Outlandish is a very unique hip-hop group. For starters, the trio, based in Denmark, includes a member with a Moroccan background (Isam Bachiri), one with a Pakistani background (Waqas Ali Qadri) and one born in Honduras (Lenny Martinez). All are extremely religious; Bachiri and Qadri are Muslim, Martinez is Catholic. Formed in 1997, the group’s latest release, Closer Than Veins, takes on a multitude of subjects - subjects not typically covered in hip hop.

The first single, “Look Into My Eyes,” has a “Where’s The Love?”-type vibe. Based on a poem by Gihad Ali, the lyrics focus on America’s negligence and even contribution to the Palestinians’ daily suffering. “Your biggest fear is getting a ticket as you cruise your Cadillac/ My fear is that the tank that has just left will turn around and come back.”

On “Nothing Left To Do,” the Outlandish trio takes on HIV. Over a minimalist guitar track, the group sings and raps about a young man contracting the virus. On “I Only Ask of God,” lyrics include “I only ask of God / he won’t let me be indifferent to the injustice/ That they do not slap my other cheek/ After a claw has scratched my whole body.”

In addition to the album’s content, adding to the group’s uniqueness is their ability to rap and sing in a variety of languages - including Spanish, Punjabi, Danish and Arabic. Somehow, the group still manages to get their messages across, perhaps because the language of pain and struggle is universal.

The wide range of topics addressed on the album is matched by a diverse set of beats. Closer opens with the brassy, quick-hitting “Introspective” and ends with the slow piano ballad, “Appreciatin’.”

If the album suffers from anything, it’s its grand ambition. Perhaps the Denmark trio tried to take on too much. With so much variety, the album loses any sort of cohesion. Outlandish certainly has a lot to say, but saying it all on one album is a bit overwhelming for listeners.

by Andrew Kahn

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