New Muzik

In between travel and work I've been slowly putting together a new album. At first It was going to be a EP featuring all the extra songs that didn't make it on "Tha Audio Bully" album. After listening to the extra tracks and the new one's I scrapped the plan for an EP and decided to put out another LP album. The new album is titled "Underground Artist, Major Threat" and it should be done next year.

When working on a new album I listen to a lot of New Muzik... for a variety of reasons. I listen to hear what style of music is popular (the south is still dominating). Which artists can really spit and which are only popular cuz of money and exposure. I listen for who has a message and who is perpetuating negative stereotypes. Out of all the reasons I listen the main reason is... to find artists I want to work with. If they're old school artists I listen to hear if they still got flow. If they're new artists I listen for originality and if they have their own sound. 

Below are videos from a mix of young new artists with a message and one Bay Area legend. The song "Heemin" from Mac Duna featuring Mac Dre, Tech N9ne and Fa$e resurrects Mac Dre (R.I.P.). Mac Dre was an MC from Vallejo, California whose unique flow was influential in the Bay Area Hip-Hop scene. Mac Dre was killed in 2004 but his charisma can still be felt in this 2015 video. 

The rest of the artists in the list are all new MC's. Some mainstream others underground but all of them have flow and a positive message. There's, Cashflow Harlem - Ladies Vs. Thots, Kwame Katana - Life Without Water, Big Sean Feat. Kanye West and John Legend - One Man Can Change The World. 

Last is the new mixtape "From Da Old 2 Tha New" from DJ and producer DJ Modesty hosted by Shabaam Shadeeq. DJ Modesty has been making beats, producing and hosting radio show "The Real Hip-Hop Show" for over a decade. Shabaam Sadeeq is a raw, lyricist with a catalog that spans back to the 90's. He drops jewels with some of the best in the game on this classic mixtape of old and new. Check it out!

Album Reviews

The fall season is upon us in Holland and its been raining like the end of days. I keep expecting an ark to float by filled with exotic animals. The rain has given me a chance to listen to some dope tunes.  I never review music that I don't like cuz I don't believe in giving bad press. If you're familiar with my previous posts you know how I grade music. If you're unfamiliar here's the scoop. I rate in a five star system 5 being the highest 1 the lowest, check my older posts for a more in depth breakdown. With that said...lets get it in. 

Kanye West & Jay Z - Watch The Throne  *** (3)

Perhaps my expectations were to high but when two moguls get thrown in the tank together I expected to hear magic. The flows are nice, the beats are nice, but its just that...nice. There are a few dope productions on the album but overall its average nice. If you're a Jay Z or Kanye fan it can be a nice addition to your collection.

Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun - Monumental **** (4.25) 

This album lives up to the name. Pete Rock is known for making classic beats and it seems like he saved some of the best tracks for this project. Smif-N-Wessun spit rhymes like two hungry young rappers looking for a deal. The chemistry between the three comes off as a smooth blend of classic Hip-Hop with new flavor.  There are guest appearances by Sean Price, Memphis Bleek, Styles P, Raekwon, Bun B, and several other heavy hitters. Standout songs like That's Hard, Feel Me, This One, and Night Time give the album a cypher like quality that can appeal to mainstream or underground listeners.

Canibus & Keith Murray - In Gods We Trust: Crush Microphones to Dust  *** (3.75)

I was waiting for this album to be released. Canibus is a lyrical monster and I've been a fan since his work with the Lost Boyz. By the time 1st round K.O. was released he was already a well respected MC. Keith Murray is no slouch when it comes to spittin. As a member of the Def Squad he used to go toe to toe with Redman and Erick Sermon. His track "The most beautifullest thing is this world" is still considered a Hip-Hop classic. The two lyricists have good chemistry and better rhymes. The only thing that needed improvement was a few of their beats. The majority of the production is on point and I would definitely recommend this album to any Canibus or Keith Murray fan.  

The Game – The Red Album ** (2.75)

 

The Game had made a name for himself with a mix of controversy (his blood gang affiliation), Beef with former label mate 50cent and by name dropping other artists in his rhymes. The Documentary helped bring the West back while making the game more than just another G-Unit soldier. This project had potential but the one dimensional subject matter and multitude of gang references weigh it down. The Red Album features production by Dr. Dre and a few other industry heavy weights. Overall this album has a few good tracks but its not going to make Game the west-coast legend he aspires to be.   

Next album review will be only underground artists. The mainstream is over saturated with artists who have all the promotion and radio play but rhymes, delivery and subject matter is lacking. Some of the new tracks I've been listening to have all these qualities minus the budget. 

Party Tunez

Its Saturday and I'm ready to party! In the spirit of goodwill, friendship and total inebriation I posted some party music below. Party Tunez are high energy songs you listen to when going out to a party or event. They get the adrenaline going and put the mind in a social mood. Below are tracks by Kid Cudi, Snoop Dogg, Flo Rida and Tha Alkaholiks...check 'em out. 

Album Reviews

Since there's allot of new albums being released and I'm an opinionated bastard I thought it only fitting I did an album review post. If you're familiar with my previous posts you know how I grade music. If you're unfamiliar here's the scoop. I rate in a five star system 5 being the highest 1 the lowest.  

The elements of a good album are production, dope rhymes, delivery, and overall message. That's four points and the last is a combination of the minor details. For example, If the album has to many interludes, to many features and not enough solo tracks, or if the artists image and music aren't congruent then the album loses value. With that said lets get it in. 

Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy **** (4.5)

Say what you want about Kanye and his ridiculously tight jeans, but that is one talented dude. His 5th album shows artistic range mixing elements of Hip-Hop, funk, soul, and jazz with industry heavyweights like Jay-Z, RZA, Rick Ross, Pusha -T, and many others. I've been listening to Kanye's albums since the "College Dropout" and I gotta say this is one of his best.  

Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday *** (3.5)

There's been allot of hype over Nicki Minaj and anticipation for this album release. After a thorough listen I feel some of the tracks like Roman's Revenge" ft. Eminem and "Massive Attack." While others are heavily dance music influenced with allot of synthesizer,  auto-tune and not my taste. 

For a first album this is definitely a worthy offering and if you're a Nicky fan support your artist and buy a copy. While you're at it go buy a copy of Home Street Home by Misstrezz. She's coming from Europe but I would put her in the ring with any MC.

Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon vol:2 Mr. Rager ** (2)

The first song I heard from  Kid Cudi was his single smash "Day 'n' Nite" which reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts. Since then he has moved away from his Hip-Hop roots to the hard rock genre. The majority of the album is rock and dance influenced, which is nothing like the first Man on the Moon. 

I can't say if the album is good or bad cuz this is just MY opinion. What I can say is Kid Cudi doesn't display enough of his rhyme skills on this album. If you're looking for Hip-Hop this isn't it, if you want to hear Kid Cudi as a rocker go buy a copy.