Mathematik is an emcee/producer/deejay who has been releasing music since the late ‘90s. After several years away from the spotlight, he came back in 2019 with the release of his solo album, ReAL/iS-HiM. Now, he’s reaching back into his catalogue, finding inspiration from his 2005 album to now give us No Division Vol. 2.

For this project, Mathematik is getting production from Reazhun, Wizdome Bunitall, DRKTheLegend, BX, Uncle Doe, and Jon Rogers. Together, they find a sound that is rooted in that grimy boom bap of mid-‘90s East Coast hip hop, occasionally veering into some early ‘00s Just Blaze-esque beats. In other words, Mathematik is right in his wheelhouse, where he’s able to just sit back in the pocket of these beats and spit his rhymes with ease. Mathematik doesn’t have a huge voice or big personality, but he does have this quiet confidence that draws you in over the course of the album. As he’s doing this and you start to pay closer attention, you will begin to realize just how much Mathematik is putting of himself into the music. He’s always hitting you with some clever wordplay, and he’s definitely making sure you’re paying attention to the important social and political issues of today, but he’s also slowly opening up and giving you plenty of his own personal story and the emotional journey that he’s been on over the years. This album isn’t anything unusual, but when you combine this classic hip hop sound with some thoughtful and personal rhymes delivered with emotion and confidence the way that Mathematik does, you see why this formula has lasted as long as it has. This album just feels really good to listen to.

Sometimes you just need to stay true to who you are as an artist and trust that the message and the emotion will come through. Mathematik has done just that with No Division Vol. 2. It’s full of gritty East Coast boom bap, and soulful, thoughtful rhymes, a classic combination that always sound good when done right.