Master Wiz‘s political stance finds him at the forefront of issues that concern people of colour, and his previous projects have covered a wide range of topics, ranging from racism, discrimination and marginalization of certain people. His latest release The Last Silence, is an 11-track body of work that continues in the same vein. Master Wiz blends sharp and witty criticism with socially conscious songwriting and a commanding tone to deliver his message.
The project starts with “Wildflower Revenge,” with a cinematic beat made up of dark strings and haunting vocals with punchy boombap drums. Here, Master Wiz set the tone with an unapologetic look at the ignorance that is spreading like a cancer. He doesn’t hold back his thoughts on racial politics and tackles it with lines like  “It’s not amusing when people start dying, the other side be lying they try to justify it/They remain defiant and hope we stay in silent but fuck that, revolution music is the siren” which underpins his direct and blunt viewpoint. “Trumpty Dumps” is an insightful and yet playful take on the current Trump administration and the overall political climate in the USA. The hook plays on the President’s name, and the verses break down the many political moves that have affected the country on a national and global scale. Master Wiz doesn’t hold back his thoughts and throws in a few fun jabs with lines like
Trumpty Dump, sat on the wall that Mexico built, of course, Trumpty Dump’s gonna fall, standing on stilts/Yes I guess he used to be tall, but over spilled milk, he’d still cry and bawl, left out of his dad’s will.” This is followed by “Journey Black” which finds the rapper teaming up with Jon Connor. “Journey Black” is an unfiltered piece that looks at identity politics and the intersection of the dominant power structures that continue to reshape the lives of minorities. Backed by a dark soundscape punctuated by scenic strings and short vocal sample cuts, Master Wiz and Jon Connor deliver a masterclass on identity and resilience that comes from being overlooked and discarded by a largely discriminatory system.  Master Wiz takes actionable steps with lines like
It’s insane to think of what? So they open they eyes so I focus on closing ’em so my people won’t die/It’s insane to think of what could open they closed minds but I should do I got but to try, try to decide that these eyes will light “. O the other hand, Jon Connor follows with “Any influence that I accumulate, ama use it for the greater good so those who abuse it become reclusive,” which underscores his mission statement.
Master Wiz’s choice of topics is not made for mainstream appeal, and it’s intentional from the jump. Using a stripped-down, menacing production throughout was by design so audiences can get the message in its raw and unadulterated form. Cuts like “Cold Special” and “Good Morning” are thought-provoking and profound, not for the sake of it but for listeners to truly understand what it is like to be black in the US of A. “The Lost Cause” is a profound look at the bloody legacy of the Confederate states and their part in keeping people of colour beneath their boots. The guitar-laden track sounds like the music to an historical documentary with Master Wiz as the narrator whose detailed and precise summary brings audiences closer to the truth. Lines like
It’s a complete no, if you’re asking/if they have passion or empathy for anyone with black skin/They masking their emotions with white sheets with holes in, how they tough as fuck with fear of exposion” look towards the motives of the confederates and question their humanity. The rapper also takes it a step further by reminding listeners of the way their history was whitewashed to hide the ugly truths. Other notable cuts explore different facets of life, dissecting race, social, and political spheres and how they all intersect. “The Stand” finds the rapper standing on ten toes in a racially divided world, while “Merrikkka Girl” is a conceptual track that personifies the US as a white woman in interracial relationships. From the outside looking in, it might be rosy, but the inherent prejudice, marginalization and societal stereotypes form the core of this one-sided affair. “Two Partyz” looks at the main political parties that dominate the political space in the US and their underlying similarities and differences.
The project closes out with two standout tracks, “New Life Prophecy” and “Peace.” The former is a resounding affirmative statement, reminding listeners of the legacy built over the years and the power of community and self-belief, while the latter explores the true meaning of peace. Is it money, family, material things or success? The answers are not truly defined, but rather, it all depends on one’s perspective and the search for true purpose is required to gain more insight.


 

 

 

 

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