Is it possible that Rakim, who allegedly wrote "I Ain't No Joke" as a response to the silly novelty songs that dominated mid-'80s rap, was the first Serious Rapper? By Serious Rapper, I'm talking about an MC who never exploits rap's built-in humor potential-- a microphone fiend who sees hip-hop as a medium for only the most stone-faced expression. Run DMC had a few hard-and- tough moments, but they always knew how to pull a laugh. The same goes for LL, Kool Moe Dee, and most other early rappers I can think of. But Rakim, from the first, was all business and nothing but.

Encore, a California rapper last heard on the Handsome Boy Modeling School record, is, like Rakim, as serious as a heart attack. His full-length debut, Self Presentation, offers no detailed stories, no elaborate disses and no surreal word play. Instead, it's packed to the brim with intelligent and lucid commentary on Encore's abilities, history, and outlook, some of the latter being influenced by his Nation of Islam beliefs. But even if Encore's rhymes are as thoughtfully presented as a Ph.D. thesis, they're also only slightly more entertaining, and as a result, this generally competent album never rises above mediocrity.

I find fewer faults with the beats here, which are mostly Premier-influenced tracks full of punch accented by tasteful, effective samples. It's a classic hip-hop sound executed well, and even though it's light on the pop hooks (quite intentionally, I'm sure), it's filled with enough curious piano samples to keep me tuned in. The tracks work well with Encore's flow, which also owes a debt to Rakim. His vocal tone is sharp and crisp, relaxed without being laidback, and completely in charge while never resorting to screaming. But Encore's words, smart as they are, don't move me. And unfortunately, this being an underground hip-hop album, there are many, many words.

-Mark Richard-San