BANDWIDTH: A Popular Culture E-Zine

Copyright 2001

Soulviet Union

S.I.N.

By: Jon Minners

     The Soulviet Union has invaded America with their LP S.I.N. (Strength in Numbers). S.I.N. is a hard-hitting rap CD. S.I.N. But if you were expecting some comrades of communism from Russia, you are entirely off the mark. These members of the Soulviet Union are from all over the East Coast from Brooklyn, Long Island, New Jersey and Philadelphia.

     While the Soulviet Union is not the greatest rap group in the world, I do sense greatness ahead for them. I sense this in the their lyrics, the beats and most of all, the sleek production that puts everything together and makes their tracks sound so great.

     The group's message is clear. Strength in numbers means you have more people looking out for you, helping you in your time of need and battling for you if you need it. Songs like Union, SIN, Who Could You Trust, and others all bring that message out.

We like connect four/sex the same whore/my sweat be your pores... Yo I love my niggas/thug for my niggas/go to war with Crips and bloods for my niggas/even in court, I'd like a rug for my niggas-Union

     The Soulviet Union has a lot of these head bobbin, thought provoking lyrics for the listener who is tired of all the same shit in rap music. What You Know Now is just a fantastic song that asks the question, would you have done the same things had you known what you know now? It tells the listener to never forget anything whether you are right or wrong, and everything you do should be done to your best ability, never settling for anything less. Songs like this and Who Could You Trust are excellent and let you know that the group really struggles with these issues and put a lot of thought into them. The Soulviet Union kind of remind me of Wu-Tang in that regard, and in fact, the song, Dangerous Minds, really got me thinking of this group as possibly the next Wu-Tang Clan-like rap group.

     However, many other songs falls into that trap of copycat rap, sounding much like other hardcore rappers who think they are just so damn tough and so rich that they must flaunt it for all the world to see.

Ain't there one of you here as bad as me/who in here got more cash than me/hold it down/pop shit, kick ass like me/splash like me/touch more flesh than me-Let's See

     If you're so tough, you don't need to announce it to the world. People will know. Those songs weren't cool. They serve no purpose other than to satisfy the group's own ego. When I hear songs like this, I just think that Soulviet Union is just like every other group out there. Still, from listening to their other songs, I know better. I have heard hints of something a whole lot better and a whole lot smarter and I know as time goes on, they will realize themselves, how great they truly can be if they stick to those types of songs.

     S.I.N. CD is worth buying, because this group will grow into something more as time goes on. You have to listen to their growth in order to appreciate how good they are. Overall the members of the Soulviet Union are excellent lyricists and with a little tightening up they will certainly be a great product backing them up. I guarantee you that the Soulviet Union's sound will be taking the world by storm in a coup that will certainly bring about a revolution.

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to JMinners@ybfree.com.