This is the full-length studio debut from Atlanta, Georgia emcee Peter Sparker. Introducing himself on Devil’s Night 2020 through his debut EP Chillin’ in the Matrixx despite starting out in the ‘80s, he would later form the duo Sparkerdero with producer K. Dero afterwards & drop a debut album of their own Bubba Smith a few months later followed by the sophomore effort 2nd Round merely 4 months prior. He has since joined the raising Croydon, South London, England, United Kingdom underground label Hidden Hobby Records & looks to make his debut by having Paisley, Scotland producer STS soundtrack Who We Are.
“Hi” jazzily begins by talking about using his God given talents to the highest abilities imaginable whereas “Stop & Look” takes a more laidback approach instrumentally explaining that nobody’s better than us because they’re wealthier. “Speak to Me” takes the cavernous boom bap route explaining that he still strives to make people feel like he’s amazing when most already do just before “Mr. Winter” talks about being the reason why his city has snow days.
HellzYeah joins Peter on “Sharks” discussing that they always get things done right because each of them always do it correctly leading into “Bars Over Bullshit” pensively talking about prioritizing lyricism above nonsense. “Bone Collector” brings back the jazz rap vibes for 90 seconds boasting how insane the bars he comes up with inside his head truly are just before “Shrapnel” hooks up a funky bassline to talk about doing this shit for almost 3 decades.
“Pathological Rhymer” starts the 2nd half eating STS’ beats like he’s serving whole entire meals while “Time Bandits” featuring PrevMarco finds the 2 talking about time eternally slipping to the future since we all should know that waits for no man. “Something We Do” breaks down the differences between hip hop culture & rap music, dismissing the false notion of of artists thinking they’re living this shit simply because they’re rapping now while “Backspin” dedicates the next 68 seconds to all the b-boys.
WWE Hall of Famer, the shortest reigning WWE Champion & former WWE Tag Team Champion André the Giant gets referenced on “The Brakes” talking about only dealing with the best of the best while “This is the Way…” declares himself to be the weapon needed to correct the perception of an MC’s essence. “Revolution” sends off the LP with a minute long outro talking about still providing Edutainment despite not being KRS-One & nobody having the ability of altering the way he spits.
Chillin’ in the Matrixx was the only actual entry in Peter Sparker’s solo catalog up to this point for me to judge his music upon excluding both of Sparkerdero’s full-lengths, but I can definitely say Who We Are surpasses that previous EP he released during the COVID-19 pandemic & proves to be a great international signing for Hidden Hobby Records from STS’ boom bap production to Peter’s wordplay simultaneously opening up to this new era of authentic lyricists whilst throwing it back to hip hop’s early days.
Score: 4/5
Legends Will Never Die 