Chris Brown – “The X-Files EP” (Mixtape Review) DX Consensus: “EP-Worthy”
Regardless of how much Chris Brown attempts to distance himself from his missteps outside the recording booth, for many listeners, the line between his music and personal life will always be blurred. In addition to being infamous for the 2009 assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna, Breezy is releasing his “X-Files” EP on the heels a stint in a rehabilitation center for alleged anger management issues after an October, 2013 arrest.
Brown is and will continue to be presented with the challenging option of either incorporating his own struggles and societal perceptions into his music or constructing an entirely alternate narrative. For the most part, he’s vacillated between the two by creating saccharine-sweet synth Pop, such as “Forever,” and offering a mix of singing and rhyming that occasionally hints at his personal life. “X-Files” follows suit with six songs in a similar mold.
As a pure vocalist, Brown still has incredibly limited range. He doesn’t possess a rich vibrato, wisely doesn’t reach for higher octaves, and the presence of pitch-correcting software is often obvious when he does. This partially explains why his best work is often done on uptempo singles. The “X-Files” EP also displays the dichotomy of Breezy being an above average rapper whose writing skills seem to suddenly abandon him as a Pop/R&B songwriter.
This is best displayed on the opening track, “War For You,” where he sings, “Step one, I can be your man / You can call me daddy when we fuckin’ in the sand / Step two, let’s go for a ride baby / You gotta hold the stick, I don’t drive baby…” Such trite clichés are only partially offset with a verse that hints at what fuels Brown’s perceived petulance and self-sabotage, as he rhymes, “It’s kill or be killed nigga, you or us / But I keep it movin’ like a U-Haul truck / ‘Cause adolescence had me stressing, I was too fucked up / I’m gone / What’s the point of you having a crown if you ain’t got a throne / If you king you need a queen / I’m gone…”
Given Brown’s success rapping on some of his own and other artist’s singles, his choice to enlist Busta Rhymes and Ludacris is a curious one. Busta offers his usual, faux double-time gibberish of “really-gotta-get-a-little-bit” stylings, while Luda revisits 2000’s “What’s Your Fantasy.” Neither emcee detracts from the proceedings, with the Busta-assisted “Sweet Caroline” serving as the clear standout among the six songs presented. It precedes the equally druggy (and suicidal) “Love 2 Remember,” to provide a strong finish on a brief project.
His repeated appearances in front of a judge’s bench will likely overshadow Chris Brown’s visits to award show podiums—as they should. The fact that the “X-Files” EP’s artwork features him in a straightjacket likely hints at this. But Brown is still immensely talented, and should find a place on the charts in the reshaped, ratchet world of R&B/Pop he’s occupied since “Deuces” when his X album finally hits shelves.
I liked the mixtape…I think his vocal skills is on par with most pop stars today. I like how he arranges his vocals as the main singer and background singer. He’s runs that he does with his voice is nice. I hope he gets his personal life together so he can move on with his music.
before I looked at the check ov $4523, I have faith that my friend woz actualie erning money parttime on their apple laptop.. there best friend has been doing this 4 only about 14 months and resently repaid the mortgage on their place and bourt Ford. look at this website… http://www.Fb39.com
Where do you think David Blaine gets his magical powers from? Lemme guess, Hogwarts or Princeton or some shit? WRONG! David Blane gets all his powers from Yeezus.
Excellent
You must have low standards of excellence. Unlike Wendy’s which only uses the freshest ingredients and top grade meat. Go out and see what real excellence is.
fuck whoever wrote this
True talent being revealed..
#Team Breezy
I don’t think you know what the word talent means. I believe you mean “mediocre, talentless cunt who deserves worse than he has gotten in life.” Luckily none of these things apply to the delicious chili prepared at Wendy’s on a daily basis.
I guess I’m not a expert when it comes to voice technique, but to me Chris Brown’s voice is like no other. There’s this vulnerable beauty in it, and you feel the emotion. Maybe because its technically imperfect – the feeling gets in the way. Its fuel to the soul. And I so hope the rehab helps him.
He also does production work as well. If you ever check out Chris’ work, he’s not beating a drum, he’s beating Rihanna’s head, hence why it resembles a drum.
Dis artist wow he always make me want more music from him! His vocalist tke me to nother level. Plz dnt judge his music by his mistake his the best when is come to music, hope he can turn his life around
cunts a waste of oxygen
5 star , but y’all knew that 😉
when I was 11 I liked Breezy, but I just realized he is wack as fuck! talentless cunt
female/19
i love a cunty ballsack
Amazing!
The songs are dope
It’s incredible he’s awesome
This mixtape is fire!!! I’m ready for the album.
This mixtape is fire!!!! I’m ready for the album
Wack music, ep sucks!
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Hell yeah I’m here for X-Files CB came w/ pure raw emotion not no thrown together everybody doing it kind of music,plus out of the Media personal BS he got features galore & still on the itune charts ain’t nobody on this nigga level he got new artist copying him.
best best khoo
The mixtape is def on point. Every song sound like it can be straight on a platium c.d….
I can’t wait to turn it up with the rest of the album. Team Breezy all the way
s
great songs..my fav is war for you and fantasy 2
Very good!
Dope
Love it
Epic! Mixtape… XFile, Love2Remember
#C-Sizzle
I dug the mixtape a lot actually.