Toeing the line between the mainstream and underground scenes, Logic has broken through to become an artist who can succeed on both sides of the spectrum. It isn't the only binary he lives in, a topic he hit hard on "Everybody." The Album settles upon the topic of race in the fight for human survival, questioning how race relations are still a problem in 2017. In the process, Logic emerges as the voice of a generation - just in time to disappear.
About the album
"Everybody" is the third studio album to be released by Logic, a rapper from Maryland.
The record was released on May 5, 2017, with Logic himself and 6ix serving as executive producers.
The album follows the successful commercial mixtape "Bobby Tarantino." In fact, it follows almost every Logic album, since each has proven to be a critical success. He has tapped into something, with his quick rhymes, heartfelt lyrics, and embraceable style on each track. "Everybody" is no different.
Hooked on Logic
Logic seamless tells a story on every album he creates. The thread running through each is constant, an unwavering decree of the potential for goodness in a world wrought with evil. The story on "Everybody" is of Atom, a recently diseased man who finds out he has the powers of a God and must learn to embrace - well, everyone.
In the moments where skits take the story out of the diegetic playing field, there is a certain slowing down of the narrative, only buoyed by the presence of the great Neil deGrasse Tyson. When the narrative is woven through the music, however - that's when the magic of the album is made.
It goes well beyond great storytelling.
There's also a great message being passed along on almost every track on "Everybody." For the first half of the record, the idea of race relations reverberates. Logic has a unique perspective on the topic, ostracized for being the product of an interracial relationship.
Logic almost tries to serve as the mediator between the two sides of the racial spectrum.
On the one hand, the idea that the treatment of black people in society is wrong in this day and age is constant. The appearance of Killer Mike on the track "Confess" - serving more as a poet laureate than a Run the Jewels rapper - reminds that black people always seem to be forced down the totem poles of society.
He also gets into white privilege, questioning what it even is on "Everybody," the title track. In "Take It Back," he delves into a six minute personal monologue about his personal history with racism. From inner conflict about his own racial identity to the history of colonialism, Logic lays all of his cards on the table with both smarts and heart.
In many ways, the album is what I expected Kendrick Lamar's "DAMN" to be.
There's no holding back on the social justice angle - it isn't hidden in some sort of clever wordplay, but it also isn't abrasive. Logic presents his reality and holds your hand to make sure it's understood. It's a smart way of inviting all audiences to the table.
Deep dive into Logic
Some of the songs towards the end of "Everybody" get into super personal things for Logic. The song "1-800-273-8255" talks about depression and suicide, utilizing Khalid and Alessia Cara to provide an uplifting message. He also brilliantly uses the National Suicide Lifeline telephone number as the track title, doubling as an advocate.
The following song, "Anziety," delves into the issue of anxiety and panic attack.
Using a tale from his past, Logic seemingly goes through the six stages of grief while trying to figure out what anxiety is and how to cope with it. Not everyone figures it out as well as he has, but he's still out proving anxiety is something that doesn't discriminate.
The thing about the album is that almost no material feels waste or like a throwaway single. Everything moves the story forward, the message forward, the mentality forward - bars have value on this record. In an era where rappers go hard on drugs and sex, Logic only brings the topics up to skewer them ("Killing Spree").
Concluding thoughts
Logic has come a long way in his brief career. He has shown development, with each album getting progressively better.
2015's "The Incredible True Story" is stupendous; "Everybody" is better.
The saddest part is that this may be the end of the road for him. During one of the skits, Logic intimated that a fourth album would be the final one for him. That means there's only one left in his career, should he stay true to his word. If "Everybody" proves to be the penultimate act to his rapping career, the hype should be through the roof for the rumored "Ultra 85."
Best Song: "1-800-273-8255" (feat. Alessia Cara & Khalid) - Logic makes a mark with one of the songs of the year.
Worst Song: "Ink Blot" (feat. Juicy J) - Just didn't fit well with the rest of "Everybody."
Album Rating: A
