Saying Stic man's "The WorkOut" is the greatest Hip Hop concept album ever is a very bold statement......some of the best Hip Hop concept albums consist of the likes of Ice Cube's Death Certificate, BDP's Edutainment, Prince Paul's Prince Of Theives and MF Doom's Mmm..Food. I'll take a fan favorite like "Death Certificate" and explain why "The workout" is levels ahead of that album. Not to compare the two like that it's more about the issues that are addressed. While Cube made an album which was a great reflection of inner city Black struggle in the early 90's which addressed topics that are still relevant today. The Workout tackles "human issues" that surpass race, sex and financial status. This is an album every human can relate to. The album addresses a very universal human problem and its solution; Health. In my opinion Stic Man deserves some sort of award for dedicating his art to the people in such a manner. This is altruism at its finest. Lyrically Stic Man has always had the gift to where his words were so on point that u forget he's lyrically nice. This works due to the fact Stic Man words comes off like a coach pushing an athlete. Production wise, this album isnt set up like how a normal Hip Hop album would be. You dont realise the science behind the beats until u actually play the album while excercising. While you are in the middle of your excercising and u feel a bit of doubt the music takes on the form of a movie score and you are the star and the star of movies always endures to the end so if u ever find yourself at that point while excercising the question of wether or not u quit or keep going becomes defined as the music plays ion the background. The following is a breakdown behind ever track:
1) MVP: This is your personal trainer, amping you to go out there and work your body. The impression is given that he's saying this to the listener in the morning as soon as he/she wakes up so that the first thing the listener hears is the instructions to workout. In the background someone jump roping is heared signaling that this is the warm up part of the album.
2) Blood Pumping: The warm up continues. Jump roping, doing crunches, push ups and the visual motivation seen in the gym watching others get there work out on. Also the mental visualization is having a goal. You want a six pack? Then visualize it. You want a body like "Monster" Kody Scott? Visualize it.
3) Champion: The mental excercise. The build up of self. This is you telling yourself that you are the best and that you have to stay believing so while excercising. The chanting of the chorus being the mantra of who u are which is a champion.
4) Back On My Regimen: This is the gym anthem. The plan and the goal. The plan is your training the goal is a healthy and strong looking body. Rapper Divine RBG's verse is reflective of the person who's going to the gym for the first time after a long time of not excersising.
5) Joe Louis: This is you excercising in the gym and the numerous excercises you can partake in. The heavy bag, pushups, dumbells, calestetics, all throuought you are focused on the reality that training is a daily routine.
6) Sober Soldier: This is a very important song. Living in a society plagued with addiction from alcohol cigerrettes, marijuana and prescription drugs are innocent vices Stic man points out that addiction is the enemy. This song is a counter attack to all popular songs that promote drinking, smoking and sipping on sizzurp. This song is very personal as it speaks to the person who is trying to detox and rid their bodies of all the illicit poisons while at the same time avoiding the tempations of the past and those who are still stuck in addiction. Discipline is stregth against temptation. Towards the end of the song Stic Man challenges the listener to make an oath to stay away from the slavery of addiction.
7) Runners High: This is the jog/running song. Stic Man finds the beauty in the overall act of running. A soliloquy of why running is important. Running is used as a Metaphor for a journey to a certain goal. You dont focus on the painyou focus on the fact that your giving it you're all.
8) Baby Fat: This song is dedicated to the mothers who have have just gone through pregnancy and are trying to get their figure back. 2 female rappers and a female singer dominate the majority of the song using lyrics of positivity as motivation to attain the goal of removing the baby fat from their bodies.
9) Let It Burn: This is the song dedicated to that feeling you go thru when u are training. The burning and the pain is good. The burn is just weakness leaving the body. No pain no gain. Take the pain and dont quit just because it feels difficult. You have to train your mind to believe that the burn will lead to greatness.
10) Warrior Codes: The attitude of the disciplined man/woman. The Art Of War is to master knowing how to win wars withought fighting. You have to be a humble person but if you are provoked then it is your duty as a man/woman to defend yourself by all means. You have to be trained mentally and physically for when the opportunity to properly defend yourself arises you have to be well prepared.
11) Bruce Lee: Stic Man throughout the Workout album uses real life people as a mental visualization for certain goals. He used Tookie Williams for looks, Joe Louise for training and on this song he uses Bruce Lee as a role model of positive influence on himself and the world. Stic Man speaks on how he was impressed as a kid watching Bruce Lee and how years later he would grow to understand that it was Bruce Lee's philosophy that made him what he was and how that philosophy can applied to anyones life.
12) Yoga Mat: This song is dedication to meditation. The physical posture, the atmosphere and the positive thinking when meditating.
13) Healthy Living: This is another very important song. Stic Man breaks down the importance of eating healthy and avoiding junk food. This is the updated rap version of Elijah Muhammad's book "How To Eat To Live." Stic man challenges the listener by breaking down the importance of changing the the thinking of the masses concerning eating habits. Stic Man also stresses to the parents to teach the children to eat healthy. Personally I believe this song should be made into a video for visual sake. The song ends with a commentary of how most ails can cured by eating healthy
14) Winner Mentality: This is the closing of the album. The narrarator challenges the listener to stay focused on being healthy and to continue training for life. Its the ultimate reality check in a era where mainstream Hip Hop music poorly fails to enlighten its fans in a positive manner concerning health. The training never stops.
This album has no expiration date. The words spoken on this album will be relevant in 50 years. You can put this album in your CD player and just bump it or you can play it while excercising. Dead Prez have always stressed that they are for the people and this album proves so. Stic Man didnt craete songs for you to get your party on, he created an album to help you with the side affects of what happens after you party. Its actually pretty sad how this album has no major push as this is real life music at its purest form. This is a definate must have for all Hip Hop fans' collection. In my most humble opinion, I say Stic Man's "The Workout" is the greatest hip hop concept album ever.
