STS (A.K.A. Sugar Tongued Slim’s) debut full-length album, The Illustrious, which was released in late December of 2011, is an brilliant piece of musical artistry from the highly talented Atlanta, Georgia bred emcee. In an genre where true emceeing and rapping talent are few and far between, STS’ slick emceeing style and poetic lyrics are like a breath of fresh air. However, lately it seems that there has been a re-emergence or renaissance of a significant number of talented artists in the past few years, including, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Yelawolf (to name a few). Now the interesting thing about STS is that he actually started out as a poet performing at local poetry slams in Atlanta, Georgia to make some money, until somebody told him that he should rap. And the rest was history, or rather, is part of modern Hip-Hop history in the making.
Furthermore, STS’ debut album, The Illustrious, definitely lives up to the hype of its title and more. The Illustrious is a sort of diamond in the rough Hip-Hop album, which only comes along every once in awhile and blows you away. And just to think, this is only STS’ debut full-length album. The Illustrious is the type of album that may not be everybody’s favourite Hip-Hop album, but rather your favourite emcees most cherished Hip-Hop album. In particular STS’ witty, poetic prowess is best illustrated on tracks such as, “Hello Sunshine” (feat. Yelawolf), “Sugar’s Here” and “This Is For You”. For instance, on STS’ fan dedicated single from The Illustrious, “This is For You” STS’ spits: “they told me to dumb it down a bit, the listeners ain’t that smart; I got a public education, so don’t pull that card, and I’m a fan first; I really feel like they disrespectin’ y’all”. However, clearly STS’ most poetically beautiful verses are featured on “Hello Sunshine” (feat. Yelawolf). STS rhymes “Asked a Reverend how to get to you and he sent me through hell, kicked the pail high-pitched and yelled through fits that failed in attempts to tell you how I feel. To me you are a star, a gift from God, gifted by God; a pearl to us peas in a pod. It throws me that you would notice me as a tree through the fog. Of all the Pall Malls in the pack you put me over and put me back. And to think this is how I react”. I think what makes STS’s debut album, The Illustrious such a great album is that the songs themes and production are so eclectic and masterfully produced that it’s hard not to like. Even the sole skit on The Illustrious, entitled, “Gold Mayfield Skit” and the song entitled, “The Interview”, which was produced by well known DJ and producer, The Alchemist, are highly entertaining tracks. Now in terms of production, some of my favourite tracks are produced by Will Power, including “Here Tonight” (feat. Tony Williams), “WWW” (“Women, Weed and What to Wear”) and “Illustrious”. Not to mention stellar production and co-production by producers such as, The Mad Violinist; KP and Malay, Dame The Great, School Boy Vic and Emile.
All in all STS’ debut full-length album, The Illustrious is a brilliantly produced piece of musical artistry that definitely lives up to its hyped up title. And although, The Illustrious may not suit everyone’s tastes in Hip-Hop, STS’ slick poetic delivery style, lyrical wit and entertaining stories on the Illustrious, definitely brings Hip-Hop back to a higher level of artistry than some of his more popular contemporaries such as, Young Jeezy and Gucci Mane. Some notable tracks to listen to on The Illustrious include “Sugar’s Here”; “WWW” (“Women, Weed and What to Wear”); “Hello Sunshine (feat. Yelawolf); “Here Tonight” (feat. Tony Williams), “This Is For You” and “ Illustrious”.
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