Brownsville rapper Ka may bore you.  His delivery is muted, the beats and production do not showboat, you may even fall asleep during Honor Killed the Samurai’s ten short tracks.  That being said, this is not an album to sleep on.

Ka’s lyrics are what distinguish him from other rappers.  Rather than bragging about his experiences on the streets or his latest escapade in the club, Ka administers bars of difficult lessons about the dilemma of committing crimes or starving, exposing the harsh realities of a life on the streets.  The lyrics are accented by a quiet and raspy delivery, conveying the jaded ex-con’s point of view on New York’s feudalistic gangsterism of the 80s, the inspiration of this samurai-themed album.  Ka is not a prophet, but he possesses a pedagogy you want to listen to.  

Furthering the mood on this album are the beats and production, which compliment Ka’s somber and almost severe delivery by supporting instead of outshining.  Sprinkled with samples of Japanese-inspired movie clips, eerie utilitarian beats glint at just the right moment to draw attention back to the lessons Ka is laying on you.  

The album-encompassing track here is “Just.”  Its entendre-stuffed lyrics sum up the album’s themes, from having to act tough in the face of enemies, to moving drugs for milk money, to how dodging the police has influenced Ka’s personality permanently.  

Ka murmurs “to get what we need / we did what we must,” proving the wisdom he has attained.  On this album, there is no pride, only truth.
Rating: 8/10