Armand Hammer, a duo composed of rappers Billy Woods and Elucid, are at the vanguard of left-field rap music. In the last decade, they have steadily amassed fans by releasing unapologetically exploratory albums. It's music that rewards time and analysis - the opposite of rap the average listener can fully digest in one listen. Armand Hammer's lyrics are often cryptic, non-linear and peppered with a myriad of references. Both Woods and Elucid are extraordinary writers with distinct styles. Elucid's guttural cadence is more visceral than Woods', whose raps can be aggressive but are relatively more aloof than impulsive. Woods is more likely to employ the inflection of a narrator, while Elucid raps as if he is battling in the trenches. These differences in tone and poetic nuance create a fascinating juxtaposition that has reached its greatest point thus far on Shrines.
