Rhymfest’s Jackson Tribute Draws Praise

All this comes to mind because of Rhymefest. On his amazing “Man in the Mirror,” a free “dedication album” that at press time was available at www.rhymefeststore.com, the Chicago rapper tells lucky downloaders that “labels is falling in the streets.” But that attitude is probably the least remarkable element of “Man in the Mirror.” Chiefly, this is art made purely for art’s sake, a sly tribute to Michael Jackson that derives its energy from the sheer joy of creation, unsullied by red tape and market concerns.