HipHopDx Reviews
Grandmaster Flash - The Bridge: Concept Of A Culture
Grandmaster Flash might be defined by many as "old school," but once The Bridge is listened to GrandMaster Flash's beats and production should go on to school many.
Braille & The Symbolyc One - Cloud Nineteen
Cloud Nineteen is a case of the sum being less than its individual parts. There is a handful of really good tracks and its solid as worst, but in the end it doesn't resonate as well as it should.
Lil Scrappy - Silence & Secrecy
Silence And Secrecy is a surprisingly solid album from a pair of no-names and a leader who's never fully reached his star potential. Thankfully, Scrappy has learned from his previous experiences.
Project Pat - Real Recognize Real
Real Recognize Real is one of the few examples of a veteran rapper, applying his artistic lessons learned to the same way he entered the game - with a ski mask on.
K'naan - Troubadour
As someone who was previously unfamiliar with K'naan's music, this album comes as a pleasant surprise. With a diverse mix of music and some pop sensibilities, Troubadour is nearly a complete package.
Cesar Comanche - Die In Your Lap
Without the need to sacrifice his deep-seated spiritual values and by being brutally honest in his music, Cesar's latest LP, Die in Your Lap, is a valiant attempt in bringing him that much closer to achieving his dreams in the dog-eat-dog world of Rap.
Havoc - Hidden Files
Worth checking out for fans, Hidden Files isn't a disappointment, but if anything, it'll mostly just make you want to dust off The Infamous or Hell on Earth.
B-Real - Smoke N Mirrors
Smoke N Mirrors is proof that nothing can mask the fact that after nearly two decades B-Real still has the magic touch on the mic.
Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes - Eye-Legacy
Still, Eye Legacy serves as an example of how posthumous should be made: with care and altruism. As a result, those needing a reminder of Left Eye's deserved legacy will find it here.
Joe Budden - Padded Room
Despite a minor shortcoming, Joe Budden has released a candid and thought provoking piece of work. It's something that many fans have been waiting for.
Bobby Valentino - The Rebirth
While The Rebirth has its moments, Bobby Valentino's sub-par pen game is what proves to be his greatest downfall, turning otherwise notable singles into quickly forgotten stanzas
The Lonely Island - Incredibad
E-40 and Slim Thug in jokes will surely be lost on Lonely Island's target audience as a whole and exist solely as a winking nod to fellow hip hop heads. It's nice that someone finally cares enough about rap music to mock it properly.
Zion I - The Takeover
For all of the masterful instrumentation on the album, Zumbi still has to flow. With assistance given by Devin the Dude , Ty, and the aforementioned Ali, Zumbi struggles to keep up. Often times, Zumbiu's rhymes are overshadowed by Amp's beats.
N.A.S.A. - The Spirit of Apollo
Kanye West, Scarface join Kool Keith and Pharcyde on this unusual and very successful crafting of blended genre.
Dela - Changes of Atmosphere
Not since Tommy Tee or Nicolay has an overseas producer made such a quality album, deserving of both recognition for its completeness, but also a name worthy of A&R departments major and independent alike.
Ryan Leslie - Ryan Leslie
The je na sais quoi of Ryan Leslie as a showman may not translate to the music itself. Regardless, Leslie's debut is a telling indication of what he's capable of, and it's good to see that the content of those YouTube videos is actually being released.
Madlib - Beat Konducta Volume 5-6: A Tribute To...
Beat Konduckta Vol.5 & 6 is more flattery than imitation as Madlib doesn't try to be Jay Dee; it is inspiration passed from one contemporary to another.
Cappadonna - Slang Prostitution
The man responsible for the lethal verse on "Winter Warz" still has razor sharp lyrics, but suffers from generosity with the microphone, and producers that defy the ability to update the recipe with the trademark Wu ingredients
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique: 20th Anniversary Edition
No matter what the group does in the twilight of their career, Paul's Boutique will always define the Beastie Boys. They weren't fighting for their right to party or fighting to free Tibet, they were just making obscure pop culture references
P.O.S. - Never Better
Much like 2006's Audition, P.O.S. jump starts the year with an LP full of honesty, anger and heart
