No drops or tracklist this time but it’s all rap. Take a risk, live a little. Some of it’s new shit, some of it isn’t. Some you might have heard, some you probably didn’t. Just a little something for all of the smokers and back to school peeps. Zone to it but make sure you pass those classes. For the kids! Let me know if you enjoy it! Originally for HalfChannel
Freeway & Jake One – The Stimulus Package
Label: Rhymesayers
Never been a fan of Freeway and pretty much just bought this on the strength of Jake One’s previous album/production credits. I was not disappointed. Freeway keeps it simple throughout on the lyrics side but he goes well with most of the beats here and some great features by Raekwon and Bun B really bring the album up. One highlight being the Bun B featured track “Sho Nuff” and my personal favourite on the album, “Never Gonna Change.” Jesus christ that beat. Glad I got the instrumentals with it! Also, one of my favorite packagings since P.O.S’ Never Better last year.
Dessa – A Badly Broken Code
Label: Doometre
Can’t lie, I’ve got a crush on this lady. She can sing, she can rap and she can WRITE! Been looking forward to this one for a couple years when I first heard her Mineshaft EP from a 2 or so years back. Had this entire album on repeat for something close to 3 weeks non stop. Just smooth all the way to the end. From banging crew track to somber closures. Dessa pulled them all off. My favorite tracl? Matches to Paper Dolls but Poor Atlas, Seamstress and Dixon’s Girl (WATCH THIS VIDEO) are always serious contenders.
Strong Arm Steady – In Search of Stoney Jackson
Label: Stones Throw Records
This album kinda blind-sided me. I was familiar with SAS but never heard an entire album by them before but with Madlib on the boards how could I say no? Glad I couldn’t. This album flows like no other, every verse on this album feels like it fits. I don’t think Madlib could have done any better on production. I don’t think it was intended to be, but it’s a great feel good album for an older audience. Songs range from topics like eating healty on “Chittlins & Pepsi” to new love on…”New Love.” Before you get to all that though, Madlib starts us off with this keepyaheadup banger: Best of Times Music Video.
Diabolic – Liar & A Thief
Label: Viper Records
Another great surprise! Diabolic is a close friend/affilliate of Immortal Technique and hearing that name you should have an idea what to expect. Some great lyrical gems here and darker themes on pretty much every song. My favorite being “12 Shots” which I won’t spoil for you (Seriously, go listen to it). Album was timed perfectly and came at a time when I really needed something a bit more anger and frustration fueled in my life. Only fans of conspiracy raps need apply.
Originally done way back in April. I’ll be following it up soon.
I’ve posted about Gangsta Gibbs before and how I’m super excited about his future releases well here’s a single and video from his EP dropping next week, Str8 Killa. Album art and tracklist below.
Bonus Cut from Adult Swim:
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Here is a review I did for The Roots album, How I Got Over(via HalfChannel):
The Roots are easily the most readily recognizable hip-hop band in the genre. One of the busiest groups in general as well. No doubt you’ve seen or heard of them being Jimmy Fallon’s late night band. That’s a gig five nights a week, every week. Yet still they managed to deliver one of two planned albums this year and have it sounding so fresh.
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I’m told everyone makes mixes these days. I’m just joining in all the fun. Thrown together and mixed by Donny Mark, Allen Clark, and Kevin Cortez. Mixtape artwork created by Estevan Sanchez. (The drops are ridiculous. Shoutout to Allen)
I had some idea of what to expect going into Splice being familiar with the director, Vincenzo Natali’s older film Cube . I was expecting commentary on the future science might be heading towards and the great moral dilemmas that go with it. What I wasn’t expecting was the uncomfortable and disturbed feeling I couldn’t shake off once I left the theater.
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All of a sudden its the 90s again and all the big kids are lying to me about how to pull off Sub Zero’s second fatality in MKII.
“You can’t save me with yo pastor or congregation/ I talk to God everyday but me & Satan still have our conversations/ Maybe the lord can’t help my complications/ If heaven turn me down, hell got my reservation“
In a genre rife with supposed g’s gone soft, Gibbs is a bit of fresh air. I haven’t been this enthralled with gangster raps in a while but I forgot how great it could be without mainstream filtering (Gibbs was released from Interscope). I’m aware of a few drawing some similarities between him and Tupac but I don’t see it (being a young & talented black man doesn’t make you Pac). It’s a great tape though and I’m hope he doesn’t fall off like every other rap artist with a little bit of hype behind them these days. Strange climate.
Freddie Gibbs f. Hayes “Pearly Gates”
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Freddie Gibbs “Boxframe Cadillac”
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“I’ll find a way. I’m confused though but I think I can try.”
What a pleasant surprise this is! The new Deftones album, Diamond Eyes is GREAT. It’s great when you find that your favorite band or artist still has it despite a few set backs. I don’t think they’ve had an album that his flowed this well since White Pony which was about a decade ago. With the exception of one song, I’m in love with every track. “CMND/CTRL”, the track in question, is a bit too close to early Adrenaline era Deftones for me. Particularly the verses, I don’t care for the way it flows but it’s not a huge complaint and I don’t really skip it, It’s just weaker than the rest of the album in comparison. The song following it, “You’ve Seen The Butcher”, is easily my top five favorite Deftones song ever which is probably why it’s a bit easier to swallow “CMND/CTRL.” I hope Steph never leaves his eight string electric behind. I hope 2010 is full of more wonderful surprises [for me].
The excellent teaser for the sequel to my favorite survival-horror game since the original Resident Evil all those years ago. “Dangerous Grounds” meets the bass loop in “Living In The World Today.” Also, best creature design since Silent Hill II.
