by Dead Prez
Released February 8, 2000 via Loud Records
Reviewed July 14, 2020
Top tracks (based on community voting)
They School (20%), Hip Hop (20%), Police State (20%)
Prior to Let’s Get Free, political and militant hip-hop had gone out of style in favor of commercialism, outside of a few circles. Revitalizing this largely dead subgenre, Dead Prez managed to make an album that ended up being well ahead of its time. Every song, even the subversive “Mind Sex,” becomes a call for liberation that unfortunately seems more and more pressing as time goes on. Channeling acts like Public Enemy and NWA, Dead Prez use an aggressive approach wisely, both to match their more straightforward, lyrical style of rapping and to get their message across as clearly as possible. If anything, Dead Prez took risks by being as unabashed about their beliefs as they were; and 20 years later, we can look back and say that it worked like a charm. – Alan (9.1/10)
Dead Prez’s opus is a fierce conversation on America’s sociopolitical standings and being aware of one's state and place in society. The duo weaves in genius lyrical gems throughout that need to be heard several times to find all their little intricacies. M-1 and stic.man make lyrical icebergs out of topics that could seem very surface level if not in the right hands. Their chemistry as a group is electric and the way that they switch between each other and their flows is one of the best parts of the album. Let’s Get Free’s production takes on a very interesting stance where it has a Southern-influenced and hard-edged bass nature to it but is still very boom-bap at heart, and its musical palette flourishes alongside Prez’ cutthroat deliveries. A truly unapologetic and poignant piece of art. – Jared (9/10)
Let’s Get Free is the result of an uncompromised pursuit of street-rooted Hip-Hop dressed in anti-capitalist verbiage. When Dead Prez debuted twenty years ago, Hip-Hop was generally unready to receive their message. Time, however, reveals the unquestionable genius of the album. “Police State,” “Propaganda,” and “They School” could all very easily soundtrack the passion for post-institutionalism that is swelling in the hearts of Americans today. We humbly thank Dead Prez for having the dignity, foresight, and courage it takes to make a true underground classic. Let's get free, y'all. – DeVán (8.5/10)
Hadley: 9.5/10 | Alan: 9.1/10 | DeVán: 9/10 | Enth: 9/10 | Jared: 9/10
Dominick: 8.8/10 | Daniel: 8.5/10
