Common-Nobody's Smiling (Album Review)

  

       It's been three years since Common left us with "The Dreamer/The Believer". While it had some songs that are very noteworthy....It left me feeling uneasy and wanting more from the legendary MC. I guess I knew the heights that he could take an album because I loved "Be" and "Finding Forever". I first caught wind of this new project "Nobody Smiling" early in 2014 and I was immediately skeptical because I feared this would be a follow-up to "Dreamer/"Believer" and would be another underwhelming effort.

"The Neighborhood"-  The Opening track on this "Call To Action" As Common stated and I must say..It was done well.  James Fauntleroy provides haunting vocals in the first 30 seconds of the track which is immediatley followed by an equally haunting vocal sample from Curtis Mayfield..The lush track provided by No I.D. provides Common and Lil Herb the musical landscape to illustrate to the listener the parrallells of each of the eras that each rapper has grown up in...What's so disheartening about that is while Common and Herb are 20+ years apart in age, The truth is that the violence that was prevalent in Common's time is the SAME kind that is happening in the present...Nothing has changed.

"No Fear"- Tells the story of " Chris" your average "hustler" that resides in the heart of the Chi. His story is much like many of the kids that are living that same life. While the song doesn't provide an answer..It does provide a stark illustration of what is going on out there...almost like an eyewitness account.

"Diamonds"-  Is an interesting song...The production is dope but the content of the song doesn't really fit to me. I'm scared that the continuity of the album has been altered already. How do you go from speaking about the harsh realities of  Chicago life on the first two tracks to shining and coming up...you know.. all the things that many of these kids kill for...many of them aspire to that life that Common and Big Sean speak of but some will never live to see it.

"Blak Majik"-  Goes even further from the original narrative of the LP and does not get interesting until Jhene Aiko slides through and literally saves the day...Im not sure whats going on now...Is it trying to paint the full picture of Chicago life with these first four songs or is there some hidden metaphor that "Blak Majik" really stands for money or a gun..Who knows...but for now im going to chalk it up as another missed opportunity to same something poignant.

"Speak My Piece"  is now the third straight song where Common proceeds to miss another opportunity to say something important. Again the production is dope but what is Common talking about?  It sounds as if Common is lazily throwing together rhymes for the sake of rhyming...no real passion here..and the hook is a god-awful use of B.I.G's vocals...If you want to stop all the gun violence in the inner city...why would the hook proceed to "Drill" into these kids heads to "Pack a Piece"...That's like making a song speaking against house fires titled "Im An Arson".

"Hustle Harder"- Brings things back into perspective a tad... It speaks to the women and young girls of the hood. It tells the story of the women that are out there as well and trying to make it happen for themselves and  whether it be good or bad..they are doing what they have to do just to survive. Dreezy steals the show because she gives proceeds to spit fire over the track gives you an actual account of what's going on. Good job Dreezy.

"Nobody's Smiling"- The titular track brings things back into full focus...Common proceeds to tell you whats really going on there. Its like he's on the front lines and letting the world know about the violence and despair that is plaguing the city. This needs to be the next single and video..where he walks through the hoods just like he did in the "Sweet" video. Malik Yusef shows up and he really is the Chicago version of Big Rube...and like Big Rube he is very much needed...he gives you the poignant spoken word that resonates with your being..great addition.

"Real" is the sleeper banger of the album. Common gets personal and gives us a glimpse into his upbringing and actually FLOWS all over this track...the beat and hook is so smooth and captures the essence of Com's verses...Im gonna nit pick a little here and say...this song would have been golden if Nas made an appearance...hopefully ill get a remix down the line.

"Kingdom"- The album's lead single and my favorite track thus far. It is what got me intitally excited about the project in the first place. By now many of you have seen the video and Hype Williams captured the song perfectly...There isnt much more to say about this song other than I wish he had two more songs like this to replace "Diamonds" and "Blak Majik"....Vince Staples showcases his lyrically dexterity and again steals the show..another bright star in the making and needs to be listened too..I have a good feeling about him.

"Rewind That"- Closes out the album proper with something that beautiful in concept , structure and execution. It serves as and ode to his friends and ledgendary producers No. I.D. and J Dilla. Each verse details the depth of each relationship and shows Common at his most humble and reflective. I think it really brings the album home on a somber but triumphant note.


     If you purchased or downloaded the "Deluxe" version of the album there are three additional songs for your listening pleasure.


"Out On Bond" teams Common up with Vince Staples once more and it immediatley erases the bad taste that that Diamonds left in my mouth...Both MC's don't waste time getting to the point and both gives top notch performances....People please listen to Vince Staples...all of his mixtapes are on Datpiff and LiveMixtapes...I think he's once of those ones....meaning he's next

"7 Deadly Sins"- Is flat out dope...Its like a harder edge version of "Ten Crack Commandments" and it also erases the other bad taste song known as "Speak My Piece"....This song holds up a mirror to the listener and provides a lyrical soundtrack to said sins...Crazy song...its should have been on the regular LP...it needs to be heard.

"Young Hearts Run Free"- The album's official closer...Another song that could have replaced "Blak Majik". The production is phenominal and the songs desparately needs another treatment from Hype Williams...when you hear it you'll understand what I'm talking about.


     In ending...this is an album of two halves.. The first half is slightly disjointed and it seems as if Common and company were trying to figure out what direction they wanted to go in with the project. I think thats why Diamonds, Speak My Piece and Blak and Majik are present. By the time the second half rolls around...The project sounds more effortless and focused. Like I mentioned before...The three bonus tracks need to be swtiched with the three aforementioned songs and this album would have been a classic hands down. I tried hard to hate on Common because of the last album but to me "Nobody's Smiling" corrects the wrongs that were "Universal Mind Control" and "The Dreamer/The Believer"...Now lets see how many people will gravitate toward his latest effort.

-LeebHatesRapMusic

Lyrics-8/10  Production- 10/10  Content 8/10    Overall  8.5/10

50 Cent-Animal Ambition: An Untamed Desire To Win (Album Review)

     50 Cent...a polarizing figure in today's Hip-Hop climate...either you love him or you absolutely hate how he has "Massacred" the musical landscape...pun definitely intended. In a piece of revisionist history..when 50 dropped like an atom bomb a little over a decade ago the entire world was in his clutches. Back in 2002/3 I personally witnessed "Backpack" rappers from the neighborhood become gat-toting A-BB-A Bar gangsta rappers. The influence was undeniable and you couldn't help but fall in line with the movement. Fast forward to 2014 and things seem to be on a 360 trajectory meaning that many of the styles we literally grew up on are back like they never left.
     "Hold On" serves as the albums opener which is actually a great tactical move from the G-Unit General..looking at the track listing you notice something peculiar...No Intro...Skits...Interludes...Just 11 (14 if you have the deluxe version) tracks of straight music which means to me at least that he's all about business this go around..Judge him on the overall music and nothing more. Dope opener.
     "Don't Worry Bout It" is deceptively catchy...you may think that you won't like it due to the tried and true subject matter and repetitive production but trust me..50 is a master of cadences and flows and proceeds to to demolish the beat...Yo Gotti comes through for the assist...(I see what you did there 50) This song works at any party, strip club or shake joint throughout the country..trust me.
     "Animal Ambition" the titular track is literally bananas. If "Hold On" is vintage street 50...Then this song is vintage club 50...The production is literally animal..If you listen you can hear the grunts and growls of wild jungle beasts like Lions, Elephants, Tigers...oh my.
       "Pilot" is another superbly produced banger...The opening bridge and muted bass licks leads into a lush and airy track that 50 just slides and slinks over. By my latest guesstimating..50 is firing on all cylinders and hasn't had a filler track yet.
       "Smoke" is yet another banger...you have to admit. The layers to this hook are nothing less than astounding. The right hook can be the difference between a hit and flop...50 knows this and that's why the 2nd Hook is even more layered than the first..Trey Songz fits perfectly and even though this may be viewed as a "throwaway" Dr. Dre track...how many of you could do something with this beat...don't worry...I'll wait.
       "Everytime I Come Around" is the first album cut of the project in my opinion. The pulsating beat provides a instant head nod factor. Again there isn't any new ground being broken here a s far as subject matter but that isn't the reason why you're listening to this album...Its all about how its makes you feel. Kidd Kidd impressed me though..I was ready to hate and even scoffed at the fact that he was on 3 of the albums songs..that's damn near a third of the album. But I must say Kidd Kidd held his own alongside Fif and dare I say might have even stole the show flow wise on this song..Dope Song.
      "Irregular Heartbeat" is this project's strongest record. 50 departs from his normal vocal tone and reduces it to a damn near whisper...its matches the beat perfectly. It was great to hear Jadakiss alongside 50...I got the same feeling when I heard Nas and Jay finally link up. Kidd Kidd returns again to round out the features on this song and fared extremely well...My bad 50 you obviously heard something that the rest of didn't. To put him on a track with Jadakiss could have been a train wreck..but it was calculated risk that worked out better than many could have imagined.
     "Hustler" is another smooth track in the same vein as "P.I.M.P." and "Get In My Car". These are the kind of songs where 50 shines the most. Speaking from a pure winner's circle perspective 50 gives you the kind of song can do nothing more than inspire you to get on your grind for whatever you want out of this life.
     "Twisted" would have to be the album's first filler song however. The hook is pretty banal and doesn't do much to add to the 50's content and the beat is just a tad bit too hard for the subject matter. t serves its purpose though...I sure it will be a nice number for the 30+ crowd out there that is at one of their after hour spots.
     "Winner Circle" is the 2nd filler song on the project but its better than the previous song as far as execution. Its another "nice" number but doesn't do much to stretch the boundaries of what this song could have been. It gave me that "Its lonely at the top" feel...A feeling that many of us commoners wont get too...yet
     "Chase The Paper" brings the listener out of the doldrums and gets you nodding again..The vintage G-Unit beat (circa 04/05) still sounds fresh and relevant. Kidd Kidd shows up again and again does not disappoint..he doesn't sound outmatched or out of place.. I'm still impressed. Prodigy and Styles P round out the rest of the features on the song. Both give solid performances but nothing extraordinary.
      If you purchased the "Retail" version of the album then "Chase The Paper" would have been your last stop. But since there is a Deluxe Version of the LP...there are three bonus tracks for you to digest and enjoy.
      By now many of you would have or should have heard "The Funeral" so there is no need to explain the song any further..I will say that considering theme and feel of this album "The Funeral" fits perfectly into this set and is very welcomed addition to the LP. More Vintage 50.
     "You Know" sounds like a "Beg For Mercy" track and would have been dope to hear Yayo, Banks, and Buck on this..As of  today though...A "G-Unit" song has indeed surfaced and the rap world is a much better place for it.
     "Flip On You" is a GREAT album closer...50 and SchoolBoy Q  just sound damn good together...Q's style is West Coast 50 and sounds like a young version of him ( Think the young and old Professor X meeting at the same place) that's the feeling I got. The beat is a soulful sample and string laden banger and makes you thirst for more Q and 50 collaborations...they sound THAT great together.
     Like I said earlier...50 Cent is a polarizing figure in today's Hip-Hop climate. Either you love him or you hate him. This album while not a flat out smash like his first two LP's it is definitely a true return to form for the legend. An album that is sequenced perfectly between street anthems, album cuts, and club bangers in a traditional sense of course. We all know that TRAP sound is running the clubs and streets nowadays and I was happy 50 opted to not try and fit in with whats now but instead compete with what HIS sound is and thus introducing himself to a younger generation of listeners that is starving to hear other forms of this beloved Hip-Hop than what is being forced upon us on the radio...Stay True 50...your sound is still a winner even a decade plus later.

@LeebHatesRapMusic

Lyrics- 7.5/10   Content- 7.5/10   Production- 9/10  Overall- 8/10

Jay-Z-Magna Carta...Holy Grail

     Hate him or love him....Jay-Z has been our generations greatest rapper period. Many of us (myself included) often scoffed at the notion that Jigga was a better lyricist then say a Nas or Eminem and got into heated debates AND arguments whenever his name was mentioned amongst the greats (2Pac...Notorious B.I.G.).  Even after the Jordan-Esque "retirement" and that flop of an album "Kingdom Come"...Jay still seemed as if he wasn't phased at all and STILL dropped American Gangster which was seen as a return to form in many circles around the world. "Blueprint 3" and "Watch The Throne" were both met with commercial and critical acclaim and yet many of us were still refusing to accept that Jay-Z was indeed great.

     During Game 5 of the NBA Finals "The Samsung Commercial" was witnessed and  I instantly knew that Magna Carta Holy Grail was going to be epic. Even if the album failed....the marketing alone would have merited a round of applause. Hell Busta Rhymes pulled the SAME move with "Year Of The Dragon" but that album was hopelessly and comically bad. Void of all expectations now, when the Samsung release date grew near I decided that I would not buy into the machine and just wait for the music..in the end that all I really cared about.

     "Holy Grail" opens with cathedral like magnificence as Justin Timberlake actually SINGS for once and to great effect I might add. The lone key and guitar riffs prove eerie as it gives the feeling of impending dread. The samples start to get louder and like a shot out of a cannon, Jay-Z erupts onto  the track with a vigor not heard since "The Black Album".  His relentless lyrical assault on this track serves as a warning to all the haters and doubters that he still "Flows like he's 22"

        Any rap music lover worth their salt knows that the second song is just as if not more important than the first track because it is sometimes indicative of how the rest of the album will sound and feel. "Picasso Baby"  answers that question with supreme authority. Timbaland and Adrian Young provide a stellar soundscape for Hov to slink and swank his way through. This is vintage Jay right here....we're all in for a treat. "Tom Ford" is another "opulent rap"  track. double and triple entendres all over this joint and Timbaland gives him one of those Year 2789 plastic cup and pencil beats that he is so famously known for...By my latest estimation Holy Grail is 3 for 3.

       "FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt" teams Jay with the most braggadocios rappers of our generation Rick Ross. The two trade off those "Aspire too" verses and it will either make you cringe at its sleeziness or make you put in your bottom rose gold teeth and turn up somewhere..A guilty pleasure song for sure.

"Oceans" featuring Frank Ocean (Pun Intended) has Jay reflect the dichotomy of Wealth and Slavery and how his success makes the higher-ups uneasy...I love it..its almost like a middle finger to those guys.

       "F.U.T.W." (Fuck Up The World) is another middle finger song that is disguised in a street banger. I honestly have never heard Timbaland produce something like this. This is something that "New Slaves" attempted to touch on but failed miserably. Six songs in and I'm completely immersed in this album and willing to go wherever it takes me. "Somewhere In America" pokes fun at high society  because while you guys are sitting somewhere with your noses in the air..your precious daughters are somewhere twerking and trying to revel in hip-hop culture.

          "Crown" is the halfway point and is showing no signs of slowing down..Even though it is a sound that is familiar in today's Hip-Hop...it doesn't sound contrived and forces the youngsters to realize that this is how this type of rap music is SUPPOSED to sound. "Heaven" rewinds the the hip-hop clock to the early/mid-90's and should please all those retro kids out there...Its so grimy and gutter in its approach that I'm surprised that I don't hear a tape hiss in the background. Expect  Joey BadA$$ and his Pro-Era bretheren to hop on this instrumental sometime soon.

          "Verses" and "Beach Is Better" are 1:01 combined...that's shameful considering the fact that they are both equally crazy and I wish that we weren't teased like this because they are so dope. You know things are real when I actually listen to Beyonce on anything... so the fact that I'm bumping "Part II (On The Run)" lets you know that this song is a winner. Ill prolly hate it later on because it BOO-loving at its finest but for now...Ill let it ride.

           "BBC" teams Timbaland AND Pharrell AND Swizz....on a production all-star game...Nas and Jay trade verses and you can tell that both are in a such a positive place...that the music seems effortless...Watch The Throne 2 should be Jay and Nas and Kanye and Timbaland...I'm just saying.

"Jay-Z Blue" shows Jay in his most vulnerable and introspective. Rappers like Nas and Em are well versed in this lane...but for Jay...its a welcome departure from his usual subject matter.

           "La Familia" and "Nickels and Dimes" close out this Magnum Opus of a album known as Magna Carter Holy Grail. The last two songs are identical to the first two songs meaning that they serve a major purpose. They allow the listener to have a finality with the album and be able to digest what they have just heard.

             In the end, the hype surrounding Magna Carta was greatly deserved. Sixteen tracks of pure Hip-Hop and its not because of who the artist is. This could have been a Mase album...but if it was executed with such precision like this then I would be saying the same thing. The ONLY problem I have is not even with the album...its with some that are in the rap community. Many of you scream about originality...lyrics...beats...and when you get it in one cohesive project you still complain. This album is proof that RAP is a driving force for our culture and generation. Who cares that the man is 43...many of you are half his age and still cant rap with such things as simple as breath control. A lot of you need to realize that when we are HIS age that we'll be able to tell our children we witnessed greatness in many forms AND that it may not ever be witnessed ever again.

 

Party Boyz 609-Respect Iz Earned 2

 

     Lou-Kang...Mayhem....and J20 are back once again with their 3rd mixtape "Respect Iz Earned 2". Their last outing "Respect Iz Earned" was my introduction to the trio and off the rip I heard the cohesion and understood what their sound was and what they were trying to achieve. I was a bit miffed by the lack of original beats the first time around...although that was my only complaint, when I was presented with the sequel, I was anxious to hear if they decided to stick to a certain formula (Industry) or if they became more comfortable with their own sound (Original).

     "Nosey" answers that question with thumping, pulsating authority courtesy of IZ-RA-EL. The menacing beat provides the perfect backdrop for the crew to take the haters, groupies and jack boys to task. This song serves a dual purpose, first to reacquaint previous listeners and second to serve as a introduction to the new-comers...excellent opener guys. 

      "The Gang" ft. Try-One keeps the same tempo and doesn't detract from the first track. The song really allows the trio to open up more and you can really hear they are more comfortable with their respective voices and as a collective they are like well greased machine. "Still At The Bottom" uses Drake's "Started From The Bottom" instrumental, normally I would skip a song like this but I can't even be mad at it. The actually make they the song their own and in the end that's all the listener can really ask for.

      "Go Get It" ft.  Papi Storz and Iz-Ra-El returns the crew back to the original production (awesome). Every one here shows up and trades verses seamlessly on the 2013 version of the boom-bap. "Top In Tha Whip" is self-explanatory... meaning that if you have Baby-ears, I wouldn't recommend this song to you as it gets pretty raunchy at times. Then again Baby-eared people shouldn't be listening to rap any way but I digress.

      "Boyz N The Hood"  is another industry track but I must admit I have always loved The Easy-E version so this version comes at a pleasant surprise. And again the Boyz surprise me with their ability to take a song and turn it into a entirely new(original) song...Kudos. "Tip Her" is another song not for the Baby-Ears. To me it seems like "Raunchy Ratchet" is the Party Boy lane and I absolutely have no problem with that. This song screams "BET UNCUT" and trust me this song would fit in perfectly with that line-up. Mayhem did his name justice with his opening verse. He went absolutely H*A*M and gave the Lou and J2O the proper energy to keep the song riding.

     "Really Really" has to be played loud...no exceptions....the beat is chopped something serious and puts them into their pocket...You Like up-tempo?...Party Boyz is who you would want to hear. I'm gonna go on record and say that "We Came To Party" has to be my FAVORITE  IZ-RA-EL track that I've heard thus far. The menacing track really allows the Boyz to get OPEN. Everything works on this song..The Hook....Ad-libs...Doubles...Accents...everything. I'm gonna personally request that this be their next single.

    "R.I.E 2"  goes to the Bay-Area (San-Fran..Oakland What Up Tho!)  Don't worry West Coasters...This song is genuine in its approach and does not set to make-fun of the Hyphy sound in any way...Mac Dre, E-40- And Too-Short would all be proud. "Turn Up" borrows G-Unit's "I Like The Way She Do It". The funny part is that it actually sounds like a original song...the beat fits the group's sound and style perfectly as if Iz-Ra-El or Jay-Gee produced it. You'll understand what I mean when you hear "Track Manipulation". If  Respect Iz Earned 2 taught me anything...Is that they were able to clearly carve out THEIR sound and separate themselves from the pack.

     "Beat It Remix" closes out the mixtape and to me anyway sounds as if this could lead into what the future may hold for Party Boyz. The songs sounds like the listener just walked into the studio and overheard what Lou-Kang was working on. Is it a possible solo effort? or will they all have solo songs on the next project so they can showcase each of their voices to the fans? Either way its something to look foward to.

      In the end this mixtape is a win for the trio and all that was involved with the making of this project. Everything sound updated and will be sure to gain some new ears as well as keep those in the know satisfied. There was a even mix of original songs and industry jack moves, but they were sequenced properly so every thing flows ever so nicely. My only problem with the mixtape is the title. It actually kinda pissed me off a little...It should not be known simply as Respect Iz Earned 2...It should be Respect Iz Earned 2.0 because this project was definitley an Upgrade...Well done guys...You've Earned It.

Wale-The Gifted

     Since 2008 (2007 if you're a staunch purist) Wale has been trying to gain national exposure, become The DMV's greatest export AND be number 1 on EVERYONE'S Top 5 list. Considering the current climate of today's Rap...one would have to know that many of us suffer from "Attention Deficit" in some form so it be would be really hard for some of us to recognize his "Ambition". Even after he gave himself with "Folarin".... Would the entire Hip-Hop community be able to accept "The Gifted"?
       The Gifted opens up with the serviceable "The Curse Of The Gifted". Here he proceeds to lament on the price of fame and how his gift will help propel him and his people above it all. After I was done yawning...I was able to hear the musicality behind it and I was pleased with the lush sounds.  I went to the liner notes and I noticed that Stokley Williams was heavily involved. For the uninformed..Stokley Williams is the lead singer and percussionist of the sorely underrated and understated band Mint Condition (Youngins please look them up, they're dope trust me). Any who, realizing that he was involved in some capacity made me optimistic if for nothing else..the Production(Live Instrumentation) would be stellar.
     "Sunshine" continues the Stokley collaboration to great effect....I would have been totally satisfied with just that beat, hook and the rising crescendo ad libs from Williams himself. Wale does his best to make the song his own but I personally just wish he wasn't on it. "Heaven's Afternoon" gives me the same feeling...Meek Mill surprisingly steals the show with his guest verse and with Williams' background riffs, bridges, and beat...completely drowns out Wale...again. A quarter through the album and I've already conceded the fact that this is a Stokley Williams and Friends experimental side project.
      "Golden Salvation"  never really goes anywhere. The whole Jesus(Religious) dichotomy concept is being sorely overused right now. Let me be clear...EVERYONE is entitled to his/her belief and his totally allowed to express it in their music, BUT you don't have make it sound so forced and contrived. "Vanity" is the direct opposite of the the first 5 songs. Whereas those songs sounded organic and lively, this song its lifeless and hollow and industrial in scope, but I supposed that was the whole point considering the title.
     It seems that Wale realizes that misstep and immediately enlist Cee-Lo and Williams once again to tell us that we're all "Gullible"....Cool song..but it would have been an AWESOME Cee-Lo/Stokley/Dap Kings collabo. "Bricks" is another song that could have gone somewhere but fails to do so...A deliberate attempt at radio and 106 and Park. To make matters worse "Clappers" is an EVEN MORE deliberate 106 and Park and the club. I doubt the target audience will notice the interpolation of the song being that it was "DA BUTT" get it?...Do The Right Thing...Spike Lee...DC..GO-GO...nevermind.
     The next grouping of songs are the Mmmmmmmaybach Music portion of the set. Take it with a grain of salt people, Wale is signed to Rozay, did you really think he would have ANY input on the record or at the very least show up on a record or two? Ne-Yo has a forgettable cameo on "Tired of Dreaming" and sadly that is the highlight of the song Tisk...Tisk....Tisk. At the risk of sounding repetitive, both Ne-Yo and Ross outshine Wale and he sounds like he's featured on his own song.
          Wale closes out the album with Stokley Williams and Seinfeld on "Black Heroes" and the "Outro About Nothing" respectively. I think Jerry Seinfeld sums up the album perfectly. He goes on to blast Wale about what album this is. Saying things like "I thought We Were Doing The Album today" "Who is in charge of  this?" "Ok I guess I'll come back when you're ready". Couldn't have said it better myself  Jerry.
       In the end this is not The Album About Nothing...this is the tale of 3 albums in one. The first 5 songs are great material from Stokley and Friends...The next 5 are the Maybach Sessions, and the last 5 are used to round out the rest of the project to make it somewhat respectable. For the die hard Wale fans out there, this album will satisfy you immensely. The casual listener will love the singles. As for me...I take the first five tracks and combine them with the Folarin mixtape(minus Bad) and that will be my Wale experience for the rest of 2013.

J. Cole-Born Sinner

    I would be lying to you if I told you that I was riding with J.Cole since 2009 or whenever his first project came out. Whether it be Roc Nation (/_\) lol... Or self released. I had definitely heard some of his music back then but I wasn't ready to fully commit to this "upstart" rapper from North Carolina. I initially wrote him off as a product of the industry considering the recent success of the other LITE-SKINNEDED rapper Drake..so I just figured this was Jay's version. Foolish 22 year old I was back then. It also seems I was a foolish 26 and 27 year old as well. It took me hearing "Grew Up Fast" in my boy Malachi's whip back in the winter of 2012. I finally took full on notice when "Truly Yours" came out I was like "Ok, dude is legit" Then "Truly Yours 2" was released, thats when I started getting excited.
    On the cover of Truly Yours its simply says "See You June 25th". Not to mention that was a stellar EP but I wont get into that right now. But what I will get into is that the June 25th date was tentative because as we all know now...J.Cole's sophomore set "Born Sinner" was pushed up to June 18th to compete with "Yeezus".  Mac Miller was also released on the same day so needless to say this was literally Christmas in June for me.
    "Born Sinner" opens with this epic salvo of a song known as "Villuminati". at over 5 minutes..This song is the perfect opener as he weaves in and out of his self produced gem and sets the pace for whats to come. After the forgettable skit, "LAnd of The Snakes" reassures me that Cole is something special. A self professed "Rap Nerd" much like myself, so it came at no surprise that the song contained the instantly recognizable sample THE "Art of Storytellin Pt. 1". MAN I WAS IN AURAL HEAVEN when I bumped that song as a youngster and this current version made me feel the same way.
     Leaving singles where they need to be...I delve into the "Mo Money" interlude which sounds like a ILL ass game load time beat. Cole is dropping jewels about the ills of money and how many of us don't know how to manage it...Wish it was a full song. "Trouble" , "Runaway", and "She Knows" all serves as a EP within a LP because it seems as if they all have pretty similar topic matter and concepts...each song is worth its merit and doesn't detract from the previous songs.
    After that however is where the sequencing gets kinda altered to me. "Rich Niggaz" and "Forbidden Fruit" should be switched...because it feels like the former doesn't really gel with that EP concept but thats my minor gripe. He commits this offense again with "Chaining Day" and "Crooked Smile" with "Aint That Some Shit" sandwiched in between. At first listen its seems like Cole is all over the place and doesn't know how to sequence his songs. On the second listen you realize that was the entire point. Each song in that sequence is there to represent to the listener inner struggle within him and ourselves. Makes perfect sense to me.
    "Let Nas Down" Is something out of this world. Its gives us a rare glimpse into the vulnerability of a fan turned rapper and how he dealt with letting down one of his most revered artists. That some heavy stuff right there. Saying that the concept was awesome was and is a SEVERE understatement.
     "Born Sinner" closes out this Opus and also brings everything full circle. As a album this project was conceived and executed with precision. There are no missteps with J. Cole's latest offering and if there was, I'm sure there are few and far in between. The Deluxe edition includes an healthy 5 extra songs to keep the party going a few extra minutes. That was a good move because they don't fit with the overall theme of the album. Actually they could have stood alone and used for one of those  "after the album mixtapes". I'm glad he decided to include those songs...each one is dope.
       That last sentence is my entire review in a nutshell. After hearing this album you realize that Each song is dope..I mean EVERY song..that is extremely hard to do in today's rap climate. The fact that J. Cole made it seem effortless shows that he is in HIS groove and if he keeps "MAKING" records like this...that TOP 5 alive amongst the current crop of MC's conversation will have to get a hell of a lot longer...
   
   

Kanye West-YEEZUS

      Kanye West is Back!!!!! After three long years since "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fanstasy", Yeezy has decided to show favor upon the listening public and bless us with his 6th solo effort "YEEZUS". I will admit, much of this project was shrouded in mystery up until a few weeks ago.This is when J.Cole decided that he would push up his album release date by a week so he could compete with Ye' ala 50 Cent Style. Now some may consider this as blasphemy because "This is what Ye' does Son"...."The last time he went against some one...he killed him first week son"...or my personal favorite "Cole is wack, his lyrics are boring and there is no way he can go against a Kanye West album....son" lol
     NOT SO FAST DEAR READERS....I'm here to tell you that everything is not what it seems. Yeezus is a different type of album. Trying to compare this to a traditional rap album will prove futile. The opening chords of "On Sight" automatically lets you know that you are not in RapLand anymore. If you are like me, you decide to read the liner notes and you notice something totally shocking. "On Sight" is produced by DAFT PUNK...yes..THAT Daft Punk. Normally I would be intrigued by such a pairing but the sounds are so off-putting that I was barely able to get through the the first track. "Black Skinhead" doesnt do much to alleviate my instant headache as it begins to hollow out my brain. I check the liner notes again and what do i see?...Daft Punk. This song doesnt even resemble a Kanye West record. It sounds like he is featuring on his own song.
    "I am a God" pushes me even further to my aural limits..The title, subject matter and downright crass lyrics makes this song an unbearable listen..I wont comment on that particular song any further.  "New Slaves" is the initial reason I was remotely excited about this new album, I really wish this was the opening track instead of being forced to wade through the murky waters of the first three songs. "The minute I began to take my fingers out of my ears and believe that the album is about to get good...."Hold My Liquor"  featuring Chief Keef and Justin Vernon comes on and reminds me that my ears are still being tortured. This first half of the album leaves me bewildered and struggling to grasp what exactly is happening.
      I seem to be a glutton for punishment or a staunch Kanye apologist because I refused to believe that this album wasn't worth my time or any one elses. "Im In It" doesn't leave anything to the imagination as it's Kanye at his Raunchiest..but...for some strange reason this song works..maybe its the assist from Assassin and Justin Vernon(at this point Justin Vernon is Ye's favorite everything). The song stops abruptly however and goes directly into "Blood on The Leaves" which is another song that works...if nothing else the production is crazy...I just hated the sample beacuse "Strange Fruit" was made during such a poignant part of Black American History..that what Ye turned that into seemed distasteful and out of place..for example why would I wanna hear Kanye scream "Fuck Them Other Niggas" while the background sample vocals cry out "Black Bodies Swinging In The Southern Breeze"...C'mon son..I KNOW you have more sense than that right?
    Anywho maybe just maybe he had a change of heart because the next song is known as "Guilt Trip" featuring Kid Cudi...I wasnt gonna hold my breath and frankly neither should you. "Send It Up" sends me into a tizzy with its repetitive sirens and repetitive lyrics...I guess this will be the drunk anthem for the summer. The final song "Bound 2" upset me for two reasons...the first being that this is what I was WAITING to hear from Kanye for the whole album and second since it was indeed the final song, it was a sore reminder that Kanye West is a brilliant mind he if so decided to use it. Or maybe the was the point all along..Maybe we the listener aren't ready yet to understand what we just heard. Maybe after a couple more spins we'll understand the true genius of this record....Maybe.....