He may have a number of releases to his discography, but this LP marks a major step forward for the rapper who made a name for himself with raw rhymes alongside Jedi Mind Tricks and the expanded Army of the Pharoahs crew. There may be ferocious barbs littered throughout BoB, but there’s a genuine artistry at hand, too, that exceed beyond battle bars and bravado. You can hear this on the real-life immediacy of both “Dirty Larry” and “Real Recognize” (feat. Baby Blak and Frank Koufax).

The album is grounded not just by Arnell’s strong songwriting chops—his vocals have never sounded better—but also the musical talents of Rob Viktum, who produced the entire project. There’s an instantly recognizable gel between the two, which Arnell chalks up to Viktum’s unique approach that allows for the chance for emcees to really breathe on the track.

This is particularly evident on standout cut “When The Wind Blows,” a sentimental joint from Arnell who flexes his multiple talents and digs deep into his soul for a tale about a life tragically cut short. And as it turns out, it’s a very personal one for him to tell. “I wrote that record about my brother,” he explains, adding that the subject matter may be a bit old, but “it’s so relevant today.”

“It’s such a rich record, and comes from such a personal space,” Arnell says. He notes that it’s “hands down my favorite on the album”—and it’s hard to disagree. “When The Wind Blows” is a gripping look into the artist’s personal pain, and it’s also one of his most tightly written songs to date. It’s only fitting, then, that it’s the final track on an album that took years to piece together. He may have released other projects in his career, but Beast or Brethren feels like the culmination of something major for Arnell. And lucky for us, he’s just getting started.

In promotion of Arnell’s long awaited debut effort, the Philly spitter is pleased to christen his album launch with the MDot Media-directed visuals for the project’s opening cut, “Pressure Cooker.” Check out the visuals, and head over to the digital retailer of your choice to support, Beast or Brethren, which is available now via Cinema7 Multimedia Group, and can be streamed in its entirety right here, courtesy of RESPECT.

Beast or Brethren (Stream/Download): http://smarturl.it/BeastOrBrethren

Twitter:
• Lawrence Arnell: https://twitter.com/arnelllawrence
• Rob Viktum: https://twitter.com/RobViktum

Lawrence Arnell Online:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawrence.arnell
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrence_arnell_official
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lawrence-arnell

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The post RESPECT. Premiere: Lawrence Arnell – ‘Beast or Brethren’ (Album Stream & Video) appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

In addition to showing off his funky new single, Philly rapper Lawrence Arnell pays homage to one of the greatest comedy films ever in his deceptively hilarious video for “Proof Positive.”

In the visuals shot by Jimmy Giambrone and directed by Baby Blak, the rapper once known as Diamondback—who you may recognize the name from collaborations with Jedi Mind Tricks and AOTP—at first seems to be setting up some rather dubious plans. Why’s he meeting with that woman to buy bananas? And why is she holding a box of doughnuts from Dunkin?

Well, without giving too much away, it’s apparently part of a Beverly Hills Cop-inspired scheme to mess with some local cats who may have some beef with Arnell. Entertaining visuals aside, you’re also treated to the emcee’s top-tier rapping chops and a funky instrumental from slept-on Dallas producer, Rob Viktum, who produced the entirety of Arnells soon-coming proper debut album, Beast or Brethren.

Check out the visuals right here courtesy of RESPECT., and head over to the digital retailer of your choice to support. Beast or Brethren drops next Thursday, March 22nd, and is now available for pre-order via iTunes, Amazon and Google Play, through Cinema7 Multimedia Group.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/pgqEjM0ZMFo

Album Pre-Order (Smart URL): http://smarturl.it/BeastOrBrethren

Tracklist:
01. Pressure Cooker
02. Dirty Larry
03. Proof Positive
04. Again for Sure/Soothe the Savages
05. Anti-Hero (feat. V-Zilla & Blacastan)
06. You Ain’t Got to Explain
07. Here’s the Situation (Interlude)
08. Real Recognize (feat. Frank Koufax, Baby Blak & Cru Cut)
09. Soon as the Sun
10. Bricks (feat. Des Devious)
11. Butcher Shop Politics (feat. Planet & V-Zilla)
12. When the Wind Blows (feat. Cru Cut)

*All tracks produced by Rob Viktum
Press Release: http://bit.ly/BeastOrBrethrenPressRelease

Lawrence Arnell Online:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/arnelllawrence
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawrence.arnell
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lawrence_arnell_official
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/lawrence-arnell

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The post #PeepTheVisual: Lawrence Arnell – “Proof Positive” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.