It Takes a Spillage Village

Hip-Hop collective Spillage Village raises social and political consciousness through a rich, musical community

Music these days rarely can be limited to one genre, and frequently makes some sort of social or political commentary. One group that accomplishes both seamlessly is Spillage Village. 

Spillage Village is an Atlanta-based supergroup, featuring JID, EARTHGANG, 6LACK, Mereba, Hollywood JB, Jurdan Bryant and Benji. These passionate rappers, soulful singers and producers act as digital storytellers during a time when we need collective creativity more than ever. Their timing could not have been better with the release of their latest album on Sept. 25. 

Since their first release, “Bears Like This,” in 2014, the posse have embraced going against the musical grain and experimenting with their sound and overall image. So it comes as no surprise that “Spilligion” is an incredibly unique project. While their sound cannot be confined to one genre, music experts typically refer to Spillage Village’s sound as alternative hip-hop. While their fluid genre-bending makes for never-before-heard sounds, sometimes this lack of uniformity and sound changes yield inconsistencies. 

Strong reggae influences, bellowing drums, and powerful horns can be heard on “Mecca,” yet its underwhelming chorus fails to turn heads. The chorus is “Spread the love all ‘round the world” repeated seven times. These known lyrical masterminds can definitely do better.

While there is a miss or two on the album, as a whole its contemporary blend of rap, folk, and soul draw in the listener. The group’s slick raps, clever wordplay, and punchlines make the abum an entertaining and thoughtful listen, despite some lacking tracks. “End of Daze,” the hit single from the album, is superior sonically and lyrically. On this track, JID raps about the pandemic, systemic racism,violence against Black people and wealth inequality. “Let the smoke rise, take the bodies to the crypts / And when the poor people run out of food, they can eat the rich,” he raps.

Probably the most potent song on the album is “Baptize.” Over a booming beat and sinister vocals, featured singer Ant Clemons reflects upon evil in the form of injustices against Black people. “Everybody know Jesus hang with the hoes, killers, and the criminals / Gon 'head tilt your head back, hold your breath for the ritual,” EARTHGANG’s Doctur Dot raps. On top of its entrancing beat and polished verses, the song examines what God’s role—or better yet, his lack thereof—is in all of the chaos happening in the world. 

“PsalmSing” is another strong track. It exhibits Mereba’s hypnotic, smooth vocals, amplified by a choir-inspired chorus and funky guitar. Additionally, “Judas,” which features artists like Chance the Rapper and Ari Lennox, takes inspiration from Kanye West’s “Gold Digger” and Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack.” This song is energetic and passionate and includes some of JID’s most ingenious, gritty verses. JID remarks that this isn’t the 1950s and he is no one’s “boy.” He will not be cast aside or belittled at the hands of people in power. 

While some points of the album ebbed, the project as a whole is eccentric and packed with strong vocals and compelling lyrics. Not only does “Spilligion” call attention to the social and political issues that plague the nation, but Spillage Village simultaneously puts the spotlight on several artists of color. 

Spillage Village calls upon us to be conscious beings, equally perceptive of both the injustices occurring around us and artists of color who proudly broadcast the art that comes from these injustices.