07.16.2006

Jern Eye Of Lunar Heights “”Authentic Vintage”

Artist: Jern Eye of Lunar Heights
Album: Authentic Vintage
Label: NatAural High Records
Reviewed By: D. Money25

1. Intro
The intro starts out with a funky intro and cuts into those dramatic snares you sometimes here in older movies.

2. Power Animal
Track comes in smoothly from the intro almost seemlessly. The beat is raw with an almost 90s feel. With raw laced verses this track is held together tightly. The female on this track accompanies the track nicely.

3. Free Agent
With a beat more futuristic in style and a muffle kind of reverberated voice this track is unique. The vocals almost sound as if you were listening to someone through a static PA system or one of those Two Way Radios.

4. What They Say
With a light beat with an almost orchestra feel with a piano feel this beat accompanies the track nicely with low key rhymes and a layed back feel. A great track pretty much saying fuck you to anyone who talks shit.

5. Whoa!
Another great beat opening the track, reminding me of trumpets with consistant lyrics, the beat kind of reminds me of a game show opening honestly but it fits perfectly. With a great chorus hyping the ladies and fellas this track would sure be great in the club.

6. Insight feat. Noelle of The Rebirth
A light track that seems like a lead into a faery tale of sorts or a Twilight Zone it’s got that “Twinkle Twinkle” vibe. The female vocals on this track are held together tightly her singing skills are nice and accompany the raps smoothly.

7. You! [Mojo Music]
A fast paced beat opens this track with equally paced lyrics this track is sure to get anyone in a hype mood. With a simple hook that goes nicely with the main vocals this track comes nicely. This track is just an ego booster exclaiming the superiority of the artist known as Jern Eye. All albums need a little ego booster.

8. Interlude
A nice beat drenched Interlude with heavy bass kicks.

9. Skate
Another hype track with a fast paced beat sure to make you want to dance with fast flawless vocals with a nice hook. Overall very smooth.

10. Phone Tag
A smooth beat that sounds like it encompasses a variety of instruments. Very smooth vocals. Phone Tag is what it sounds a track about seemlessly leavin messages that seem like no one ever gets. Ive played the game and I know how it goes. Pretty smooth how they worked in the phone sound.

11. Authentic Vintage
A nice beat with great bass kicks. Rhymes are raw and supply the track with the feel it needs to be called Authentic Vintage, with rhymes thats feel like they come straight out of the 80s 90s… He doesnt stray from his path.

12. Combat
A smooth beat with low key rhyme vocals. Not really the type of track to expect when it’s called Combat. There are some nice funky kicks at the end of the track.

13. Copacetic feat. Spear Of The Nation
Starting out with tight vocals right off with a sort of drumline beat feel, this track comes off nicely. Spear Of The Nation supplies equally nice rhymes on this track. The track leads into a bridge that seems to last until the end of the track, almost a minute and a half long if not longer. The track could have been filled with more verses.

14. Just Enough as Lunar Heights feat. Jrod Indigo
Starting out with nice dj skills the art of scratching is amazing. I expect a track 7:48 minutes long to hold up to 7:48 minutes. So lets see if it holds together. The beat is pretty nice. The hook is excellent and the rhymes seem to hold tightly. Jrod seems to lay down some solid rhymes and supports the track nicely.

Okay I was unaware of a hidden track and because It’s unlisted, I’m unsure of what the title is. The last track is marked as 7:48 minutes and cut off at almost 4 minutes. The hidden track although a suprise comes nicely with a tight beat and equally nice rhymes. Overall this track is smooth and the scratching is too nice.

This release by Jern Eye is tight all over. Authetic Vintage seems to fit this album nicely. Nothing but tight seemless rhymes and original beats; though some tracks fell short this effort was excellent.

Final Rating: 4.5/5

07.13.2006

Megan Rochell “Floating Single/You, Me & The Radio Album Sampler”

Artist: Megan Rochell
Album: Floating Single/You, Me & The Radio Album Sampler
Label: Def Jam
Reviewed By: D. Money25

Floating Single:

1. Floating:
Floating a delightfully pleasant journey into the emotions of a woman floating on cloud 9, because of a new love. The beat on this track is excellent and moves with the song perfectly.

2. Instrumental

Album Sampler:

1. The You Need
This track starts with a heavy beat and promises to be a great track, the vocals on this track so far are on point and her abilities seem to be top notch.

2. Betcha
This song starts off with heavy bass kicks. Her vocals seem tantalizing to the ears. Betcha seems like an excellent accompaniment. It seems like it will be a great track.

3. Heartbreak
This song starts out with a lovely chorus and a light beat, the chorus almost reminds me of an old soul song from the 60-70’s. It’s the perfect discription of a love gone wrong.

4. Let Go
This track is backed by a bass beat that can get your head nodding. The track is sure to be an excellent addition to the full album.

5. I Still
This track is smooth with excellent vocals and a vibe that makes you kind of want to clap your hands to the beat. I havent heard vocals like the tracks on this sampler for a minute.

6. Floating Instrumental.

I can sense the power Megan Rochell has in her voice and she will definite go places if she pushes herself and stays ontop of her game.

Rating: 5/5

07.03.2006

Fast And The Furious 3: Tokyo Drift

Artist: Various
Album: Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift OST
Label: Universal Motown
Reviewed By: D. Money25

For regular readers of Rapmusic.com Reviews, if you haven’t already given this cd a listen, it’s not your typical Rapmusic.com cd review. The cd isn’t entirely hip hop throughout but it is definitely a good listen.

1. Teriyaki Boyz - Tokyo Drift
Tokyo Drift the title track starts out the cd, while i can’t translate alot of the lyrics the beat is excellent I believe it was produced by The Neptunes, and Pharreell is always producing quality music. The track switches between Japanese lyrics and English and the hook is very catchy.

2. DJ Shadow feat. Mos Def Six Days (The Remix)
Most of this track is a DJ Shadow mix with Mos Def spouting various retort his verses are very dry and aren’t really lyrics like you’d expect from mos, it’s just spoken word. The chrous is done by a guy named Billy Conkel. The beat is pretty nice overall. It’s a good mix from Shadow.

3. 5.6.7.8’s - The Barracudda
Oh god this sounds like a new wave surfer track, the beat actually sound like the Beach Boys “Wipe Out”. I guess its Wipe Out you may like this track.

4. Evil Nine - Restless
The beat on this song is pretty catchy, the chorus pretty much runs the whole song, there are no real lyrics besides the chorus. Vocals were supplied by Toastie Taylor.

5. Far*East Movement feat. Storm - Round Round
This track is very upbeat, the beat is very bouncy and makes you want to get up and dance to the music, though thegroup sounds as if this track may be in Japanese, it is actually in English. Simple rhymes with a great beat makes this just an excellent track to bump in ride or club.

6. N.E.R.D. - She wants To Move
Many of you already know this track is was on their Fly Or Die album, the beat reminds me of a tango. The guitars on this track are pretty sick. Pharrell’s are pretty funny at times. Pharreell has always been known to make different kinds of music. He definitely brings a fresh take to mainstream hip hop.

7. Teriyaki Boyz - Cho Large
“So Crazy” starts off as the chorus on this headbobboin track, the beat is pretty hot but the lyrics are in Japanese & English again, merging Japanese and English hip hop in a cool fusion crossing cultures, the track again is produced by Pharrell and you I’m pretty sure you can hear him on the chorus but I’m not 100% sure.

8. Dragon Ash - Resound
Another japanese language track with a crazy wild beat. Im unsure what theyre saying so its hard to make out what real genre of music this is but it sounds kind of rock/techno-ish.

9. Atari Teenage Riot - Speed
This track is definitely 100% Rock, but I’m unsure what in the hell they’re saying. With a heavy wild beat this track leaves me confused.

10. Don Omar - Bandaleros
Ooohweee a Raggaeton track, this track is smoooth with a nice smooth beat with what sounds like a smooth guitar riff. Although again, I’m unaware of the translation, the track has the feel where you just want to get up and move around to the beat.

11. Don Omar - Conteo
A harder beat than the previous Don Omar track with heavier vocals, the beat hits hard and the chorus pretty much is just a countdown “Uno, Dos, Tres, Quatro”. Overall the track is very catchy and would be excellent bumping in a ride or to get a club hype.

12. Brian Tyler feat. Slash - Mustang Nismo
Slash rips this rock instrumental hard as only slash can do, I’ve never heard Brian Tyler before but I’m assuming he’s on the beats. Brain Tyler supplies Guitars, bass & Drums alongside Slash on this great rock riffing track.

Final Rating: 4.5/5

06.25.2006

SMACK The Album: Volume 1

Artist: Various
Album: SMACK The Album: Volume 1
Label: Koch Records/Smack White Entertainment
Reviewed By: D. MonEy25

SMACK CD/DVD comes at you with 14 brand new exclusive tracks from some of hip hop’s rising stars and a few hip hop veterans still bringing qaulity hits to the table. Exclusive tracks by DMX, Stack Bundles, Def Squad, Red Cafe, Fat Joe and more.

1. DMX - Gonna Get Mine
Gonna Get Mine open’s the cd, DMX always bring the raw and gruff delivery and this time is no different. The chorus on this track is sang by X, and I think maybe if theyd gotten a guest spot to sing the chorus or delivered it differently it’d of been alot better. The beat on this track is great and holds the track together well.

2. Stack Bundles - Look N**** You Food
Bundles serves you a full plate with “Look N**** You Food”. His rhymes are well put together and the chorus is very catchy.

3. B.G. - Real N****
B.G. brings the real slow flow with that typical southern sound, he may of left Cash Money Record’s but his flow didn’t any better because of it. The beat is low and would bump real nice in the ride, but it’s nothing spectacular. Overall the track was okay but I expected better hearing previous tracks.

4. Bleu Davinci - Work
Another slow moving track with a smooth flow with a simple but effective chorus. The beat fits the track nicely and holds it together well.

5. Red Cafe feat. Mack 10 & Fat Joe - Strip Club
Red Cafe delivers that raw eastcoast flow that I’ve always loved. Mack 10 still brings that Hoobangin style, time usually makes an artist soft but Mack 10 still holds down hard. Fat Joe brings that Bronx flavor supplyin the track with pure heat. overall this track is one raw track and the whole collaboration seemed to flow so naturally.

6. CTE feat. Young Jeezy Slick Pulla & 2 Eleven - Lil Buddy
This track has a real slow flow which I tend to hate because songs like these bore me. It seems like the rappers have to flow slow and strtch their rhymes or lack there of because they lack the lyrical content to hold a verse together otherwise, so they stretch mediocre verses that at times don’t even rhyme or seem rather redundant in nature.

7. Mddl Fngz (Young Kilo & Bad Azz Bam) feat. Bun B. - Ain’t Nothin F***** Wit Texas
A Slow but nice beat starts off the track with what I consider the typical Texas flow which doesn’t mean it’s bad at all, Mddl Fngz delivers a raw flow, with a drawn out Texas drawl. “Ain’t Nothin Fuckin Wit Texas” occupies the track’s hook. Overall good track with that good ole Texas sound.

8. Lord Tariq - It Won’t Stop
Awww yea that good ole ghetto New York sound. Lord Tariq’s back with a heavy track drenched with that raw New York flavor. This beat knocks hard and Tariq’s voice accompanies this track perfectly. It’s been a minute since Ive heard dude rock a track and it’s good to see him back at it.

9. Shea Davis - Neighborhood Hood N****
Another really slow track with a low beat with a slow flow with no real character. Is it me or do alotta these “Hood” cats care more about tellin people where and what they rep more than spending time on their raps and actually carin about the track itself. I can’t tell how hood this cat really is because his charisma isn’t there. You want someone to believe I would think itd help to push some emotion into a track. But I’m not an rapper, just a reviewer and avid fan giving his two cents.

10. Maino - Bang
Leadin with a hot beat and a heavy hook, this track hits hard and makes you want to nod ya head to the beat. Full of raw vocals and thug rhymes this is just all around bangin. The hook just bumps and gets you hype for the song.

11. PNC (Meana & Kango) feat. Juvenile - Early Bird
Catchy hook, Juvi still bringin that Nolia sound. The beat is very bouncy and upbeat, if this came on in a club I’d be dancing to it. PNC bring excellent verses. This track has that signature New Orleans sound, I always associate with Juvenile and associates.

12. Sandman - Until They Bury Me
Sandman’s track delivers hard rhymes, heavy bass line’s and I reminiscent to 2Pac. Even the title of this track reminded me of 2Pac.

13. Inc. Gang (Cadillac Tah, Blackchild & Young Merse) - Meaner
Heavy bass line’s accompanied by raw vocals; this track is laced with The Inc.’s rawest talent. This INC. collaboration runs smoothly, bringing New York flavor to the end of a semi solid compilation. Packed with grimey street wise hood rhymes this track will have anybody’s head bobbin like a bobble head doll.

14. Redman, Keith Murray & Erick Sermon
Finally the track I’ve been waiting all cd for, Def Squad’s back at it again. It feel’s like they never left, this collaboration, is classic by all standards. These cats were born to rhyme together. Redman hands down rips this track. It’s good to see Keith Murray layin it down. I always thought his style was underrrated. The beat on this track should have everyone dancin. This is a club track through and through.

Track Rating: 4.5/5

The DVD:
The DVD is full of exclusive videos and interviews, some not even listed on the audio CD. Rappers not on the audio CD include, E-40, Funkmaster Flex, Chamillionaire, Mannie Fresh, Paul Wall, and also includes a battle between, Serius Jones and Murda Mook.

1. CTE featuring Young Jeezy, Slick Pulla & 2 Eleven - Video & Interview
2. Shea Davis - Video
3. Stack Bundles - Video
4. E-40 - Interview
5. Red Cafe featuring Mack 10 - Video
6. Mannie Fresh - Interview
7. DMX - Video & Interview
8. Chamillionaire - Interview
9. Maino - Video
10. Mddl Fngz (Big Munsta, B.A.N.D.I.T., Bad Azz Bam. Young Kilo, Sean Wee) feat. Bun B - Video & Interview
11. Sandman - Video
12. Bleu Davinci - Video
13. B.G. - Video & Interview
14. Funkmaster Flex - Interview
15. INC. Gang - Video
16. Paul Wall - Interview
17. Lord Tariq - Video
18. PNC (Meana & Kango) featuring. Juvenile - Interview
19. Redman, Keith Murray & Erick Sermon - Video
20. Serius Jones vs. Murda Mook - Feature Battle

06.22.2006

Too $hort “Blow The Whistle”

Artist: Too $hort
Album: Blow The Whistle Single
Label: Jive Records
Reviewed by: D. Money25

Too Short’s coming atcha with his newest single Blow The Whistle. This single filled with three tracks, the clean version, ghetto clean mix and instrumental. The beats on this track alone are hot and worth just bumping in your ride. Too Short continue’s to deliver that original westcoast flavor he’s known for. With a catchy hook, Short’s pimpish rhyme scheme and hard bumping rythem, this cd is sure to get you hyped, and ready to nob ya head. Whether in ya ride, in the club or in ya headset, this single is a definite must for any Too Short fan.

Tracklisting:
1. Blow The Whistle (Clean)
2. Blow The Whistle (Clean Ghetto Mix)
3. Blow The Whistle (Instrumental)

Rating: 4.5/5

06.05.2006

Antonio Montana & Nitro “Threatening Behavior”

Artist: Antonio Montana & Nitro
Album: Threatening Behavior
Label: Beat Department
Reviewed By: D. Money25

Antonio Montana & Nitro bring you a cd of beat heavy rough rhyming tracks for everyone in the club to get crunked up to. Apparently these two have been putting it down for New Orleans for a few years with another crew called RYP. Now they make their presence by collaborating on their cd Threatening Behavior. Threatening Behavior, brings together these two solo artists, spreading that New Orleans flavor in heavy street drenched rhymes, & backbreaking beats. Antonio Montana & Nitro are the first artist off the Independent Beat Department label and him and Nitro set it off with this debut album. With tracks like Represent Throw It Up settin off the cd they’re ready to take on the south with a dominant force in the independant market. With bangin hooks and grime filled lyrics this cd is worth a listen.

With tracks like “We Out Here” clearly marked for the streets, women and the whips, these two are undeniable. The whole project seems pretty solid overall with only one skit “Fat Tammy”, through the whole album, showing these cats can hold an album together without petty filler. I do need to say though I liked the beats they weren’t anything outrageously new. With the south seeminglessly getting more unorigional by the second it’s hard to find beats worth raving about. They all seem to sound the same to me, just rearanged slightly for different artistical needs.

Tracks that stand out as probably my top favorites are “Represent Throw It Up”, “Whatz Up Witcha”, “We Out Here” and “Get Ya Head Bouncin”. These tracks hit me in the right spot. These guys seem pretty solid as a duo and I hope to see other collaborations from both.

This cd would have been better listening if it were an uneditted version, but I guess, I can only review what the media company sends me right? So I shouldn’t complain. I just hope these guys continue to evolve as rappers and make their own niche within the southern hip hop community and don’t get lost within the shuffle.

Track Listing
1. Represent Throw it Up
2. Whatz Up Witcha
3. Let’s Get it Popping
4. Five Dallors
5. Getcha Head Bouncin
6. Who With This ****
7. Get U Right
8. Fat Tammy
9. We Out Here
10. Gimme Some
11. Getcha Head Bouncin (Radio Edit)
12. Let’s Get it Popping (Radio Edit)

Final Rating: 3.5/5

06.02.2006

D-Lou “The Takeover”

Artist: D-Lou
Album: The Takeover
Label: 3R Records
Reviewed By: D. Money25

Straight from the Dirty Dirty to your ears come’s 3R Record’s 18 year old rapper, D-Lou and his album The Takeover. D-Lou’s music is nothing ground breaking in the least. I started listening to this cd and thought I was listening to Chingy but without the long drawl on each word. D-Lou’s album is filled with the typical club and thug anthem tracks to get the crowd moving. Lyrically he’s average, and nothing really make’s him stand above the crowd. I could easily see this sell alot of records if he was backed by a major label. But that is only because it appeals to the commercial masses. But if I were to see this in the record store I would probably pass over it for something more. I give props on what sound’s like a great production though, the beats are on point. I could see D-Lou blowing up with MTV & BET audiences. The cd is very playable, not one track is skippable, if you looking for some car system bass music then this cd is one you should add to your playlist. Though this cd is nothing extravagant, it is worth a listen. Just don’t expect anything spectacular with an album title such as “The Takeover”

Tracklisting
1. 3r Soldier
2. Takeover
3. Already
4. Mob
5. Young & Dumb
6. Showin’ Off
7. Walk With Me
8. Love Keeps
9. Makin’ Money
10. Got That
11. I Know
12. What You Gon’ Do
13. What It Is
14. Skit
15. My Hood
16. Ameri Pie
17. Gangsta Shit
18. Keep Ya Head Up
19. Makin’ Money

Rating: 3/5

05.14.2006

Dr. Octagon: The Return Of Dr. Octagon

Artist: Dr. Octagon
Album: The Return Of Dr. Octagon
Label: World’s Fair/ OCD International
Reviewed By: D. Money25

Dr. Octagon is back and at his old ways, with The Return Of Dr. Octagon. With the typical off the wall rhymes and content on the edge of sanity, Kool Keith’s alter ego Dr. Octagon tactles some interesting content everything from taking on Ecological views in his own unique ways, alien encounters and primates in Pick ups. This cd was pretty good the tracks sometime’s were kind of confusing but the beats were great the scratching was on point and overall listenablity was there.

1. Our Operators Are Masturbating… The intro opening up the cd

2. Trees… Dr. Octagon, tackles ecology and environmental issues with a chorus “trees are dying” Intesresting track overall the beat is pretty solid and the rhyme scheme is excellent.

3. Aliens… From what I’m hearing this song is about illegal aliens? I could be wrong. It’s talking about gasoline engines… The song starts off with a slow beat and then goes to a fast tempo. Overall a catchy track.

4. Ants… This track takes on from what I percieve to be talking about the American people as Ants just workin and doing what their programmed to do. The beat is great and the scratching adds to the track.

5. Perfect World… heavy beat with repeating lines and choruses,,, Good beat but no real substance.

6. The Turtle Skit… Weird skit about an examination having to with her having a turtle inside her??

7. Al Green… no real rhyme scheme on this track just random lines being talked over a nice beat.

8. A Gorilla Driving A Pick Up Truck… good beat backing the track, good storytelling kind of track. I gues you never know what you get when you listen to a Dr. Octagon album.

9. Got Any Kids? This is a short skit track

10. Doctor Octagon… This from the get go sounds like an ego boosting type of song. He’s just describing himself over the beat.

11. It’s the Morning… Song pretty much about sexual acts, with a smooth hook with a slow smooth beat.

12. Jumpstart… A slow track overall, with low vocal rhyming over the beat. The turntable scratching also adds a little something to this track.

13. Eat It… Featuring Princess Superstar, for a white girl rapping she does a great job. Rivals any underground white emcee in my opinion. The track mainly has her on the microphone, with dr. Octagon, on the hook.

Rating: 4/5

05.07.2006

Vinny Blessed “Music Train”

Artist: Vinny Blessed
Album: Music Train
Label: Never Quit entertainment/Select-O-Hits
Reviewed By: D. Money25

Vinny Blessed, the best description i can find is one half Daddy Yankee, One Half Noreaga wrapped into one. His cd Music Train is filled with heart thumping, feet moving latino laced hip hop club bangers. There is not one track i think i skipped over on Music Train. The one i can’t get out of my head is Fuego, easily my favorite track on the whole cd. I think Vinny Blessed could be very hot in the music scene. The vibe of this cd just makes you want get up out of your seat and dance around the room. some of the beats sound kind of the same to my ear but that may just be me. It’s about time we see more eastcoast emcees getting the recognition they deserve.

In this era of rap music, the east coast seems to get lost in the shuffle while southern hip hop artists get brought to the forefront and what eastcoast artists that are getting noticed seem to just conform to the southern style to appease to the younger audience when in fact they should be setting the trends because New York is where hip hop originated and it’s time New York City took back their crown. I keep thinking back to BDP, “Bronx keeps on makin it Brooklyn keeps on taken it…” well, it seems the south is taking it and taking it into obscurity. Vinny Blessed is by no mean’s hip hop’s savior but he sure does bring hip hop back to the Bronx and rep’s where hip hop is from to the fullest. We need emcees with the same backbone.

Vinny Blessed brings back the feel good vibe to hip hop with his salsa infusion. As you progress through the cd you can truly see Vinny’s lyrical skill come through, sometime’s the heavier latino influenced tracks overshadow his rapping, but in no means am i downgrading the content on this effort. with lines like “I’m slicker than Rick but this ain’t no ladi dadi…” he gives a head knod to New York hip hop forefathers like Slick Rick. That in it self proves he respects his home New York city and the Bronx and recognizes his home started it all. As i progressed to the end i found he tried to dive into a few diverse topics (There Was A Time, Shorty) which told me he was versatile and not all about club tracks. Overall this cd had me feel good and it’s definitely one of the better albums ive listened to in a long time. Nonstop good vibes through the entire disc.

Album Cover:

“Music Train” Tracklisting
1. Music Train
2. Fuego (Fire)
3. Diablita
4. La Loca
5. Cuerpo
6. La Calle
7. Hey Yo
8. She’s Not Ready feat. Tiffany
9. Besito
10. Callejeros
11. Shorty
12. Never Quite
13. I Like The way You Move
14,. There Was A Time When feat. Rapture

Rating: 4.5/5

04.30.2006

Mr. Lif “Mo’ Mega”

Artist: Mr. Lif
Album: Mo’ Mega
Label: Definitive Jux
Reviewed By: D. Money25

From out of Boston, Massachusetts, straight from the underground hip hop scene, one part of the 3 man crew The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif, Akrobatik & DJ Fakts One), is Mr. Lif with his forthcoming release Mo’ Mega. Mo’ Mega delivers hard hitting bass lines, with long drawn out lyrics, which sometimes made me want to drift into a deep aleep. With a sound i can’t define as innovative, I find his flow to be a bit mind numbing on the earlobes. His voice has no real charismatic attribute and he has no real personality that stands out on the microphone. His monotonous vocals seem to not to have much variance when he’s rhyming and almost seem to sound like he’s whining or severly depressed. The long drawn out rhyme scheme just doesn’t seem to appeal to me. I compare this cd to that of a cross between Aesop Rock (Though notably I love Aesop Rock) & MF Doom. Up until now I haven’t really given Mr. Lif a listen. How can a man with such a monotone voice maintain in a group with the likes of Akrobatik; which has a much more diverse & sometimes humorous/corky style on several of his tracks? While I like some of the beats, the overall cd isn’t something i can find myself listening too on repeat.

I understand abstract hip hop is almost like spoken word poetry in a sense, I myself write poetry. I think a voice should display emotion, and in Mr. Lif I can’t visualize that emotion. As I sit here listening I find it hard to even concentrate on writing this review because amungst the shear boredem, the words just aren’t coming out. I can sugar coat a review for readers but that would not be honesty. I’ve listened to quite a few underground emcee’s that are classified as alternative or abstract hip hop that I thought were very talented and had excellent mic presence. Unfortunately, Mr. Lif will not be one of those emcees. I kept going through the cd in hopes of some variance the closest I got were tracks 6 & 7 where he did well as he seemed to quicken his rhymes to fit the beat, which i honestly was kinda surprised by… But yet even with the faster wordplay, his voice still lacks something, to make him stand out. I give bad connotations about any hip hop artist because I’m pretty open to every aspect of hip hop music. This cd may be for you, I suggest you pick it up for yourself if you’re a hardcore Lif fan or like this style of hip hop. If you like charisma and swift wit in a hip hop artist, then this effort may not be a good pick for you.

Final Rating: 2/5