It would take up the first paragraph of this review to list the talents and skills of Canadian rapper Socalled. I thought I had an impressive CV, but Josh Dolgin has had a varied, full and creative life. Already a cult figure in his native land, this is the first of the three albums he’s made to hit my ears.

It could loosely be labelled as rap, but that would only tell you half the story. It’s a patchwork quilt of styles, usually from a faith-based perspective. If this all sounds deeply nerdy, then amen. What it is also is intelligent, funny and funky all at the same time: often within the context of the same song. Rap is the art of wordy machismo: Socalled is rapping about doubt, guilt, philosophy and lust. He is the close relative of the kid you knew at school: bookish, quiet, worldy but incredibly randy.  In his own words: “In my dreams, I’m the lovechild of Quincy Jones and Berry Gordy/a horny robot looking for WD40”.

If it sounds exhausting, it is. It mixes styles and kinds of music within the context of a song. Closing track ‘Curried Soul 2.0’ is basically a cross between ‘Feel The Need In Me’ by The Detroit Emeralds and ‘Twenty Five Miles’ by Edwin Starr. But you’ve already had someone laughing at his own insecurities and his own humanity. If you want to encapsulate the album, try ‘Booty Call’. It starts off as hymn of praise to one of life’s small pleasures, and then develops into a discussion about someone constantly bothering you for sex.

It’s not a long album, but there is enough here to enjoy. Imagine Eminem with a sense of humour, minus the homophobia and misogyny. You’ve get Socalled.

Peoplewatching is out now via Socalled Entertainment Inc.

Kev McCready
@KevMcCready