Cadence Weapon

Cadence Weapon’s got something to

say, and he wants you to listen up. On his

second album, “Afterparty Babies,” Canadian

producer, DJ, and rapper Cadence

Weapon (a.k.a. Rollie Pemberton) demonstrates

his talent for layering multiple beats

and lyrics with wit and self-assurance.

For those who prefer lyrically sophisticated

rap music to high-end production,

“Afterparty Babies” is a must. Reminiscent

of the mash-ups of GirlTalk, the delivery

of Minneapolis rap artist POS, and the

social commentary of an above-average

backpacker, the album has a unique tonal

palette. He is both self-deprecating and

critical: in his introduction, for example,

he calls into question his own unplanned

birth to delegitimize the whole concept of

the “accidental child” (“I’m a doer not a

sayer, shaker and a mover /...my dad said

I was an afterparty baby / This goes out to

all the accidents out there / Keep on making

mistakes”). Even with these trenchant

criticisms, Cadence Weapon manages to

deliver a smooth, clearly-enunciated flow

over powerful beats.

“Afterparty Babies” is packed with

unconventional mixing, playful sampling,

and contagious rhythms. From

distinctly tinny video game sound effects

to retro synthesizers, Cadence Weapon

laces together his sounds with style.

Unfortunately, a raspy, scratching turntable—

which is present on nearly all the

tracks of “Afterparty Babies”—starts to

feel overused after awhile.

What might otherwise sound messy or

scatterbrained is seamless and appealing

on “Afterparty Babies.” Cadence Weapon

doesn’t stick to any one particular genre

of music, borrowing heavily from electronica

drumbeats, retro funk and pop

music samples, and techno bangers. On

his bold a cappella intro track “Do I Miss

My Friends,” Cadence Weapon delivers

deadpan reflections about the friends and

past he has left behind over multiple layers

of beatboxing. Lyrics like “I officially

block senders...so I apologize for this confirmation

of the touring musician stereotype

/ I’m the same guy who’s drunk and

probably a bit bored” confirm that while

Cadence might miss his friends, he’s capable

of writing fine without them.

After the sluggish pace of the first

track, Cadence Weapon ramps up the

tempo and doesn’t look back.

The real genius of “Afterparty Babies”

lies in the lyrics. Cadence Weapon is at

once eloquent, sarcastic, witty, and exceptionally

observant. Over the course

of the album, he alternates between his

steady flow and a slower, less regular style

of speaking. The fusion of a nonstop upbeat

tempo and perfectly timed vocals on

such tracks as “Unsuccessful Club Nights”

and “House Music” is irresistible.

Unlike many mainstream rap artists,

Cadence Weapon’s music steers clear of a

formulaic sound.

The standard, commercially successful

arrangement of verse-chorus alternation

is noticeably absent from “Afterparty

Babies.” Cadence Weapon seems to

be more concerned with expressing his

opinions and telling a story through his

music than pounding out radio-friendly

singles.

Throughout “Afterparty Babies,” Cadence

Weapon flippantly comments on

mainstream culture and music. On “Tattoos

and What They Really Feel Like”—a

song which, as the title implies, describes

the experience of getting ink quite accurately—

he raps, “Why would you obsess

over a girl that doesn’t like you? / I mean,

some people make careers out of that /

But not me.”

The standout track on “Afterparty Babies”

is “The New Face of Fashion.” Here,

Cadence Weapon critiques mainstream

trends with lyrics like, “I think we need

to talk brother / I see you at the club / You

cut those jeans with a box cutter / that

ain’t a natural rip or tear.” Later, he adds

“I’d feel like an ad if my shirt said Diesel”

and “I wear pink but ironically / Wave my

big fist at my friend androgyny.” Cadence

Weapon proves himself to be a standout

voice with a sharp sense of humor.

With his infectious beats and clever

commentary on pop culture, it’s hard to

imagine that Cadence Weapon won’t be

successful. At once a savvy lyricist and

deft producer, Cadence Weapon is definitely

an artist to keep your eye on.

—Reviewer Katherine L. Miller can be

reached at kmiller@fas.harvard.edu