I think I had an expectation, like everyone else. Eminem. Royce. Has to be that piff. Right?
Yes….and no…but mostly yes. I don’t need to explain the re-up and the concept of the duo, since it’s been told over and over in every music publication in print or online. They are comparable MC’s, and it’s not always clear who’s doper. Well, let me be clear – Eminem destroys. But Royce is right there with him, track for track – which is really the story of the album. I mean, let’s be perfectly honest – that is what people wanted to know. Can Royce really keep up with one of the dopest MC’s in the history of life? And he’s more than apt for the challenge. I think it’s actually time that people, to include myself, just give Royce his due as one the best out now, and the last howmanyever years.
The negative? The production leaves a lot to be desired. It’s not wack, it’s (more than) occasionally lackluster. I just feel like they could’ve went out and got different beats. I sort of wish they got Pharoahe Monch and Just Blaze to do a beat. They’ve mastered making crazy beats that don’t take away from a (super) lyrical performance – but that’s me. I really think “I’m On Everything” should have been left off. It’s not because it’s not funny or anything (it is), but I’m looking for straight lyrics….not Mike Epps.
Overall though, the album is a success. The lyrics are outstanding, and they have excellent chemistry. It’s really sounds like two very good friends enjoying rapping for their other friends, and each other. It’s a relaxed effort, and they know exactly where their collective bread is buttered – making ill bars. And they don’t disappoint. As of this review – it’s the #1 record in America – maybe real Mc’ing is back.
Grade: B. Mark one in the winner’s slot for lyrical rap.
A very interesting mixtape – something Em isn’t known for doing. But he and the rest of the crew go pretty hard. It’s a strong mixtape, showcasing a lot of the best quality in the revamped label. Not a lot to go in on – straight beats and lyrics….no gimmicks. I have to say tho – Yelawolf KILLS this thing.
Grade: B+. I just wish the beats went a little harder on some of the tracks.
Man…I missed this man as much as a straight man can. Pharoahe is one of my favorite emcees, and one of the greatest of all time. This particular album is geared toward “anti” – industry, authority, etc. He’s made a few tracks or comments with these themes, always the heavy conscious, lyrically advanced flows. But this is basically a whole album, a statement album of defiance. If there was an album to anger the so-called “hip hop police”, this would be one of them – which makes Duck Down the perfect label for what he’s doing now.
It’s a huge album sonically, as you’ve probably heard from the singles. But even starting with the first track, “Calculated Amalgamation”, he’s aiming for the moon. The production is rather excellent, from beginning to end. A lot of them definitely stand out. Exile brings the darkness on “Evolve”; M=Phazes, who has the most tracks on the album, really goes at with the most recent single, “Assassins.” This track is particular memorable because of the lyrics – Royce are super nice, as usual. But Pharoahe and Jean Grae KILL it. Of course, “Shine”, headed up by the legendary Diamond D, is still good on repeat listens. My sleeper track has to be “Le My People Go”, which was produced by a guy named Fatin Horton. There is one song I don’t like that much, the title track, which features Immortal Technique and Vernon Reid from In Living Colour. The beat is dope, but I’m just not a big, big Technique fan, and he’s all over the track. And I have to take a little away from “Black Hand Side”, simply because Phonte should’ve had a verse. Fuck a chorus.
Now, something had to be said about the theme real quick. It’s not complete. You look at the cover, and you listen to some of the interludes, and you expect something…more I guess. Just seemed to be lacking a little in cohesiveness. But even with that…..
Grade: a very strong B+…..as usual, the man kills it lyrically, and most of the production fits the project, and stand up individually. Very happy he’s back for now – definitely worth your duckets.
Well….he actually almost managed to get it done. He’s clearly trying to be clever with the title, as he explains the use of the title on the first track – that it’s basically his album for THIS particular year…..a summation of the work he’s put in for the past couple years. I want to talk about the rhymes first. He’s definitely an improved lyricist, to the point to where I can say he’s pretty dope. (He more than holds his own with Elzhi and Royce tha 5’9″)The fact that he is getting better with each album is very promising. If he got any more proficient than he is now, he would be basically unstoppable. But I’m glad he’s still got something to work on, to keep him relatively humble.
I say all that because the production is absol-fuckin-lutely stellar – something he deserves to be cocky about. Black basically has to be one of the dopest producers of our current generation. Good God Almighty, does this album bang out. I’m a fiend for banger rap….and the drums on this album more than satisfy my fix…and the sample use it top notch. All in all – my second favorite rap record of 2010 – HIGHLY Recommended.
This week’s drop will be different. I have new stuff and some older joints I bought during my break that maybe you’d like to experiment with. Not a lot of real dope major or indie stuff came out this week, so I decided to dig into other albums I picked up this week – most of which are right in my wheel house, but might be fringe-y kind of stuff to a lot of you….but I like to put ome different ish up here in between the normal fare.
Oddisee – Traveling Man
Dope, already one of my favs for 2010. Each track is a beat that represents the city he happened to be in at some point, as to capture the essence of the city’s ambiance, through his mind, and onto wax. Definitely a diverse, textured listen….worthy of your money.
Four Tet – There Is Love In You
Complex, innovative, and lo-fi. Both things I like in a good album a lot of the time. Some bits of Massive Attack…a few other things too. It puts you in a relaxed mood – it’s just really, really chill. Very well done from start to finish…mostly genius stuff.
DJ/Rupture and Matt Shadetek – Solar Life Rift
Global music at its essence. These guys threw in everything and the kitchen sink on this. Something you can just throw in and play on any track….really feels like an extension of the ill Uproot album from 2008.
These are some I meant to do something on, but I was on break from the blog –
Royce the 5’9” – Street Hop
Basically goes hard as hell. Royce really only does banger type songs and albums – and he doesn’t disappoint. It’s kind of hard to listen to all the way thru, not because it’s not dope – it’s just so damn…..concussive. I mean the first track is called “Gun Harmonizing”…and features repetitive vocal gun claps. The dopest track is “Dinner Time” feat. Busta Rhymes (aka one of the most underrated lyricist ever.) Probably one of the better rap albums of 09.
King Midas Sound -Waiting For You
They put the dub in dubstep. This isn’t a chill album, per se….but it can be played at night…if you traveling around a post-apocalyptic city, like London 2067. It’s one of those “I’m going to listen to this album, and get high” albums, yet it can be listened to with your feet firmly on the ground. Will probably be best played on a nice stereo or soundsystem…and high quality headphones. Dope album.
Reaching out to left field on the following:
Psych-Funk 101 (1968-1975) A Global Psychedelic Funk Collection
I bought this about two weeks ago. MAN!….ill. If the title doesn’t say enough…I don’t know what else to tell you – it’s tripped out funk from back in the day. It’s really a dope collection, from so many odd places…..Iran, South Korea, Turkey, son…..funk from Turkey. Word….I mean “right on.”
John Morales – The M&M Mixes (Bonus Track Version)
Basically some stuff your parents might have bounced to, if they lived in the Bronx in 1976….straight salsoul, disco funk type of joints right here. Pretty good shit, as far as this “genre” goes. Some of it’s kind of funny…and that’s the point. It captures a carefree era.
Mulatu Astatke – The Story of Ethio Jazz (1965-1975) [New York - Addis - London]
Dude is the pioneer of “ethio-jazz” – this kind of funk infused brand of jazz….nice horns and other typical jazz pieces, and dope on various types of percussion. This is the stuff you scrunge your face up to when that bass kicks in. Also can be heard the the Jarmusch film ‘Broken Flower’. Illy.
Various Artists – Legends of Benin
Once again…that funk, this time from Benin. It’s dope that the artists in African countries had so much ingenuity when it came to incorporating the home land feel with funk…..although, that might’ve been a natural blend. The track sequencing is top shelf….takes you on an easy take off, and then into a faster past….then back down at the very end. My fav track (couldn’t find a Youtube) – “Vimado Wingnan”
Various Artists – Gilles Peterson Presents Havana Cultura
It’s a typical two-headed piece that Gilles does, to capture the pulse of a country – this time, it’s Cuba..a country with a rich history of dope music. What drew me in was the track from Obsesion called “Me Lastimas” – dope Spanish hip hop track…that wouldn’t be out of place on another album in English. (I absolutely refuse to call this reggaeton…it’s fucking hip hop in Spanish language and feel….people deal with it.) Another nice track – Pasa el Borrador by Los Aldeanos….you ever heard a song that you couldn’t understand…but you knew the lyrics were prolly dope? The rest: a good bit of Spanish hip hop…..and a set by Gilles’ Havana Cultura Band featuring local artists doing local music. Nice pick up.
