Review Text
2017 release. Malik Turner, the New Jersey/North Carolina based MC and producer is the other half of the '90s duo, Malik Turner (Malik - Mad Lyrics) and DJ Master Jam. In 1994, with the support of Guru from Gang Starr, and DJ Sean Ski, they released the classic and much sought after independent vinyl 12-inch "No More 9 to 5" and "The Last Days of Wax" on their own label Mpacked Sounds. At the time Billboard noted the lead single "No More 9 to 5" for having top 40 single potential and hip-hop magazines like Rap Sheet and Rap Pages featured Malik as a rising MC to look out for. Malik Turner is also known for being a group member and lead rapper for the New Blackbyrds, a Jazz fusion group formed by the late legendary trumpeter, Donald Byrd, and a sister project to Guru's Jazzmatazz - The New Reality. Being released on his own label Osceola Music Group, Invisible Freedom is the first solo project in Malik's long musical career. Mainly produced by Malik himself, the album also contains additional production from 12 Finger Dan (of Soulbrotha) and the late great New Jersey beatsmith P-Original. With his refreshing, sample-heavy sound, and features from Ill Adrenaline's Beneficence, Dominique Larue, and Pittsburgh, PA rapper and activist Jasiri X (1 Hood), Malik demonstrates lyrical mastery while penetrating each song with passion and precision. The 16 track-strong full length stays true to hip-hop in nature, including tributes to Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" ("Fight the Power 3K"), Common's "I use to Love her" ("Still Love Her"), and A Tribe Called Quest's classic "Left My Wallet in El Segundo" ("Left My Wallet in Arizona").
