It’s easy to see Monster as an extended teaser for the forthcoming OutKast extravaganza: Andre 3000 and Big Boi are all over this, Killer Mike’s solo album, and he featured prominently on their last single, “The Whole World”. Indeed, “Akshon” relocates that song’s beat in a tougher environment, a good indication of the prevailing vibe. Monster comes from a gnarlier, less outlandish part of Stankonia, though Mike still reveals a playful pop sensibility on the bouncing “A.D.I.D.A.S.” and “All 4U”, a virtual Jay-Z homage. He has his own voice, mind: on the superb “Rap Is Dead”, he identifies hip hop and rock’s excessive deference to dead heroes as a hindrance to originality. An impressive debut.
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