Infinito 2017 :: Roddny Dangrr Fild: Tragedy in Bar Sequences :: Infinito One/Domination Recordings
as reviewed by One Line

Infinitio 2017 is an emcee out of Southside Chicago. Much like another native son, Common, he delivers socially-rich content. But the biggest difference between the two, and the major problem with "Roddny Dangrr Fild: Tragedy In Bar Sequences", is Infinito's delivery (or lack there of). Throughout the duration of the album, you're waiting for Infinito 2017 to break out of his speech into something resembling a rapper's flow, but it never really comes. When you actually hear a rhymed sequence, it's like hitting the jackpot.

The first characteristic I think of when I hear the phrase "political rapper" is a passionate, forceful delivery, a trait shared by lyricists like dead prez and Immortal Technique. And why not? Politics affect us as individuals, our families, and our communities. Those who fully grasp that impact get understandably riled up when trying to open millions of apathetic eyes. Which makes it all the more unusual when you hear Infinito calmly stepping through his songs. Even understated "conscious" emcees like Mos Def, Kweli, and Common have detectable tones in their voices when making their powerful statements, something Infinito lacks entirely.

Take "DixMoor Illinois" for instance. The chorus is "You've got to give us some respect, give it up." Nothing wrong with that, right? No, except that it's sung in a sing-songy, jingle-like form. This is rap, not a Tide commercial. Same with "That Black Girl Bad", where Infinito raps "Black girl so fine, black girl so sweet, black girl I want you to be with me." Again, Infinito comes off too "soft" for his own good. This is barely a step up from "Roses are red, violets are blue…" "Alot of Different" is a strange fantasy where Infinito sounds high, literally. He's in sexual La-La land on this track and his pace is irritatingly SLOW,…like…a…third…grader…reading…out…loud. Or Too Short on downers.

Not all the relationship tracks are bad. The semi-likable "I.K.E. Turner (I'm Not Him)" has Infinito denouncing gold-diggers and money-hungry baby mamas, professing that he's not "that dude that values shoes":

"It's just too many ladies for one to drive me crazy
When I got a job, this girl got all crazy
She wanted me for show, or somewhere to go
I took her out twice and then I said 'No!'
You must be out your mind, did you listen to my rhymes?
I'm not 'him', never, no way, not in this life"

But even on this "semi-likable" track, a handful of annoying traits surface that plague the entire album. Again, Infinito's delivery has no panache or structure. Heck, in the excerpt above he rhymed "crazy" with "crazy". And that's the verse I liked! Also, he has an irksome habit of repeating a chorus one or two extra times. I don't know if it's to fill time, but I don't see any other purpose. It's a hook. Listeners usually catch on by the third repetition. We don't need it twice more. Then there's the lengthy shout-out interlude at the end of the track. And no, Infinito isn't shouting out those that helped him (which we all hate anyway), but worse: it's a self-serving interlude filled by shout-outs from various Chicago underground artists and college radio personalities for Infinito! C'mon, does anyone other than Infinito enjoy this? Amazingly, he has these drawn out, ego-padding sessions at the end of THREE tracks! THREE! Talk about a pick-me-up.

The saddest part of this whole affair is that Infinito's message is more than admirable. We hear this all the time, but hip-hop needs more artists like Infinito who address social issues head-on, especially in the age of excess we live in. But it's all for naught if it's not entertaining. Infinito has the ability ("Study Guide Pt. 3", "Confiscated Past"), but he doesn't come through often enough. On "Controlled Residents" and "Love Is", he's easily outshined by guests Insight and Psalm One, respectively. "Roddny Dangrr Fild: Tragedy In Bar Sequences" has the substance, but where's the style?

Music Vibes: 5 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 4 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 4.5 of 10

Originally posted: January 17, 2006
source: www.RapReviews.com