The Roots- Undun Album

Artist: The Roots

Title: Undun

Release Date: 12/06/2011

My Rating:

★★★★

The Roots may be best known in the mainstream for their nightly gig as the house band on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, and through the years they’ve justifiably become attached to an extrordinary live show. Now, though, they’ve returned to the studio for their latest retail release, undun, where they take a new approach: a concept album, with the storytelling in reverse order. Recounting the first-person tale of Redford Stephens, a hustler who didn’t make it past 25, the Philly based band begins the record with his death, and tracks the tale backward, as the album’s ill-fated protagonist faces the street life and its often inescapable woes. The crew beautifully arranges harmonic strings, gloomy keys and sturdy drums with seamlessly implemented guest spots from the likes of Big K.R.I.T., Phonte, Dice Raw and Bilal, as questions of fate and free will persist; how much of Redford’s story was already determined due to the circumstances under which he was born?

Multiple voices converging to tell one story results in a far more interconnected listen than it probably should, but this oddity is part of what’s so great about undun. It’s a bit unorthodox but magnificent sonically, as well, as five of the 14 tracks don’t have vocals: the opener, as well as the last four. This allows the necessary means to ease in and out of a heavy album, giving an opportunity to soak in the track-by-track events and story as a whole.

Each song seeps smoothly into the next; most are able to stand on their own, but shine when reinforced by what precedes and follows. A concept album with an equally heavy focus on musicianship and rhymes, undun fantastically transports into the tragic narrative.

Vado- Slime Flu 2 (Mixtape)

Artist: Vado

Title: Slime Flu 2

Release Date: 11/25/2011

My Rating:

★★★

Vado is swiftly becoming a vocal focal point for Harlem, and his latest mixtape Slime Flu 2 proves to be a welcome installment to his ever-growing collection of no-holds-barred rap. Built around head-nodding production that graciously caters to the streets, records like “Keep It Goin’” and “NY Ride” find him endorsing the grind, while “I See You (Black People)” details a more reflective Vado. Then there’s “Slime Anthem,” which perfectly encapsulates what Cam’ron saw in the Lennox Ave-representative. Over blaring horns and steady drums, Vado verbally assaults the track like he’s back on the corner earning his stripes. His ear for beats is still a work in progress (“Louis V Bag,” “U Know What It Is”), and a scant variety of subject matter may stave off new listeners that are more accustomed to the idiosyncrasies of radio. If Slime Flu 2 is any indication of what Vado has in store though, Cam’ron should have no worries about his protégé’s future. SLIMEEEE!

Drake- Take Care (Album)

Drake, also known as “Do Right And Kill Everything” and that is exactly what he did on this album. This is his second LP in and he’s already being mention amongst the GOATS of hiphop.

Artist: Drake

Title: Take Care

Release Date: 11/14/2011

My Rating: 

★★★★★

It’s clear that Drakes been working hard and putting out nothing but great releases. I like to call him “Mr. Quotable”, because every time a he puts out something new you can see everyone’s Facebook, Twitter, and BBM statuses are a line from the song. Although his fans love him and he’s buzzing all over, a lot of rappers don’t want to give him his credit for not being “street”. Drake lets those who don’t like his success that they have to take it “Over My Dead Body”. Drake never claims to be the gritty street type, this album is geared more to his women audience with lots of singing slowed down track but still have men in tuned.

“Shot For Me” is a song you would play for your ex to let them know you’ve made it and you’re doing good, and to remind them you made them who they are.

If you think Drake cant rap listen to “Underground Kings”, “We’ll Be Fine” and “Lord Knows” feat. Rick Ross, he will definitely change your opinion.

One of my favourite songs is “Look What You’ve Done”. He dedicates verses to the inspiring women in his life while recounting his mother’s health struggles and the at times strained relationship he’s had with his father, without seeking pity or sympathy from his listener. He uses sarcasm and a self-mocking approach in the line (“Boo-hoo, sad story. Black American dad story”). While his mother and aunt get the biggest accolades and direct references, there’s an all too cute voicemail from his grandmother tacked on at the end.

This album features no other but the boss himself Lil’Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Andre 3000,The Weeknd, and Stevie Wonder. I highly suggest you get yourself a copy of this album. Its already topping charts and could be classified as a “classic” in the near future.

Lloyd Banks "Cold Corner 2" Mixtape

Artist: Lloyd Banks

Title: Cold Corner 2

Release Date: 11/08/2011

My Rating: 

★★★

After a bit of hiatus Lloyd Banks is back to give the streets what its been missing in the rap game. The

PLK comes back hard (pause) with punchlines and lyrical skills. I’ve been a fan Banks for YEARS, so to have a new mixtape release from him is a pleasure.

With this mixtape he’s here to “Shock The World” for us all to remember. Styles P made an appearance on “The Predator” the duo both did their part and surely delivered on this song. Also, up and coming ASAP Rocky (check previous blog review) from Harlem is featured on “Make It Stack”, I was feeling ASAP Rocky verse.

If you’re a fan of the raspy flow spitter, you’ll definitely like this one. You might have to get your jackets and bundle up because it’s cold on the corner.  

Wale Shows "Ambition" On New Album

Artist: Wale

Title: Ambition

Release Date: 11/1/11

My Rating: 

★★★

This is Wale’s sophomore album after being released from Interscope Records and signing with Rick Ross as part of the MMG camp.  Ambition is the desire for personal achievement. It provides the motivation and determination necessary to achieve a particular end or condition. Ambitious people are characterised by their strong desire for attainment, power, or superiority. It is evident that Wale was very ambitious after being dropped after album and selling below average on the album.

The album contains classic, laid-back, relaxed lyrics, along with instrumentals. "Ambition" starts out with "Don't Hold Your Applause," a song dedicated to having made a name for himself and getting the attention he feels he deserves.

He states that in his Song “Legendary”; “Its something to be great, its nothing to be famous. F-ck fame, f-ck money, f-cuk everything anyone could take from me. It aint hard to make money, we young n-ggas tyrna be legendary.”

“Slight Work” could possibly be a club song, with its up-tempo and sirens sound effects. This song features Big Sean and like usual he did he thing with catchy flow and style of delivery. My favourite song would have to be the title track off of the album, "Ambition”. Wale brings out his MMG label-mate Meek Mill and his boss Rick Ross to help him out on the song. Meek Mill does what he needs to do and that is rap. Of course Ross did his thing “Ambition is priceless, that’s something that’s in your veins, I doubt that will ever change. Ambition is my sh-t and put that on my name, and I doubt that will ever change”.

The next couple of songs bring out a slightly more lyrical side of Wale, but not as much as he could have been. Wale closes the album with "That Way" featuring the vocals of Jeremih and the notorious Rick Ross. The song is slightly more lyrical than the other songs and was a good way of closing out the album. Wale did well choosing this as the final song, but I still think the album could have been put together better.

ASAP Rocky -LiveLoveA$AP Mixtape

Artist: ASAP Rocky

Title: LiveLoveA$AP

Release Date: 10/31/2011

My Rating: 

★★★★

I was hearing a lot about this mixtape, so I decided to a review on it.  It wasn’t until yesterday that I heard of ASAP Rocky to be honest with you. He has his own Houston-influenced sound, and the kind of swag that could only come from a young Harlem dude. He has that new school feel, that music you would zone out and smoke to. I have just started listening and he has already grasped my attention with songs such as “Peso”, “Wassup”, and “Brand New Guy” featuring Schoolyboy Q, which he killed.

The south definitely influenced his music, “Purple Swag”, “Get Lit” and “Trilla” have that southern Texas feel with the track being chopped and screwed and his flow over it. This bonus track was also dope, a matter of fact the whole project is dope. ASAP Rocky is definitely an artist to keep a look out for as he continues to make a name for himself. I highly suggest taking in this mixtape.

Freeway's Back With A New Mixtape

Artist: Freeway

Title: The Intermission

Release Date: 10/25/2011

My Rating:

  ★★★

Philly’s own Freeway is back on the scene! This mixtape crack, on “Da Feel” he states that the real is back. I can definitely say that hip-hop community has been missing Freeway and it’s been long overdue. His raps are real and the flow is still on point. The Intermission is just to let us know that hes back and ready claim his spot back.

“Superstar” goes hard with Meek Mill who is also from Philly. Freeway showed homage by putting up and coming Meek Mill who’s been making a name for himself in the industry. Also with another feature from a MMG artist Wale, on “She Makes Me Feel Alright” has a nice vibe to and “My girl” to end off this mixtape.

While some may want to hear Freeway develop more concepts to his songs, The Intermission shows Free keeping it Philly to the fullest and it’s definitely enough to whet their appetites until Freeway drops an album.