I’ve been a fan of Homeboy Sandman since his first album and Hallways, his second on the Stones Throw label, he turns into something greater than the sum of his parts. Over production by Jonwayne, Oh No, Brian Oblivion, and many others, he keeps a consistent flow on a variety of topics ranging from sexcapades to politics to, of course, repping his own skills.
It’s hard to explain what makes him so good. His flow is so pure, so matter-of-fact, that it doesn’t sound impressive on casual listen. But listen close. His inflections, his word choices, and the way he changes speed slightly off the beat gives him a sound unlike anyone else. He’s his own man, a rapper who doesn’t wear his influences heavy but instead pulls together hints of MF Doom, Wu Tang Clan, indie backpackers, laid back jokesters like Basehead, and … Himself.
Brilliant.
