What Critics Are Saying
about kevin anglade
“On THE BLACK BOX finds Anglade addressing subjects that are often avoided in mainstream music. His work explores capitalism, oppression, colonialism and complicated issues within the Black community, using hip-hop as a platform for reflection, criticism and conversation.”
— Stefano Meola (Raptology)
“By connecting music, research and written commentary, "The Black Box" develops beyond a conventional album release. Queens musician and scholar Kevin Anglade transforms research and lived experience into socially conscious hip-hop.”
- Frank Bell (Fame Magazine UK)
“Across 14 tracks, Anglade builds something closer to a cultural document than a conventional rap album, one that asks its listener to sit with uncomfortable questions rather than offering easy resolutions. What gives THE BLACK BOX its character is the sense that Anglade is working from research and lived observation simultaneously.”
- Danielle Holian (Other Side Reviews)
“THE BLACK BOX is a deeply serious and thought-provoking project centered around survival, confinement, struggle, and the systems that can make life feel increasingly difficult to navigate. Kevin Anglade brings a raw, focused presence throughout, delivering his lyrics with urgency while exploring street life, incarceration, drug dealing, police pressure, systemic injustice, and the emotional weight that comes with constantly fighting to stay afloat.”
- Quincy (Rating Games Music)
"BRANDED" opens the door to a larger conversation about mass incarceration, prison labor, and the economic structures tied to the prison system. A Substack article accompanies the track, expanding its subject matter beyond the music and creating a broader space to examine the systems and ideas surrounding the record.
- HipHopEargasm
"Throughout “THE BLACK BOX” Kevin Anglade tackles capitalism, oppression, and internal struggles within Black families. With an unapologetic approach and thought provoking lyrics, he encourages listeners to question the systems around them, challenge established narratives and reflect on the experiences that shape their everyday lives." - Khrissy Briscoe Editor + Media Correspondent at Sway's Universe
