Chokeules

Hypergraphia is the overwhelming urge to write, and on his solo debut, Choke repeatedly demonstrates that this need to write (and rap!) dominates his desire for material comforts. He needs to do this, but not for money. A long-time member of Toolshed, he's a veteran performer with a clear and confident flow, and an experienced knowledge of what beats "get your body moving like a chainsaw does," most of them courtesy of Toolshed producer Timbuktu, the rest supplied by Backburner members Fresh Kils and Beatmason. Fans familiar with his group's previous work won't find many surprises, but Choke knows exactly how to tear through each of the up-tempo, groovy productions, delivering his music-over-money, pro-individuality, true school raps with easy-going conviction. While Hypergraphia is solid throughout its 14 tracks, the climax comes with the three-song sequence beginning with track nine, "Fumes," a hard, crunchy, Dr. Who-ish funk beat featuring assertive do-or-die raps, then continues through his rockin' dedication to music ("Feel Free") and ends on oddball posse cut "Gremlins On The Wing," with Pip Skid, Timbuktu and Ghettosocks. Toolshed should be bigger than they are, but Choke proves once again that they're still amongst the best rappers rapping about rap in clever ways.