The rap community has been in turmoil over the last few years. Rap beefs and a lack of originality have been clouding the mainstream media. Logic’s latest album brings refreshing sounds and messages of self-love, positivity and community.
Logic is no stranger to promoting these messages throughout his career with songs like “1-800-273-8255” and “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” but what makes “Ultra 85” so special is what it means to Logic and his fans.
“Ultra 85” has been a myth in Logic’s fanbase, something that has floated around only in thought, multiple versions of this album were started but never finished.
While the rap community focused on rap beef with the “Big 3” (Drake, J. Cole and Kendrick), Logic dropped a peaceful reminder to the community that music is also about connection.
“Paul Rodriguez,” “Fear” and other tracks share personal stories of Logic’s past, mental struggles and his coping mechanisms. Each song on the album pays homage to rap legends, friends and family who helped Logic on his journey through rap.
His style mixes a classic hip-hop feel with jazzy lo-fi melodies to touch your heart.
Logic shows how the “Matrix” affects how society tells us to perceive ourselves. Everything has to be trending on social media for people to care.
“In Retrospect” takes a look at the current state of rap and the copycats trying to replicate the same sounds while also talking to people about growth and seeking help through therapy instead of drowning in drugs and alcohol.
“People got problems, but use substances to mask that shit. We past that shit. You better seek therapy, human.”
“Love Me” talks about the need and want for people to love him, something all of us can relate to when we pour heart and soul into our craft and people only see the final product as something to compare.
“I want them to love me. I just want them to love me. I want you to fucking lo–.”
“Ghost in the Machine” is about doing what you love no matter what people say. It’s all about personal growth, loving every second of what you do and never giving up despite your struggles.
“You never know what could happen, your life can change overnight. It happened to me, I ain’t kiddin’. Way back in them days, man. Playing Call of Duty online rocking with FaZe Clan. Now I’m a millionaire with a dad bod and a couple grays, man.”
The skits in the album follow four characters that have appeared in various albums throughout his career: Roslyn, an artificial intelligence; Captain Quentin Thomas; First Officer William Kai; and ATM, a robot intelligence.
Set roughly 100 years into the future, the group is on a mission to find a new planet habitable for humans after a period called “The Fall.” The survivors reside in a space station floating in Earth’s orbit.
Fans will recognize Thomas and Kai from their skit on “Fade Away”, Roslyn is an old version of the current ship AI Thalia and the loveable newcomer ATM steals the show with his rebellious and playful personality.
What I love about the skits is how Thomas and Kai reflect Logic in different stages of life. Thomas represents Logic in the present, he’s a lot wiser, relaxed and open-minded to people and their opinions. Kai is a reflection of Logic early in his career, more driven, anxious and focused on his gain.
The skits have just as much impact on the album as the songs. The conversations of film, society, life and the escape from the mundane routine places you inside the ship with the crew on this interstellar journey. The sound design in these 2-3-minute segments has attention to detail on par with cinema to draw you into this fictional world only seen through album covers.
This album is ranked in my top 10 albums of all time because of how it encompasses every era of Logic’s career and looks to the unknown future of his art. Hearing those old song loops and melodies paired with an updated sound and feel brought back nostalgia of listening to “Bobby Tarintino” and “The Incredible True Story” for the first time.
I highly recommend this album not as a Logic fan but as someone who enjoys the peace, love and positivity promoted in this album. Every message provided is one that readers should listen to when the weight of the world gets a little heavier and they want to feel less alone.
Michael D. Brown, a San Diego City College Health Center Counselor, listened to a few songs and gave his input on the mental health messages.
“It (‘Innerstellar’) just puts you in the moment,” Brown said. “It reorients you to just life. I feel like a lot of what he’s talking about is we can get so caught up in the negative and the struggles and all the stuff, but the statistics he was talking about, like, how many people die every minute, every second, it really just makes you put this little life we got into perspective. Like, I got this little bit of time I’m on this earth,” Brown said.
Brown also participates in the monthly barbershop talks at City College and the music and therapy group Healmatic.
Healmatic is a group that pairs therapy techniques with the healing power of music to provide a unique mind-body-spirit experience.
David’s Harp is a non-profit organization focused on youth education and development through multimedia and music. Students have the opportunity to work with professionals through mentorships.
If you or someone you know might be interested in these services, share this article and spread the word about healing through musical practice.
For mental health services on campus, you can walk into the student health center and talk to a counselor or make an online appointment.
