Review: 3.5 out of 5
Best Songs: Set It Off, Go Home With You, Gimme Some
Kardinal Offishall goes in all or nothing on his forth album “Not 4 Sale”. Now backed my heavyweight Akon and Kon Live/Geffen Records, Kardi is able to put together the best album of his career. If you’ve followed Kardi since the beginning, you’ll know he’s never been the guy with the coolest flow or the best lyrics, but you’ll also know he isn’t wack either. What Kardi has is superior showmanship that would rival Jay-Z or Busta, relentlessness raw passion and the ability to be comfortable in his own skin. In short, Kardi is a game changer because while other rappers are tracing Jay-Z’s flow, one day they maybe jockin’ Mr.Celebrity Face. Let’s get into the breakdown. Read more
Review: 3.5 out of 5
Best Songs: Letter to the King, Dope Boys, Money, Let Us Live, Touchdown
Game’s third installment, LAX and his last album hopes to certify him as one of rap’s greats as well as the King of Cali. However he’s not going to achieve either of those goals with this album as their are no “stand out” tracks. Wait has Game ever had a stand out track? He’s always had an amazing ability to pick beats and this album is no exception, but I think before Game says goodbye he’s got to put out more joints that solidify his base. If not by next year Game’s name will not be mentioned, except when people talk about the rap game (ha!). I know…Let’s get into this breakdown. Read more
Review: 4 out of 5
Best Song: N.I.G.G.E.R., Black President
Nasir Jones aka Nas brings hip hop back to life on his 9th album, Untitled. As we all should know by now, Nas originally meant to title this album Nigger. However, due to Def Jam suits sensing a potential backlash from volume retailers such as Walmart and BestBuy, shut down Nas’ creative freedom. This is an important factor to keep in mind while listening to the album as Untitled doesn’t really give the album any personality other than that it is Nas’ way of bucking the system for not allowing him to title his own masterpiece. Imagine if Leonardo Da Vinci was not allowed to name the Mona Lisa because she was the village hoe?
Another thing you should keep in mind is that Nas can’t be compared to any other rappers; he is still the most detailed, most vivid, song writer music has ever heard -the only fair comparisons would be between old Nas and New Nas. But I digress…peep the breakdown. Read more
Review: 2.5 out of 5
Best Song: Let It Go, Ready or Not
G-Unit returns with their follow up album to Beg For Mercy with a new disc Terminate on Sight. Let’s be honest, G-Unit and particularly 50 Cent have seen their stock values drop over the last few years as the public has become tired with Gangster Rap and Fifty’s frivolous beefs. I can’t even recall anyone (beside me) that’s been bumpen’ Fifty or G-Unit in the last two years! I recently had the opportunity to talk to some seventh and eight graders and all of them even hated Fifty with a passion [sidebar: Incidentally, all of them were insanely for Lil Wayne]. Having said that, the last two G-Unit mixtapes were impressive and particularly the first one Return of the Body Snatchers had some serious fire on it. So can G-G-G-Unit make a comeback? Peep the breakdown. Read more
Review: 4 out of 5
Best Song: Hip Hop Saved My Life
Yes, I know this review is seven months late but let me explain. The Cool came out sometime in December and when I first heard it I had no clue what the hell was going on for the majority of the songs, so I said I would let it sink in. Fastforward seven month’s later, after listening to the album for the last few months, I still pretty much have no clue what’s going on. But I do like how it sounds. Now check the breakdown. Read more
Review: 3.5 out of 5
Best Songs: Got Money, Playin’ With Fire, Shoot Me Down
Saying this is the most highly anticipated album of the year is an understatement that other reviewers will likely use to describe Tha Carter 3. We prefer to say that most hip hop heads are just waiting for Lil Wayne to “show and prove”. After all the “Best Rapper Alive” talk, a series of East coast (Read: Jay-Z) influenced rhymes showcased on the mixtape circuit, a feud with Philly hood rapper Gillie, and making guest appearances on every single song in 2007/08, all eyes are on Weezy to prove beyond a reasonable doubt he’s the GRA (Greatest Rapper Alive). Read more
Review: 3 out of 5
Best Song: Love in This Club
The undisputed King of R&B returns (sorry R.Kelly) with his fifth album since 1994. Now before we get into this album review, let’s get one thing of the table, this album is not as good as Usher’s last offering “Confessions”. But really what album is ever going to top Confessions? Micheal Jackson’s Thriller? With that said this album showcases a more mature Usher (what with getting married and having a baby and all that saucy shit). But don’t think just because our little Ush’ has grown up that he’s fallen off, the writing is still as creative and vivid as ever and it’s evident Usher still has enough swag to knock off his latest imitators *cough* Chris Brown, J.Holiday, Trey Songz, Omarion *cough*. Now let’s get into the break down. Read more
Review: 3.5 out of 5
Best Song: Maybach Music
Rosssssss. Ricky Ross returns with his second major album and follow up to his classic Port of Miami. The hype for this album has been way high for the simple reason that we haven’t had anything good for the last three months and let’s not forget Ross has made some hot guest appearances as of late. I myself, was amped for this album, for the same reasons stated, and practically fainted when I heard Mayback Music leak last week. Besides who wouldn’t want to listen to a man who has a Homer Simpson chain around his neck? I kid. So does Ross make a Trilla album? Check the breakdown.
