Logic Tackles Race Relations and Politics on Latest Album ‘Everybody’

Jordan Bailey

Like much of hip-hop these days, Maryland rap star Logic has turned his latest album into a sign of the times. Much of what (and who) have been talked about in the news in the last year show up on “Everybody,” Sir Robert Bryson Hall II’s third studio album. His given name, like his rapping style, is a complex mouthful.

There’s a lot to uncover on “Everybody,” not only because Hall raps with such ferocity and, well, logic, but because he’s stacked this album full of gems – some obvious, some hidden. On the surface, however, it’s easy to see where he wanted to take his listeners. Born from an African-American father and Caucasian mother, Hall has experienced plenty of racism from both sides of the coin, anti-white and anti-black. This has undoubtedly given him a unique perspective unseen by most of our culture. His message throughout the album? Reject barriers, be you and love everyone equally.

The title track exemplifies such an idea. “Everybody” looks at a young kid growing up in a dangerous neighborhood and a biracial adult feeling forced to identify himself. “Everybody people, everybody bleed, everybody need something/ Everybody love, everybody know,” reads the hook, illustrating Hall’s desire to tear down the racial walls that divide us. In “Black SpiderMan,” Hall touches once again on the issue of race as it relates to himself. He has a way of turning this complex subject into something more personal. “I ain’t ashamed to be white, I ain’t ashamed to be black/ I ain’t ashamed of my beautiful Mexican wife as a matter of fact/ I know you fuckin’ with that”; these lyrics continue his insistence that race shouldn’t be the ultimate identifier in a person.

One of the true hidden gems comes in the last song, “AfricAryaN.” Featured here is none other than America’s premiere astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. A musician he is not, but an enlightened Svengali he certainly is. This massive twelve-plus-minute track features some heavy verses by Hall, intertwined with relatively innocuous hooks and bridges. The verses once again cover Hall’s biracial upbringing and current thoughts on racial division. While it may seem redundant at this point in the album, this is his first time delving into this subject that he’s no doubt consternated over his entire life. Tyson comes in during a skit where he presumably plays God, talking to a man (played by radio host Big Von) who wants advice. “Live your life. Don’t waste your days on the negative energy of others,” says Tyson, “And no matter how big your bank account is, your grave is six-feet-under just like everyone else’s.” Echoing this sentiment in a surprise guest verse is J. Cole, fellow bi-racial MC and a good friend of Hall’s. Here the mood changes from the altruistic voice of a higher figure to a lo-fi, mellow beat where a presumably sleepy-eyed Cole runs through a long poetic verse.

Other features include Killer Mike (of Run the Jewels) on “Confess” where, in an unconventional position, he finds himself giving the outro speech. His words are passionate, vibrant and potent as the heavy-accented ATLien confesses his frustration with the position God has placed him and his people. “Killing Spree” features “Divergent” actor Ansel Elgort, who also spends his time as a singer and DJ. Says Hall of this track “So this song, very simply, is about social media, straight up and the things that we glorify and focus on in social media…” In keeping with the topical, “America” takes on politics. In fact, this is the first-time Hall has probed such a topic. Featuring OG rappers Black Thought (The Roots), Chuck D (Public Enemy), No I.D. and Big Lenbo, this track switches up from verse to verse, perspective to perspective. Other notable features include Juicy J (“Ink Blot”), Lucy Rose (“Anziety”) and Alessia Cara and Khalid (“1-800-273-8255”).

Logic calls himself the “Rap Larry David,” and it’s not hard to see why. His lyrical ability is on par with the heaviest of hitters in today’s conscious hip-hip brand. His insights can be humorous or categorically serious, and on top of it all, his signature pitter-patter style is downright impressive. “Everybody” is a step up for the twenty-something rapper. He took a chance by adding some deep-seated perceptions to his already inspiring gift.

“Everybody” is available on Apple Music May 5.