Music With A Meaning

Wise men speak because they have something to say.
Fools because they have to say something.

It should come as no surprise that one of the hardest-working crews in the Boston hip-hop scene dropped a greatest hits album capable of leaving listeners speechless. The Foundation Movement is literally that; two emcees and a DJ with a worldwide fanbase, a firm understanding of local realities, and global sensibilities. Their music is a mixture of passion, purpose, justice, and empowerment. Their scope goes beyond Boston's borders and the confines of New England blizzards.

Eroc, Optimus, and DJ El are three young men who rhyme and make music with a determined frenzy in their lyrics and a pulsing beat in their boom-bap their is singularly unique. Over the last three years, they have amassed a budding grassroots following and street movement on the strength of their EP, The Foundation, and the street mixtape, UnReleased Classics. Yet, it is with the arrival of Greatest Hits, their debut full-length album, that we get to hear their full range of talent and taste the collection of varied cultural influences that have colored their life's perspectives.

Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound
Through The Storm, You Never Let Me Down
Because of My Faith, I Walk On Solid Ground
I Once Was Lost, But Now I'm Found

Far from a hodgepodge of irrelevant words that rhyme and beats that bang, Greatest Hits is a storybook album that pushes the envelope of what hip-hop music is, is not, and can be. It is organic. It is not watered-down. It is street. It is not dumbed-down. It is real. It is not formulaic. It is conscious. It is not wack.

With eighteen tracks, Greatest Hits is sure to leave listeners' appetites fully whetted with a variety of beats, instrumentals, and spoken word pieces that paint the world with many brushes, but result in a world-class musical mural that is beautiful, progressive, and dope. There are several tracks that stand out, included among them are Movement, which features legendary Boston veteran Edo G as he teams with The Foundation to drop gems. This Is Life is a soulful song with reknowned poetess/songtress Iyeoka Okoawo, while in A Prayer For Mami, we bear witness to Eroc dedicating a spoken word poem to his mother with heartfelt conviction. Other notable tracks that are sure to end up on your MP3 player's playlist are Truth (Amazing Grace), Not Like All The Others, and Durak (Whare You At?). Each has its own sound distinct from the others, yet with the same Foundation Movement stamp that brings it all together.

The Foundation Movement has toured and traveled the world, yet when they get in the studio, the results are exceptionally hard-hitting and thoroughly fly. For those who have yet to witness them perform live, playing this album loud in your vehicle or living room is the closest thing you can get to experiencing. And it does its job. Greatest Hits also features a host of talented producers and artists who collaborated on the project; Lee Wilson, Dead Prez, Kelley Nicole, Soulfege, Shana Turner, Lady Enchantress, Bambuu, Omen510, Upryz, Nelly ProTools, Neomatrix, DJ Liphted, Francis Phan, and Filthy Funk. Their contributions helped to cement this album in the annals of good music with a message that made its mark without sacrificing its integrity. And that, my friend, is what hip-hop is all about.