Review: 3 out of 5
Best Song: CocaBaby
Fat Joe returns with his 8th album, Elephant in the Room, which is his second album independently distributed through Koch [sidebar: he also apparently gets $6.50 for each album sold]. We all know Fat Joe is one of the most hardbody rappers in the game, and his street cred is unquestioned in New York City. However, as a rapper I have never really felt homie do to his weak flow and lazy lyrics. I also must admit I have never listened to a Fat Joe album and only decided to give this one a shot to see what homie had to say, considering all the “hype” surrounding the man (and besides the label did hit me off with a free copy). So does Fat Joe live up to the hype and to the title of the elephant in the room? By the way, the phrase “elephant in the room” is an idiom for something which is true but goes being ignored, in this case Joey believes he is underrated amongst his peers.
Review: 5 out of 5
Best Song: All of them.
Since the Mood Muzik series began, Budden has been slowly gaining recognition from the lower levels of hip hop as one of the best song writers in hip hop today. Having departed from club songs since his debut album, Joe Budden has stuck to the script by basically making rap music. You see since Fifty came out, the South, the Snap, the Soulja Boys, the way that even the most die hard rap fans listen to music has changed -for the worse. Rap music has dumbed down to a point where even the casual listener will be able to “get” every single lyric and “the point” of the song from the very first listen. In other words, rap has become so mainstream that it now caters to the lowest common denominator -the dumb asses of the world, whom incidentally make up the majority of the world.
Review: 3 out of 5
Best Song: Celebrate
Cassidy’s third album B.A.R.S. or The Barry Adrian Reese Story brings the once battle rapper to new heights. In fact, his album is more Kanye West than 50 Cent. There’s only one gun-toting track to boot while the rest of the LP is a reflective of Cassidy’s last year from almost dying in a car crash (didn’t this happen to Kanye?) and being acquitted of involuntary manslaughter (didn’t this happen to Snoop?). Adding to Cassidy’s return is the fact we haven’t heard much from him musically since 2005’s I’m A Hustla, which incidentally was the first record to be certified platinum as a ringtone. Anyway check the breakdown.
Review: 4 out of 5
Best Song: Pray
When Jay announced about a month ago (after all the Kanye hoopla) that he was dropping an album in November, the hip hop world went nuts. Just when it seemed like hip hop was suffering a mass case of writer’s block the idea of a Kanye album followed up by the Big Homie was unbelievable. To add to this, Jay also announced his album would be a concept album inspired by the film by the same title “American Gangster” and sonically would blend Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint, two of Hov’s most critically acclaimed albums. It’s safe to say, Jigga fans took heed. So has the album lived up to the hype or is it another Kingdom Come? Short answer, this album is short of Reasonable Doubt (1996) and The Blueprint (2001), but is in serious contention as Jigga’s 3rd best album. The only problem with the album is at times Jigga has really nothing to say and on some joints his flow falls into the same vein as the flows he kicked on Kingdom Come (which were horrible by the way). Read the full break down, there’s a goodie at the end.
Review: 0 out of 5
Best Song: Use the album as a frisbee.
This is the worst album in recorded history. (The very fact, I had to subject myself to reviewing this album, should make you come to this site everyday, as it shows how far I’m willing to go for all of you). Apparently, someone thought that it was a good idea to make an album composed entirely using fruity loops (sorry FL Studio) software. Anyone familiar with FL knows that any beat made using that software sounds very “tiny” and “rigid”, in comparison to production using hardware such as the Triton keyboard or the MPC. To top it off, Soulja Boy uses all the signature sounds (read: cheesy-over-used sounds) from the software such as on his latest hit (hopefully last) “Crank Dat” where the ubber-cheesy “steal drum” sound is used. Although, I do admit I would love to “superman that hoe” and that this album at times is a guilty pleasure for its sheer ignorance, this is still the worst rap album to ever be released. The internet age generation has taken over hip hop and this is the bi-product. Myspace rappers rejoice. Check the breakdown if only for entertainment purposes.
Review: 4 out of 5
Best Song: Forever Begins ft. Lonnie “Pops” Lynn (Produced by Kanye West)
Common returns with his seventh album, entitled “Finding Forever”. We all know Common’s story, he was a b-boy (whatever that is), was turned into a homo by falling for Erikah Badu and now has tried to resurrect himself by channeling some of Yeezy’s swag. Well Common ain’t Kanye West, and nor is he Chi-Town’s Nas. He’s just plain boring Common over some of the best beats Yeezy has ever made. Kanye you should have made your album over these beats! Nonetheless, Common actually does “rap” here, which is refreshing as everything has turned into Solja Boy chants and mumbles. Anyway, check the breakdown suckas!
Review: 4 out of 5
Best Song: Rocky Road
Kanye and 50 Cent are not the only ones dropping albums this month. Releasing his third album as well, Chamillionaire returns with “Ultimate Victory”. After his hit single “Ridin'” took off, Chammilionaire’s whole style has been repackaged as a cross between 50 Cent’s bravado and catchy hooks and Public Enemy’s lyrical consciousness. The majority of East Coast heads think Cham is just another Southern rapper in the same vein as a “Lil’ Flip”. However, behind the catchy hooks, well timed rhyme patterns and distinctive Texas twang, Chamillionaire goes where not many rappers have ventured. He’s socially conscious of the black struggle as well as his own trials throughout his music without sounding like a dork. Not to mention his swag is on heavy here, all backed by his best production to date produces an above average album. His ex-partner in rhyme, Paul Wall, musically stands still while Cham continues to elevate his craft. Check out the track by track breakdown foos!
Review: 3 out of 5
Best Song: Country Cousins
Kweli’s back with Eardrum. As anyone that listens to Talib knows, listening to him is like reading a good book or just being schooled by an old head. He just packs so much insight into a verse its almost difficult to catch everything, add to that the fact his flow isn’t very well thought out and you have the recipe for classic backpack music. We all know Talib is a geek. He has no rhythm, fashion sense, no sense of humor and basically no swag. This alone is why you would either love him or hate him, but you can’t deny that the rap game needs ’em. He is the most uncompromising artist in hip hop period. This album is alot like Beautiful Struggle without all the backpack club attempts (and better beats), its just straight Talib at his finest, which is rapping about other people’s struggles. Get your own struggles Talib that’s what made your boy Kanye pop-off! Anyway here is the track breakdown.
