There are different reasons that artists will use an alias in their career. One can be when they are fully embodying a different character. Another reason could just be trying out a different style of music and trying to escape the burden of expectations. For Soup, the longtime Jurassic 5 emcee, he took on the name of Fullee Love so that he could explore his funk and R&B side, which he does with the album Free, White & 21.

The title of the album comes from a phrase that was popular in Hollywood in the 1940s, which women used to declare their independence. Love is using that phrase here to complicate things, one by announcing his independence under a new moniker, but also to challenge the notion of white privilege. That’s right, he might be using a different name and genre of music, but the social and political awareness hasn’t gone anywhere. For this album, he enlisted the help of producer Nick Eaholtz, aka Nick Green from The Internet, who is also pushing themselves to make something just a little bit different. Together, the two have crafted an album that draws upon the likes of Prince, Nile Rodgers, but also more recent D’Angelo. Under his other moniker, he might be known as an emcee, but Fullee Love proves himself more than a competent vocalist, able to carry the album with some excellent hooks and melodies. Over the course of the album, we get a nice range of material as well, going from romantic pop to politically charged urgent funk. We even end on a powerful ballad in “Dream Big,” which is just the exclamation point on not just how different this album is, but just how good it is.

Fullee Love was taking a bit of a risk by trying something this different under a new name, but it was also a no risk, no reward situation. Free, White & 21 is a bold step, but it’s also just a really great album, with great funk. It’s got grooves and hooks for days, but also full of substance that will have you thinking while you’re dancing. This is an album we need in 2018.