JustMe & Cas Metah - JustMe & Cas Metah Are Unemployed
by mmog37
First Impressions
Yesterday and long ago Hip Hop was innovated and created…now we’re bringin it home! -JustMe & Cas Metah, from Yesterday and Long Ago
Man, as I sat and listened to this cd, I felt like I had been transported back in time, back to the early days of hip hop, back to the days of sneakin over to a friends house where my eyes and ears were opened to a whole world I never even knew existed, and at the same time discovering that even people in different spots on the globe share some of the same thoughts, concerns and struggles as me. Back to a time of the dj and the boompap and b-boys and battle rap. I felt like I was back in time where Hip Hop had something to say and would make ya think, and allowed ya to see things from a different perspective..sometimes whether ya wanted to or not. “Yesterday and long ago…hip hop was created…just for makin you think” -JustMe & Cas Metah As I sat there reminiscin about Yesterday and Long Ago I had to rewind the track several times, knoddin my head both to the beat and in agreement. The beat was Raddiculous-ly fresh and EF Cuttin definitely proved how he earned the name with some fierce double edged cuttin, I was one track in and had high expectations and as always with this dynamic duo I wasn’t disappointed. JustMe aka Justin Long & Cas Metah aka Taylor Hogle teamed up on their debut Scribbling Idiots release back in 2004, and after puttin in a lot of work, the dynamic duo is back with the sophomore release “JustMe and Cas Metah are Unemployed.” Joining the founding members of Scribbling Idiots as guest are fellow Super Microphonist Elias, Theory Hazit, Mouth Warren, Wonder Brown. “JustMe and Cas Metah are Unemployed” also featured a collection of innovative and cleverly arranged beats from the likes of Raddiculous, Theory Hazit, and MattMan to name a few. This project was exactly what I have come to expect from the members of the Scribbling Idiot fam, the fresh beats, the humor and the witty sarcasm, going against the grain and flow of the mainstream givin the listener something to think about. All in all I really enjoyed and continue to enjoy listening to this cd. “JustMe and Cas Metah are Unemployed” boasted 12 fat tracks, here’s a look at the track listing:
1. Yesterday And Long Ago // cuts by EF Cuttin // beat by Raddiculous
2. Super Microphonists // beat by Re:Flex the Architect
3. Garbage Disposal // cuts by Sean P // beat by MattmaN
4. Unemployed // beat by Sundance
5. Friendly Reminder // feat. Theory Hazit // beat by Commissioner Gordon
6. Emo Coaster // beat by Theory Hazit
7. Where’s The Time? // feat. Mouth Warren // beat by MattmaN
8. Show And Tell // feat. Wonder Brown // beat by Muneshine
9. Let It Ride // feat. Ruffian // beat by Fab da Eclectic
10. Close To Home // beat by Commissioner Gordon
11. Just Tryin’ To Live // beat by Vintage
12. Make A Way // feat. Elias // beat by MattmaN
A Closer Look
One of the things I have come to enjoy from JustMe & Cas Metah is the clever way they manage to take a serious subject or issue and present it in a sarcastic humorous way, kinda like the way a parent slips the nasty medicine in their kids orange juice…by the time they realize it was in there it’s too late cause you already swallowed it. I think what I really enjoy about this and other Scribbling Idiot projects is the fact that it really is HHH, that’s right Honest Hip Hop. There are a lot of cats out there now who rap under the “Christian Rapper” of “Holy Hip Hopper” banner, but a large portion of them have a selfish approach, meaning they say that they are trying to reach the non-believer but their music is often filled with religious jargon that either misses the ear and goes over the head of the non-believer. That’s not the case with these guys at all. JustMe and Cas Metah manage to tackle issues that affect all of society, and they do so from the perspective of a Christian who knows the truth, but they present it in a way that I believe the non-believer can relate to or respect what is being said…even if they may not agree with it.
I’ve said it before and I will probably say it a lot more, I have much love for all of the people who are trying to get the truth out there to the masses…but I have a special kinda love for those artist who can take the truth and the insight of the Bible and present it in ways that are both relevant and applicable to everyday life. Although I have been a fan for a while, last year I had a chance to get to see into the heart of JustMe aka Justin Long, as I picked his brain during my review of “The Falling Tsar Project” a project that he participated in with some of his label mates and friends, (Sev Static, Theory Hazit, Wonder Brown) with all of the proceeds going to benefit a family in need. Surprisingly wise and compassionate for his age he saw the project as an opportunity to use hip hop as a means to help and build up a direct contrast to the destructive and exploitive nature of mainstream or secular hip hop. On this project, JustMe and Cas Metah reunite for a full length feature after a long three years. Their flow has gotten better and the music has something for everyone from smooth and melodic tracks, to jazzy tracks and tracks that make ya want to get up and move somethin. While the music range/style may vary with each track one thing is consistent from track to track, and that is the fact that they will all provoke you to think or rethink in some cases.
Da Breakdown
I really enjoyed the musical journey this cd took me on. As I mentioned in first Impressions the first track [Yesterday and Long Ago] had me reminiscing of yesterday, as it took a look at the origin of hip hop, payin homage and posing the question as to when hip hop made the move to be all about guns girls and green. Another track [Where's The Time] had me thinking of yesterday as the beat played it reminded of some old Brothas Johnson type, smooth groovin bass lines, but even more so it found me pondering the question and realizing how time really does get away from us and how valuable time really is and as such we must respect it and be wise when it comes to time, or as the Bible instructs us we must redeem our time because it is short (Colossians 4:5 , Ephesians 5:16) JustMe and Cas Metah provide a healthy dose of humor and sarcasm, it can be clearly heard on tracks like [Super Microphonist] and [Show and Tell] another one of my favs, I could almost see JustMe and Cas Metah as teachers gathering the little kiddies (immature hip hop artist) around for a show and tell session. Other tracks like [Unemployed] are double edged as they address some of the issues we all face, like losing a job, trying to do what’s right and trusting God for direction, while at the same time tackling laziness and procrastination. [Make A Way] is also another one of my favorites, a soulful recognition of God’s ability to make a way, I especially enjoyed the way the track opens with the preacher offering encouragement to “stay in your call, and go where it’s tough” I listened and reflected on my own moments where I had to make the decision to “stay the course” and trust God to make a way. Not all of the tracks are humorous though, the track [Close to Home] revisits the days when tragedy struck in our own backyard (The Virginia Campus Shooting and 911) and how in those moments we begin to question life’s purpose and pleading with God for answers, a reminder that time really is short. All in all this cd has plenty of food for thought, here’s a brief breakdown of some of what you will find on “JustMe and Cas Metah are Unemployed:”
- Paying Homage and taking a look at where hip hop has gone since it’s creation [Yesterday and Long Ago]
- A fun track from the anti-thugs, chasing heavenly dreams while the mainstream chases shiny stuff[Super Microphonist]
- A not so subtle in ya face b-boy battle style track tackling the lack of solid content in hip hop [Garbage Disposal]
- Life is full of ups and downs even when you are doing the right thing…Enjoy the ride [Emo Coaster]
- Time waits for no one, use it wisely and be mindful of it, before you know it…it’s gone! [Where's The Time]
- Not sweatin the small stuff or stressin over things that don’t matter, learning to let go [Let It Ride]
- Not chasin wealth or fame, just tryin to live and make the name and example of Jesus known [Just Tryin to Live]
- Remembering the day’s that shook the nation (911, The Virginia Campus Shootings) dealing with tragedy that happens in your own backyard [Close to Home]
Final Thoughts
True hip hop heads will appreciate this one, as it contains all of the elements of hip hop but none of the negativity. I think listeners at all levels can listen to and enjoy this cd and walk away with something, mature believers can listen and hear beyond the rhymes and metaphors while less seasoned listeners can enjoy the music and take it in smaller bites. Non-believers can vibe out and head nod their way to a different viewpoint as they discover the truth interlaced in topics that are socially relevant and relatable to where they are.
If you are unfamiliar or new to JustMe and Cas Metah, or if you just want to get a feel for their music (or buy this cd) you can check out the following places.
