HipHopDx Reviews
Chester French - Love The Future
Chester French isn't the first group to sample days past. We hear it everyday in Hip Hop, and in Indie Rock. The difference is in CF's approach, we can call them the reason why a Soulja Boy fan might pick up a Beatles CD someday
Boaz - The Audio Biography
Audio Biography is thus an early, unfinished memoir. There's still plenty of time for Boaz to determine which ending of the hustler's script he'll follow
Mr. Lif - I Heard It Today
"I'm over-skilled and understated/Often underrated/Overlooked because the market's oversaturated/I'm fascinated with this fabricated/Reality we're livin' in/So imprisoned in/A far cry from what I was envisionin.'"
Asher Roth - Asleep In The Bread Aisle
Asleep In The Bread Aisle presents Roth as is a talented, if heavily influenced, stylist with only weed, women and wireless devices to rhyme about.
Pastor Troy - Feel Me Or Kill Me
With over a decade of experience, PT has stood in his own position, unfiltered, unchanged, and regardless of who's listening, he'll likely keep it that way
Rick Ross - Deeper Than Rap
Ross continues to develop a reputation for being able to put together a complete product - despite repetitive subject matter. So no, there's not much depth to Deeper than Rap, but that doesn't supersede its impressive execution
Big Tone - The Art Of Ink
Although the subject matter of his lyrics is limited to the trials and tribulations of being a successful hustler, it provides enough proof that there are talented people in the Midwest eagerly awaiting their chance to make an indelible mark in Hip Hop
Stoupe (of Jedi Mind Tricks) - The Decalouge
The sounds are varied but subtle, the melody is emotional, and the drums are rich; that's Stoupe's signature to a tee. Though he writes that signature a bit differently throughout the album, Decalogue is a decent debut from an underground veteran.
Inspectah Deck Presents - Fes Taylor Flight 10304 (T-2 Fly)
Although others have made better, more enduring albums, few Wu-Tang Clan pupils have taken their sound in this direction, still remembering the original science
Nickelus F - Heathen
While it story elements feel disjointed, and it is no where near as tight as last years Death of Adam, there is still plenty of solid rapping and good production, and that is something we all can enjoy, heathen or not.
Illogic - Diabolical Fun
Illogic makes sure that by the end of it all, listeners have understood his point - he's not satisfied with Hip Hop's current state, and his quest to make the change he wants to see happen is only just beginning with Diabolical Fun
MIMS - Guilt
Listeners may be able to pick and choose their favored tracks, but in terms of performance, the growth between Music Is My Savior and Guilt is arguably regressive.
Jadakiss - The Last Kiss
Even if there are a handful of tracks that should've been shaved off, there's nothing outright bad on The Last Kiss and a lot that's good.
Blame One - Days Chasing Days
With top-notch production and just the right amount of A-list, underground features, Days Chasing Days serves as an excellent intro for those not familiar with the San Diego emcee
Finale - A Pipe Dream and A Promise
Take away the vloggers and the mixtape-flooding, and you would be hard-pressed to find a more inspiring artist in 2009 than this talented and righteous emcee right here
Camp Lo - Stone & Rob Caught On Tape
Stone & Rob is a decent album by Camp Lo. While it hits the mark on a few occasions, it does not capture the magic of their 1997 jump-off, which they seem to be trying to recreate. Perhaps their next release will be more Blu-Ray than eight-track.
UGK - UGK 4 Life
Bun and company have done a remarkable job of synthesizing Pimp's vision given the circumstances. UGK 4 Life needs no formal Pimp C tribute because the album itself is a grand testament to his legacy
Coalmine Records Presents - The Foundation
Shuko's beats meet DJ Dutchmaster's seamless mixing on The Foundation, and both sides of the game, new and old, dropping in for a producer and label compilation all in one.
Flo Rida - R.O.O.T.S.
R.O.O.T.S in many ways is the album that should have preceded Mail On Sunday - songs packed with newer talent and dance floor money woes
Slim Thug - Boss Of All Bosses
It was shaping up to be a Houston Rap classic through its first handful of tracks. What it turns out to be is a good record where a mainstream artist challenges himself and comes up with enough good songs (and some great songs) to make it worth your money
