LA Weekly November 10, 2005

J.O.B. THE HIP-HOPERA: Recommended

By Martín Hernández

 

Rapper-performers Jerome Sable and Eli Batalion deliver an uproarious musical update of the Book of Job, performed completely in verse to their own original music (with an assist from co-composer Joe Barrucco). Hoover Records is the hottest rap label on the West Coast, thanks to head of A&R Job Lowe. But when Lowe suggests a switch from violent but lucrative gangsta rap to socially conscious hip-hop, he is subjected to a myriad of torments by VP of finance Lou Saphire (i.e. Lucifer) and president J. Hoover (i.e. Jehovah) to prove his allegiance to the firm. Sable and Batalion play all the major roles (they even pop up in a provocative subplot as MCs Cain and Abel) and alternate between characters in mid scene, allowing co-directors Stefan Novinski and Hassan Christopher (who’s also the choreographer) ample opportunity to exploit the duo’s physical and verbal dexterity. Backing the engaging two are the superlative mixing of DJ Creativity, the backup vocals of Nikkema Taylor and the dancing of a quintet of elastic breakdancers.