Voltaire Slapadelic

Oakland, California-living Voltaire Slapadelic is a hip-hop artist and producer who makes music so individualistic that it’s practically its own genre of rap. He combines glitch and trip-hop, dubstep, bass music, and time-honored East Coast hip-hop influences with his own semi-psychedelic Bay Area creative sensibilities to arrive at a sound with an entrancing, lysergic stoniness that is unlike anyone you’re already listening to. Voltaire’s second and most recent album, 89/19, hit the streets July 16th, 2019 and is a good place to start for anyone unfamiliar with what he does and a great place to pick up for those already in the know.

The record is a thoughtful piece of introspective art from a young man about to turn 30 who is taking stock of where he’s been and where he’s going. “My Own Island” is so tripped out that it’s almost avant-garde and shows us Voltaire speaking on being an underground artist who is “higher than usual, locked in my studio...goals to fulfill.” Like a lot of his music, it feels like outsider art, which is a big part of Voltaire’s charm. “Real Rhymes” deals with the unhappy facts that “I can’t affect my reality yet. Thirty years old still cashing hourly checks.” Voltaire’s flows are low-key and understated but communicate his self-awareness and frustration quite well.

“Gloomy Sunday” describes a space and time in Voltaire’s past that’s ten years gone but still on his mind. It’s built on an atmospheric old jazz sample that gives it a smoky, film noir vibe that’s tough to resist. What makes Voltaire so compelling is his ability to speak his heart so plainly over impossible-to-define beats made of shards of every record he’s ever heard. Every track here earns it wings but other highlights include “Panic Attack,” “Earth Angel,” and “Nothing Matters.”

Voltaire draws inspiration from many sources that include MF Doom, Aesop Rock, Earl Sweatshirt, and Tyler the Creator but is a well-developed recording artist and producer in his own right with a strong identity. His sonic universe is different and takes some acclimation but those who dig in will find him to be an iconoclastic artist who only spits his own trippy Truth. Dial 89/19 in for your next late-night session and let it soak in. - Mike O'Cull

Lyrically, VOLTAIRE SLAPADELIC covers topics ranging from politics and mental health, to relaxing and smoking, to stories and narratives that are sometimes general or symbolic while other times being deeply personal. His album 89/19 is a reassessment of his past, and a reflection of where he wants his future to go.



The album subsequently flows one track after another, creating a surreal and easy listening experience, where the vocals become the highlight. There are 15 tracks on this album, a favourite of mine being Earth Angel. The composition starts with a fast flow perfectly executed, over a dynamic and fast paced instrumental.This composition may only be 2 and a half minutes, but it feels like an experience. Another great track is Stormy Night. The track starts with white noise and develops into a suspenseful instrumental, which interludes into 3am Reflections. This composition highlights the artist's unique and creative rap tone.



Rainy Morning acts as a very creative instrumental interlude into the following composition, Patience, which is a well composed and executed track. The artist's flow is put on show here. His fast flow is highlighted in the first verse over a jazz like but fast tempo beat.



Possibly the most powerful track on the album is Quail Valley. This is a strong reflection on the artist's childhood and earlier years. The instrumental is dynamic and complements the artist's unique vocal style.



This is a highly recommended album and you can listen here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/08QVAtjoTfnDmXEZbqqS6m?si=J6uWDpqLR0WrE_UfvZYdJA - Fresh Out of the Booth