Album Reviews

Allot of music came out in 2010 some good some whack. I recently got to listen to several albums released during 2010 that might have gone unnoticed. 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.  

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. 

Lloyd Banks - Hunger For More 2  **** (4)

This former 50 cent prodigy has managed to break out of his mentors shadow and stake a claim for his own success. H.F.M.2 is a hard hitting hip-Hop album featuring some dope singles such as (Beamer, Benz, and Bentley) and collabos with artists, Raekwon, Styles P, Swizz Beats, Pusha-T, and others.

Capone-N-Noreaga (CNN) The War Report 2 *** (3.5)

 CNN rose to success in the 1990's with the original war report which featured sharp flows and grimy street tales. The War Report 2 is an attempt to capture that same manic energy. The project is good and it does have some stand out singles like Bodega Stories (Feat. The L.O.X.) and Dutches vs. Phillies vs. Bamboo (Feat. Raekwon). Although I still prefer the original War report, part 2 would make a nice addition to any CNN fans catalog.

Stat Quo  - Statlanta ***(3.75)

Its been several years since Stat Quo talked about the Statlanta album and its finally here. Stat Quo came to fame as part of Dr. Dre's Aftermath imprint, when he was looking for talent in Atlanta for one of his side projects. Stat Quo impressed Dre with his flow and began making music with him. The album was supposed to be released in 2003 but do to label issues it was released in 2010 and it was worth the wait. Stat Quo drops a variety of styles spitting with a southern twang over some head-nodding production. 

Talib Kweli – Gutter Rainbows ****(4.25) 

This album is dope...plain and simple. I've been a Talib Kweli fan since his days in Black Star with Mos Def, so this review is biased. To be fair I'll stick to the facts. This project has Talib Kweli showing lyrical diversity, talking on a variety of subjects over top quality production. The album is filled with singles like I’m On One, Palookas feat. Sean Price, Uh Oh feat. Jean Grae and collaborations with emcees, singers and musicians. If you're going to buy one CD this month...this is the album. 

Conscious Rap

I consider Conscious Rap, music made to illicit change in ones social situation, city, state or surrounding environment. Its considered a underground, sub-genre of hip hop that focuses on social issues. It is not necessarily political, but it does discuss social issues and conflicts. Themes of conscious hip hop include religion, economy,stopping violence, Black, Latino, and Asian American cultural advancement.

Grandmaster Flash's "The Message" was one of the first successful political and conscious hip hop tracks, describing the poverty, violence, and dead-end lives of the black youth of the time. Hip-Hop was once full of groups that delivered a strong message without sounding preachy. 

Groups like A Tribe Called Quest, and Blackstar (Mos Def and Talib Kweli) had mainstream success while promoting a positive message about education and change received less media attention as Hip-Hop became mainstream. 

This post is a tribute to artists and groups who have used their freedom of expression to educate and enlighten others. Below are Immortal Technique, Visionaries, The Roots, Sage Francis, and Paris check 'em out.