Invincible “Shapeshifters” Review
When it comes to Midwest hip hop, the mainstream tends to focus on Chicago (Kanye, Common, Lupe, etc.) and the underground tends to focus on Minneapolis (Atmosphere, Brother Ali, etc.). All too often lost in the shuffle is the city where these distinctions blur, the city producing some of the hottest emcees and producers in the country, the city that, if there is any justice in the hip hop community, has “got next:” Detroit. And Invincible is undoubtedly one of the leading voices in Michigan hip hop; her debut album, Shapeshifters, is a resounding call-to-arms, a long-awaited victory lap for one of hip hop’s most talented, hungry emcees.
Invincible is undeniably a rapper’s rapper, crafting dense, rapid-fire bars featuring lots of internal and multisyllabic rhymes. For hip hop fans, this is heaven, but for casual listeners, her music might be a little more challenging. There isn’t a lot of negative space on Shapeshifters; every bar is full, damn-near overflowing; even the hooks sometimes come across like short verses. Again, for the hardcore heads, this isn’t a problem, but don’t expect your little sister to be singing along to “Recognize” or “Locusts.”
Those who are able to unpack Invincible’s rhymes, however, will definitely be rewarded. While most emcees who utilize this style are content to just rap about rapping or simply rhyme cool-sounding words together, Invincible isn’t afraid to tackle meaningful concepts. Whether talking about the skeletons in the closet of her hometown, colonialism and imperialism, gentrification’s impact on Detroit, or how the loss of Detroit hip hop legends J-Dilla and Proof connect to the larger struggle, she never settles for pre-packaged formulas.
The production is lovely across the board, featuring beats from indie-rap luminaries like Black Milk, Waajeed, House Shoes and more. Highlights include the sinister funeral march “Ropes,” the minimalist masterpiece “Sledgehammer!,” and the ridiculous title track, one of the best beats of the year, courtesy of Waajeed. At a solid 14 tracks, the album flies by as well, never overstaying its welcome.
But what really separates this album from other solid indie-rap releases, at least for me, is Invincible’s politics. She isn’t afraid to tackle big issues like gentrification, racism, Palestine and more, and does so with the kind of thoughtful, razor-sharp analysis missing from so many “political” emcees out today. You’re not going to hear empty platitudes or revolutionary clichés on Shapeshifters. Rather, you’ll hear a rapper really engaging with the issues, unafraid to make bold statements but never doing so just for shock value.
Also notice that the title of the album is plural; while Invincible does talk about her own story and her own emotions, the spirit of community is always central. Shapeshifters is that rare treasure: a hip hop album featuring both solid politics and banging production, jaw-dropping rhyme schemes and creative content. Definitely don’t miss this one.
Thanks for the review – I’m really digging on this album now.
I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR HER TO DROP AN ALBUM FOR 2 YEARS! She came out to lawrence, KS as part of a feminist hip-hop showcase and won me over there. How she has time to organize AND do music is beyond me. I can’t do it. Anyway, I’ll get her album as soon as I can find it.
“You know how people say love is the answer? Well what the fuck is the question?” Haha that line makes me laugh EVERY time I hear it.
Invincible is the type of woman who I wish I could date, assuming she lived anywhere near me, and weren’t a lesbian. She has motivation, energy, lyrical abilities that transcend normal human capabilities, and the wisdom to know how to convert those admirable qualities into divine, head-nodding hip hop. I received this album in the mail, and listened to the first couple of tracks. Over the next week, I limited myself to two songs every night, because I was so in love with this rapper who I had just discovered, that I wanted to make the initial auditory adventure last as long as possible. One week later, I was so impressed by this album, I decided to show it to my little brother. He loved it as much as I did, and he was previously not interested in hearing females rap. He showed it to his friend, and he loved it too.
It seems to me, that no matter how you look at it, this album deserves a place in every hip hoppers shelf, and to not buy this album should be considered socially unacceptable.
The beats are innovative, well produced, fresh, and incite immediate, album-long arm swinging, head-nodding, and jumping. Her voice is feminine yet powerful, and the way she mixes those razor-sharp messages with a beautiful, poetic touch is inspiring.
The passion and realness of the song ‘ropes’ brought tears to my eyes, and I am a twenty year old guy, who doesn’t cry often. Her delivery is perfect, and the way she rides these banging beats is priceless.
Until she releases her next album, this one is going to stay bumping in my car, providing me with motivation and clarity, in a life that is all too often overshadowed with confusion and pain. I have never met you, Invincible, but if I were to bump into you some day, I would hug you and thank you for changing my life.