Def Squad Emphasizes the Verse on Pleasing ‘El Nin~o’

Four gold albums with EPMD partner Parrish Smith made rapper-producer Erick Sermon one of the most influential members of hip-hop’s golden era. When the group broke up, Sermon continued to produce underground legend Redman and eventually added the vocabulary-heavy Keith Murray to his stable. Last year Sermon, Redman and Murray recorded an updated version of the Sugarhill Gang’s 1979 staple “Rapper’s Delight,” the first commercially available--and popular--rap song. The radio and video success of this feel-good tribute spawned the idea of a Def Squad album.

The resulting project reveals the joyful, infectious freedom allowed the artists. With constructing the most clever verse as their only lyrical concern, the rappers flow effortlessly over Sermon’s sparse production. Unlike other recent rap releases, these slow-rolling, funk-inspired tracks serve more as backdrops than overwhelming sound collages. The emphasis clearly rests on what is being said. Sermon, who raps with his trademark lisp, plays off Redman, who is widely regarded as one of rap’s premier lyricists. Redman’s phenomenal phrasings draw references from humorous aspects of pop culture and life in general. Murray’s endless energy easily moves beyond Sermon’s relaxed approach and Redman’s controlled intensity. Sadly, however, unnecessary interludes detract from what is otherwise a delectable slice of gimmick-free hip-hop.