Ka - A Martyr's Reward Album Review

The people have been asking for it...and here it is!
Only a year after the release of his widely-loved album, Descendents Of Cain, Ka returns with his 6th full-length album, A Martyr's Reward. Known for his monotone style and densely packed rhymes, he's an MC that takes a bit of time to digest. But did he drop this too soon after his previous album? Or did it arrive right on time? Listen to the fellas discuss it and then leave your thoughts in the comment section!
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About Dead End Hip Hop:
No scripts. It's pure unfiltered hip hop conversations and album reviews. No politics. No BS. We Are The People.

[@MrEthiopian4life]

"The block christened me with toxicity, From A to Z, school raised me to believe only slavery was our history" GOD MC

[@ArmLegLegArmHead47]

GOD MC indeed negus

[@onouphrios]

@@ArmLegLegArmHead47 peace 👁

[@Dubz9Ball]

💯💯💯💯

[@Wclaws01]

Ka makes sure every syllable, word, and sentence COUNTS in his projects, he has the best pen

[@byHexted]

I’d say that’s debatable. I’m a huge Ka fan, I think he makes most lines count. He is not the only rapper that does that. I disagree with Myke as well that he’s untouchable, in my opinion billy woods pen is better. Not a different league of better but I think billy is the best lyricist in current hip hoo

[@rileyscherer129]

@@byHexted no one said anything about Ka being the only one who can do it.

[@christopherjohnson577]

@@byHexted I'd put billy a little lower just because there are times where I've felt he's missed while I can't say the same for Ka

[@ChawletMelk]

Ka, Earl Sweatshirt, Navy Blue among some others.. it's just the way that they write, formulate their bars and rhymes that just hits. Whether it's something simple or complex, it just really hits on a humanistic level for me.

[@Flyhr]

Well in the case of Ka and Earl it's their "purity in obscurity," they are just so unique to the game, and rappers like that pave their own road. They don't rap to fit in to the culture or make money. When an artist like that raps purely to create art and express themselves they put a piece of themselves in that music which can't be replicated, and that distinctive piece can end up being something that not everyone may like but it's who they are and it's what makes their music genuine.

[@D2BII]

Ka does not waste words. Every bar he writes is there for a reason. He's one of the very best writers in rap. On another note, the reason why his voice is getting more gruff over the years is because of smoke inhalation from his day job as a NY firefighter. Read that again. A man with a whole ass "regular" career is a significantly better poet than a lot of rappers that rely on rap as their only profession. 👀

[@mehdi-les-termes]

He does say on the album that he was digging for bodies during 9/11 too...crazy

[@JohnCulpry]

Ka can’t do wrong. Just patiently waiting for him and Roc to link up for that Metal Clergy 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@Centure120]

🤦🏾‍♂️💯💯🤢🤮🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@santosviera1079]

I’m hip

[@Marcus-uk5ng]

Don’t hold your breath, that shit is never coming

[@seanyoung9014]

@@Marcus-uk5ng Yeah they both said they can't really agree on beat selection anymore.

[@Marcus-uk5ng]

@@seanyoung9014 such a pity, man … but it’s weird, because they just did Ephesians and Sins of the Father so recently 😒

[@zanewurtz8493]

I'm just in awe of every single Ka project I've ever heard, how the hell does he do this?

[@OrondeBranch]

Y’all definitely shoulda reviewed Orpheus Vs The Sirens

[@Spaghetti-dinner]

thats what got me into ka ngl

[@aaronhooper3328]

Ken keeps bringing up Navy Blue and I gotta say, that man has put out consistent dope music over the last couple years! His 2 projects from last year both made my top 10 favorite albums of last year and so far this year, no disappointments!

[@phillipscheid4505]

Been a huge fan of Ka since Honor Killed the Samurai. Thanks for putting me on to him 🙏

[@jordantriplett5672]

KA just doesn’t miss, he is the most consistent lyricist of this generation with a great discography

[@ChawletMelk]

Not sure how likely it'd be, but would love a Navy's Reprise by Navy Blue review. Definitely in my top 5-10 so far for the year.

[@maxmcgregor9935]

Ka is the most consistent MC in the game. Knew this album would be great. Of course it would be. He never misses.

[@Lankzino]

Damn no one mentioned Like Me, that song sounds like riding through heaven on a dragon with those guitar riffs and that beat 🔥

[@SolidSnake240]

One of my favorite tracks. I played the whole album on a plane flight and that song sent me somewhere else

[@judewesley3365]

Hell yeah let's go. LOVED this album. Been waiting on the review from y'all. Please don't sleep on new Little Simz and Pink Siifu too 🙏🏿

[@samwatson1607]

With Myke mentioning his voice getting gruffer, his day job is a firefighter so I suspect it's due to smoke damage

[@jaydogon2342]

I Need All That

[@MaxMax-zo9vq]

I know you guys don’t always do UK artists but please review Little Simz! I wanna hear Beezy’s take on the production.

[@MrAsh2001]

Just need that Little Simz album review now!

[@vuyisilemonk2756]

Halfway through watching this review, I just wanted to go back to listen to the album. Ka is by far the best lyricist of all time. My favourite MCee easily.

[@achronos178]

When Beezy gets excited for a review its a gonna be a good review

[@don_brodka]

I'm with Ken man, this absolutely felt like a more hopeful Ka on this album. I wouldn't say positive, because of how realistic he is with his stories I don't think that would fit well, but hopeful for sure. I feel like Navy Blue and him have always been on the same wavelength, Ka was the only feature on Navy's debut from last year, and I think the hope they bring to their rhymes is a big reason why. Really hoping you guys review the new Wiki project! Navy Blue is producing the whole thing and I think Wiki is one of the most underated MC's in the game right now.

[@SolidSnake240]

I gotta check out tha new Wiki. Thanks for reminding me 🤝

[@Marcus-uk5ng]

We would shiver My heat would see my hip, see the street, see the river

[@NCsPride704]

"I Need All That" is the one fam. . .

[@ChawletMelk]

I'd honestly buy a book of poetry written by Ka

[@rileyscherer129]

That sounds amazing

[@onouphrios]

@@rileyscherer129 word

[@SirThomas_II]

Just started the video, this was a highly anticipated review for me. Thanks to y'all back in 2017 (due to y'all top albums of 2016) Ka has SKYROCKETED into my favorite artist ever

[@Soufpaww]

Surprised they didn't mention the 9/11 bar on "With All my Heart". It was a subtle yet poignant response to the news article controversy.

[@ahmadwashington757]

“I NEED ALL THAT!” Love KA

[@MartyMcFly__25]

Took me a while to get into Ka once I was put on to him. I don't bring him up enough tbh. But I got to say He's firmly in the category as one of the greatest writers ever. Hip hop or otherwise. I agree with what Myke said listening to him reminds me of what I truly love hip hop for.

[@TheDeathBuddy]

Discoverd him from your review of honor killed the samurai and im in love ever since what a great fucking project once again

[@intelligencecycle3523]

Ka has the most potent & sharpest lyrics in hip hop it's almost like he's speaking to you directly at a poetry session or at a symphony orchestra. If anyone isn't moved by these lyrics & you're fan of Aesop, MF DOOM, Evidence or GZA then they just don't know the game.

[@byHexted]

I think people who say ka is “too repetitive or his flow and patterns are always the same” literally don’t understand that artists like MF DOOM literally built a whole career around using a trademark flow and style. Ka is very similar to DOOM in that was I think they Both knew what they were best at, and did it

[@jordanclarke6450]

Ka is truly a poet ✨ y’all need to get on that Navy Blue wave asap though

[@JulianWyllie]

On Myke's point at 12:15 about Ka's rapping voice, it may be because of his occupation as a NY fireman and smoke inhalation affecting his voice. I recommend watching the Red Bull Academy interview he did (it's on KZbin). I think his rapping and speaking voice is similar and he briefly talks about his day job and mixing that in with music.

[@ayomitide6489]

I cried to “Need All That” cause I could relate so well, even though it wasn’t in context to what he was saying. We all deep down, “Need All That” one way or the other

[@jajassa1]

Such a dope project. Also you guys gotta review the new Little Simz we need that review

[@stephonkerr641]

One of my favorite albums this year I thank y’all for introducing me to KA.

[@00ABBITT00]

This channel put me up on KA and I couldn’t be more great-full

[@Mattyberbatov]

Great review bros! What an artist Ka is. Would love to see you review the latest Injury Reserve album, one of the most interesting albums I’ve heard in a long time 🔥

[@SolidSnake240]

The track PWH nearly made me cry. The sheer wordplay and power of Ka's lyrics just hit different.

[@Nipponcakes]

When Myke gets hyped about an album 🔥🔥 Also you guys gotta get on Navy Blue

[@ahmadwashington757]

Dope episode!

[@sbonelomsibi2955]

I Need All That!!!

[@ahmadwashington757]

The I need all that video go CRAAAAAA

[@Justjoshhh]

I hope you’ll do injury reserve by the time I get to Phoenix. GREAT REVIEW!

[@vcart1]

Can we get that westside review

[@Coltrane360]

waiting on the wsg review

[@christopherjohnson577]

LETS GOOOOO Edit:I'm kind of surprised you guys said it was the same formula because beat wise this one seemed a lot more airy and lighter than his last albums. Possibly his most light album beat wise since Grief's Pedigree

[@rileyscherer129]

Even when he is samey, I don't care. I'd listen to hours of Ka sounding just like ka

[@redfordingram6423]

Need the Navy’s Reprise review

[@selinatiger]

Man been knocking it out since GZA had him on the 2008 joint Firehouse

[@BrentWoodSean38]

Review AZ Doe or Die 2

[@ZodMagus]

Speaking of not waisting a bar and filler bars have y'all noticed that he doesn't really curse in his projects. I love that about him.

[@ZodMagus]

Like he's so grimy and gritty sounding without cursing. He's like if Brownsville was a person 🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@onouphrios]

holy shit 😂

[@ChocolateDon929]

Mann there’s nothing like to praising your work and pushing you to do more with A great job we artist live just for that!

[@novanebula8004]

Ka is the most prolific writer in Hip Hop history

[@hellojupiter.mynameiswine.8116]

Cmon dude

[@JD-ny3vz]

Yes he really is, like there's no wasted bars you literally have to listen to his songs like 20 times to even fully appreciate his lyrics.

[@ZodMagus]

That is his real voice. I've watched every interview I could find on KZbin.

[@Ehgg-]

We need reviews for both sides of HWH 8

[@armandojuarez588]

It’s like him reading poetry with a light beat in the back

[@byHexted]

I loved this album I think it was his best since Orpheus vs the sirens

[@thesten6982]

Good review

[@landonsweetman7542]

YES THERE WE GO

[@MuzikTrabolee]

You can hear Ka speak on the Redbull interview. I have a theory that him being a fire fighter explains his voice. Please review Little Simz - Sometimes I Might Be Introvert next

[@digitalmusicalart3494]

@12:29 KA has a redbull interview. Check it out.

[@barcak1912]

Loved the Indian sample on “Subtle” 🙏🏾

[@YjaffacakeK]

You need to review Little Simz!!!

[@ninthwd]

PWH, Subtle, Sad to say are 🔥.. KA came with another 1.. Classic

[@dellayassine]

Album of the year as usual.

[@pichitek8631]

You need to review new Injury Reserve album. Masterpiece

[@robertavanesovru]

Rest in Peace to a genius😢

[@shadowroses5]

KA is one artist that you guys genuinely put me on and I can't get enough, I listen to Honor Killed The Samurai on the regular, I went back to listen to a Nights Gambit. I do like the weird/Subtle airy production to put emphasis on what he is saying, but if he could like give 1 or 2 tracks with a bit more to the production would be awesome. So much to digest in one line, its almost overwhelming at times

[@mamba4817]

What's his best 2 albums?

[@kostasvasilakos7137]

KA is just listening to a poetry audiobook over perfect, simple, low key beats that create the perfect environment for what he says...

[@matthewsalmon431]

Myke should check out ka's redbull interview. Great insight.

[@timbosqueeze8174]

Damn this a good ass review

[@theyoutubeofmyname]

🔥 one of my fav albums of 2021. Ka is Kasistent.

[@luffylength]

Never heard of dude but I can tell by the title this shit hard

[@marcomarco6395]

Top tracks (as voted by DEHH) - I Need All That (3 votes), Everybody Up (2 votes), Sad To Say (2 votes), PWH (2 votes)

[@damionjones5481]

Ka is good all his album great

[@Whurlin]

Ka keeps himself fresh through how he approaches his rhymes and the atmosphere and concepts around it. Imo, I haven't heard Ka this aggressive and direct in quite a few years. He sounds like a man at angst and lyrics really put Ka at his most vulnerable. I love the album. Another masterpiece. I NEED ALL THAT.

[@byHexted]

Navy Blue was on brass too myke

[@MarquisWalker]

I slept on KA last year. REVIEW coming soon.

[@lamarwilliams1132]

Ka and billy woods need to make a album together produced by Madlib

[@Marcus-uk5ng]

They’re in SUCH different lanes though

[@ZodMagus]

Ka the God MC 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@Storyofarose]

Wonder if they going review Lil Nas X album 👀

[@rayvonehackshaw3399]

Love it

[@WheezingBobcat]

Thanks for doing this review, guys. After hearing side B of HWH8, you REALLY need to talk about that one. Side A was great, but B might be his best work since Blientele. That opening posse cut is disgusting.

[@mamba4817]

Yall need to review an album called No Filter by Skrewtape. Trust me it's one the greatest albums, and Skrew is one the most talents rappers and lyricist ever.

[@ninjasrose1653]

Ka is something special. This isn't just my AOTY, It's my favourite Ka album too date. And I'd even go as far as to say it could be my album of the decade! This was released on August 13th exactly 6 years after HKTS. That's definitely not by accident! Same colour scheme on front cover as well. Ka just put himself in my top 2. Been in my top 5 since 2016. What a legend! The greatest pen the game ever seen or will.

[@isaiahisel3005]

descendants of cain is still my personal favorite as someone who was raised in the church, but i didn’t know abt the correlation with hkts, i’ll have to re listen with that context in mind

[@ninjasrose1653]

@@isaiahisel3005 I can fully understand that. tbh any Ka album can be anyone's personal favourite and I'd never dare question it. The man doesn't miss. Even Iron works is absolute flames!!!!

[@chefb3432]

where is the AZ review

[@talentedmrflowers]

🗣ALBUM OF THE YEAR

[@wisp.]

this album is ridiculously good. seems like one of Ka’s most personal and poignant projects to date. idk if it’s just me or is he just getting better with the writing and production as he goes? every time i revisit it, i get more out of it. the transitions buttery smooth between tracks, this whole album breezes by but it’s got crazy replay value. love how Navy Blue shines on his feature. to me he’s kinda like the next generation’s Ka, not necessarily as conceptual but he’s similarly poetic and his production is also really great, and he’s only 24.

[@Skrewz]

I already know Beezy about to have the high pitch voice.

[@thesten6982]

Are you guys gonna be reviewing the new little simz?

[@traplover6357]

First 3 sentences on I Noticed was contender for best bars of 2021.

[@urbanlegend4936]

Can you please do a Dave east review

[@botsbeats]

Ka is the greatest

[@johnmoore7407]

You gonna review Little Simz?

[@ScoopOnFootball]

In!

[@danielsappore3423]

Best rapper bro

[@ahmadwashington757]

Prolific writer

[@ninjasrose1653]

@DEHH check his Red Bull interview from 2016.

[@ericdavis1758]

Pitchfork finally found him? They've reviewed more KA albums than y'all (7/8). Put some respect on they name lol.

[@circa30hz59]

For people who talk goat talk but don't mention this man.....