Why ELUCID is the key to Armand Hammer's Brilliance

Yes, billy woods is incredible. But ELUCID is too! In this video, I breakdown some of the reasons why I think ELUCID is such a special artist and the key to what makes Armand Hammer truly one of the most unique rap projects out there. Enjoy!

[@lookin4alight267]

To me another interesting thing about Elucid is that he provides an African American view on political subject which helps balance out wood's African immigrant view

[@irl_lizard7880]

I love E L U C I D but it took a little time to catch up to what he was doing. I'd always appreciated his stuff, but he didn't all the way click with me until I heard the album Don't Play It Straight that he made with The Lasso under the name Small Bills. If you haven't heard it, consider giving it a listen. As far as Armand Hammer goes, my fav E L U C I D performance has to be on Shrines.

[@irl_lizard7880]

Also I'd love a lyric analysis on E L U C I D. A lot of what he spits is up for interpretation and it'd be interesting to see your interpretations.

[@bruh......2005]

His verse on God's Feet (Haram) is genuinely one of the most sinister unnerving shit I've heard. Analysing Elucids lyrics at times feels like trying to hear clearly underwater. It isn't as accessible as Billy Woods but some of his lines are definitly underappreciated

[@unknownreviews7259]

That's like the PERFECT way to describe it. trying to hear clearly underwater. very true

[@WHOAM1894]

I think your point about E Lucid being more personal and emotionally driven in his writing is very perceptive. Woods is a master of puzzles, paradoxes and riddles. E Lucid is a master of his own humanity. Woods can definitely come off more detached and cerebral, but his writing tends to have really deep logical frameworks and thoughtfulness behind it even at the expense of the warmth and emotion that E Lucid brings. Thanks for articulating what I was already assuming about the group. I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed this difference in their personalities.

[@unknownreviews7259]

that’s exactly what I noticed, yeah! Glad I’m not the only one as well. The two styles really complement each other nicely. your masters analogy is a perfect one tbh

[@chermackproductions7005]

SPELLING is one of the best rap songs over ever heard, saw them live at a really small concert this year and they rapped their asses off

[@unknownreviews7259]

SPELLLING is prob my favorite solo ELUCID track :)) “just got to heaven and I can’t sit down”✨✨✨

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

Seeing Armand Hammer live is towards the top of my bucket list!

[@divineexchange8006]

Bro I feel like I'm home I thought I was the only one who loved E!

[@manutrovao9530]

tbh some of my favourite armand hammer moments comes from their 2014 EP "furtive movements. soft places is my favourite song by them, specially because of E L U C I D. lines like "left a three family shell in gentrified hell" always blows my mind

[@unknownreviews7259]

geez that line is devastating. I actually haven't listened to furtive movements. older AH is definitely a different vibe but I need to for sure!

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

@@unknownreviews7259 I relistened to Armand's first project _(Half Measures)_ yesterday, a couple times, and it's among their best work... definitely check it out. It's not officially released on YT - but someone posted it, and it's also on SoundCloud. Edit: You gotta hear _Furtive Movements_ (and _Half Measures)_ and see the video for "CRWNS"... has possibly my favorite billy woods verse. It opens my Armand Hammer playlist - check it out!

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

I definitely agree about _Furtive Movements..._ "CRWNS" is one of my all-time top Armand Hammer tracks (or any track) and the music video is the best introduction to their art.

[@unknownreviews7259]

This was more of a general discussion of ELUCID but I'd love to do an actual Lyrical Breakdown of him. Def let me know if that's something you'd like to see! Open Mike Eagle vid is coming next and then after that, Beach House :)

[@a_bahis]

Bro, honestly I would love to see a lyrical breakdown of Elucid. Also would really love to see a breakdown of an AKAI SOLO, Fatboi Sharif, Ka, or Shabazz Palaces

[@unknownreviews7259]

@@a_bahis Ka and Elucid are definitely on the list for upcoming videos!

[@criticalmath6684]

I'd love to see that too

[@ChocolateDon929]

ELUCID verse on Ramesses 2 bought tears to my eyes instant instant fan Peace and blessings to him

[@ChocolateDon929]

I love ELUCID VOICE HE SOUNDS LIKE A SHAKESPEARE POET OR SOMETHING I’m more into ELUCID then Woods respectfully

[@ethansherman8028]

I would love to see an ELUCID lyrical breakdown video

[@a_bahis]

fr fr akhi

[@achronos178]

The way Elucid raps just hurts my brain, I don't think anyone can do what he does.

[@unknownreviews7259]

yeah nah I honestly havent heard anyone quite like him

[@MistaNimbus]

Aesop Rock maybe?

[@urbanmihevc4779]

E L U C I D is my favorite rapper of all time. He really influenced how I look at rap music and how somebody can approach the artform. He is really one of a kind. I think that people domt know just how important he is to the whole armand hammer thing because woods chose him to be his partner in this because elucid was so different from everything happening at the time and still is. You can go back and listen to woods’ stuff and its cool, you have the same deep insights but the cadence the style, he got all of that because elucid pushed him with his style. He is in fact all style, thats his whole deal. He is esoteric because its not (only) about saying stuff its how you say it what energy you bring to the table. And frankly not a rapper in sight does it like elucid. He can just say one line and you know exactly where u are and who is speaking to you. Paraffin is the best rap album of all time for me personally and i think even Haram and Diabetic strips which are objectively better albums, with more critical acclaim and better status are nothing compared to what they did on Paraffin. That album is just pure underground stuff, no bullshit, just there vision of rap in its purest form. That stuff gon’ last a long time. Its indisputed.

[@jameskaravites9359]

To me ELUCID is easily one of my favorite rappers of all time and his pathos is completely unmatched. His abstract yet very tonally cohesive bars, his underrated vocal delivery that includes everything from understated yet Frank humility (Spelling) to deep hammering bellows washed out in effects (many tracks on their new fantastic LP) to almost shouted delivery that comes up in many of this hooks (no days off). For me, he manages to be incredibly esoteric while also incredibly enjoyable and visceral to listen to

[@JamaAli-tz2qg]

ELUCID is a blessing to the current idie hip hop scene. I appreciate his musical output

[@UKdontmindme]

My personal fav performance by elucid is on his collab with R.A.P. Ferreira, Nostrum Grocers. He feels so much more direct on there and yet still maintains his tangled wordplay. In general it feels like he came to that project with something more solid he wanted to communicate to the listener.

[@1.--_--.1]

I think of Parrafin when i think of ELUCID, too. Dude goes so damn hard the whole album. Super visual, visceral, unsettling, poignant, angry, every feeling/emotion articulated so skillfully.

[@unknownreviews7259]

yessss that’s exactly it. honestly even tho all tracks on that album are insane, no days off is like top 5 ELUCID verse ever quite possibly

[@1.--_--.1]

@@unknownreviews7259 I can't front on that. 💯

[@linc3152]

To me, paraffin sounds like a city made completely of concrete with no trees or life. In contrast, I've always thought of Shrines as sounding like a forest/jungle. Also not to be annoying but i think its pronounced pair-a-fin

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

Great description of both projects! You're correct about the pronunciation. Only thing I'd change about the video lol! I'm a pronunciation stickler 😬😁

[@unknownreviews7259]

That’s a fascinating way to imagine both paraffin and shrines, there should be some artwork reflecting that hahaha. also thank you for the correction 😭

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

So glad you did this! Been saying for years woods is one of the all-time greats, but so is Elucid... as with Outkast, I think Andre3000 is Top 5 dead or alive, but Big Boi is a giant, too - he's _at least_ Top 25. I think _I Told Bessie_ woke some more people up to Elucid's brilliance.

[@unknownreviews7259]

I agree! I Told Bessie definitely seemed like his coming out party when it comes to recognition. It's happening late but at least it's happening right hahah

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

@@unknownreviews7259 Absolutely! Your video is right on-point... I mean, I absolutely LOVE billy's solo work, but there's just something about what happens when these two brilliant artists come together - they make some of the most captivating albums of the 21st Century. Keep up the good work! 👍🏼✌🏼

[@nateallen7577]

It took one vid to really help my writing in a single night😮‍💨And then I see you dropped vids like this. Keep going dawg, I’m here for it

[@unknownreviews7259]

I'm so glad to hear you're writing is improving!! That's awesome :) thanks man!!

[@Uselesshands]

Saw them live last year and he was insane and definitely the highlight of the show and thats coming from someone who listens to woods mostly

[@tlotlisoranthimo4708]

Roaches don't fly still brings tears to my eyes. E L U C I D a magician.

[@linc3152]

Amazing video you described some things that i have always thought but never known exactly how to put into words.

[@unknownreviews7259]

Thanks man I appreciate it!!

[@oldmothsounds]

Love this video so much. SO happy seeing cats speak on ELUCID man he is such a force not to be taken for granted

[@1.--_--.1]

ELUCID spazzes on everything he's on

[@unknownreviews7259]

Literally every single thing

[@1.--_--.1]

@@unknownreviews7259 dude goes dummy on Dianetics

[@NIGEL341Hilasd]

Big Elucid fan here, so glad to find another and another who’s BLICK! Love his verse on Charms.

[@unknownreviews7259]

Was just driving in the car today playing Armand Hammer on shuffle and was shocked to find myself saying "This is an iconic ELUCID verse" on EVERY SONG. dude is right up there with woods for sure.

[@matthewsalmon431]

I'm glad u mentioned the Rameses verse.... phenomenal

[@bigttheory]

paraffin def feels beautifully abrasive to me, esp w the production. ohbliv is a soul hop lofi type producer man if u told me he made a song like black garlic i would laugh in your face 😭

[@unknownreviews7259]

wait thats absolutely crazy that he made black garlic. thats insane!!

[@samsonsekgotho5986]

His verse on Marooned is CRAZY

[@Superzavin327]

i think His verse on King Tubby is his best verse

[@unknownreviews7259]

Omg great pick. That’s another track he really shines on for sureee. Another favorite of mine

[@VerdigrisVotives]

Hearing Shark Fin Soup i was just floored. So glad woods had teamed up with someone who could come through and provide another unique flow that balances him out ...and demands much decyphering and endless rewarding listens ... even if in v very different ways. Previous woods' duo was dope in its own right... but often had to put my index on fastfoward thru the other verses. .. would never skip an Elucid offering.

[@angelespinkroom]

Anytime anyone talks about Armand Hammer it’s always about how great billy’s bars are and how incredible the beats are (which both are I’m not denying that). However, ELUCID’s contributions (especially lyrically) always get brushed over, likely cause his bars are so difficult to decipher. To me though he’s always stood out as my favorite member of Armand Hammer as someone who is a huge fan of abstract art in general, his lyricism scratches that itch for me. Not to mention he’s got such an incredible flow, even when I don’t understand wtf he’s talking about (which is often), I’m so hypnotized by his delivery that it feels like I’m on the edge of my seat anytime his verse comes.

[@angelespinkroom]

Also just to add on a bit on my interpretations of ELUCID’s verses. I interpret a lot of his more abstract lyrics as painting the picture of the inner cities. Instead of simply saying the area he grew up in is this way, he writes in a way that describes the environment loosely and lets you put the pieces together.

[@kaydenjones3183]

Elucids verse on fuchsia and green is beautiful and is straight up beautiful poetry.

[@henryhill92]

His delivery is so key to me. My favourite verse from him is on Arkeology from Brass, and for so long I had no idea what he was saying. But the lines just stayed in my head for weeks on end until I figured them out, because the delivery was so unique and authoritative.

[@carlos.serone]

Love this vid, totally agree it’s such a ying and yang thing with AH - they both compliment each other so well

[@BLCKSL0TH]

Is it weird that as a 24 year old i find elucid to be my favorite rapper and the reason for my own music

[@Ehgg-]

no, you’re just looking for attention

[@hiyoowihamainza949]

Give me fire, water, I'm of the highest order, Pouring liquid iron out the sky, you guys just kinda sorta... Man when ELUCID hits certain pockets he's unstoppable. If you're gonna analyze a song his, King Tubby would be rec. Truly one of his best

[@ashtonsgotsauce9981]

i think industrial is a good way to put the sound tbh

[@UnclePhillyMyAss]

Great Vid but the fact Cult Favourite never gets mentioned with Elucid really pisses me off, That project is SO slept on yet absolutely top of the tree

[@criticalmath6684]

Agreed. I've got in on my playlist right now. Dope album

[@MichaelOvules-ep5ti]

Elucid deserves so much more praise. I do think when it comes with rap ability Billy is a little better (then again Billy is better than 99.9% of rappers). But Elucid brings so much to the table in terms of lyrics, production, and his odd singing ability. Take Stonefruit for example:)

[@melocomanTV]

Elucid is goat, he is so futuristic. Woods is just as good

[@melocomanTV]

He has the most unique flow

[@mikecdot]

soon your name will be known for success, great content

[@unknownreviews7259]

Thank you!

[@ripjesco]

I’ve been working to put together a massive playlist of billy woods’, elucid’s, and Armand Hammer’s respective discographies, including rare live footage, older unheard songs and some of their lesser known features, I’m nowhere near finished with the playlist, but it’s got over 100 tracks as of rn and I’ve barely scratched the surface. Check it out on my channel

[@user-fs1lc2cj5s]

thank u for making this. but ngl when you flashed the Sweet Mickey verse I read it and think I understood pretty much the whole thing also the beats on Paraffin sound like a sidewalk also also I think ELUCID's line on CRWNS is one of the best lyrics of all time: "Most never made it cross the Atlantic, gun poweder and oil slathered, sold! So what's the damage?"

[@criticalmath6684]

"still driving man ..two 20 pound hammers, one in each hand ..sting driven, any nigga machine rhythm, for the cream simple..."

[@ahmodahmad4612]

Can you do pink siifu’s pops tired or anything from the joint tape he did with real bad man

[@unknownreviews7259]

I’d be down for that! I’ve liked a lot of siifus features so I should def dive into his solo work. I’ll take a listen and see what I can come up with

[@Jimmy1982Playlists]

A great album! Real Bad Man drops some if the best beats and albums out in recent years...

[@kinggeedorah383]

my man!! catching up with your vids since I've been away for a bit!! glad you are still posting!! I'll start dropping more long comments as I finish watching each video xD ps: happy new year

[@dequantangel4165]

Capital STEEZ would've been a perfect member in Armand Hammer

[@masonhoward3772]

Do you have an Instagram?

[@thewalkingdunning-krugeref9664]

I think you could have spotlighted Elucid's brilliance without basing it on a false premise. Armand Hammer would most likely be "brilliant' if Billy had a dozen different co-stars. So, he's not the "key", he's just good with Billy. I'm in no way trying to undermine what Elucid brings to the table, I just disagree with the premise.

[@joshpepper902]

💯🔥💯🔥💯🔥💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥

[@7billiontrillionkultleader708]

It's a balance fam. Relax

[@jeremiah2717]

Elucid's flow/delivery has always been better than Billy's. Any beat, any pocket, he just knows how to spit his words effortlessly. But I think Billy is a better rapper than him. Elucid went stupidly hard on Diabetic Strips. He had a better performance on that album for me. When it doesn't start with a kiss is chef's kiss

[@ghettogov6161]

Lol no.

[@ghettogov6161]

Billy woods is the stabilizing force