In a world where hip hop too often prizes style over substance, Big O & L.O.U. go the other way with their music, “The Call,” combining the power of pure soul with real, honest performance. With Magnetic Frannie El, this new release combines old-school grunge and contemporary depth, showcasing the East Coast’s unwavering commitment to conscious rap with unmitigated pride.
Crafted by Atlanta’s beatsmith, Big O, and conveyed through the razor-like mic prowess of L.O.U., “The Call” is an unapologetic monument to hip hop’s ability to teach, elevate, and provoke thought. Big O’s backdrop is a mix of boom bap, G-funk flavor, and that patented old-school style. It is raw yet smooth, the kind of instrumental that draws you into a track before the first bar even begins.
L.O.U., which he says stands for “Let’s Obliterate the Universe,” isn’t a new name for enlightening, thought-provoking content. The product of South Side Jamaica, Queens, his story is one of persistence, sharp penmanship, and unfiltered realness. Throughout five full-length projects, from the evocative “Life Through a Broken Hourglass” to his latest, “Journey Of Choices (An Awakening Mind),” L.O.U. has built an oeuvre that’s as poetic as it’s personal, and “The Call” is a fitting continuation of that legacy.
And his delivery here is both raw and controlled, one verse of added meaning, social consciousness, and lived life upon another. It’s storytelling enfolded in truth. This is complemented by Frannie El’s soulful touch, which skims over the hook with a depth of feeling that remains long after the track has finished. The spirit is anchored by the voice, which becomes the thread that guides you through the message, weaving a tapestry of meaning.
With collaborations with the likes of Skyzoo and Torae under his belt, L.O.U. continues to prove that he is an alternative voice to be reckoned with in conscious hip-hop. “The Call” is a mission statement, a reminder of the mic’s enduring power for righteous use. If you’ve been longing for some hip-hop that honors the past with one foot in the future, then “The Call” is finally what you’ve been looking for.
Connect with Big O on Instagram – @the.real.bigo
