Fans who waste precious minutes of life complaining about the new age “mumble rapper” don’t have a leg to stand on when there are artists like Dave East achieving moderate success in their own pair of unlaced Timbs. The Harlem-bred rhyme gunner has followed the path hollowed out by notable East Coast acts such as Mobb Deep, Onyx, Hell Rell, etc. without resembling a forced reincarnation of that era. In other words, if menacing New York raps never lost their grip on the culture’s dictatorship, East would likely be the new voice of authority for bodegas and boroughs everywhere.
In short order, East has become recognizable for his ambidextrous flow, whether he’s reporting live from his NYC stoop or entangled with some of the more popular rap ethos from neighboring regions. And it’s paid off, as the news sets in that the 28-year-old street poet will now be operating underneath the Def Jam umbrella while still holding down the fort over at his Mass Appeal home base. His debut album, Kairi Chanel, immortalizes his recently born daughter’s name and highlights both his inconsistencies and the rawness of a real-life baller turned pro rapper in the same blunt wrap package.
The project’s most thorough record, “Don’t Shoot,” cleverly touches on that, as he revisits his bio while smoothly addressing the nation’s current plague of Quick Draw Bettys gunning down African-Americans. The project’s most sonically pleasing record, “Type of Time” — with its melancholy piano backdrop and bouncy cadence — puts East’s talent centerstage with lyrical acrobatics: “Prince of my city, what’s that about/They heard I could spit, tryna rap it out/They reach out they hands tryna dap it out/I go in my zone and I’m blacking out/We traveling, we don’t just map it out.”
Paying homage is also a virtue for a dude with A-1 street credit as he calls upon a couple of East Coasters who helped solidify hardcore Hip Hop as the culture’s dominant commercial allele once upon a time. “S.D.E.” is the straight-to-hood-DVD sequel of Cam’ron’s sophomore albums as the two Harlemites exchange vivid wordplay on the dangerous thrills of their stomping grounds, and Beanie Sigel stands tall on “The Real Is Back” to remind whomever it may concern that his legacy can’t be defined by an Instabeef. The catchy back-and-forth is a great example of how East can inject surrealism into his music to expand his audience.
The complete opposite can be said for “Eyes on Me,” his duet with Fabolous, where the two capable MCs eschew an opportunity to bar-the-fuck-out and waste four minutes Auto-Tuning how gold diggers choose the rapper at the club.
Which is a prime example of the missing link in East’s artistry. It will be interesting to see how his new major label situation can elevate commercial prowess, as there is zero worry at this point he’ll compromise his sound for record sales. Kairi Chanel employs producers like Cardo, Big Jerm and Buda & Grandz, who all provide subtle yet excogitating melodies for East to spill his soul over, but there is nothing on the level to cement any track in career-defining contentions. Street flavor like “30 Niggaz” all but comes naturally for East and while the entertaining “Keisha” may carry on the narrative mastered by Mobb Deep’s Havoc and exhibit a penchant for storytelling, it doesn’t exactly scream innovation all the same.
Dave East’s no-nonsense approach to rapping basically guarantees himself work for years. It’s up to him on whether or not he runs the block or Billboard. Kairi Chanel has plenty of indicators that suggest the latter.
The type of album that won’t ever get a second listen and just collects dust somewhere in the hard drive. I expected it to be way better! production was really bad, a step down from Hate Me Now. Dave East is a really dope MC but he really didn’t pick the right songs for this one.
Seems as if you had intentions on hating the album before listening to it. So your point makes sense
Nah man i had intentions of putting this on repeat and enjoying it because Dave East is consistent and he’s one my faves but he didn’t deliver, or it’s not for me at least.
To each is own nuff respect still…. I just say albums like these may take time to grasp.
Hey Hip Hop DX I do appreciate the Diamond D reference on the title of this article. Rip Anthony Mason
My reply went to the other person. I respect your opinion though.
This album is Flamerz…. Pure NYC Street Hop!!
Pure NYC whaat?! did you even listen to it? how in the earth are songs like Eyes On Me, Again, The song with 2 Chainz Pure New York? people gotta get their ears checked nowadays hiphop is so trash y’all get satisfied with almost anything.
Did you listen to the album??… That’s your opinion but there is nothing wrong with Diversifying your sound a little. De La Soul also had 2 chainz on the album, does that mean they aren’t representing NY Hip-Hop??
You named 3 songs out 15 tracks… S.D.E, The Real is Back, It was written, Don’t Shoot, Don Pablo, Bad boy vs Death Row… All Heat!!
BTW your your are F**KHHDX but are commenting and supporting HHDX…. FOH!!
On my way to staples to print out this review., and post on my wall. I love Dave East music, but the competitior in me wants to be the one to make that New York debut classic album on par with Lupe, and Kendrick. I truly embrace this mans music. His sound is what the game needs, but in New York it’s sad that he doesn’t have the streets like a Young M.A, or A Boogie. It’s hard making a classic without embracing the fact the younger New York generation doesn’t care as much for lyrics, and wordplay as they used to. Which explains my song Room306 . We don’t want to make the club bangers, but the game is still a business. Thanks for reviewing a New York album guys. Motivation.
yall buggin, this album a solid 4.5… Bars on point, beat selection on point, features on point…
I loved this shit.
This is some of the nicest stuff I have heard out of NY in awhile. My only criticism is this project is about 4-5 tracks too long, and out of those tracks some feel like check boxed tracks. 4.5 for me still, honestly one of the best projects this year.
Fully agree with you here, couple of generic tracks, really didn’t like the Fabolous track but other than that I loved this album. Even the 2chainz track was fire.
Yeah The Chainz Track was dope. Dave’s dope, he the 80s babies last Spitta. God blessem
Fiya! 3.9
fire
Album super fire
Album is dope! I don’t agree with the 3.8, although its not a bad rating but I would give it a 4.6
Solid album but Dave East kind of compromised his musical integrity to chase a few club tracks. I get it. He doesn’t want to be placed in the “New York Box” and trying to reach a larger audience. Seem like he left his best work in the notepad and strayed too far away from what he does best…Boom Bap flows over killer hip hop beats. And the fact that Nas didn’t hop on two or three tracks to further push the album is astonishing.
Good debut album even though I can be a tough critic.
This is straight fire I bought the whole album on iTunes support real hip hop.Only song I didn’t care much about is the auto tune with fab.
his grind is sickest !!
Mobb Deep,Onyx and Hell Rell? that is the weirdest combination of artists you chose to compare.
East teaming up with legends is fire on his next album gotta get The Lox Ghostface n Raekwon Nas n AZ Cormega Scarface Tray Deee Pusha T Lupe
It’s “we traveling, Wayno just map it out” in Type of Time. Referring to his manager Wayno Clark.
Real classic bars
He’s the ONLY worthy rapper of mention in the entire XXL Freshman of 2016. He’s the only one with bars, who doesn’t mumble and actually exudes skill in the game. The fact that he’s simultaneously brought back an Era of NY hip hop that was crave in a way that makes it seem dope to bring that style back…the fact that he can make 1990 flows sound current… that shows he’s gonna be a force to be reckoned with!
That’s not true at all. Anderson .Paak has bars and is much more of an artist as well. You must have only watched the freshman cyphers and made a stupid snap judgement.
Album is absolute fire? Best hip hop album ive heard in years.. ??
this dude is wack