Emerging rapper/songwriter Thought Provokah’s newest project We’ll Be Right Back After These Messages, is a 15-track conceptual project that reimagines him going back in time to appear on the legendary Arsenio Hall show in different situations while discussing insightful and socially conscious issues that audiences can relate to.

The project opens up with “Arsenio Hall Episodes Popped Up”, a detailed breakdown of what audiences to expect before bringing in the intro of Arsenio Hall to help get things started. I love how he simply tells the audience what he is about to do instead of using gimmicky elements. The first tune “Show Goes On” has a melancholic and moody vibe which fits Thought Provokah’s reflective lyrics and overall outlook. Lines like “I’m just here to assist, lay away your gifts/Allow the k mart invest in this reduce your risk” show his resilience and work ethic but most importantly he reminds us that his work is never done. The following tracks “I Listened To The Old Head” and “I Didn’t Listen To The Old Head” are a two-part offering that showcases the dichotomy of life as we know it and the never-ending struggles of black people in the States. The former starts with the infamous clip of Minister Farrakhan when he appeared on the Arsenio Hall show which leads to Thought Provokah crafting a vivid tale of urban life and how proper mentorship can go a long way. The latter uses an Ice-T interview explaining how he uses his music to stir the youths away from the dangers of street life and here we get a different perspective as Thought Provokah takes us on a dark journey through the lens of a young man who decided not to heed the warning signs of the OGs. I love how these two tracks play into each other offering two sides of the same coin and how interconnected life is especially when external voices affect our decisions and otherwise.

“Mo Betta Blues” is a reference to the classic film of the same name and is a tribute to that special thing that gets us through this journey called life. Over a mellow jazzy backdrop comprising sombre horn passes, dusty textures and bouncy boom-bap drums, Thought Provokah gives us a glimpse into his emotions and the thing that makes him tick. Before that, we got another classic monologue delivered by Samuel J Jackson from the film Do The Right Thing, in the interlude “The Word For Today Is Love”. Although Thought Provokah has a knack for penning engaging stories thus far, but he has more to give as we dive into the album. Tracks like “It Took” talk about the things that inspire one’s artistic goals, “Love I Can Feel” looks at the essence of love between two individuals while “With Her” juxtaposes coping mechanisms in place of true feelings. All in all, these tracks deal with love from unique perspectives with Thought Probvokah delivering detailed and engaging bars over soulful soundscapes.

He continues with a brilliant piece on self-love titled “Eye-Love” followed by a short interlude “Sponsored By” and “Fair-Retails”, a heartwarming track about coming to terms and rectifying one’s emotions as life plays out. The sample flip on that track is brilliant and well-crafted. “I’m Going” and “Whitney” give audiences something to ponder with Thought Provokah playing the role of the urban reporter who has an inside knowledge of the inner workings of his stomping grounds.  The former is as reflective as they come while the latter pays homage to the late Whitney Houston and retells her story in a condensed form, citing her strength and the things she had to overcome. The final track “What You Willing To Change” brings the project to a glorious close with its motivational and aspirational message. Starts with a quote from Eddie Murphy who reminds us that we have only but a limited time on Earth and the best thing to do is make the best out of it.  Thought Provokah embodies the spirit of a go-getter and implores us to seize the day and make the right changes with intention.

In the end, We’ll Be Right Back After These Messages is a brilliant tribute to the long-lasting impact of the Arsenio Hall show and how it is revered by many. On another hand, it is also a showcase of Thought Provokah’s songwriting prowess and overall artistry as he is thorough and detailed with his reinterpretation of the show.