Logic – Under Pressure [Album Reflections]

Posted by Grubeats on October 21, 2014

Where do I begin?

Exactly 1,163 days I received an email.  That email just so happened to be my first official introduction to Maryland hip-hop artist, Logic.  Described as a young, talented MC known for his lyrical prowess – I couldn’t have said it better myself – and fortunately for us, that’s still the same Logic we’re looking at today.  Since that introduction, Logic has been my favorite artist, period.  To call out a few – he’s genuine, personable, tenacious, confident, well spoken, and last but certainly not least, one BEAST of a rapper.  Preaching “peace, love & positivity” since the very start, he’s one artist who has stayed true to his message, through and through.  His story has undoubtably changed hundreds if not thousands of people’s lives for the better.  The craziest part is, Under Pressure is still just the beginning.

When asked what “Under Pressure” means to him, Logic responded,

“For me, it’s the duality of who I am. Being Bobby and being Logic, being under pressure personally in all the things that I go through in my life. Just as a regular dude, ’cause outside of music, there’s people who look at me like I’m not shit. I’m just little Bobby, dealing with the pressures from my family, where I come from. All that. Also, being in the rap game and just being under pressure to sell whatever you gotta sell.” [via XXL]

He’s right though – he’s the debonair “Young Sinatra” on the street, then he steps into the booth and all previous conceptions vanish. He embodies some form of legendary lyrical machine.  That to me is what separates Logic from much of his competition.

It’s clearly been a long time coming to deliver the album and as you’ll hear on “Growing Pains III”, he has recorded over 1,700 songs in the past 10 years, only 150+ of which have been released to date.  Under Pressure is far from a grab bag of records.  Carefully crafted, Logic and team have put countless hours into this album and I hope that after listening, you’ll recognize that.  The 12 tracks (15 on the Deluxe version) collectively paint a bigger picture.  As expected, the album is a very raw, personal look into Logic’s life, and more specifically his upbringing.  From family struggles to personal and musical accomplishments, you’ll truly understand the person behind the mic after listening to this album.

As if I haven’t already giving you enough of a reason to go buy the album, legendary producer No I.D. blessed it with his executive production.  I don’t mean to jump the gun, but typically anything he touches turns gold.  Then platinum.

“Conversations with No I.D
Who made hits with Ye, got hits with Jay
Now he wanna fuck around and make hits with me
If it’s meant to be, then it’s meant to be
Can’t express what that meant for me, what it mean to me
Man, I swear the shit like a dream to me, what it seemed to be” – Till The End [Track 12]

Last but not least, I want to once again give a shout out to the whole team at Visionary Music Group.  Logic’s in house producer, 6ix stepped up and destroyed the production on half of the album.  The rest of the team is too humble to take credit, but I thank you all for the work you’ve put in.  VMG is a blueprint for organic growth, keep at it boys (& girls?).

Without further adieu I suggest you GO GRAB BOTH DIGITAL VERSIONS on iTUNES and take a trip to your local record shop (or Best Buy, Walmart, Target, etc.) and clear out the shelves (if you can beat Henry to it)!!!  100k the first week!

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Tags: 6ix, artist, Bobby Hall Logic, cause, date, Def Jam, favorite, Logic, long time, Maryland, No I.D., rapper, Sir Robert Bryson Hall, Under Pressure, Under Pressure Album, Visionary Music Group, VMG