HipHopDx Reviews
Big City - The City Never Sleeps
You may like the album after giving it a few listens. But after a good dozen or so spins, don't be surprised if you find yourself reaching for the "Eject" button.
T.I. - T.I. vs. T.I.P.
It may be true that there is one life, one love, so there can only be one king; however, an empire in turmoil doesn't serve anyone's best interest. Maybe we were better off when the throne had room for two.
Pharoahe Monch - Desire
Whatever Pharoahe's aspiration was, let's just hope it inspires other rappers to step their fucking games up and try and compete with his Desire.
Cleveland Steamers - Treasure Chest
I know what you're thinking. The Cleveland Steamers!? But wait, what we have here is much more compelling than the depictions of libertine sex acts one would expect.
Crunchy Black - From Me To You
While Crunchy may be claiming that this was released without his approval, he still penned and recorded these verses so he can't truly get away from it. If he is actually against the release, he won't be the only one
Blue Scholars - Bayani
With the release of Bayani, their more ambitious and advanced sophomore effort, MC Geologic and producer Sabzi are once again calling attention to the left-coast's northern sector.
Canibus - For Whom The Beat Tolls
In the song Harbinger of Light, he spits "Without balance, I'm destined to fall." Indeed that is true. While this is a step up from his previous album, 'Bis achieves little of said balance in For Whom the Beat Tolls - at the expense of his music.
Fabolous - From Nothin' To Somethin'
This is not the signature album that we were waiting for. He does himself a favor by not switching up; on the other hand I was almost hoping to see him try something new seeing as this has never lead to great albums in the past.
DJ Khaled - We The Best
It happens all the time. One thinks something will be great just because it looks dope on paper. In the end, the outcome isn't as good as the prediction.
Kurupt & J Wells - Digital Smoke
While Kurupt and J Wells may not gain many new fans with this offering, it's bound to remind people of just how dope west coast rap can be--and that may be just what the region needs.
R Kelly - Double Up
Double Up is R. Kelly's 13th album (not counting the unreleased Loveland) and easily his most interesting. Perhaps not his best, but definitely his most interesting.
Cashis - The County Hound EP
Lyrically, Cashis rarely brings anything interesting. You gangbang - we get it. You have a nine - sweet. There are eight tracks on this EP, and all of them have the same bullshit gangsterisms that are far too prevalent these days.
Cap D - Return of the Renegade
For those wanting intelligent Hip Hop over true school boom bap this disc will fulfill and definitely stand up to repeated spins.
Webbie & Lil' Boosie Present Trill Fam - Survival of the Fittest
I respect the south, and I can get down with good southern hip hop like the next man. But this is not good music. It's typical southern rap, plain and simple.
KRS-One & Marley Marl - Hip Hop Lives
Hip Hop these days really isn't much different than a Happy Meal - cheaply manufactured, mass-produced, no nutrition, childish, full of gimmicks and unsatisfying, fake beef.
Young Jeezy & U.S.D.A. - Young Jeezy Presents U.S.D.A.: Cold Summer
You know how T.I. is pretty good, but P$C is ass? Or how about Ludacris and the DTP? Well, the story is much the same here. You know you're in trouble when Young Jeezy is the lyrical beast of your crew.
Mistah F.A.B. - The Baydestrian
Mistah F.A.B. (Faeva Afta Bread) is back with his latest installment, this one called The Baydestrian. The Oakland native has been through a lot, and this album showcases the depth of his understanding and his sincere appreciation for life.
Ne-Yo - Because Of You
Because he is such a formidable presence in a slumping genre and solidifying his hitmaking ability by penning Rihanna's Unfaithful and Beyonc
DJ A-Trak - Dirty South Dance
Tracks like Frenchies Act A Fool, Walk It Out Trizz and Hustlin' Hustler are so mind-numbingly repetitive on a musical level and so totally vacuous on a lyrical level, I personally found them utterly unlistenable.
Termanology - 50 Bodies
The theme here is simple (and a nice spin on Tony Touch's 50 Emcees tapes): 50 verses over 50 beats, no hooks or cohesive stories or sketches, and no underlying theme other than to show off the ridiculous lyrical skill Termanology brings to the table.
