Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: white rapper attempts mainstream success by acting tough and riding Eminem’s coattails. Before you write Russian/Italian-born Evidence off as just another Marshall Mathers wanna-be, understand that he has been influencing rap music one way or another since before Eminem ever dyed his hair platinum. An integral member of LA-based hip-hop heavyweights Dilated Peoples, Evidence is a triple threat; legit producer, talented writer, and quality lyricist. He released his first solo album in 2007 to little fanfare, so he recruited some serious help for his newest release. “For Whom the Bell Tolls” has been touched by the King Midas of conscious eloquent hipster-hop, will.i.am, and thus the single will inevitably turn to gold in terms of radio success (most convoluted analogy ever). While it’s not the most innovative or creative video ever made, will.i.am’s contributions pretty much guarantee the single’s success, which is not to say that Evidence is irrelevant. After all, the man helped produce Kanye’s greatest album, College Dropout. The highlight of the video has to be Blu rocking the Wayfarers (which somehow made it into hip-hop culture), and his verse is the only one that holds a candle to Dilated People’s older work. The hip-hop single of the year this is not, but it is a good stepping stone for Evidence to emerge into the public conscience. If he wants continued success, maybe he’ll get Just Blaze and Timbaland for the second and third singles. Until then, this Hemingway homage will have to do.
