Atlanta, Georgia-based Indie rapper/producer Master Wiz enters our radar with his 14-track self-produced project entitled  Just Us. The project looks at the current social-political landscape in America with a focus on racism.

The first track, “Black Sky” helps set the tone with its political overtone and no-holds-barred lyricism. Master Wiz doesn’t mince his words and goes for the jugular with lines like “50% of Latino men, just help them step in/I blame ignorance so this whole album’s your lesson/You better learn something, Fuck around and burn something down/word are nothing when they cease to serve something”.  The track essentially highlights the current change in the US presidency with Donald Trump coming into power and the drastic changes he is made since then. “Moon Glow” dives into the historical facts of Slavery in the United States of America. It starts with a documentary snippet before Master Wiz reflects on the trials and tribulations of black folk and the struggles that made his kinfolk different and stronger. On the tracks “Who Can See” and U Don’t Care” dive into self-actualization, sell-outs, gun violence and how the system failed black people.

Thus far, the project keeps audiences on their toes with thought-provoking topics ranging from gun politics, urban violence, failed promises and the bloody history of the white invaders throughout North and South America. Master Wiz is quite sincere in “Promised Release” and his storytelling of Mexico and the white settlers is impeccable in “Prezent.” “Lights Out” is bolstered by the punchy cinematic soundscape and engaging lyrics, while “Candyland” explores the imbalance of justice and the negative effects of systemic racism. He continues to dismantle the man-made structures and systems from both the political and religious spheres on “Dont Blink” while he sparks the masses to take up arms in the revolutionary track “D.I.R.T” where he reminds us that “the revolution is necessary.” The next tracks, “My Sad Song” and “His Story” are heartfelt stories that explore urban violence, the self-actualization of black folks and the tragic tale of an Asian child during World War II after the events of Pearl Harbour. The last two songs, “Last Hope” and “Freedom Rising” bring the project to a hopeful and logical conclusion. The former has a soulful and warm soundscape and talks about the resilience of black folks through generational hardships and disenfranchisement. The latter seals the deal with its aspirational and thought-provoking themes centred on the American dream through the lens of black folks who bled for the nation that still despises them as people.

Overall  Just Us, is an unapologetic look at life as black people in America. Master Wiz doesn’t sugarcoat his words and his deep knowledge of history adds a deeper layer to the tracks.