Megagraphitti

Magagraphitti is the sophomore solo effort from Vordul Mega, the less heralded half of the once mighty underground hip-hop duo Cannibal Ox. On Cannibal Ox’s landmark release, The Cold Vein, Mega’s partner Vast Aire garnered critical praise for his abstract rhymes and angular cadences while Mega, with his more modest everyman delivery, saw his not insignificant contributions largely overlooked. But while Vast Aire may be a more technically inspiring MC, his labyrinthine flow can often leave listeners perplexed, while Vordul Mega’s stolid, on beat delivery and matter of fact lyricism is never dense or overly abstruse, and in fact recalls the unpretentious ghetto reportage of old school greats like Masta Ace. Mega’s talent for direct, thought provoking rhymes is brought to the fore on Megagraphitti, which features a set of progressive, but not overly dissonant beats that leave plenty of room for Mega’s distinctive voice to assert itself. Though Megagraphitti features a pair of collaborations with Vast Aire that attempt to resurrect Cannibal Ox’s explosive chemistry, the album is most successful when Vordul Mega is allowed room to rhyme on his own terms and explore his identity as a solo artist.