- One A.M. gets its title from the time during the day when MC Diverse finds he is most creative, so while most of us are asleep or counting sheep, Diverse has gathered up enough energy and creativity to deliver one of the most refreshing albums to kick off 2004 with (in Australia that is, this album was actually released in Sept 03 in the US)
Multi-talented hip hop producer RJD2 provides most of the beats on the album including the opener Certified - RJ’s tribute to black rock (as stated by the vocal sample which introduces the song). Uprock sees Diverse pay a tribute to b-boy culture and it’s a tune built for the breakers and poppers – “Uprock and then break!” while RJ rocks the funky Hammond organ to accompany him.
On a more uptempo tip is Explosive with Quannum MC Lyrics Born on collaboration. RJ lays down a heavy rock guitar riff while both MC’s trade lines as if it were an old skool Run DMC style track. Another MC that Diverse wanted to work with is Jean Grae PKA What What. She guests on Under The Hammer and is the only MC to represent for the female MC’s on this CD. Personally I think it’s awesome hearing two (or more) MC’s trade sentences in hip hop joints as it creates a real battle style atmosphere.
After a messy abstract jazz style introduction, Madlib provides the beats and jazzy piano loop for Ain’t Right showing a real soulful side to the Bay Area MC/Producer, emphasised in the chorus by a nice jazzy vocal sample. Diverse compliments the beats by uncovering his storyteller guise delivering two fictional stories each about real life situations – the first concerning the dangers and reality of dealing with gangs and gang violence while the other deals with love and relationships. Blindman is another narrative story based track talking about seeing life through the eyes of a blind man.
Jus Biz is the first of two tracks (and two interludes) produced by Prefuse 73. Jus Biz serves as a testament to where Diverse has been (as quoted from the album’s liner notes) but if the lyrics don’t express it, then it’s Prefuse’s tight production and laidback beats that just get your ears into “that” thought-provoking mood! A chilled out xylophone and serene strings set the mood for Leaving - a track which should really have been reserved as the last tune on the album.
Last but not least is a bonus track exclusive to the Australian release. Originally released on the Urban Renewal Program compilation, Wylin Out sees Diverse collaborating with hip hop heavyweight Mos Def. Once again RJD2 provides the uptempo beats and cuts to this track as Diverse and Mos trade verses ending the album on a high note.
One thing about Diverse’s lyrical delivery (on most tracks) is that he tends to rhyme quite quickly - too quickly in fact that it’s easy to lose track of what he’s trying to say. I’m not trying to be negative but isn’t that what hip hop is really all about - speaking your mind, and expressing it in rhyme? I suppose if I took the time to listen very deeply to each track I’d be able to absorb the messages he’s trying to express. Still he’s more comprehendible than the ‘92 hip hop fad of “rhyme as fast as you can even if people can’t understand you cos it really shows you got the skills”
Overall, One A.M. shows how versatile Diverse can be, from rocking the b-boy style rhymes to head nodding straight up hip hop taking while being able to get intellectual and narrate a few storytelling rhymes. Backed up by hip hop producers RJD2, Madlib, Prefuse 73 and others, One A.M. is definitely a hip hop album worth checking out.