Articles By: Eli Watson
J. Cole – Cole World: The Sideline Story album review
J. Cole has grown from Roc Nation underdog to Hip hop prince. Having made a stir this year, J. Cole proves his Hip hop status in debut album Cole World: The Sideline Story. Cole’s strength lies in his storytelling: “Lights Please,” although a story of sexual passion at its highest, highlights issues of parenthood. “How you gon’ look in yo’ son’s face and turn yo’ back,” J. Cole says, providing a reflective perception on a common problem in today’s society. [...]
Read more →Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame – Ferrari Boyz album review
Southern rap heavyweights Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame are known for bringing hyped-up, crunk-laced hip hop to the masses, and although Ferrari Boyz is not their best delivery, it still, barely I must add, gets the job done. Between the artists constantly yelling their names and what they represent, are rhymes centered around money, cars and cocaine. There is no witty or crafty wordplay present; any word that can be rhymed with the other seems to be the procedure [...]
Read more →Chiddy Bang – Peanut Butter and Swelly mixtape review
The first time I heard Chiddy Bang, I was instantly impressed by their sampling of MGMT’s “Kids.” Their unconventional sampling methods, and even sounds, are fresh and different, combining hip hop with so many different realms in music, producing an end result that is successful and satisfactory. This continues to be the case in their latest release, Peanut Butter and Swelly. Providing listeners with a little snack before their debut studio album Breakfast drops, Chiddy Bang still keeps things spacey, creative and [...]
Read more →Black Rob – Game Tested, Streets Approved review
Black Rob needs no introduction to the hip hop game; having been a part of it since the ’90s, Black Rob has come up a long way since his debut album, Life Story. Even though a few jail sentences kept him occupied for some time, Black Rob has returned back to the scene with Game Tested, Streets Approved, an album that is explosive, raw and a great way to welcome Rob back at what he does best: rap. “Welcome Back” [...]
Read more →Ace Hood – Blood, Sweat & Tears album review
To be backed by DJ Khaled obviously means you must be doing something right. This is the case for rapper Ace Hood, whose delivery is an interesting combination of confident, bravado-heavy flow, and rhymes that at times can be fast and immediate, or slow and carefully articulated, resulting in some pretty clever lyricism. Following his ’09 album Ruthless, Ace Hood returns with Blood, Sweat & Tears, an album that showcases that the artist has what it takes to break out [...]
Read more →Lil Wayne – Sorry 4 The Wait Mixtape Review
No worries Weezy, the apology is not necessary. Delivering to the masses an appetizer of what is to come on Tha Carter IV, Lil Wayne’s latest mixtape is nothing deep or dense, presenting itself as a warm-up consisting of quirky, humorous freestyles over the latest Drake and Adele hits that, unquestionably, will provide a few laugh-inducing listens. Hearing Lil Wayne rap over Kreayshawn’s “Gucci Gucci” is great. “My homies got that white girl, they call it Lady Gaga” raps Wayne, [...]
Read more →Random Axe – Random Axe album review
When a musical collective is labeled a supergroup, there is definitely a lot to expect. Random Axe is without a doubt a supergroup, and they confidently wear that label with bravado and unquestionable swagger. Comprised of Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Sean Price, Random Axe is anything but random. Talented MCs coming together to create a unified album that delivers like a full-force axe, Random Axe’s self-titled debut album is a nice introduction to the group. From the start, the production [...]
Read more →Kendrick Lamar – Section.80 album review
Kendrick Lamar is an impeccable lyricist. His flow seems natural, at times striking with a rapid, staccato delivery. Other times, he slows it down, allowing his rhymes to be malleable, and shape themselves into whatever form they see fit. Lamar, along with Odd Future, Pac Div and many others, have put California back on the map for hip hop, delivering a new, refined approach, and implementing some of the lyrical themes common in rap with a fresh, and innovative perspective. [...]
Read more →AraabMuzik – Electronic Dream album review
AraabMuzik; quirky name, but a monster at producing, and trust me, that is not an overstatement. Anyone who can manipulate an MPC drum machine to do its bidding, while creating various melodies with different samples, all at once, is someone worth knowing about. Abraham Orellana, better known as AraabMuzik, has worked with artists such as, Jadakiss, Fabolous and Busta Rhymes. When he isn’t working with well-known artists, he is creating his own type of music. A mixture of pulsating drum [...]
Read more →Freddie Gibbs & Statik Selektah Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away album review
Freddie Gibbs’ road is layered with evocative imagery; when he delivers, he delivers. His does not hold anything back, and his tough guy attitude never falters, contributing to the dark themes that are commonplace in the world of gangsta-rap. In his latest EP, Lord Giveth, Lord Taketh Away, Freddie Gibbs continues on with his street-smart bravado, teaming up with producer Statik Selektah, and a list of guest appearances, to create a 19 minute mix of ’70s music influenced production, hyper-technical [...]
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