HipHopDx Reviews
Rustee Juxx - Indestructible
Its main downside is that it's probably not solid enough to maintain its longevity for nearly as long as the ten years that Juxx fans spent waiting for his debut.
Prodigy - Product of the 80's
Prodigy logs in his third solid release in just two years - an impressive feat indeed. But it's clear on this outing that the production is doing most of the work
Black Milk - Tronic
With another strong outing in Tronic, Black Milk continues the trend of Detroit's musical revolution. With its quality beats and above-average raps, Motown has delivered another dope album to go along with their revolution
Willie Da Kid - Absolute Greatness
While it doesn't reach the lofty goals of its title, it's still a solid disc that reestablishes Willie's talent and gives him a firm, but flawed foundation to build on.
Z-Ro - Crack
The production, split between Ro & underground H-Town stalwarts like Cory Mo & Mr. Lee is appropriately morose. Post-Screw, the above ground Houston sound has mostly turned larger then life, more showboating car show buzz than promethazine burn out.
DJ Babu - Duck Season Volume 3
With help from the likes of Percee P, Bishop Lamont & the Likwit Junkies, it's evident that even a competent production job - something that Babu is more than capable of - could render excellent results. Such is the case with Duck Season Vol. 3.
Blue Sky Black Death - Jean Grae: Evil Jeanius
While Rap-A-Lot and Death Row have struggled to package former artists with remixes and after-the-fact production, Babygrande and its producers may have stumbled on something strikingly good.
Statik Selektah - Stick to the Scipt
Chockfull of talented vocalists, old-and-new, the Boston beatsmith drops heavy gems for them to express their skills to the fullest and the new album will satisfy hardcore Hip Hop fans worldwide.
Diamond D - The Huge Hefner Chronicles
The Huge Hefner Chronicles is chock-full of joints. There is no need to fast forward or to skip. If gimmicks, non-lyrics, non-stories and non-flows is the type of Hip Hop that you need to quench your thirst then this is not the album for you.
Dr. Dooom - Dr. Dooom 2
In the end, you wish Keith would drop all the bitterness & stop fighting battles he has already won simply by being himself. Keith's existence, his longevity & his warped style, are proof that individuality and trend bucking are viable career options.
Big Kuntry - My Turn To Eat
To his credit, he doesn't use T.I. to stand on his own two, but that is where the credit ends. At the end of the day, your first time eating you're bound to bite your tongue once or twice, and Big Kuntry King is not infallible.
The Mighty Underdogs - Droppin' Science Fiction
Can members of Blackalicious, Latryx and Crown City Rockers equate to a sum of their parts as The Mighty Underdogs?
Foreign Exchange - Leave It All Behind
Expectations for such established acts are understandable, but if you can leave them all behind, The Foreign Exchange's new disc is a satisfying effort.
Hasan Salaam - Children of God
While spiritual Hip Hop has either celebrated the artist's faith vividly or defamed other religions, Hasan Salaam made a universal analysis of religion and rap.
People Under The Stairs - Fun DMC
Although it might not excite the mainstream media or your imagination as much as rags tucked in pockets, pumps and dumps and fist-fights, Fun-DMC is as Los Angeles as Randy's Donuts, bad traffic and air pollution.
Jake One - White Van Music
White Van Music hits on all cylinders, and all those who didn't know who Jake One is surely will after this. More importantly, he'll have no problem luring people into his van with these treats.
J-Zone & Chief Chinchilla - Live @ The Liqua Sto
The album is both a celebration of booze and a condemnation of its affects. J-Zone is smart enough to know nobody wants to listen to somebody preach at them. Humor is the subtlest and least painful way to get somebody to think
Devin The Dude - Landing Gear
By limiting himself to the same, familiar subject matter, Devin isn't so much competing against other artists as he his against his previous work. And while Landing Gear is a nice addition to his catalogue, it's not exceptional
Heltah Skeltah - D.I.R.T.
Given Rock's legal issues, Heltah Skeltah could be on the way to another long vacation. Hopefully for them, a follow-up won't take another decade, but at least their music is consistent even if their release schedule is not.
Termanology - Politics As Usual
Termanology clearly has talent to spare, but for all his constant reminders, it doesn't always show. Much like Canibus, his verses are always well put together but not always compelling.
