Local Review: Born Free – Divine Madness

Born Free
Divine Madness

Born Free = John Brown’s Body + The Roots

 

Born Free mixes hip-hop with reggae, rock, world music, techno and drum n’ bass, resulting in a diverse amalgamation that’s Jamaican first. Divine Madness is layered over with heavy electronic beats and gospel/spiritual sermonizing vocals. No slick mainstream 50 Cent here. Lotsa talk about the earth, family and peace is more predictable, but Born Free’s genre-challenging takes a fresh look at underground hip-hop and reggae dub.