Since gaining national recognition alongside a roster of talented but seemingly indistinguishable peers on Eminem’s Shady Records imprint, Ca$his has largely remained an enigma. His flow was respected enough to held is own on the 2010 all-star track “Syllables,” which, along with fellow Shady signee Stat Quo, featured Dr. Dre, Eminem, Jay Z and 50 Cent. But his own hiatus and a rebooting of Shady—a label Ca$his amicably departed—left questions about the man behind The County Hound EP and The Art Of Dying. Ca$his returns with a full-length sequel to The County Hound, meant to independently capitalize on the flashes of talent he’s shown since 2006 and possibly give outsiders a further glimpse of exactly what he embodies as an emcee.
With production largely handled by his Bogish Brand partner Rikanatti, this installment of The County Hound finds Ca$his in cruise control for the majority of the project. His flow is effortless, and there’s a discernible improvement in his writing and song structuring. He easily pairs multi-syllable couplets, even when opting to rhyme about run of the mill topics such as drugs, women, money and what happens to those who disrupt his enjoyment of them. Take the following offering from “Look At Me:”
“I’m back in the front / Still packin’ a blunt / Got a ratchet rat, nigga I’m gone fuck / Stacks I’m set, flash like Kodak / Get a callback, like never get your hoe back / I’m a cold mack no ‘Lac / And I rolled strapped, everybody know that / Nigga get racks that you can’t fold back / In a spot so packed, just to hear me rap nigga…”
The puzzle like precision with which the rhyme is constructed is top-notch, but the actual subject matter—racks, reefer and rats—leaves a bit to be desired. Over the course of the first half of the album, Ca$his offers this type of fare in the form of club tracks, weed anthems (“Hay”) and the obligatory ladies dedication (“I Just Wanna”). Depending on the production and guest appearances, these songs range from solid to spectacular. None are remotely wack, but the lack of range in his topics can sometimes make them difficult to differentiate. In that regard, Rikanatti’s incorporation of live instruments—“I Just Wanna” essentially features a four-piece band—spices up the proceedings. The mini-Shady Records reunion found on “Mind On Money” and the likes of Mistah F.A.B. and Crooked I, (“Imma Hustla”) offer Ca$his both some diversification and sparring partners.
Much like Joe Budden during his Mood Muzik days, Ca$his is someone you want to see win, but his projects reach their highest heights when he’s rhyming about loss and the emotions that come with it. This isn’t Drake-inspired music about drunk dialing your ex and cupcaking strippers. It’s drug-induced paranoia, night sweats, missing your children due to incarceration and the consequences that come from doing dirt. The true horror on The County Hound 2 doesn’t come from Ca$his threatening to bust someone else’s head, but rather from the bleakness he channels from within his own.
“I’m just watchin’, being patient / Prayin’ for my own existence, some say I’m a mental patient / Drugs have taken over me / Sorrow is controlling me / Follow my blind heart, tomorrow on the coldest streets / I’ve been crying for a week / Will is weak, can I speak / Without somebody judging me, pushing me and shoving me / Mama if you love me, you would really let me go / But I live for a cause, that I don’t really know,” he rhymes on “Serenade My Life.”
Ultimately, The County Hound 2 serves as a welcome return for loyal Ca$his fans. Name recognition from his Shady days, production from Eminem and some of the lighter singles will likely draw in newcomers. Repeated listens offer a bottom-heavy album; the first half of which both informs and sometimes detracts from the latter portion with trite subject matter. But there’s enough raw talent here to impress a diverse cross section of fans, and when Ca$his chooses depth over accessibility he’s still scary good in the booth.
This guy has fans?
MY Thoughts EXACTLY!!!!!?????
hey mother fucku .. white trash .. do u know rap … keep ur comments to ur self .. fuck ya …….
It’s getting to the point where everybody thinks they can rap if they have a hard-hitting trap beat…
Yeah and everybody thinks they can critique rap when they never been on a stage in their life, especially those who are currently being produced by Grammy winners, you only been produced by degenerates (your parents)
I bought the album. Ca$his album is classic.
Dope. Much better than the first one.
4 stars.
Ca$his back Imma give it chance.
I listened to the album 3 times in a row.In my opinion is one of this albums that you just can’t skip.I like it both lyrically and beat wise.Support artists like Cashis-he is a dimond in the rough!
Can someone PLEASE tell me why Eminem has this dude on the roster. I PROMISE you that NOBODY couldn’t give enough of a fuck about this loser of a nigga.
He’s not on Eminem’s roster. Maybe if your retarded ass could read a paragraph you coulda figured that out yourself. Smh, talk about loser of a nigga…
couldn’t find the physical copy of this album so I bought the county hound ep to support I refuse to pay for digital iTunes music cashis be dope as fluck tho
I’ve been waiting for this since youth in asia got shelved. Welcome back Cashis.
this critic must be from Mayberry some damn where.This cd is fire, You catz nowadays want to listen to a nicka wearing a dress carrying a purse…you want some feminine ass rnb beats with a nicka catching emotions thru the whole cd….non street cats shouldnt critique street music..its like garth brooks reviewing a 2pac cd
sucking nas’ dick on that cover.
you sucking on Nas balls thinking that, get outta here
Who the fuck rated this. Ca$his County Hound 2 should be a perfect rating. This album is reminds me of a modern day all eyes on me. Ca$his is modern day pac. Buy that album if you like real shit.
Not perfect, but most of the songs are pretty good.. 3.5 or 4.0 is on point.
The user rating needs to come down, this album is trash
I can tell you haven’t listened to the album. Ca$his fucked your bitch huh.
lmao you must like Lil Waynes new shit and bump 2chainz while sharin a blunt of schwag wit your boys thinkin yall ballin. This is real rap Not radio shit
not to be that one, but you can tell cashis has written some of the comments below. hope this album sells alot!
lol
I got to interview Cash back in August…what a nice guy. Sick album. If ya’ll wanna read interview, link is here – http://jakeelman.sportsblog.com/post/147856/interview_with_cashis_of_shady.html
Cashis been over for 7 years now. How about that?
New Rap:
Sittin in mi bugati, nigga all alone
12 peece from KFC, suckin meat off teh bone
Runnin from teh law, oh shit, itz teh copz
Wait a minut, wherez me barbeque sauce?
Am teh Teflon Don teh burgur king boss
Cal me kernul sanderz
Itz motha fuken rikky rozz
Hrrruuuuhhhhhhh
Classic from start to finish
This is the first time i have ever posted in the comments section of Hiphopdx.com but i have to say this. I can’t believe how much people on these hip hop websites argue about their OPINIONS about who is the best. I’m sorry to tell you this but you aren’t going to change someones mind by clowning their opinion. Anyway ya’ll should appreciate everyones hustle in the rap game lets see all you naysayers, that ride a single rappers dick, do any better than any of the music on this website. hahaaaa clownin…
Why was my comment removed…? There are far more offensive comments on this website. I didn’t even say anything offensive…?
GIVE ME A CHANCE
Youtube is all about finding new artist, & though I been rapping for a while im still consider a new artist. I just want my music heard thats all, im not looking for no record deal, getting famous ‘r anything like that.! so please just spare a few sec. to check me out, & if you like what you heard please SUBSCRIBE so ill know you actually listen & support
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaSNK0pm4eY
Dope album, hip hop classick!
Straight West Coast FIRE!!!
really great album cashis nice
dope reminds me of the re-up
Cashis stays putting out stuff regular n its all quality music Eminem should throw him a verse or sumthing just for a bitta promotion
Dope album but pussy niggas stay buying trash
“mind on money” is enough to get me to buy this album sometime this yr. i was impressed with some of the production, but it’s going to be hard to touch ” county hound 1 ep” hardness and dark gangsta rap Ca$his displays. Plus, Ca$his voice changed a bit . he doesn’t have same crazy voice he had on the re-up.
I didn’t buy it partly cuz I think he’s retarded
who the fck are u. Pussy
http://forums.cashisonline.com/forum.php register and come talk to cashis !
deep and thoughtful + beats create the structure for a mood and set the framework that is then filled by his excellent wordplay, creating a whole masterpiece composed of entirely different songs, each with a unique message
excellent album tbh