Kero One: Early Believers (Album Review)

San Francisco rapper/producer Kero One became an overnight sensation in Japan in 2003, when a song of his was played at a club and spread like wildfire. Since then, his music has made its way stateside, and he has received significant praise from artists and fans alike. Now, Kero One returns with his sophomore LP, Early Believers.

Kero One is, for better or worse, hip-hop’s Burt Bacharach — easy listening to the core. Nearly every song on Early Believers sets the perfect mood for any sunny summer day. “When The Sunshine Comes,” “Let’s Just Be Friends,” and “Love and Happiness” are a few song titles that help reinforce the notion of “easy on the ears” hip-hop present throughout Early Believers. There are no in your face battle raps or diss tracks to be found here. Although that’s not necessarily always a bad thing, Early Believers can get a little too overbearing in its joviality.

It should be noted that Kero One can flow, too. With a voice eerily reminiscent of Del Tha Funky Homosapien, his laid-back rhymes can be defter than it seems. On “Welcome To The Bay,” Kero One provides a thorough and skillful assessment of his hometown and upbringing. “Stay On The Grind” typifies the “do it yourself” mentality that Kero One has used to approach his music throughout his career.

Overall, Early Believers is a fun, mellow album. It may only be enjoyable to listen to on situational occasions, but what album isn’t? Kero One is probably just as influenced by his surrounding as every other rapper. It’s just that he doesn’t have as many tales or hardship or struggle embedded in his music, which is why Early Believers is an album to listen to when you want to lift your spirits (or go lie down in the sunshine).