Album Review: Global Swarm by Tangent
Yo, let’s talk about Global Swarm by Tangent. This album dropped in 2000 and it’s one of those hidden gems that doesn’t get enough shine. It’s hip-hop, but not the flashy kind—this is conscious rap, the type that makes you think while you nod your head. Tangent reps the US, and this project came out on Not On Label and Mic Enterprises. If you’re into raw, unfiltered vibes with a message, this might be your jam.
The tracklist has some bangers, but two songs stuck with me for different reasons: “Whitesploitation” and “Global Swarm.” Let’s break ‘em down real quick.
“Whitesploitation” hits hard because it’s got this gritty beat that feels like it’s pulling no punches. The lyrics are sharp, almost like a verbal slap to wake you up. Tangent isn’t afraid to call out societal BS, and that’s what makes this track memorable. You can tell they put thought into every line—it’s not just rhymes for the sake of rhyming. Plus, the energy? Fire. Feels like they recorded it live in the studio, which gives it this raw edge.
Then there’s the title track, “Global Swarm.” Man, this one’s haunting in the best way possible. The production is minimal but effective, letting the words take center stage. It’s like Tangent is painting a picture of the world as this chaotic hive where everyone’s buzzing around, lost or trying to find their place. There’s a line in there—I won’t spoil it—but it stuck with me for days. Like, wow, that’s deep.
Oh, and fun fact: some tracks repeat on the album, like “Whitesploitation” and “Castaway.” At first, I was like, huh, why’d they do that? But honestly, hearing those songs again felt like revisiting an old friend. Maybe it’s intentional, y’know? Reinforcing the themes or something. Or maybe they just really liked those beats. Either way, it works.
What I love most about Global Swarm is how unapologetically real it feels. No big-budget gloss, no radio-friendly hooks—just straight-up storytelling and truth-telling. It’s the kind of album that reminds you why hip-hop started in the first place: to give a voice to the voiceless and make people think.
Here’s the kicker though—listening to this now, over 20 years later, it still feels relevant. Like, how does that happen? It’s wild how some music ages like fine wine while other stuff gets stale after a few months. Props to Tangent for creating something timeless.
So yeah, if you’re tired of the same old playlist and want something that’ll make you pause and reflect, check out Global Swarm. Just don’t blame me if you start overthinking life while listening to it.
