Over the last few months, CONQUEST teased a return to music with an album with the hashtag #ARITMP. Most speculated that it was an album, single, or music video. Releasing his first single, “MLK/MJ, Lebron & Kobe,” and dropping a music video of the song, ‘QUEST revealed the title of his seventh album and third entry of the ‘radical’ trilogy, “A Radical Interruption The Motion Picture.” All the previous album reviews have led up to this moment.

Because this album is like a movie, I am going to do this review differently. ‘QUEST has divided his songs into acts. So to maintain the integrity of the album, I will review the album in three acts. I will review the production & lyrics in each act and the overall concept in its own section.

It is also fitting that most of the track names are named after movies.

It’s HIGHLY recommended to listen to the album from top to bottom to experience it fully.

Lights, Speakers, ACTION!

[ACT I] of A Radical Interruption The Motion Picture (ARITMP)

PRODUCTION

The first act is mostly boom-bap, alternative rap, and trap music.

The album opens up with a clip of ‘QUEST proposing to Octavia Roberts, followed by the events that occurred between 2014 to 2021 (COVID-19, death of friends, losing a job, George Floyd, etc.) The production for “A Radical Interruption: Inside Out” was handled in a way to make the song like a storytelling song. It then transitions into the pro-black anthem “Samantha White: Dear White People.” “Samantha White” is named after the character of the TV Show & Movie ‘Dear White People.’

This song is a follow-up to “Black Hoodie Rap’s” ‘Revolutionary Alternative Trap Muzik’ sound that CONQUEST has created. It gives off that same energy. “Freedom Writers” has that same energy as well, though it isn’t as heavy as the previous song.

The first single, “MLK/MJ, Lebron & Kobe” is a fire boom-bap beat produced by frequent collaborators Beat Council. Like “Radical Thinking: A Flatbush Anthem,” “MLK” is boom-bap without sounding too dated. ‘QUEST’s lyrical skills and this beat made this song a hit!

LYRICS

CONQUEST opens the album with a recap of what went on in his life throughout the last nine years. These events motivated him to touch on the topics in the first act: pro-black not meaning anti-white (“Samantha White”), freedom (“Freedom Writers”) & shooting your shot to accomplish your goals (“MLK”).

“MLK” is a metaphor for shooting your shot. Using the names of Michael Jordan (MJ), Lebron James & Kobe Bryant, three basketball legends, ‘QUEST encourages the listener to stay motivated and that the hard work will be worth it in the end. He brags in confidence in the chorus:

When I shoot my shot, I’m a name it Kobe

Man in the arena, I’m a be Lebron

I wanna be like Mike to be the one & only

For God’s glory then I’m gone, gone, gone

When I shoot my shot, I’m a name it Kobe

Man in the arena, I’m a be Lebron

I wanna be like Mike to be the one & only

For God’s glory then I’m gone, gone, gone

[ACT II] of A Radical Interruption The Motion Picture (ARITMP)

PRODUCTION

This part of the album gets dark. CONQUEST highlights the ‘interruptions’ that occurred over the last 9 years. The production of this part is more on the dark side.

In “A Bronx Tale Became Hell Up In Harlem,” CONQUEST highlights his unfortunate loss of his job. The beat complements the situation’s intensity and the frustration presented in ‘QUEST’s verse. The production mellows when Odane Whilby starts singing with hope. Beautiful.

“A Beautiful Mind: Crying Out To You” was written in response to the death of Linkin Park foreman Chester Bennington. Over a dark rock-rap beat, ‘QUEST raps about the beautiful mind of a creative that gets tormented by personal demons. It targets the theme of suicide

“Crazy/Beautiful” is the third love song in the ‘radical trilogy’. It follows up “Lovelife Confessional.” This song is as passionate as it gets. Backed up with smooth r&b hip-hop vibes over passionate lyrics that may not be appropriate for young minds. This is a summer love anthem. This is grown-man music.

“Angels In The Outfield” finds ‘QUEST lamenting the loss of his close friends Roderick “Rod The Specialist” Reid & Roberto “Top Rank” Torres of Beat Council. The production backs up the lamentations of CONQUEST’s, R.Q. Tek’s & Descenant’s verses, and Zai XP’s singing respectfully. The song gets quiet when Facts On Any Block does his spoken word piece.

LYRICS

Lyrics in this act are laced with sadness, anger, passion & grief. The second act finds CONQUEST reliving some of the discouragement he faced as well as his love for his wife.

It starts with anger in “A Bronx Tale Became Hell Up In Harlem,” to depression in “A Beautiful Mind,” passion in “Crazy/Beautiful” to grief in “Angels in the Outfield.”

‘QUEST opens up with the bar

“So I walked into my job, first day of the week, November 4th/Four years dedicated, yet one hour later, Unemployed.”

“A Bronx Tale Became Hell Up In Harlem” was hell for CONQUEST over the last few years. From losing his job to feeling like he’s letting his wife down.

“A Beautiful Mind” speaks about the suicide of some of the world’s biggest stars. All these creatives have beautiful minds, but deep down, they are crying out for help. The suicide of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington and Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell sparked this song. ‘QUEST writes this for those who struggle with depression and suicidal tendencies. Octivia’s beautiful vocals embody the lost crying out to those who would listen.

The feeling of being defeated continues in “Crazy/Beautiful.” ‘QUEST talks about the feeling of failing his wife in a rocky marriage while admiring her beauty inside and out. The lyrics are soaked with love and passion that only married folks would understand. MATURE LISTENERS ONLY!!

“Angels In The Outfield” is a real tear-jerker. The chorus stands out to me:

“Still in pain that you’re gone.”

‘QUEST, R.Q. Tek & Descendent raps heartfelt lyrics about their friend Rod The Specialist, honoring his character and legacy. Zai XP sings the chorus with lament in his voice and Facts On Any Block does a heartfelt spoken word about Rod. Rod dated his sister before his passing.

The second verse was a tribute to his producer and friend, Top Rank. ‘QUEST raps with lament as he reflects on conversations he had and wishes he had. The emotion in this verse was felt with passionate delivery over emotionally-driven lyrics.

[ACT III] of A Radical Interruption The Motion Picture (ARITMP)

PRODUCTION

The final act! As always, CONQUEST knows how to take it home. These songs are anthems that triumph ‘QUEST’s rise from the interruptions in his life. The production is laced with heavy bass and catchy 808s that scream “anthem.”

“Maverick’s” fast BPM trap beat is the perfect segway to a lighter, victorious note. “QUEST raps double-time in some parts of the song as the beat progresses

“The Imitation Game” is my favorite from the album. Over a heavy trap beat that is unusual from ‘QUEST (to me, at least), he rode the beat like a Ferrari horse! Hearing this song live is a treat for those who attend ‘QUEST’s concerts.

Sophia Danelle brought so much life to “There Will Be Blood/Shed” with her beautiful singing voice. The album is technically done after this song. The production is of an R&B/rap vibe with a little bit of worship. This is definitely a favorite for me, especially after hearing it live.

LYRICS

Each song proclaims victory.

“Maverick” is CONQUEST’s identity being shaped in Christ, ensuring his victory always. “The Imitation Game” encourages the creative listener to be themselves and not a carbon copy. “There Will Be Blood/Shed,” I pulled this out of ‘QUEST’s song description. It was worded perfectly.

The “real” final song in this concept album and overall story of “ARITMP.” It is a song that effectively brings the rest of the stories told on the former ten songs in full perspective with the comforting knowledge that Jesus Christ died for us all. Not only does “Blood” references the issues and “interruptions” CONQUEST faced throughout the album, it also references songs from “The Radical Trilogy” such as “R.A.G.E” and “Conquest Must Die” from “Radical Departure” and “2819 (The Art Of Losing Myself)” from “Radical Thinking 2819”. Guest vocalist Sophia Danielle added even more gravitas vocally with her powerful soprano and proves to be a great balance between ‘QUEST’S double and triple time rhyming and lyricism and Eshon Burgundy’s production.

The “MLK Remix” was the ending credit song. It ended on a fire note. Verses from Richard Dauphin, Redeemed & ATTAM gave the song more life than it had. Then in comes Brianna Knight with her bars and amazing singing! She gave the song a flavor we didn’t know it needed!

This version of the “MLK Remix” is exclusively featured on the album.

That’s All, Folks!

CONCEPT

As the title of the album suggests, CONQUEST faced radical interruptions in life as things were looking up. Because of these unforeseen events, ‘QUEST was forced to step back and recollect himself. Through the music, it was storytelling just as much as it was therapeutic for him. In the end, these interruptions opened his eyes to the trials in life that he wouldn’t have seen. Through Jesus Christ, he is still standing.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This is in the debate of album of the year. I’m calling it now. CONQUEST has given us his best album yet. Everything about it was intentional, thought out, and personal. Albums that take time always come out the best. He closed out the ‘radical’ trilogy on a powerful note. Does this mean he’s done, or is he getting started!?

Me, ATTAM & CONQUEST at one of the studio sessions for #ARITMP

“A Radical Interruption: The Motion Picture” is available now.

FAVORITE TRACKS:

• MLK/MJ, Lebron & Kobe
• MLK Remix: Director’s Cut
• A Bronx Tale Became Hell Up In Harlem
• A Beautiful Mind: Crying Out To You
• There Will Be Blood/Shed
• The Imitation Game

RATING: 5 out of 5

By Randy Bazille