When every beat starts to bump in tune, when every rhyme seems to fade into the last, when every 50 Cent video overlaps to form one mind-numbing heap, it’s good to know we’ve still got innovators like Bigg Jus.

A constant label-hopper, the native New Yorker first tasted fame as co-founder of ’90s indie phenomenon Company Flow along with now-legendary producers Mr. Len and El-P. Since the group split, Jus has carried on its influential legacy with politically charged releases both as a solo artist and as one half of NMS (with Orko Elohiem). For Poor People’s Day, Jus stuck Atlanta up-and-comer DJ Gman on the beats –– and it’s hot as hell.

Forget structure. Forget everything you’ve ever learned about rhythm or flow. Jus and Gman know differently, and they’re carving their own stormy path through self-generated layers of musical renovation. “Excuse me Miss Liberty I don’t mean to be a misogynist/ But put some lipstick on them green lips, ‘cuz the truth ain’t a pretty bitch,” Jus spits over an orchestral, jerky-yet-fluid beat. Rage against the current administration and a passion for the plight of the poor drive Jus’ far-from-trite lyrical tornado, ferociously spiraling in and around the dips and peaks of his producer’s dark, enchanting noise.

Though one can sometimes feel lost within the barrage of metaphorical concepts and unaligned rhythms, no one ever said hip-hop was supposed to be easy. It’s about time someone decided to take the ball out of bounds.