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. 

Battle Rappers

Battling has been an integral part of Hip-Hop since its inception. There were historical battles like MC Shan vs. KRS-One that paved the way for battles such as 50 Cent vs Ja Rule, Ludacris vs. T.I., Nas vs Jay Z, The Game vs G-Unit and countless others. 

It takes more than just a dope flow to be a battle rapper. You need a dope flow, witty vocabulary, descriptive rhymes, and subject matter that pertains to the person you're battling against. Out of all the MC's with battling skills Canibus is arguably one of the best. He came in the game spitting with industry heavy weights, The Lost Boyz, Redman, Eric Sermon and Keith Murray.

In 1998 he was propelled to the forefront of Hip-Hop for his epic battle with LL Cool J, who at the time was considered untouchable. The song "Second Round K.O." produced by Wyclef Jean was uncompromising and gained Canibus respect world-wide. The video featured former world heavy- weight champion Mike Tyson. LL responded with a few tracks but none were as lethal and achieved as much notoriety as "Second Round K.O". The battle was covered extensively on the Beef DvD series. Since then Canibus has went on to release several albums most recently "C of Tranquility". Like many artists his talent is often over shadowed by industry politics.

Below I posted some of the more memorable songs that came from battles that raged through Hip-Hop and shook-up the industry. Canibus "Second Round K.O.," Nas "Ether" Young Buck "Stomp remix," ft. Game, T.I. and Ludacris, 50 Cent "Wanksta," and Cassidy vs. Freeway the full battle.