Skarr Akbar Finally Unveils His Beautiful Mind
The Beautiful Mind is billed as a “Block Work Bootleg,” as part of the DJ Jabril’s Block Work prestige series of solo mixtapes from many of Baltimore’s most high-profile MCs. No matter how it’s released, however, as with most Skarr Akbar releases it’s more album than mixtape, with 17 songs featuring original production primarily by the artist himself. So while it’s tempting to analyze The Beautiful Mind as the long-awaited masterpiece six years in the making, it’s more satisfying to appreciate it as another in a long line of solid Skarr Akbar releases like The Pursuit of Happyness and The Epidemic. One of the more immediate highlights, “Goodnight,” features some awesome snare drum fills panning from right to left, and a guest verse from Los, the one-time Skarr Akbar protégé who’s now a star in his own right. And on “T.O.M. (That’s On Me),” Akbar addresses the dimming prospects of him ever becoming a mainstream star with typically sly bravado: “The industry’s gettin’ worse and I’m just gettin’ better.”
