Author: oliverwrjohnson

21. Writer. Podcaster

Thank you Logic

Logic has finally announced No Pressure. This is a bittersweet moment for the Rattpack, as we are receiving a sequel to what many believe is Logic’s best album, but our favourite artist is also retiring. When the announcement was first posted on social media on Thursday, there were mixed emotions, there was pure excitement from many but also feelings of sadness that this is going to be the last project Logic releases.

Logic has dedicated his entire life since he was a teenager to making music. In 2010 on the track Worthy, from his very first mixtape Young, Broke and Infamous, Logic said: “I’m twenty years old, and I’ve sacrificed the last four years of my life, to create music just for you, my social life, staying in the studio, practicing, grinding, just to give you, a soundtrack for your life”. This man has put everything into his music and given his all his entire career, working so hard just for his fans. His work ethic, combined with his message of doing what you love no matter what, has inspired and affected so many peoples lives in a positive way.

“How can the sky be the limit when there’s footprints on the moon”

Logic has had a massive impact on my life personally, even though I became a fan late on into the decade, becoming a Logic fan and a member of the Rattpack has been incredible, Logic’s music has brought so many people together and the fanbase is incredible, always welcoming new fans, not looking down on them because they haven’t been there from the start.

The first time I listened to Logic was towards the end of 2017 when I saw a YouTube video of him rapping the song Flexicution on stage with a fan, I liked the song so I thought I’d have a listen to some of his other music so I chose to put on his first album Under Pressure. Despite not being able to relate to Logic’s upbringing and his circumstances growing up, I was compelled by his music and his talent for storytelling.

“I plan to eat with the people I starved with”

I was gutted that I hadn’t got into his music earlier, I had only really started getting into rap in 2015, and only listened to artists like Eminem and N.W.A at first, and Stormzy as he was bursting into the scene in the UK at the time. But being able to explore so many albums and mixtapes of an artist I had just got into was incredible. One of the special things I instantly loved about Logic was how he always was honest and himself, doing things his own way, not caring what anybody thought. I spent so many hours watching YouTube videos, and having his albums on repeat at the time.

Logic, to his fans, is more than just an artist, he is a friend, a big brother, a mentor. When I watched his performance of 1-800-273-8255 from the 2017 MTV VMA’s, I was in tears, the message was so powerful and his speech at the end was beautiful. Tracks on the Everybody album such as 1-800 and Anziety spoke to me and had a message that I could relate to.

The Incredible True Story is one of my favourite albums of all time, as a fan of both sci-fi and hip-hop, it was an amazing project to listen to and it felt like such an epic cinematic experience. The story within it mixed with fun tracks but also songs with great lyrics, made it my favourite Logic album.

“Follow your dreams, be a good person and fuck the approval of others”

I truly believe that Logic’s music has saved me, he has taught me to be myself no matter what, and inspired me to pursue what I want to do and put my all into it no matter what. He is one of my biggest inspirations in life and I would not be the same without his music. I owe a lot to him as he helped me become who I am today and enjoy life to the fullest. He has done the same for so many people and impacted so many lives.

Nobody else in mainstream hip-hop has talked about mental health in the same way Logic has, as it is sort of a “taboo” subject. To talk about what he has done in his career and to more recently be experimental and creative, writing a book and making a soundtrack for it, in a genre where things like that don’t happen, and in an era where everything is scrutinised and criticised on social media, it takes a lot of bravery. Logic deserves so much respect for that.

“The fight for equality of every man, woman, and child regardless of race, religion, color, creed and sexual orientation. I say the fight for, becasue I say we are all born equal but not treated equally.”

When No Pressure drops next Friday it will be emotional, but it will be a celebration, of 10 years of a great artist who has touched so many lives and achieved everything he wanted to as a young man, by sacrificing 15 years of his life, working hard, grinding to make sure he has a stable life for his family in the future. His story is truly incredible and inspirational.

To Logic, I want to say thank you, for everything. You are going to be a great dad to your son and all your fans wish you the best and lots of happiness for the future.

Film Review: Joker (2019)

Warning: Spoilers ahead

Where do I start. This film is an absolute masterpiece. An astounding in depth character study of one of the most iconic figures of all time in popular fiction. Todd Phillip’s Joker does not pull any punches, with many brutal and shocking scenes appearing throughout the picture.

The most intriguing part however, is that the film leaves you questioning if any of it actually happened.

Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck (Joker) is the main protagonist of this movie, the film is told from his perspective, which causes us to think about which bits are real and which bits aren’t, as we are shown certain scenes to be a complete figment of his imagination. The final scene of the film takes place in what we assume is Arkham Asylum, which leads us to consider if any of the film was even real, or if it just took place inside his head, or of it hasn’t actually happened yet and it is part of a plan he has to take down Thomas Wayne. Phoenix’s performance is outstanding, and may very well be nominated for some prestigious awards next year.

This is the definitive version of the Joker. More than Heath Ledger’s in Dark Knight.

There. I said it.

Although Dark Knight portrayed the Joker incredibly well and is still one of the stand out films and performances of the century, we never truly got to know why the Joker acted and behaved as he did. This is the Joker that we needed. We see how he became the clown prince of crime, but we are still left with the sense of mystery as we never truly know if what we saw is the truth. As the Joker said in Batman: The Killing Joke “If I have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice.” Although the film is an original story and is not based on any comic, it is definitely inspired by the 1988 title.

Gotham is presented as a city in decay in this film, the rich only care about getting richer and maintaining their status in society, and are not bothered about what happens to the people below them. The way Gotham looks in the film is reminiscent of New York in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver. Just like the 1976 classic, the city itself is almost a character in the film, playing a crucial role in the story of the protagonist. It also seems that the ambiguity surrounding the ending was inspired by this film.

Personally, one of my favourite aspects of the film besides Phoenix’s once again impressive performance and the brilliant story, is the cinematography. Every single scene in Joker looks fantastic, it is shot beautifully and the way the film begins and with “Joker” written in a yellow typeface and ends with “The End” in a cursive, yellow font adds to the overall feel to the movie and makes it feel like a classic.

People have called for the film to be banned from cinemas and some have even walked out of the film, because it is so unnerving and creepy, but that is what this film is about. It is not a superhero movie. It is not about a charming hero who comes and saves the world from evil. It is about a mentally unstable person who sinks deeper and deeper into madness due to a crumbling society that has been ignoring him his whole life.

Joker is the only time I have ever been in a cinema and the whole audience gave a round of applause once the film finished.

If this is the beginning of a new series of what is being referred to as “DC Black Label” films, similar to the comic books of the same name, we are in for a treat.

Joker gets a 10/10