Album Reviews

Emmanuel Jal has got a quite a tale to tell. And he certainly tells it on his debut WARchild. In fact, the album plays out more like a feature film than anything else. In those terms, the WARchild's not unlike Captain Willard's journey down the river to Hell and back in Apocalypse Now. However, Emmanuel's found his redemption in music.

WARchild isn't hip hop, reggae, world music or R&B. Rather, Emmanuel takes elements from each of those genres and creates something more akin to a didactic, campfire tale for Facebook Nation. Emannuel hasn't had it easy. Born in Sudan, he was recruited in the rebel army at the age of seven, and he fought in the country's bloody civil war. A British foreign aid worker rescued him after years of fighting, and gave him a new life that eventually led to his music career. Now, that's only the very first part of his life. Nevertheless, that provides enough fodder for an absolutely captivating story. Emmanuel goes one step further though. In addition to relaying his past in tracks like "WARchild" and "Forced to Sin," Emmanuel dissects various cultural flaws and proposes change. He never condemns anyone, but rather he asks the all important question, "Why?"

One particular track, "50 Cent," Emmanuel addresses directly to Mr. G-Unit himself, encouraging him to use his stature to encourage posititivity rather than the gangsta lifestyle. It's a bold move, but it's effective through Emmanuel's honest, near-spoken vocal delivery and slow, buoyant raps. In fact, he flows fluidly over polyrhythmic world music beats across the record. He calls out to 50 as a brother and breaks it down honestly. It works, because Emmanuel's voice comes through clean and smooth at points, while maintaining a gruff, emotional edge. Plus, he's completely cool to him in the song, again he just poses that important question. Another hip hop call-for-change track, "No Bling," explores the notion that rappers need flashy jewelry over substance. It's specifically based on Emmanuel's own struggle getting signed, because he wasn't all blinged out. The song weaves those organic beats together with his powerful voice, successfully conveying the message. Meanwhile, "Skirt Too Short" is aimed right at overtly sexual teen girls on MySpace. Someone had to say it. Emmanuel sings, "I don't want you spoiling your reputation" over a funky, reggae beat and tribal backing vocals. Where Emmanuel shines is manipulating classic tribal, reggae music structures and conventions to discuss modern issues and propose change. That's his forte.

Then there are the heartfelt cuts that directly discuss his childhood. "Forced to Sin" is a harrowing account of the young Emmanuel traipsing through the killing fields with an AK-47. "WARchild" is Emmanuel's slow, poignant declaration of purpose. The song functions as his mission statement and showcases every aspect of his sound and character from the calculated wisdom and poetic flow to the world music backing and intelligent message. "Ninth Ward" begins with a creepy lead line and a "House of the Rising Sun" ambience of dread. The album covers various feelings equally. At points, the beats do tread some of the same paths, but as Emmanuel continues to blaze his own trail, that'll certainly cease.

Ultimately, Emmanuel is starting a war on his own, but it's against wickedness and superficiality. It's a fight worth taking up.

—Rick Florino
05.07.08