82 Seward
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Indie NY-based hip-hop artist, rapper/songwriter Thought Provokah returns with a 20-track project entitled 82 Seward. The body of work is a conceptual piece about going back to one’s roots; here, Thought Provokah returns to Port Jervis— the 845- where he spent most of his childhood. The album explores his early humble beginnings as a precocious child prodigy, dealing with family drama, loss, and now living his life in the big city.
The first track, “We Still Good,” is a reflective track that evokes nostalgia and is underpinned with heartfelt lyrics about family and unshakeable bonds. Here, Thought Provokah pours his feelings on wax and shows a vulnerable side for all to hear. “Checking on Bossman,” produced by duMB-o, sees Thought Provokah return to the corner bodega in his hometown to meet the proverbial Bossman, only to find that things have changed. It’s an interesting look at how the most constant thing in life is change. “Church Street” is a nostalgic piece about Thought Provokah’s younger days playing hoops and the many experiences and characters he met along the way. Over Talen Ted’s soulful flute-driven beat, the emcee delivers a relatable tale about sports, dreams and growth. This is followed by the skit “Snuck Into My Basement,” and we follow the rapper into his childhood home and get transported back in time. It’s a bittersweet feeling for the rapper as he reminisces on all the activities he did in the same spot. “Basement Reps” continues from the previous track and leans on Thought Provokah’s early memories of writing bars and his circle of friends that helped shape his pen game. The production by Talen Ted has a sombre and reflective feel, and it’s perfect for nostalgic purposes. Next is the skit “Being My Own Artist” where he breaks down his progression as an artist and how duMB-o was one of the first producers he worked with in his early days of rapping. This leads into “Cross The Ts and Dot The Eyes,” which is underpinned by vivid storytelling that brings memories to life.
“No one in the World” is a self-affirming piece with aspirational undertones. Bolstered by the soulful production from Brutal Caesar, the emcee takes pride in his struggles, growth and how his artistry is fully aligned with his roots. On the other hand, “InnERVISZion” showcases the rapper’s knack for graphic wordplay peppered with inner rhyme schemes. bars like
“Any glimpse of persistence, just a prism of division/Permission for the mission is dictated by contrition, but volition isn’t given to the limits of the mission/I pivot on the rhythm of the inferential prison” underscores the man’s artistic statement. “All I Need” is a self-assessment of some sort, and we get to hear Thought Provokah’s true feelings and his vulnerable side as well. “Don’t Be The One To Pull You Under” is a cautionary tale about making the right decisions and standing on business, while “Live Enormous” is an aspirational piece with nostalgic vibes. The skit “The Root of My Shadow Work” finds the emcee reflecting on his tumultuous childhood and coming to terms with personal loss and accepting new forms of parental bond beyond his biological parents. This is another highlight on the project as it shows the core of his being and, more importantly, his perseverance through it all. The positive message continues with the track “Don’t Give In Give Out,” a touching piece about self-belief and finding one’s true purpose. The verses are well-crafted, but the icing on the cake is the hook
“Don’t Give In Give Out/You gotta get up, get out and do something worth giving a damn about,” which serves as a call to action for listeners to take action and seize the day. The last two tracks produced by Talen Ted help bring the project to a close. “Don’t Be Gone” pays homage to his mother and the struggles she faced, while the title track, “82 Seward,” is a tribute to his stomping grounds and the events and characters that make up the bigger picture. Thought Provokah runs off a list of memories that helped forge him to become the man that he is.
Other notable tracks include the reflective “Heaven Must Be What You Are,” the nostalgic “Albert” or “Why The Ys,” which explores addiction and motherly love. Overall, 82 Seward plays like a mini-documentary that follows the main character back to his hometown. He sees the changes, acknowledges them for what they are and reflects on the past as he comes to terms with the present.
