Headsnack – Too Small to Cancel [LP]

Headsnack‘s “Too Small to Cancel,” arrives as a galvanizing and ambitious effort, spotlighting the emcee and producer’s unique approach to lyricism, engaging production, and a wide range of thought-provoking themes. This album is a sonic journey that takes listeners through various moods and styles, showcasing Headsnack‘s willingness to speak his mind and challenge listeners with his ideas.

The album opens with a song called “Search for Meaning,” which sets the stage with its potent mix of rebellious energy and political commentary. The song functions as a battle cry, motivating listeners to take command of their emotions and reactions and find reassurance in their ability to plot their own personal journey. It’s a song that reminds us that we have power over our own lives, and that it’s up to us to choose what kind of person we want to be. The beat is a melee of riotous sounds, with thunderous drums and a jagged synth bass providing a steely foundation. The absence of a traditional melody adds to the song’s raw, unfiltered energy. Air sirens, distant vocal chants, and sharp vinyl scratching from DJ Exfyl create an atmosphere of chaos and unrest, further emphasizing the song’s theme of defiance and nonconformity.

Following suit, the track “Judge Me” is a rock-leaning hip-hop track that exudes a sense of liberation and defiance, as Headsnack unapologetically lays bare his thoughts and feelings. Teaming up with Shred Lexicon and DJ Exfyl from his group Regenerated Headpiece, the trio dives deep into the concept of judging others and remind their audience that we are all on a journey of growth and self-improvement. The two emcees put their talents on full display over dense layers of electric guitars, rapid fire vinyl scratching, knocking drums, and an audio stew of samples.

The album takes an uprock, feel-good turn with “HipHop Poppycock,” a fusion of hip-hop and future funk that beams with a throwback, b-boy vibe. The track is a celebration of having fun with music while paying homage to the golden era of hip-hop. Headsnack‘s distinctive and commanding voice, along with guest emcee C-DOC‘s more laid-back and chill flow, shows off the sort of collaborative back-and-forth that have made groups like the Beastie Boys and Jurassic 5 so legendary. “Right Hook” follows up the energetic cut and shifts gears to offer up a gritty and defiant anthem that tempers its politically charged lyrics with an intense, almost claustrophobic beat. The mood of the song is stark and grim, painting a murky, wintry atmosphere that feels like an adrenaline rush put to music. Throughout the song, Headsnack attacks the mic with true battle-rap mettle but sounds especially savage against the jarring sound bombs exploding all around him. Lines like “God created man for the poems/ then man created clones, and drones, and chemicals for styrofoam” highlight the artist’s disdain for the loss of originality in rap music and the negative impact of modern society on creativity.

One of my favorite joints on the album is “How Not to Die,” featuring the legendary Chuck D. It’s a revolutionary track that confronts the status quo and exposes the dangers of satisfying fleeting pleasures with unhealthy ways of living. Both emcees serve up their verses with authoritative gusto as they call our attention to the addictive nature of unhealthy foods and their detrimental effects on our bodies. The track’s live instrumentation hits your ears with more of a jazzy boom-bap sound while still sounding progressively fresh. Especially impressive is the track’s third “verse” from DJ Cheese, which is a airtight scratch-fest featuring lines from both MistaChuck and Headsnack.

“The Comet,” featuring The Real Munch and Shred Lexicon, is a lyrical tour de force that highlights each artists’ unique voice and impressive lyricism. The complex “solid wall of sound” production on this song reminds me the gems coming from Quannum Records during their peak years. Lines like “I rock it like Herbie Han-cock it back and pop it/ like coitus with the introitus, captain’s rapping from the cockpit” give us a straight-up-and-down braggin-writes piece that manages to work on a couple of different levels. The tune “Do The Secret Handshake” continues the album’s exploration of controversial topics, with Headsnack delivering verses that challenge the powers that be and critique the current state of affairs. In his rhymes the musical revolutionary takes aim at the relationship between big pharma, big tech, and the government, highlighting the hypocrisy and questionable decision-making within these powerful entities – particularly as it relates to COVID-19. Admittedly, being a healthcare worker during the height of the COVID pandemic, some parts of this song rubbed me the wrong way. But we agree on more things than we disagree about. This nonconformist energy also permeates the track “I Wanna Rock‘ and the interlude “Under The Influence“ with the former being a high-octane, bell-ringing anthem that inspires listeners to be agents of change in the world while the latter has a group of trolls weighing in on vaccinations, government overreach, and more.

Closing the album, “AtMostFear” explore how fear is manipulated and exploited by various entities for their own gain, and the consequences it has on the collective psyche. The song pushes listeners to question the narratives they’re presented with and encourages them to seek the truth beyond the superficial. It’s bold and unapologetic – from its unfiltered lyrics to the ominous orchestral sounds that fill the room. It’s another piece where I don’t agree with every point that’s being made, but it touches on things that need to be addressed and I appreciate the fact that Headsnack is willing to push boundaries and take risks with his music.

When everything is said and done, Too Small to Cancel distinguishes Headsnack‘s fearlessness as an artist, unafraid to push buttons, question norms and share his perspective on the world. While not every point may resonate with everyone, the album’s thought-provoking nature and willingness to talk about issues that most hip-hop artists would shy away from makes it worth a listen for anyone who wants to hear more than just another rapper waxing poetic about money, drugs, and sex. So, if you’re seeking an experience that challenges and enlightens, approach Too Small to Cancel with open ears and an open mind, ready to embrace Headsnack‘s daring artistic vision.

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