Scapegoat
Where The Shadow Calls Home
Music
Whats so tragic about The Shadow is that many people dont really know that they have it. Especially those with a very strong attachment to their persona, who believe that they are their persona and that there possibly cannot be something else about them lurking in the dark.”
- Einzelganger
814 (2017)
August 14, 2017. A regular ol' day for some, but for a particular young man who feels he’s at his end. It may just be his beginning.
814 not only introduces us to The Shadow, but to the psychology of Dennis Wilson, a young aspiring rapper who uses the pain and frustration of a heartbreak to transform it into this horrifying tale about finally getting even.
Originally released on December 15, 2017 on Soundcloud, 814 opens up with the spine chilling “Silent Hill” followed by the Tammi Turell sampled “All Day," and while both these songs clearly expound that the artist is a rookie trying to find his footing, one thing remains clear: He’s hungry.
And by the time we arrive at "88,” a song giving insight to the artist's upbringing and mental development, things begin to fall into place for the artist that calls himself Sinned.
The Diaries of The Shadow King (2019)
The first installment of the 814 Trilogy picks up several months after “814”.
The Shadow, now a hitman for a drug lord, finds himself trying to escape what he’s feeling emotionally through violent murder.
What is it that he’s feeling emotionally?
The guilt over cutting ties with his former best friend, who would use her mental illness as a weapon
Though logically it was the right decision,
The Shadow can't help but wonder if he should have been more "understanding.”
It also does not help that he fell in love with her over these years they were close and that she friendzoned him.
Trying to rationalize that choosing himself was "selfish" through reminiscing. The Shadow slowly begins to discover that he’s been a victim of what many other young men in his shoes were. Narcissism.
This 20 piece is packed with the high-quality mixing of Divine. Raps. And. Flows, better known as Draf, and production from likes such as False Ego and Khronos Beats contain bangers such as "Smiley," “The Lucky Smooches of Cassandra,” and
“The Spirit of OJ” along with the emotionals such as “December 28th," “Feb 7th” and "2018.”.
The Succubus (2020)
Serving as the bridge to The Diaries of Dennis Wilson, this seven-song tale highlights the one common that unfortunately still plagues the black community. The single mother on welfare.
Named after the 7 deadly sins, each song highlights the toxic characteristic traits that exist within this modern woman. From the bitterness of her ex moving on showcased in "Envy" to her wanting a stepfather for her child in "Greed," so much so that she makes a pact with a witch to get one.
And while songs like “Lust” and “Gluttony” highlight her lack of self-control. It is tracks like “Wrath” (the most popular song out of the 7) that truly show how vicious this type of woman can be when things don't go her way.
The Diaries of Dennis Wilson (2021)
The second installment in the 814 trilogy finds us one year before COVID and the BLM riots, and while 2019 for the majority may have represented the last year of "normal.”.
For The Shadow, it represents the last year of being asleep.
In the months leading up to his 27th birthday, The Shadow questions the purpose of his existence. Realizing the baggage that murder for hire brings, followed by a tramuatizing visit to Vegas, The Shadow soon finds romance in a troubled single mother whose toddler was born on the same exact day it all began for him.
And feeling that “stepping up” for her little girl (very similar to how his father did for his sister) is the answer to that question,
The Shadow soon learns the hard way what, ironically his father once preached to him.
“Nice guys finish last.”.
The Shadow meets the succubus in this lyrical tale of Godfather, The Exorcist, and American History X mixed all into one. Draf returns to the mixing board, bringing his A-game as usual, while the 90s-influenced production of Louie on the Beat is introduced, as his amazing flip of a Godfather Pt II score (the one that plays when Michael has Fredo whacked) in “11:24 PM” serves as the mixtape's frightening opening, with his heavily RZA-influenced type masterpiece that is
“La Parca (Punta Cana Pt II)” serving as its follow-up
But it is songs like “The War” &
“Purpose Driven Life,” whose eerie tone gives us a sneak peak of the racial tensions that awaited us in 2020, with the former serving as the predecessor to the 2Pac sampled "Nina.”.
Tanya from The Little Goat House lends her
“John Waters” for an iconic cover on a mixtape that would change Sinned, from
“He’s got potential” to “He’s a problem!”.
The Ritual - Act I: Aeon of Horus (2023)
The Baphomet. Seen by some as the light, seen by many as demonic.
The Ritual’s first act takes you through different eras of time, showcasing how figures like Aleister Crowley influenced how generations after him would think.
An influence that still exists in the present day.
Removed from Spotify, Apple Music, and all other DSP’s due to it being labeled “Risky Content.”.
The Ritual’s first act also touches base with the origins of hip-hop, along with the concept of Baphoment being spawned in the song "Levi." Closing out with "Sacrifice," a song Spotify playlist curators refused to touch.
The Ritual - Act II: The House Negro (2024)
Fame and fortune,
Many of us want it.
Many of us crave it,
But many of us do not truly understand what will have to happen in order to obtain it.
And no, it's not hard work, long hours, or sacrifice (well, not that kind of sacrifice).
The ritual’s second act tells the modernized story of Adam. The younger brother of the character Arnold (who appeared in The Diaries of Dennis Wilson’s “The Hera," "Azazel," and "Tha Setta”).
Poised and inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps. The young aspiring rapper experiences great success early on in his career; however, he soon learns the hard way what happens when you disrespect a certain group of people.
Act II opens with a strong history lesson explaining the true origins of slavery and religion in contrast to what was taught in schools and churches with "X," as Malcom himself opens up the track, later making a return throughout the EP on the trap-influenced "Archons," reminding us once again how celebrities aren't activists, just puppets.
And if that isn’t enough to convince you, just ask "Sophia.”.