Let's Get Free

By CHRISTOPHER JOHN FARLEY

Most of today's hottest hip-hop acts are content to talk about the problems associated with urban life without offering any examination of the root causes. The hip-hop duo Dead Prez digs deeper, drawing inspiration from such politically oriented performers as Peter Tosh and Public Enemy. "We're sick of working for crumbs and filling up the prisons,/Dying over money and relying on religion," run the lyrics to Police State, a track on this CD. Smooth, strong beats drive the duo's provocative messages home.

--By Christopher John Farley