Random and Lost Perception "Black Materia"

You love video games? You love hip hop? Guess what...there are millions just like you, no really. What you don't believe me? Well what if I told you about an MC called Random who after making a dope album called "The Call" was stuck for an idea for his next album. So he thought back to his childhood and remembered his love for the game Mega Man and created an album about just that, using beats created from the Mega Man series. So yes there is someone like you, but what does that have to do with "Black Materia?" Ever here of a game called Final Fantasy VII? It has only been called one of the the greatest games ever by a multitude of video game sites and magazines.

Well ladies and gentlemen, Random, with help from Lost Perception. decided to create an album based on the top selling Playstation game of all time. HOLD ON...before people who aren't gamers or gamers who aren't Final Fantasy fans decide there is no reason to check this album, let me inform you I have never played any of the Final Fantasy games so I understand where you are coming from, but talent is talent, if you like dope beats, lyrics and story telling then you will enjoy "Black Materia." Now if you haven't figured this out (because I am an idiot and didn't say earlier) the beats were created using the music from the game, so you've got that great 32 bit sound continuing through the album and Lost Perception does a great job of making the music into pure hip hop beats.

I did debate on whether or not I should review this album, only because I'm not a Final Fantasy fan and knew the extra work that would go into it for a non-fan to "get" the album. Then I realized that is exactly why I NEED to do this review, to offer the point of view of the uninformed, so as I have developed a pattern for saying...here we go.

The album begins with "Introduction" featuring Marlos Hill who gives you a brief background of the story: a company (Shinra) is draining the planet of its energy to provide energy for the people, create a supreme fighting force called SOLDIER to crush their opposition. The best of SOLIDER, one called Sephiroth turns against Shinra as well as everyone else on the planet and the planet itself. Battles occurred until the Chosen Day when the planet fought back and everything was washed away. While the story is being told, Lost Perception's beat is simple and elegant, almost like an organ, that conveys the emotion of the situation. Once the intro story ends, the beat changes dramatically with hard drums and synths that build before Random speaks on the gravity of the situation of the draining of the planet. Hopefully no one is lost yet but trust me it will be ok.

"They all up on their horse like equestrians, a lifetime ago we use to be the best of friends, but things change, now I'm feeling stressed again, I got my sword leveled up let the quest begin," so begins "Cloud Strife." What is crucial to me is whether you are a gamer or not...those are great multisyllabic rhymes and if you disagree, well then, I bite my thumb. The track is from the point of view of Cloud Strife (a member of SOLDIER) and talks about his admiration for the power and respect that Sephiroth has gained (even though Sephiroth turned against the planet and nearly destroyed it.) Since his memories were faded and "the frame rate is mad shoddy like a PS one" he searches and finds out that Shinra created him to be a warrior and his memories weren't his own. He vows revenge against both Shinra and Sephiroth.

We are introduced to the next character Tifa in "Tifa's Theme" Cloud's childhood friend (and crush). Random speaks as Cloud telling childhood memories of himself and Tifa. Any fan of story telling needs to check out this track (and the whole album in reality). Lost Perception uses a great stripped melodic piano and drum driven beat to convey the nostalgia of Cloud's recollections. The next track "Avalanache" introduces the group Avalanche and their leader, Barret Wallace, who oppose Shinra and all they stand for. If this came on in the club, I guarantee everyone would be up and moving and (since many in the club aren't paying attention to the lyrics) they would request it again so they can get their dance on. But once again Random shows he has real lyrical talent and does not rhyme just one syllable words, something that many fans of hip hop (myself included) feel is an art lost on many of today's MCs. Damn...once again I find myself rambling but let us continue. "Mako Reactor" details the journey of Cloud (who is in fact a mercenary) and Avalanche as they decide to destroy Shinra's Mako Reactors, but there are some major complications. Random does a great job detailing the events while the beat is perfect for what is basically a heist.

Then one of the highlights of the album "Aerith" featuring Spiral Arm begins with an almost disorienting beat (which works great because Cloud is regaining consciousness) before Cloud meets Aerith and are greeted by a haunting angel like chorus. Whatever beat is thrown at Random he makes sure to make it work and continues that on this track which is especially evident when the beat drops and changes entirely in the second half of the track when it becomes a song about love lost. Lost Perception also shines on here due to the frequent changes and his ability to make it all flow from one segment to another seamlessly.

"Don of the Slums" featuring Brentalfloss is by far my least favorite track, even with a great beat the vocals send it into a bit of comedy that does not fit with the rest of the album. Maybe a fan of the game is aware of why this track is here but I cannot figure it out. But right after that "Don of the Slums" features great verses by Storyville, TheThoughtCriminals, and Random detailing the life of Cloud and others in the slums of the planet that is controlled by the Don, which is very similar to the "slums" in our current world.

Pounding drums begin and continue throughout "Cosmo Canyon" as The Ranger, speaking as Red XIII (thank you Final Fantasy Wikia) tells his story. Trust me, you want to check out this track, if nothing else for how The Ranger changes his inflection and tone as he learns the truth about his father. Dale Chase acts as the voice on "The Turks" Shinra's group in charge of espionage. The track is decent but by this point I am hoping to hear more Random which happens after a great transition by Lost Perception into the song "On That Day 5 Years Ago..." This is another highlight of the album and easily one that can act as a stand alone track, which isn't easy when the album is basically an audio play. But both the beats and vocals standout, whether it is the African drums that introduce the song before providing the basis for the rhythm or the ridiculous wordplay Random shows throughout the track (too much to quote here). In fact Random is showing flashes of another Philly born MC, one Black Thought. The final minute thirty becomes an angelic 32 bit outro.

"Birth of A God" hits with a hard drum break and Cloud (Random) coming back from all he has been through when he is greeted by Vincent Valentine (MC Pennywise) and another character voiced by Devastate. He is forced to choose sides in the upcoming battle "sometimes you gotta pick sides, life is a game and the goal is to survive, the future of all mankind is the prize, and the end result is the birth of a God." We are introduced by another character on "Cid" voiced by Phil Harmonic who informs us that Cloud and his companions have hijacked his ship.

Random deviates a bit from the Final Fantasy theme on "Cry of the Planet" another standout and stand alone track. Where he shows his "political rapper" side calling out those who ignore the problems of the world, whether it is global warming, poverty or the lack of common decency. But it still works in the story because remember the planet in Final Fantasy had enough after a while and fought back, flooding the world. In other words, if we don't shape up expect Earth to say it has had enough one way or another.

Before a big battle what does everyone need to do...let the other side know they are superior and that is just what "Absolute" is about. Featuring verses from Random, Ilyas and Maja, the song is a great twist on typical posse cuts where everyone flaunts their skills, because they must do it in the world of Final Fantasy.

Any gamer can tell by the first few notes that "OWA" is the final boss battle, but you do not have to be a gamer to realize the epic beat Lost Perception created for this track. Random voices both Sephiroth and Cloud and the narrator in this song. The beat changes to a gentle guitar, piano, and drum trio as Random offers the conclusion to the story (hint: Sephiroth loses). Just as the credits begin to roll, Random offers his story of how got into the music business (his own credits).

Random certainly took some chances with "Black Materia," doing a "gamer" album that isn't from his beloved CAPCOM, and one based on a game that has an incredibly deep story, not to mention deciding not to appear on every track and letting other MCs voice a character. As often happens with concept albums it took me a few listens to put the story together (would have been easier if I was more familiar with the game) and as is also typical of concept albums there are some missteps (mainly"Don of the Slums interlude,") but Random is still able to create a solid concept album. To me this is even more than just an album, "Black Materia" is an audio play of the classic "Final Fantasy VII" game and together Random and Lost Perception created a sonic picture that places you into that world.


Stream and purchase the full mp3 album or a signed physical copy (in DVD case) here

Stream and download "Black Materia: Instrumentals" for FREE here