| Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation) | |
| Type: | studio |
| Artist: | Prodigy |
| Cover: | Hegelian_Dialectic.jpg |
| Released: | January 20, 2017 |
| Recorded: | 2015–2016 |
| Genre: |
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| Length: | 35:13 |
| Label: |
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| Prev Title: | Young Rollin Stonerz |
| Prev Year: | 2014 |
Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)[1] is the fifth and final studio album by American rapper Prodigy. The album was released on January 20, 2017, exactly five months before his death, through his label Infamous Records, and features a sole guest appearance from Ca$h Bilz.[2]
Prodigy, born Albert Johnson, was a central figure in East Coast Hip Hop, known particularly for his work with the group Mobb Deep. Known for his clear, articulate delivery and lyrical realism, Prodigy's music often reflected the gritty realities of street life and societal issues. His work on Hegelian Dialectic continued this trend, focusing on philosophical themes inspired by the Hegelian dialectic concept and the state of society in America.
The album is named after the philosophical concept Hegelian dialectic. It is an argument process explaining the progress of history as being the conflict of ideas, where the interactions between thesis and anti-thesis create synthesis.[3] This idea is the logical foundation stone for Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels' theory of history as the history of class struggle where the conditions of societal production develop until the oppressed classes necessarily overthrow the oppressor class. This philosophical concept was reflected throughout the album, with songs addressing societal struggles, economic disparities, and political upheaval.
Production for the album came from Beat Butcha, Knxwledge, and The Alchemist among others. Hegelian Dialectic was recorded and mixed by Joe the Engine Ear. It was the last album to be released during his lifetime prior to his death in June 2017, which was caused by accidental asphyxiation.[4] The album was intended to be the first in a series of three albums he planned to release over the course of several months, with the two sequels entitled The Book of Heroine and The Book of the Dead.[5]
The album features a single guest appearance from Ca$h Bilz, a rising artist in the hip hop scene. Prodigy's choice to include a relatively unknown artist was in line with his desire to push boundaries and challenge the status quo, reflected in the philosophical themes of the album.
Hegelian Dialectic received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the new politically driven and socially conscious tone, a notable change from Prodigy's previous work. Adam Seyum of Music Connection gave the album eight out of ten stars, saying "With songs like 'Mystic', 'Tyranny' and 'Spiritual War,' [Prodigy] encourages listeners to open up their third eye and observe 'the system' meticulously."[6]