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Compared to the rest of his Black Hippy cohorts, Ab-Soul is probably the most mysterious. Always hidden behind a pair of shades, the California rapper has a menacing cadence that stands in stark opposition to the more playful styles of Kendrick Lamar and Schoolboy Q. With his latest solo endeavor, Control System, Ab-Soul has once again demonstrated his mastery of dramatics and wordplay, and the video for his new single “Terrorist Threats” stands as a fascinating testament to that prowess. All of the rap video clichés get unsettling reinterpretations; instead of throwing his dollar bills at the camera, the rapper lights Mr. Washington on fire, while Danny Brown looms in the background with a spliff. There are no grandiose cars or mansions to be found here, just creepy shots of the empty city streets and grainy newsreels. It’s more indicative of Trent Reznor than T-Pain, and coming from a member of one of the most talented and socially-conscious rap collectives around, you’d expect nothing less.
• Ab-Soul: https://www.facebook.com/AbSoulmusic
• Top Dawg Entertainment: http://www.topdawgmusic.com