing is almost second to none, and he is, without a
doubt one of the greatest lyrical talents in recent years. To be honest, I
wonder if my words can adequately put across exactly how talented Chino was, as
the way he used his lyrics and cerebral imagery was almost too much for just
words to speak on. You have to listen to his work to get a real sense of the
quality of his work.
This album brings Chino XL to centre stage but, it also
brings together a wealth of Hip Hop artist to stand shoulder to shoulder with
him, putting their own stamp of respect onto this project. The production
values are also top notch here too. I always mention that some of the more
modern sounds are not always my cup of tea, but that is person preference. What
is does show is that Chino XL was the kind of artist who was easily able to
embrace different styles and sounds within Hip Hop music and to show that he
could seamlessly speak to a wide audience with his music.
Prelude to the Mantis is a solid album that not only
showcases the incredible talent that Chino XL brought to the world, but it
encompasses the deep messages that he interwove into his music. He may have
left this world too early in our eyes, but that was his choice, and he left us
with a legacy in music that will be enjoyed and seen as a beacon to so many.
You might not think it, but there is a light he left us with, and we celebrate
him for that.
Rest In Beats Chino XL, Derek Keith Barbosa, 1974-2024 One Love.
My humble thanks to John Dugan (JD Hip Hop Reviews) for
putting this one my way.
I’ll see you all next time.
Steve.
LINKS
Get you copy of the album here:
https://www.1332records.com/product-page/chino-xl-prelude-to-the-mantis
Stream Here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/7ACE9KmRDOn8pGQFQV5866
The Official Chino XL Tribute page:
https://www.instagram.com/chinoxltribute/
More Chino XL Links:
https://www.facebook.com/ChinoXLOfficial
https://www.youtube.com/@therealchinoxl
VIDEOS
The Mantis Official Video
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