HipHopDx Reviews
DJ JS-1 - Ground Original 2: No Sell Out
It's veteran's day on this brilliant blend of surprising collaborations and scratch-based boom-bap, with O.C., Organized Konfusion, Ultramagnetic, Canibus and KRS-One stealing shows.
Kanye West Presents...Malik Yusef - G.O.O.D. Morning, G.O.O.D. Night
Next time out if Yusef can be more strict when it comes to editing down his material he could potentially release an album that leaves the listener wanting more and not less
Willy Northpole - Tha Connect
With a unique voice, occasional forays into storytelling, and some instances of quality production, Tha Connect just manages to surpass average - but not by much
Cunninlynguists - Strange Journey Volume One
A handful of highlights can't completely salvage the mixed bag found on Vol. 1. Sadly, the almost compilation-style/mixtape feel of the album is too disjointed for anyone anticipating a true follow-up to Dirty Acres to completely appreciate
Soul Assassins - Intermission
Where there are enough shining moments sprinkled throughout to keep you interested, you're likely to find yourself wondering why more care wasn't taken to reduce the disparity between Intermission's best and worst
50 Cent - War Angel LP
If War Angel is a preview to what the Queens emcee has in store for Before I Self Destruct, G-Unit fans around the world have something to look forward to come autumn
L.E.G.A.C.Y. - Suicide Music
Even with the backlog of material these two have racked up, it still feels like Leg and Khrysis are finding each other. There is some seriously good music to dig into here, however sometimes it just doesn't mesh, which leaves more to be desired
Black Eyed Peas - The E.N.D.
You know an "urban" group can penetrate the "mainstream" when the only threatening band member is a crazy white chick, and the Black Eyes have paved their way based upon that
Street Sweeper Social Club (Tom Morrello/Boots Riley) - Street Sweeper Social Club
While the music itself swings between putting a fist, putting your hands, and simply just putting an L in the air, this is as good of a full length Rock-Rap collaborative effort as you'll get since M.O.P.'s Mash Out Posse mosh-pit mayhem in 2004
D-Block - No Security
Ultimately, No Security is a fairly uneven effort. While the b-teamers have plenty of energy and can definitely spit, there's not much that draws you to them
Busdriver - Jhelli Beam
But Jhelli Beam too often feels like a regression, like he's rapped himself into a corner. Unconcerned with innovation, Busdriver is running in circles and flailing. But maybe flailing is what he does best.
Sa-Ra Creative Partners - Nuclear Evolution: The Age of Love
Occasionally, Sa-Ra's experiments take them into the world of Electronica and Drum & Bass. If neither is your genre of preference, then those few omissions are the only thing preventing this from being a classic LP
The Jacka - Tear Gas
Although Tear Gas should inspire those unfamiliar with The Jacka to give him a listen, the Pittsburg native ultimately needs to revisit his critically acclaimed sophomore album The Jack Artist
Mos Def - The Ecstatic
While The Ecstatic isn't what its Black On Both Sides ancestor from a decade ago was, it's easily Mos Def's best work since then
Kurupt & DJ Quik - BlaQKout
As Hip Hop changes shape in 2009, Kurupt and Quik, two men raised in its golden glory, two men who flame-broiled beef in the '90s, are also proving that they're carrying the sound forward, with grace and style.
Torae & Marco Polo - Double Barrel
Double Barrel is here to satisfy those nostalgic cravings while maintaining 21st century relevance as well. DJ Premier says it all on the introduction when he states, "You know if I cosign, it's gotta be real."
The Kickdrums - Just A Game
The Kickdrums have already proven themselves capable as producers and remix masters; their debut EP proves that they are well-versed in all levels of music-making
J Dilla - Jay Stay Paid
For Dilla lovers, Jay Stay Paid is a conceptually brilliant work that does Dilla's legacy justice. Most die-hard fans will embrace this work out of principle, but those just learning Dilla-nese will love it for what it is: a solid ode to a music legend
Scratch - Loss 4 Wordz
Although working with a beat-boxer for a whole LP could obviously seem tedious for a sound engineer, tracks such as "Midnight Hour" will make the listener wish that more time had been put into mixing the songs
Electrik Red - How To Be A Lady, Vol. 1
Elecktrik Red, like most music out today, will be refreshing to some and ridiculous to others. Having been aligned with the right producers from the start, there's considerable room for growth, provided they aren't too hung up on the badass shtick
