Courier – Inspired

by GREGG ADAMS
3.5 stars out of 5
Hip-Hop is somewhat of a poor stepchild in the jam band dominated world of the Northern Colorado music scene and very few local artists are willing to carry that torch. Courier is one of the bright new faces who may change that imbalance. With his latest release, Inspired, this young rapper has recaptured what hip-hop initially embraced – scathing social commentary, combined with positive messaging, stoopid beats and stylish lyrical flow. In “President Carter’s Successor” Courier doesn’t shy away from drawing parallels between Ronald Reagan’s facilitation of the sale of arms to Iran, to the attacks of 9/11 (“you see, weapons were sold, to known terrorists of stories told”), to the ever escalating war on the poor, (“…there’s a plot to enslave everyone in this nation”). In “Mind is Everything,” he challenges our moral code and how we react to corruption (“What do you see when you close your eyes, what do you see when your life goes by”). Originally hailing from Atlanta, GA. and now based in Denver, Courier has been personally mentored by the likes of Grammy nominated producer Kevin “Khao” Cates, (Snoop Dog, Ludacris, T.I., R. Kelly), DJ Maseo of De La Soul and two time Grammy winner Speech Thomas of Arrested Development. Courier will be opening for Nappy Roots on January 9 at Cervantes Masterpiece in Denver and making his way to Fort Collins in early 2014. Don’t miss what could be NoCo’s major contribution to the world of hip-hop.