Psalm One Record Release

Psalm One
Abbey Pub, Chicago
Saturday, July 22, 2006

There was a time, before Lil’ Kim and Foxy Brown, before Jacki-O and Trina, when female MCs were hyped because of their talent, not their sex appeal. Remember MC Lyte? Yo Yo? Pre-movie star Queen Latifah? Pre-nutso Lauryn Hill? Remember strong, sophisticated women with something to say and an skillful way of saying it?

Psalm One remembers. The Southside Chicagoan, who first made a name for herself with the self-released 2002 record Bio:Chemistry (recorded while she studied chemistry at U Of I) establishes herself far more than just a “good-for-a-girl” MC on Death Of A Frequent Flyer, her Rhymesayers debut. And Psalm has no patience for the kittens who call themselves rappers (“Put the mic down/you really ain’t got no chance/hang the rappin’ up/go home and practice your pole dance”) because it stereotypes everyone, even someone as talented as she. Frequent Flyer features guest appearances from some big indie hip-hop names, including Atmosphere and DJDQ of Glue, but nobody comes close to stealing Psalm’s shine. Her flow can be ferocious (“Mountain High”), emotional (“The Nine”), and narrative (“The Living,” a song about trying to make it as a rapper while working full-time as a chemist in a food safety lab) but never stale. The only disappointment on the entire record is Ang13’s, another talented up-and-coming Chicago rapper, appearance is limited to her voice on a message machine — no verses. If that’s the only thing “bad” that can be taken from the record, Psalm One is obviously doing something right.

Saturday night’s show is a Scribble Jam preliminary MC battle; Mac Shot, Lethal, and Maker will also appear.

— Trevor Fisher

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly