HipHopDx Reviews
C.R.A.C. - The Piece Talks
The Piece Talks definitely provides you with an assortment of moods and sounds which is good in that you get mad variety.
Grouch - Show You The World
The Grouch has always balanced intelligence with simplicity and that balance is taken to another level on this album with more diversity and flavor than he's shown in past outings.
Living Legends - The Gathering
The Gathering proves that the crew can still unite to make ill material. Even with the missteps, there is no denying that this group can work together to continue an underground legacy that has already reached many fans on a worldwide level.
AZ - Undeniable
All in all, AZ's Undeniable isn't a horrible album, but it's still one of the most average, forgettable collections of songs that he's released in recent memory
LMNO & Kev Brown - Selective Hearing
On Selective Hearing, LMNO and Kev Brown have made a commendable batch of mellow and inspirational Hip Hop songs for their rabid fans to enjoy.
Trina - Still The Baddest
Enjoying Still Da Baddest does require you to already be up for what Trina is selling. But if you are, it's likely that you'll be a satisfied customer.
Rakim - Lost & Found
The Archive does exactly what it was meant to do - Rakim's live renditions of his classics remind you why you loved his music in the first place, while the new material proves that he's still got rhymes like a scientist.
Fat Ray & Black Milk - The Set Up
While neither Fat Ray or Black Milk are impeccable emcees, both give album-worthy attention to what many greats would just as soon pass off as mixtape material.
EMC - The Show
While The Show admittedly didn't have much room to slip up on, it's still gratifying to hear the project end up so well from top to bottom.
Gnarls Barkley - The Odd Couple
This is really just a tribute to the talents of Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse. You stick two people that good together and great things are bound to happen, even if they are an odd couple.
Guilty Simpson - Ode To The Ghetto
There will probably be several people that praise, reward and award the work that is Ode to the Ghetto, but no approval can be more important and satisfying to Guilty than that of Mr. Dilla, as his early co-sign of his talent is now coming to fruition.
Sheek Louch - Silverback Gorilla
When Sheek is on, the results more than meet the standards that LOX fans are accustomed to. If Silverback Gorilla were cut down to twelve tracks, it could've easily been one of the better releases of the year.
Rocko - Self Made
Rocko is another label head turned rapper, so some might give him a pass for his selection of beats. However, the rap game doesn't have an affirmative action program for its artists and each must--or should-- get on based on actual skill.
Flo Rida - Mail On Sunday
Take away any of the Timbaland or will.i.am tracks from Mail On Sunday, and you're inevitably having a conversation with an MTV-saturated 15 year-old who doesn't want to get a job, but needs to pay for an unlimited text-messaging plan.
Del The Funky Homosapien - 11th Hour
Del continues his penchant for bringing unusual flows on even more unusual beats, and solidifies the claim that he is indeed one of the most unique emcees in the game; however, there's no denying that he's sounded more interested and engaging.
Rick Ross - Trilla
Expectations may be high for Rick Ross, but it is safe to say that Trilla follows the same blueprint as Port Of Miami and doesn't disappoint.
Snoop Dogg - Ego Trippin
With Ego Trippin' Doggy Dogg throws all his hats in and an LP that basically says "fuck it, I'm Snoop and I can make whatever the hell I please." Ego Trippin' indeed.
Fat Joe - Elephant In The Room
Joe has the talent to put out a classic caliber album, but as long as he wants to stay current with the downloads and ringtones, that vision may not come to pass.
Webbie - Savage Life II
There is little depth on Savage Life II, but still, if artists are to be represented in the mainstream by their singles, Webbie is to be commended for some growth.
Shawty Lo - Units In The City
Shawty Lo makes Soulja Boy Tell 'Em look like Jadakiss and at a time when even legitimately good MCs struggle to sell records, this kind of laziness is almost an insult.
