In an age where Hip Hop’s myriad of problems dominate discussion without comparable recognition given to those striving for a positive change, it is the truly bold coming up with creative solutions resultant in major impact. Particularly, North Carolina’s maintenance within the underground (largely in part to Phonte & 9th Wonder’s prolific track records) has been a shining beacon for Golden Age inspired ambition for the past decade, while neighboring South Carolina’s fanfare has been limited to breakout sensation Danny Swain and lesser known notable acts including Dan Johns. Amongst SC’s latest hopefuls aiming for respect on the dual fronts of emceeing and producing is Amiri, with his latest release Vinyl Ritchie.
The aptly titled project stems from Amiri’s readily apparent infatuation with authenticity, as his largest aspiration is to pay homage to pioneers that catalyzed his affection towards musical purity. Though stopping short of replication, his work emulates the hard hitting soulful sound of his production’s influences mentioned by name on “The Pros,” “It’s That Real” is a head nodder further demonstrative of his passion for carrying Hip Hop’s torch and “We Had” salutes the emcees, DJs and breakdancers that paved the way for his career’s trajectory. Momentary departures from the concept of upholding the culture come as he projects romantic energy on “Take Our Time” featuring his partner in rhyme Spectac and laments the demise of a relationship on “Almost,” indicating a sensitive and emotional balance to his steadfast commitment towards Rap’s advancement.
Amiri’s ultimate gift and curse stems from his well-intentioned upbeat and positive demeanor that is barely refreshing, as his rigid and straightforward amateurish delivery lacks conviction of any sort. Despite Vinyl Ritchie’s feel good mood and the express goal of attaining respect for his creative palette’s beats and rhymes, a trip back to the drawing board is in order given his complacent knack for celebrating the achievements of predecessors without nearly approaching evolution.
Spot on review. I streamed it
Decent review… I ain’t mad. Thanks for the look!
It is refreshing to hear this album today!!!!!! In the music world of ” Future” and “Two Chains”, it’s good to know that someone like Amici still respects the “Art” of the indusrty. The youth needs to know the foundation, and that it is not just about dope, money, cars and clothes!!!! We need this type of hip hop daily….what’s feeding your soul?????
Appreciate your thoughts Jesse Fairfax. To have an amateurish sound, I can proudly say cats like Rashad Smith, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu all have blessed my tracks! And big up to HHDX for putting me on the DX Next alumni for having an amateurish sound as well! If that’s the real Curren$y, holla yo I got tracks! Cop that Vinyl Ritchie now! I apologize for diggin in the crates, and not sounding like the robot the industry has created!
Nuff said. Hiphop dx got no idea on hiphop. Dudes werent even born when tribe came out so how are they ro recognize real shit.
There’s no shortage of emcee/producers diggin in the crates on underground level !! Doesnt mean everyone one of em is dope and deserves highest marks and recognition just bcos they been making – in your words “music from the heart & soul” !! Underground also got its share of cliched topics !! So dont go blaming the whole music scene in 2012 or using generic terms “im no robot in industry” !!
Downloaded the album off Rapgodfathers forum and after two listens nuthin really stood out !! Your saying good stuff but how you says is kinda equal to me saying – smoking is bad for health… thats true but i doubt it would affect a smoker to give up !!
Within last two weeks these are the projects i downloaded – El-P, Killer Mike, Oddisee’s EP, Ab-Soul, Punchline & DJ Soulclap, Krizz Kaliko, Travis Porter’s album (only liked the joints with Posner & Mac Miller), Jon Hope’s album, of course Big KRIT, Apollo Brown & OC, Emanny R&B tape, 50 Cent’s mixtape, Ohnomite and finally Juicy J !!
Now are all these just robots manufacturing bullshit music with in ur words – “rapping from their cell phones” !!
Everything is alright in music scene today but 3.5 would have sufficed for ur album…. its just your amateurish delivery really lacks charisma/presence on mic !!
Dont usually rant but your “robots/industry” comment really bugged !! Good luck on yor music journey and you are much more talented than me musically so keep making ur “real” hip-hop !!
Thanks for replying Jesse!lol. And by no means was I implying that my album is a masterpiece! My whole outlook on this project was to make positive hip hop! Whether you dig it or not is your choice! I have a very SMALL fan base and I really appreciate you even listening to my joint twice, and thanks for throwing the Travis Porter Album in your mix of goods because maybe some of their fans will do the same! All in all we make music and in the end you either bump it or move on! Thanks for moving on Indian!
Lol was that actually the author jesse taking on an alias to get at this dude. Good to see Amiri defending his own, some of the fuckin reviews on this site are hopeless no idea dx no idea. WHen was the last time yall did a lolife album. 2 listens isnt a review, you gotta bump albums for days to get a true perspective. I been bumping killer mike on and off for the past week or so and its not as crazy as i first thought. But when i starting bumpin O.C or Masta ace MA doom album im like this is some classic shit and i cant see it getting old. Some albums have that flavour that just sticks. Some wear off over time and some like this man Amiri takes time to stick to your soul. So for this dude jesse to reviewing albums after 2 listens and probably didnt listen to all the songs is just a fool. All hiphop is today is fuckin highhats and overswag, ya’ll little kids in this game hip hop isnt just music muthafuckas its a way of life. ALLC represent. BK2OZ
After listening to the album around 5 or 6 times I would have to agree with the reviewer. This kid has a lot of potential, especially on the boards but an ideal or attitude doesn’t make the album automatically a good listen. This right here is my problem with the genre, people care too much about where people are going or how they approach the music when really all it comes down to is, well the music, let your album speak for itself kid because ultimately that’s all that matters, no matter the amount of witty comebacks and generic shots at the industry you come up with.
Honestly, I don’t think it was a good look at all. He came off as being unable to take some criticism. And trying to say An Indian was the reviewer just because he didn’t say his shit was a classic was also lame as hell. Like other dude said, reading these comments actually makes me NOT want to listen to your project. It would be best to be humble, and learn to take criticism. If the criticism isn’t on point, then pay it no mind. But just because someone isn’t feeling your music does not mean their opinion is automatically wrong. That is immaturity and arrogance all rolled up in one artist. Peace
I’m sorry man, but after re-reading this review and your subsequent comment, if this is the way you’re going to respond to (what seemed to me to be) honest criticism, maybe this isn’t the right profession for you. Dude was giving his honest opinion on what he thought of your music; truthfully, there was more positives in the review than negatives, and if he really wanted to bash your music, that doesn’t seem like the way one would go about doing it. He feels you need improvement, but have potential; obviously you disagree, but apparently he’s not the only one who feels that way. Peace
Plenty of talented rappers make amatuerish-sounding albums.
Really??!!
Amiri is one talented dude, producing and emceeing… I don’t see many of those these days. All self driven, not industry moulded.
Why is it negative to want authentic and classic sounding Hip Hop… That’s TIMELESS sounding Hip Hop.
Why feel the need to throw ‘barely refreshing’ into the mix, when clearly, with such a positive and lively feel about this album, it IS refreshing not hear another album full of dismal and depressing subject matter (Blah I have no money, blah I get bitches, blah guns and shit).
Hip hop is a fantastically wide and expansive (always expanding) genre, which has no peers when it comes to styles and eclecticism. There is literally something for everyone, but you seem to suggest in your written tone that it is narrow than we think… Maybe you views are the narrow ones… Not good music.
Go DL the album, yo. Summer is here.
My statement about it being barely refreshing reflected the rapping, there wasnt much energy behind his bars a lot of the time.
lol @ all four of Amiri’s fans being butthurt over a little criticism. take it, eat it and use the “hate” to finesse your next project. i was gonna check this out til the artist swooped down on the comments and started crying, you don’t see ghostface doing that.
COMPLETELY AGREED.
Man, he’s tryin to look like DIlla on the cover.
Thirsty ass blog rappers
Dumb ass …Get the fuck out of here with you’re retarded ass brain …No wonder you’re mom’s so ashamed of you .. You poor lil peasant
i can’t enough of this album. it’s banger from the beginning to the end. peace to Amiri.
BELOW on every new video article and basically any new piece of content
Bloggers shouldn’t be pretending to runs labels. Game is fucked up.
sounds like something i shitted out cpl hours ago..a hot mess