Capital D is one of those names that nobody in their right minds knows. Deep within the streets of the underground side of hip-hop music lies the mysterious Capital D and the Molemen. Making his debut within the underground years ago, joining the Chicago hip-hop group All Natural, he released the acclaimed single "Writer's Block". After released two underground albums which virtually nobody heard, he turned Muslim and retired from rap music for a while. About a year later, in mid 2002, he returned, this time alligned with the Molemen production team, to give us a brand new album, entitled Writer's Block. One of Capital D's traits as an emcee are his amazingly vivid storytelling skills, which he flexes his muscles on Writer's Block. Capital D is a marvelous writer, giving us a unique cast of characters, a very tight narration, and some amazing stories, which is virtually void of many other hip-hop albums. Writer's Block is one of the most slept-on albums in recent memory, and im proud to bring you my epinion on it....


Track List & Rating

1. Intro (NOT RATED)
2. Writer's Block Pt. II (5 Stars)
3. Young Girl Lost (5 Stars)
4. Paper Chase (4 Stars)
5. Midnight (Interlude) (NOT RATED)
6. Mrs. Manley (5 Stars)
7. Du'A (The Deen's List) (4 Stars)
8. Crossfire (5 Stars)
9. Currency Exchange (4 Stars)
10. Final Judgement (4 Stars)
11. Cause & Effect (5 Stars)
12. Du'A (Stevie Wonder) (NOT RATED)
13. Mass Transit (5 Stars)
14. Bonus Track (Hidden) (4 Stars)


Writer's Block is a vivid storytelling interpretation of the life and times of Capital D and what he has lived through. We get a unique cast of characters by Capital D, as he carefully walks us through their times and how, in some way, it has affected his view of life. Its easy to relate to Capital D or one of his many characters that he puts into his stories here. Writer's Block is extremely easy to listen to from beginning to end as it has no average or bad moments, and its interesting to hear all sorts of stories from the creative eye of Capital D. The production keeps you tuned in and head-bobbing, and the subject matter is complex, inventive, and intelligent, and it makes you think.

"Writer's Block Pt. II" is the sequel to the classic Capital D track released years earlier. Basically, we get our first glimpse into the storytelling and vivid poetic mind of Capital D. We get a variety of different tales. The first story is about a female who is starts out as a good friend, but ends up running intro trouble with a variety of people. The second tale is an amazing tale of a friend who wanted it all, but fell into the wrong croud and practically ruined his life. The production is absolutely beautiful, as we get a beautifully put together mix of hard accoustic synthesized guitars, harmonizing R&B background vocals, and thumping drums, with a non-existent bassline. Definetely a great opening track for Writer's Block.

"Young Girl Lost" has striking similarities to the classic Nas track "Black Girl Lost", but this time with a bit of Capital D change. Capital D gives us an amazing storytelling track about a girl whom was grown thinking her father died, but he abandoned her, basically having her grown by up by her mother. Therefore, she discovered that she was beautiful, and turned her life upside down by selling her body, specifically to a crack-head named Lou and his friends, who turned out to be her father. Afterwards, she fell in love with a well-rounded kid named Craig, who ended up getting shot down by Lou and his gang. This is, to me, a Capital D classic. The unbelievably well-written lyrics and flow of the story not only would make Slick Rick proud, but outmatches him tenfold. This is one of the true highlights of the album as Capital D gives us entertainment beyond that of battle rhymes, braggadiocio, and social-consciousness, here, we get life. As for the beat, the instrumental is a ballad style of beat with haunting R&B vocals and creepy violins. "Paper Chase" continues the story of Lou and his crew and their attempt to robbing several stores and banks, and commit crimes. This turned into a huge shootout between the security guard Mike and Lou, in which Lou got life in prison for being caught.

Capital D and the Molemen give us a true tear-jerker on this next track. "Mrs. Manley" is a well-told, somewhat genius tale Capital D gives us about a heartfelt lovable old lady who lived in his neighborhood, whom everybody loved. Capital D paints a picture, not only of what the old lady did for him, but a vivid tale of the lifestyle of his neighborhood. The story is very personal as Capital D explores emotion like many other emcees fear. The tear-jerking ending of Mrs. Manley passing away is sad and deep, specially to Capital D and the moment when he was with her during her final seconds on Earth. Capital D bids farewell and promises to never forget her. The melancholy piano loop given in this track is perfectly embedded with the emotional subject matter and lyrics.

"Crossfire" is another classic on Writer's Block. Capital D this time explores the streets and the violence in them. We get an interesting story about a group of friends he hung with which were involved in gun violence, as he loses his friend Jake as he is caught within the path of a bullet. Once again, Capital D's personality and emotion is displayed, and the violin driven instrumental is touching and also gives a deep message about not taking life for granted and living life to the fullest. Capital D is NOT one of you're average emcees. The production of the track is unique as well, as at the end, we get a repeat of the first verse as it fades away. Basically the underlining message to me by Capital D is that this sort of thing happens over and over again daily and it honestly needs to stop. Honesty... that is one of Capital D's best traits. Genius production by Panik of the Molemen.

"Currency Exchange" and "Final Judgement" is a mix of graphic storytelling and a diss to commercial rap. He speaks to the problems in his block, and compares it to the rap game. This is not typical Capital D style, but its still a great track.

The beautifully haunting and melancholy piano loops are the back drop for "Cause and Effect", where we find Capital D teaching lessons as well as tells stories. We get a glimpse of the Capital D lifestyle as he raps about his friend and how everything that has a cause has an effect, using his friend's life as a perfect example. Basically, his troubles begin as he gets his girl pregnant, and they choose to have an abortion, which Capital D is strickly against and promises that she will pay because cause and effect are part of nature, and neglect is the wrong road to choose. The next cause and effect that we get is when his friend gets into trouble at a basketball game. The trash talk leads to some problems as they victoriously win the game, but ends up getting shot down. Capital D reminisces that the only good that comes of this is that his girl has his kid, but ends up getting shot and killed two weeks later. Amazing emotion and story as Capital D loves to hit us with sad endings, but his brutal honesty is what makes this album a near-classic.

Writer's Block comes to a finish with "Mass Transit", another classic from the Capital D book of rhymes. Immediately, the beats hits you, with beautiful violins, pianos, and some background trumpets to give us our final tale. Capital D showcases his amazing rapping skills as he flows to the beat perfectly with his well-written rhymes and great use of vocabulary. He gives us a beautiful subject matter driven song where he compares people riding trains as a metaphor for living life, and that eventually it ends, but the ride was worth the wait for some, but not for others. Amazing.

Capital D is an emcee, a poet, a storyteller, a griot, and anything of the sort, and now teamed with the Mole Men he has reached new heights in creating a hip-hop album. The production on Writer's Block ranges from excellent, to somewhat average, but the lyrics and delivery are always top-notch. He constantly preaches and tries his absolute best to hit us with positive and negative messages, telling us about the harsh realities of life. His brutal honesty is rarely found in a hip-hop album, much less in storytelling fashion. Capital D creatively sends out his thoughts and messages through his impactful and well-told rhymes. Its evident by me that Capital D was very careful and crafty in creating Writer's Block, as his rhymes are all seemingly intelligent and complex, as he makes sure to leave out little details and allows your imagination to explode in itself due to his descriptions. This is more like a movie, or a documentary, than an album, but its a great one, and an album ive overlooked for a long time. Do yourself a favor and get off those 20 inch rims and buy a f*ckin copy...

4 1/2 Stars... Rounded down to 4




Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep