Don’t Let Homeboy Sandman Die!

I wasn’t the first music fan or journalist to discover Homeboy Sandman, but I have been covering him and — to keep it onehunned — preaching his gospel, for quite some time.

So, seeing the coverage of his latest video release for “Life Support” is quite satisfying, on two levels.

One, I’m admittedly happy for all the visibility he gets — he deserves it.

Secondly, and a bit selfishly, it’s yet another vindication that I know my sh&t.

Not that I would care if others didn’t “get it.” I like what I like. But I will say that any music journalist who has come across Homeboy Sandman’s work, and doesn’t recognize the unique, inimitable talent that this veteran from Queens displays, probably shouldn’t be writing about music.

The bloggers and journalists that do appreciate what this musician brings to the table tend to use words like “eclectic,” “inventive” and “artistic” when detailing Homeboy Sandman’s work. Those adjectives certainly fit the bill, but for those who have known him for a while, such descriptors have been used so often, they go without saying.

So perhaps now, the best word to describe the output of this talented visionary is a word that is often considered the great X-factor when debating a hip-hop artist’s relative “greatness.”

Consistency.

Homeboy Sandman has always been an exceptionally cunning linguist and purveyor of sometimes-unexpected concepts, a conductor of refreshing trains of thought seldom heard rumbling through rap’s modern music landscape.

Acrobatic wordplay? Check. Social commentary. Yup. Love songs? Sure. Weirdo rap? Absolutely!

And so, Boy Sand long ago caused me to leap over the ethical line separating journalist from fan. It’s nearly impossible to toe it otherwise, not once you’ve seen him perform with the exuberance, alacrity and pure love for the craft that he exhibits, coupled with his approachable nature, friendly demeanor and unabashed support for his fellow underground brethren and sistren.

Thus, he has become a go-to example in many important musical discussions. A highly skilled wordsmith who made an amazing record without profanity… An independent artist who makes a living making music… A rapper who speaks out about (and occasionally writes about) important social issues…

He is usually the first weapon I draw when forced to refute any half-baked idea regarding malaise among the talent in the hip-hop universe, particularly New York’s.

Because of Homeboy Sandman’s skill, and now, his consistency.

So it is with great anticipation that I, and increasingly more people, await the release of his upcoming album Kindness for Weakness, with the Pace Rivers-directed video for “Life Support” serving as an appetizer to hold us over.

New York City remains the most thorough, most progressive place on the planet for hip-hop music and culture. But even here, we can sometimes be distracted by the sheer quantity of output, much of it not very inspiring at all.

Luckily, I can always count on Homeboy Sandman to drop some crazy record, intricate LP, slightly-out-of-left-field EP or eclectic, inventive, artistic video for me to enjoy.

It’s a good thing, too. Without great art, I would die.

Catch Homeboy Sandman at SXSW, Saturday, March 19.