Rap Atticts Review: Ace Hood- Blood, Sweat, & Tears

I've always felt like Ace Hood was a talented MC, but he's just has never had anything that really set himself apart from the rest of the pack. That still doesn't take away from the possibility of him reaching his potential. Three years ago, DJ Khaled saw Ace Hood as the guy to carry his "We The Best" imprint, and after two albums that went nowhere, Ace finally struck gold with "Hustle Hard", That single killed shit in the first half of 2011, and  led to a memorable remix with Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, as well as a performance at this years BET Awards. Now he's bouncing off of that momentum with a new album, "Blood, Sweat, & Tears". Will this be the album that finally gives Ace the push he needs to be taken serious?

T-Pain helps to start it all off on "King Of The Streets". Both of them put in work on the song, and this album has already started off pretty strong in track one. The second single, "Go N Get It" follows. I must say that it's not really different song from "Hustle Hard", so it gets a bit of a thumbs down for me. Ironically, the next song (Errythang), sounds almost EXACTLY like the previous song, only Yo Gotti is featured on it. Same flow, similar beat, just different words and some assistance. Come on Ace...After three consecutive songs that sounded alike (Go N Get It, Errythang, and Hustle Hard), the album switches its tempo on the Chris Brown- chroused "Body 2 Body". It's pretty much what you'd expect from a rap song with Chris Brown on it, it's about love. There's nothing really different or diverse about it, but it will most likely do well commercially speaking

A track about  "dead homies" is up next on "Memory Lane". This is one of the better songs on the album, and it shows his storytelling ability. That ability is highlighted more on "Letter To My Ex's". Ace rambles on about his tattered heart by his past "loves", and it sounds like a more sincere side to him. Now the album is beginning to pick up momentum again. He's starting to play smart by playing off of the topic in the last song and speaks about a good relationship on the next song, "Beautiful". It's not too shabby, but not super memorable.

Ace goes deep and gives a prayer that's full of grief and distress on "Lord Knows". I like the song. Another personal song occurs on "Bitter World". This time, we're given a song about a fatherless child. Is is bad? Not really, but it's a bit boring to me. I knew that a song about mothers was going to follow this. "laughs". "Spoke To My Momma" isn't on the level of "Dear Mama" by Tupac, "Hey Mama" by Kanye West, or "Dance" by Nas, but it's still pretty nice. Ace ends the album with The "Hustle Hard Remix". Was there really a point of this song making the final tracklist? If you haven't heard it yet, you're a very late listener.

The Real Deal: I will say that this album tops his first two, but there's still nothing about it that stands out from its peers. To me, Ace Hood still hasn't defined himself as an artist, and that's his biggest problem. I doubt very seriously that I'll give the majority of these songs another listen in two months. It's honestly just another album about the hood that has a few songs for the ladies. Ace was obviously aiming for the charts and mainstream success with this, and nothing about it really struck me hard or different about it. It's still solid, and shows what is possible, but there's no way that I'd put it on any album of the year lists. Ace Hood still has potential to be on the same level of the top artists of this generation, but he hasn't proved it with this effort. Better luck next time.

Rating: 3/5

 -Raul A.

Rap Atticts Review: The Throne- Watch The Throne

2011 seems to be the highlight year for collaboration projects (Bad Meets Evil, Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame, an alleged album from Lil Wayne & Drake, Wiz, Curren$y, and Big Sean's tape is coming soon). There's no denying that of these projects, the Jay-Z and Kanye West christened "The Throne", has generated the most buzz and hype. The members of the Roc dynasty announced this project at the top of the year, and after two song leaks and a ten minute documentary, The Throne has arrived. Is this some king shit, or is it  unworthy of royalty? Lets see.

The album opens up as if it were the opening song of a movie. That feel on "No Church In A While" is amplified by Frank Ocean's hook and both Jay and Kanye's killer rhymes. The only drawback for me was the very random auto-tuned section, but it actually fits, so it gets a pass. It then moves on to the Beyonce-assisted "Lift Off". I like the song, but it's really only because of Beyonce's hook and the phat beat. Both of the verses from both rappers are weak, but I think it was their point to make weak 8-bars to showcase the actual music. Kanye's production has really developed over the past years. Transitioning into to "Niggas In Paris", we get some rhymes about nothing less or nothing more than the art of balling. It's pretty much some rhymes with no substance, but it's done in an elegant fashion. That doesn't mean it's a bad song, but I'm just calling it what it is. "Otis", the album's second leak is next. When it dropped about a month ago, the general reception was pretty mixed, and for me, it still is. The song is solid, but to me, that's about it. It's not really impressive, but it's not bad either. I'm pretty sure you've heard it (or at least the beat) a hundred times already, so I'm going to move on to "Gotta Have It". I love how they bounce off of each other rhyme for rhyme, and they really come off like a team on this one. I just wish it was longer because it's so good.

RZA brings his production skills along to assist the duo on probably the deepest song on the album, "New Day". Jay-Z & Ye both speak to their future, unborn children, and basically inform them that they want them to be better than they were/are. They also apologize to them for the lives that they will have to carry for being the children of the famous. After five, consecutive songs about more-or-less nothing, it's good to hear a song like this. Then the album shifts back into its general topic of "sophisticated ignorance" with "That's My Bitch". Kanye RIPS this song to shreds, and Jay job is not too shabby. At this point, the production has been nothing less than incredible as well. It's a continuation of the abstract sounds from "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" and "The Blueprint 3", and they seem to get better and better. Kanye takes another break on the boards, and Swizz Beatz takes the rank of producer on "Welcome To The Jungle". This largely Jay-led song is full of some general narratives of his life. And it's also about his feeling of depression that his career has brought him. "Who Gon Stop Me" is kind of a challenge to the world. Who can really stop the duo from being the dominant force that they are? Sometimes the production can be a little over-the-top on this one, and it's not one of my absolute favorites on the album. Still good though.

"Murder For Excellence" is a very insightful record. Kanye & Jay talk about the ills of their former neighborhoods in the first half of the song, and then they flip the rest of it, and go into how far they've come from that. It seems like the album as a whole is shifting to more meaningful subjects. Frank Ocean is back for some assistance on "Made In America". Continuing the second theme of the previous song, track eleven is about the celebration of how far the two have come. It just has alot of hope within it of what is possible for anybody, and I love it. The sky is the limit. The closer of the album ("Why I Love You"), sounds very personal. Is it possibly directed at Beanie? Whatever the case, the Jay-anchored track is good nevertheless. I don't think that I would've closed with it, but to each his own.

The Real Deal: I'll admit that at first listen, I was on the fence about this one, and it took a few listens to get a real feel of it. The thing that I love about this album is it's full of topics from both sides of the coin. There are some songs about ignorance and nothingness, and there are also songs that have a deep meaning to them. The other impressive thing is the actual music. All of the production sounds so grand and full of life. I can definitely say that this album did live up to its hype, but at the same time, I could understand why a person wouldn't be a fan of it either. It's not an album that you can go into with a closed-minded mentality, and if you do, this album isn't for you. Either way, "Watch The Throne" is a celebration of life, success, and overcoming obstacles, and there's no doubt that it will have as many fans as it does have detractors. It's a celebration bitches!

Rating:4/5

-S. Hardcastle

Rap Atticts Review: Kendrick Lamar-Section

These days, Kendrick Lamar has been seen as a leading force in the movement of the new school of  hip-hop. His intricate lyrics and diverse flow pattern have led some to call him the best rapper alive (Sorry Wayne). Dr. Dre’s protégé has been slowly, but surely building himself a following with his rhymes. A year after the release of the critically-acclaimed “(O)verly (D)edicated” mixtape, the Compton MC is back with his first official album, “Section 80”.

The albums’ intro, Fuck Your Ethnicity, is a perfect introduction in all forms. Not only is it a great way to open up the LP, if this is your very first record in his catalogue that you hear, it’s a great way start your journey into his music. The song is basically saying that any and everyone, of all races, can listen to his music. Song number two, Hol’ Up, is a great display of how much depth Kendrick has in his lyrics. There’s no real topic in the song, but at the same time, it still speaks on things.  The soulful horns give the song a real laid back tone. The use of drugs is discussed in “A.D.H.D”. While that is usually a topic for a lot of rappers, I feel as if this is the first time in a long time that it’s been done in a creative, thought-provoking way. He also sheds some light on how drug distribution in the eighties has affected his community of Compton. We’re given a smooth transition into the  self-explanatory, next song “No Make-Up (Her Vice)”.  A woman that doesn’t really need cosmetics proceeds to always put her face on. What I love about it is that the song goes into the perspective of the girl and why she does it. We’re also given a hint that this story is going to continue when Kendrick says “To be continued, eleven”. K. Dot takes the hook from “Down For My Niggas” by C-Murder, and puts his own twist on it in “Tammy’s Song (Her Evils)”. It’s the exploration of a woman that is continuously hurt by various men in her life. The ending is a very accurate assessment for some women in this predicament.

Five songs in, and I can honestly say that so far, this album is getting better and better with each record.  “Chapter Six” is more of an interlude, but it still delivers nevertheless.  The topic of the crack-era that was briefly covered in “A.D.H.D” is given some more profoundness in the perfectly titled, “Ronald Regan Era”. Kendrick is really showing how he can speak on subjects that have been covered many times before, but still make it sound fresh and original. “Poe Mans Dreams (His Vice)” is basically an ode to his relatives that got locked up. GLC adds a nice touch to this one with a poetic verse as the song closes. The listener is given a glimpse into Kendrick’s distaste for his detractors-turned fans in the Schoolboy Q featured “The Spiteful Chant”. Schoolboy Q delivers a very hot verse on this one, and both of them get their point across. The only downside to this one is it takes two minutes to get an actual rap from these two. Another interlude is next with “Chapter Ten”. One thing that’s good is that it actually flows into the next song and isn’t a skip like most interludes on albums are. “Make-Up’s” cliff hanger is resolved in “Keisha’s Song (Her Pain)”, and I must say it’s a great display of his storytelling ability. It’s also a dedication to his eleven year-old sister on what he doesn’t want her to become (explanation of why it’s track eleven).

“Rigamortus” is a simple brag session about Kendrick killing your favorite rapper. Simple as that. The boastful song is followed by “Kush & Corinthians”; a song that goes into the mind state of many different characters. Alot of the track plays the whole angel vs. devil ordeal in a sense and it’s one of the most intense songs on the album. It’s followed up with “Blow My High”. I’d have to say it’s probably my least favorite song, not because it’s bad, but all of the songs have been so good that it’s hard to compare. I will say that I like the fact that he gives homage to Pimp C (His verse on “Big Pimpin”) and Aaliyah (“Four Page Letter”). The outro (Ab-Souls Outro), is  an amazing closer. It almost feels like poetry over the jazzy production and I love it. In a sense, it’s a recap of all the tracks so far. All of the AbSoul MC’s come correct with their rhymes as well. “HiiiPower” is the official closer, and even though I felt it didn’t top the last song, it’s still a dope one. It also makes me wonder why the producer (J. Cole) didn’t save it for himself cause this is a tight beat. Either way, it’s a good ending.

The Real Deal: Kendrick Lamar exceeds his expectations for his first LP. Every single track is good, and it proves that Kendrick Lamar is a worthy candidate for the Best Rapper Alive. The album is full of everything from materialistic shit, to drugs, to broken spirits, and it’s all done in a diverse and fresh way. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that this is the best rap of 2011 so far. If not, there’s no denying that it’s in the top 5. All in all, the man from Compton has a bright future ahead of him.

Rating: 4.5/5

-Raul A.

Rap Atticts Review: The Cool Kids-When Fish Ride Bicycles

When you look back on 2008, you’d be reminded of how hard it was to not find The Cool Kids on an “Artist to Watch” list for the next year. The tag team of Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish were seen as the next big thing in hip-hop with their stripped down production and rhymes about their everyday lives. Despite this however, their critically acclaimed EP, “The Bake Sale”, and a few mixtape releases could not stop them from losing that title and assumption. In between this time, they still remained relevant, as Chuck became a bit of an in-demand producer, and Mikey made numerous appearances on other artists’ songs and released some solo material as well. Three years after their previous rise, and numerous push-backs the loyal fans have finally been blessed with the long awaited “When Fish Ride Bicycles”.  

We begin this three year stalled LP with two songs about how killer their cars are, “Rush Hour Traffic” & “GMC”. Both of the songs are very bass heavy and are perfect to ride to this summer. Another song about cars is up next in “Boomin”. That being said, the content doesn’t differ, but production takes a smoother, mid tempo tone. All of the slang-filled rhymes are working very well with the beats. The album moves on to the pursuit of women in “Sour Apples”. Of course we also get a little bit more conversation about cars, but we also get a surprise feature from Blink-182’s Travis Barker. All of it works nice together. More of the fly talk occurs in the Ghostface Killer featured, “Penny Hardaway”. Mikey takes this one hands down.

All of the production so far is pretty impressive. the largely Chuck Inglish-produced album showcases how he’s been able to improve as a producer, but still remain true to the formula of The Cool Kids that made them famous. Our next song, “Bundle Up”, recollects on the very cold conditions that Chicago carries in the winter. It’s not really bad, but something tells me it was a leftover song from “The Bake Sale”. It isn’t really weak, but it isn’t really strong either. Bun B shows that he still has some years in him on the stellar “Gas Station”. At this point, the narratives on regular, everyday life are gelling well with the beats, but it’s starting to become apparent that the content doesn’t really switch from song to song. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to the listener.

After another great song, we’re given our first Neptunes produced song in “Get Right”. It reminds me of a song that could’ve been on N*E*R*D’s “In Search Of” album, but it’s an okay song nevertheless. The album continues the previous song’s topic of women on “Swimsuits”. Chuck’s beachy production and Mayer Hawthorne’s awesome hook singing make this one come out pretty good. The posse cut, “Roll Call”, which also features Asher Roth, Chip Tha Ripper, & Boldy James, can probably be seen as one of the more lyrical songs on the album, as all three features come pretty hard. Our last Neptunes production comes in the final song, The Maxine Ashley & Pharrell featured “Summer Jam”. I mistook the hook for Beyonce at first listen, but the very chill song is perfect for those times that you want to feel good. The content about the vibe that the summer gives you is also true to the content we all can recognize as The Cool Kids.

The Real Deal:   No pun intended, but the album is very cool. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its problems here and there. The main problem is it doesn’t switch up in formula, but that may be a great thing to the many diehard fans of the Chicago natives. Does this album live up to its expectation? To a certain extent, but it’s not really different from the anything you haven’t heard from The Cool Kids. It’s an album that will need some growing on for some people to love, but in time, I wouldn’t be surprised if this is labeled a classic. A solid, unmoving effort from The Kids of Cool.

Rating: 3.5/5

-Raul. A

Rap Atticts Review: Curren$y-Weekend At Burnies

These days, it's very hard to dispute that Curren$y is the hardest working man in hip-hop. The Jetlife superstar coasted off of 2010 with the Pilot Talk album series.So far, 2011 hasn't stopped his grind either. With a mixtape (Return To The Winners Circle) and a free album (Covert Coup), Spitta continues his work filled year with Weekend At Burnies. Let's get into the meat of it.

This album wastes no time and opens with the groove and smooth of #jetsgo, and we get the Curren$y that we all know and love. We get the slick but lyrical rhymes over a very movie score like beat. If you aren't familiar with the code of the Jets, listen to that one closely. To the people that were a fan of the triple threat of Curren$y, Trademark Da Skydiver, and Young Roddy on the Pilot Talk series, you'll be glad to know their back together with the song, Still. It turns out well. If I had to come up with a winner on who takes it, it's a toss up between Spitta and Trademark. Curren$y really shows off his storytelling abilities on She Don't Wanna Man. The story of the groupies that he encounters on a regular basis is one of the shinning stars on the album. Next up is the second Monsta Beatz produced track of the album, One Life. It's not a bad song, but it isn't really memorable either. After a somewhat disposable Monsta Beatz song, we get a slightly more complex beat in I Know You See It. It's a good song to ride around to in your car while your driving. The rhymes aren't too thought provoking however. On Televised, we get a mashup with Curren$y's former No Limit labelmate and fellow Jets member, Fiend. I guess this was their way of giving tribute to Gil Scott-Herron, as the hook is "The Reeferloution will be televised". I think this is one of those songs that would sound a whole lot doper if you were under the influence. It's an ok song, but not a standout. After a very mellow track, we're given a more mid tempo song in This Is Life. This is one of the better songs on the album. Spitta drops some dope lines over a hard, piano driven beat, and it really scores. The next Trademark and Roddy feature is up next on On G's. It's very chilled and smooth, the typical traits of a Curren$y song. That doesn't mean it's bad, but it's more of the same thing. Next up is the trials and tribulations of fame in fortune in Money Machine. It's one of the better and more topic based songs that we get. What's What is the shortest song of the album, and I'm glad. I don't think the song about the women that Spitta pursues could really go to two or three verses. It's perfect at its length. We get some more information about the rules and regulations that come with being a Jet in JLC. It's nothing that you haven't heard already, but it's nice. Trademark, Roddy, and Spitta close this one out with Get Paid. It's another song about how to hustle. Good closer.


The Real Deal: All in all, we're given another solid album. There's no real form of progression in the music, but at the same time, it doesn't backtrack from his previous albums either.If you're a hard core fan of Spitta, you'll be satisfied with it. If this is the first album in his catalog that you hear, it's a nice introduction. If you were looking for any form of development and progression in the music, you will be largely disappointed. I'm not disappointed by it, just not really impressed by it either.

Rating:3/5

-Raul A.

Rap Atticts Review-Big Sean-Finally Famous

With a co-sign from his boss, Kanye West, a feature on XXL's Freshmen 10 in 2010, An appearance in the BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher, and a performance at this years BET Awards, G.O.O.D Music's Big Sean can finally say he's doing it big. After three successful mixtapes and numerous push-backs for three years, Big Seandon has finally released the long-awaited Finally Famous. Lets see if it's only fifteen minutes, or if it's for the long-term.

The album opens with the smooth and gentle Intro. Even though it's less than a minute and a half, it's a nice way to open up the album. The smooth and gentle tone the we begin with completely goes out of the window with the bass heavy I Do It. This is probably the closest to the mixtape Big Sean that many fans fell in love with. You get your raw beat, your arrogant boasts, and your abstract metaphors. Not much of a topic, just shit talking. Nevertheless, it's ill. The albums first single, My Last, which also features Chris Brown, is nothing short of a summer banger. Alot of it is a celebration of life and success. I'm sure we've all heard it, so I'm going to move on to the relationship-jerker, Don't Tell Me You Love Me. It's a very different side of Big Sean that most aren't accustomed to. We get a song about the destruction of a good relationship due to immaturity and wrongdoings on his part. There are those times where you wish you could take them back because you realize you love them, but to a certain extent it's a bit too late. Next, we get the ups and down of dream chasing on Wait For Me. It's some dope shit, but the songs shining star is the second verse from Mr. Lupe Fiasco, who's lines about being in the hood are very crown worthy. At this point, alot of production is reminding me of Graduation by Kanye West. It's not in the sense of copying, but you get that sound with Sean's twist on it. Single number 2, the Kayne West & Roscoe Dash assisted Marvin Gaye & Chardonnay, follows. Everything about the song is the perfect single. Ill beat, Ill rhymes from Sean & Yeezy, and a very catchy hook from Roscoe. If he keeps it up, Roscoe Dash could become the new hook man in Hip-Hop. Then there's Dance (A$$)...To me it doesn't mesh very well with the rest of the album that we've been given so far. I don't necessarily dislike it, but I can do without it. I will say however, that No I.D's sample of "You Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer is ILL! Afterwards, we're given the pleasant surprise in a Neptunes-produced track, Get It (DT). The song of hustling and money making, proves that Neptunes still have it as producers, and Pharrell can still sing a mean hook. Sean's rhyming is real slick on this one too. Overall it wins. We move on to the reminiscing on the good times and the bad times on Memories (Pt.II), which features John Legend. We learn about the loss of friends through death and disassociation, as well as being broke. The song kind of shows how what you go through are only tests in life to see if you'll pass. High (Feat. Wiz Khalifa & Chiddy Bang), has a real nice groove and vibe to it. It's something to listen to when you want to feel good. It also has the expected weed references from Sean's fellow Freshmen 10 class member, Wiz Khalifa. Chiddy does a pretty nice job closing out the song. This may sound a little biased, but I like the The-Dream less and less with each project he releases. That statement leads to the next song, Live This Life, as The-Dream takes the hook. Honestly, this song could've been left off. It's filler, and nothing different from what you haven't heard. Our albums closer, the "I'm on" anthem, So Much More, is a real nice way to end it. One thing that caught me was that he used some of the lines he rhymed in the BET Cypher. Shame on you Sean! "laughs". The song still can't be fronted on, recycled or not.

The Real Deal: Overall, Finally Famous is a strong debut effort from the Detroit native. It's fun, it's lyrical, and it's real. The only thing I would've preferred to see on this album was an actual beat from Kanye, but hey, I guess he has a life these days "laughs". With only two real slip ups, I believe this album scores. And the people that disagree will probably have a change of heart as time goes on. Byoeeeeeeee.

Rating: 4/5
  -Raul. A

Rap Atticts Review- Levi The Jedi-Before The Future EP

After the release of a pretty buzz-worthy mixtape 13 months ago, Atlanta's own Levi The Jedi returns once again with a brand new EP, aptly titled, "Before The Future." This 10 song project tells of the several days in the thought process of a starving artist and regular person. The opener, In Amazement, sets the overall tone of BTF. Ill rhymes, soulful production, and the general subject matter that you'd find from a Levi song. Smooth Sailing follows, and it continues the vibe that the opener started. As you listen to Space Fusion & Look Up (Non-Believers), you begin to realize that Levi's lyricism and diversity in flow has upgraded from last years' "Street Lights." With lines like "Higher level thinking, my ship is never sinking, and I'm still Ben Franklin to you Lincolns." the rhymes gel very well with the production. It's  also very apparent that the production has become more cinematic and epic. This could partially be due to the inclusion of outside producers Kahzee and Dijon Styles on some on the beats. Their production is nothing less than dope. Now to the first slip up: Mestizo Eyes. The song disappoints, and it's not because it's bad or doesn't deliver like the rest, but it's just too short. The song has a great build up in it, and when it starts fading out towards the end it falls flat just a little bit. It's just an opinion, but I think it could've closed out with a third verse. Next up is the Gary Samurai assisted nerd anthem, What I Do. The long intro can make the song lag at times, but it picks up when the rhymes begin. In the only feature of the EP, Samurai edges past Levi by just a small margin. I'll admit that while Levi doesn't make the best songs in the world for the ladies, Night & Day is nice and smooth song to just vibe to with that significant other. Plus, IT SAMPLES AL. B SURE! Huge cool point. It Don't Stop  is one of the few songs that gets a little personal. With topics of college, isolation, and fickle friends and supporters, it's a song that shines. Things get a little bit more personal with Lazy Afternoon, as the tone of the EP changes effortlessly. Interesting tales of the lack of a social life and the plotting of dreams are prevalent in the shortest song in the EP. The closing song, Sunset Guitars II, reaffirms to you that Levi has a long way to go, and he won't stop until he makes it to what he believes is his destiny. Even though it's a good closer, I don't think it tops the original Sunset Guitars.




The Real Deal: There are many things that can be said about BTF. It's arrogant at times, it's lyrical, it's flashy, and it's personal in increments. The best thing that can be said about it is it's fluid and cohesive. All of the songs flow into eachother very well. Now, is it a solid EP? Yes.Is it an improvement over Street Lights? Yes. Is it a better project that many people in his current position. Yes. Is it classic? No, or at least not now. Unfortunately, EPs are often lost in an artist's catalog over their LPs, but shit I could be wrong this time. Don't get me wrong however, this project is very worthy of being up there with many of its competition and its peers, and should definitely take him on a road to bigger and better things. Now if only an LP can be just as strong

-Raul A.

Rating: This one was kinda tough. 4/5
 Levi The Jedi-Before The Future Free Download