HipHopDx Reviews
The Underachievers - Cellar Door: Terminus Ut Exordium
Challenging listeners on "Cellar Door," The Underachievers' strong flows both help them stand out and also require great (yet rewarding) effort to process.
Wara From the NBHD - Kidnapped
With a myriad of witty bars and relatable real-talk, Wara From The NBHD's "Kidnapped" is a compelling sonic undertaking from start to finish.
Dilated Peoples - Directors Of Photography
Production and rhyme patterns can be representative of time and era. Dilated Peoples' "Directors Of Photography" transcends the notion in the best way possible.
Ces Cru - Codename: Ego Stripper
Ces Cru is still a band with a witty-lyrics heavy approach, but overall "Codename: Ego Stripper" excels at putting the entire package together.
Cam'ron - 1st of the Month, Vol. 2 (EP)
With "1st Of The Month Vol.2," Cam'ron efficiently whips between glimpses of '90s Harlem, mid-aughts parties and what the rest of his career could look like.
Lil Durk - Signed To The Streets 2 (Mixtape)
Lil Durk's "Signed To The Streets 2" offers enough quality production and humanizing moments to entertain in the short term.
Diplo - Random White Dude Be Everywhere
Despite the inclusion of several re-releases, Diplo's "Random White Dude Be Everywhere" creates the perfect middle ground between club-friendly Dance and Rap.
Sir Michael Rocks - Banco
Sir Michael Rocks shrouds some of his trademark oddity in stock cuts and sheer confidence, but "Banco" remains an entertaining album nonetheless.
Cormega - Mega Philosophy
With the help of Large Professor, "Mega Philosphy" showcases Cormega making an alternative yet solid case for grown up Rap.
Majid Jordan - A Place Like This
Majid Jordan's "A Place Like This" is both affectionate and semi-seductive but lags at times due to an inability to mask its straightforwardness.
Common - Nobody's Smiling
Common's latest is his best since "Be," and like the album itself does about Chicago, that says plenty.
B.o.B. - No Genre Pt. 2 (Mixtape)
On "No Genre Pt.2," B.o.B. makes clear dashes to Pop excellence while maintaining a nice balance of the variety and sincerity from his early mixtapes.
Onyx - #TURNDAFUCUP
A continuation of the artistry from "#Wakedafucup" is established on "#Turndafucup," but its attempts at current production trends lack as a whole.
MellowHype - INSA (Mixtape)
"INSA" is a step forward; MellowHype is shoring up their approach, but they still have yet to put all the pieces together to produce an ingenious matrix.
Cam'ron - 1st Of The Month Vol.1 (EP)
In addition to solid production, Cam'ron's "1st Of The Month Vol. 1" excels in the instances where it falls in love with its mythos.
Madlib - Rock Konducta Pt. 2
While Madlib's "Rock Konducta Pt. 2" breaks for in some aspects, it's still an enjoyable compilation of edgy instrumentals and dusty drum breaks.
Illa Ghee - Social Graffiti
While formulaic in spots, Illa Ghee's "Social Graffiti" wins with surprisingly varied production and consistent surface-level bombast and street similes.
Boogie - Thirst 48
"Thist 48" paints Boogie as a promising artist with lots of potential and a level of honesty rarely seen from his peers.
Your Old Droog - Your Old Droog (EP)
Despite the Nas comparisons, Your Old Droog distinguishes himself from the pack with his self titled EP by mixing personal commentary with clever punchlines.
Trey Songz - Trigga
With "Trigga," Trey Songz succeeds using a simplified, "turnt up" formula for Pop stardom that excels at being commonplace, but not "common."
