Black Ice is 34-year-old Philadelphia native Lamar Manson. Manson had made his name as a prolific spoken word poet, appearing in five consecutive seasons of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, even winning a Tony Award for the show’s 2003 season on Broadway. The Death of Willie Lynch marks Black Ice’s debut Koch Records release as a musician, after being the first ever spoken word artist signed to Def Jam.

Given his credentials, and the title of the album, I expected this record to be full of anger, hate and to be overly preachy, but fortunately this isn’t the case. The title refers to a letter back in 1712 by a slave owner named Willie Lynch who wrote about ways in which to keep black slaves under control. One might assume that this album is retribution for all past misdemeanours suffered by black slaves over the years. Suprisingly, Black Ice uses it as a launching pad to touch on other subjects, and in the end turns the record into a chronicle of the way African Americans have moved on from these injustices.

Manson’s lyrical talent is evident throughout, spitting rhymes about a number of themes he feels the need to discuss. On The Ugly Show, perhaps the most notorious track on the album, he recounts the Hurricane Katrina disaster and the lack of support given to New Orleans residents during the aftermath. Featuring a sample of Rose Royce’s 1978 track Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, the ominous vocal perfectly echoes the sentiments of those displaced by the catastrophe. At the end of the song is a sample of The Ballot or the Bullet, a 1964 speech by Malcolm X, accusing the government of a conspiracy against civil rights for blacks. More than 30 years later, his words still hold relevance, given the lack of federal response to the Katrina disaster.

On Lone Soldier, Manson tackles the difficulties for fathers trying to raise a child after a relationship breakdown. The yearning vocals of Chinahblac accompany Black Ice’s rhymes, as he laments a man not being able to be there for his daughter. She sings “Daddy do you love me, or am I just a part of your reality. Because clearly it seems, that I’m not your number one priority”. Takeyatime sees a change in direction, not only on the record, but for hip hop in general. Featuring guest vocals by Musiq, Black Ice raps about not rushing into a relationship. “Baby girl don’t give yourself up to the one who ain’t special to ya”. It’s quite different and refreshing, compared to all of the hip-hop releases about getting booty and being promiscuous. Other notable tracks include Nice2MeetU featuring V., Shine featuring Natalie Stewart of Floetry and The Real, a touching ode to Black Ice’s parents.

Producer Eric ‘Booty’ Greene takes control at the helm (under the watchful eye of executive producer Jazzy Jeff), creating catchy beats, and only when he ventures into gangster territory (Hoodwatch!!, The Beast Within) does the record lose some of its lustre. But the real star of this album is Black Ice, his lyrics reflecting a maturity and wisdom sorely lacking in a lot of hip hop releases these days.