“The stars look so bright / When you come from a city with no lights,” says ST 2 Lettaz on “Y U Mad.” Hunstville, Alabama’s duo G-Side are most certainly a product of their environment, and contrast nicely against a mainstream still focused on bright lights and big cities. Like Meridian, Mississippi’s Big K.R.I.T. or Gasden, Alabama’s Yelawolf, newness and amplifying the once voiceless is an ongoing revolution in Rap right now. G-Side’s latest self-released album, The One…Cohesive has the hustler’s conviction found in Young Jeezy‘s early work, without the lyrics about peddling dope. Rather, Clova and partner ST 2 Lettaz rhyme mostly about hope – between surviving today’s uncertain times, and making it as the Rap voices they’ve been trying to be for over a decade.
As the case with much of the G-Sides catalog, Cohesive is self-released and both charms and disappoints with its rawness. The crew’s extended family does not all possess the same naturally gifted abilities they have, evident the rushed busy-ness of “Never.” It’s a crowded house, and while the album enforces a family environment, it’s easy to get lost in the personnel. Still, the musicality allowed by having talented singers, emcees and instrument players in one place makes this arguably minor album appear major. As was the case with 2008’s Starshipz & Rocketz, the sound employed by G-Side and production team Block Beataz is as spacey as their rhymes. “Pictures,” a slow motion track with a light dash of female Pop vocal samples feels like the sexual rhythms that the duo and GMane are chronicling. Similarly, “Nat Geo” has a worldly feel, with hard, dramatic percussion and soft background vocals. Through this diverse soundscape, G-Side is able to project their surroundings on the world. Yes, dozens of Rap songs are recorded daily, about packing two Magnums – one for a pocket and one for the kick-panel, but on Cohesive, it’s felt. Perhaps because Huntsville is just now getting attention, ST 2 Lettaz and Yung Clova are forced to do more to explain their world, or why the stakes are just so damn high. While they do an excellent job, their entourage and production add deep reinforcement.
“Nowadays, everybody’s a critic / Or they competition / It’s so complicated / You can’t even compliment me / When I refuse to compromise / My composition / To coincide / With whatever the common trend is,” rhymes ST on the album’s stand-out, “Y U Mad.” Much of this album is about just that. It’s about a crowded industry, and the importance of home, and trying to leave it. Largely influenced by Tupac bars and west coast Funk, “Jones” captures. “I know we’re about to blow, please stay away.” Proving it that they can do it themselves, G-Side has a point.
With a plethora of attitudes, sounds and revelations, G-Side’s latest album is indeed Cohesive. The group’s unpredicatability and totally unique style is grassroots Hip Hop at its best. This is the type of honesty and authenticity Rap’s top mainstream artists are recently attempting, but as the group lyrically gives you a tour of their journey and surroundings, you cannot help but put a fist up, in slow motion.
No comment. Great Album. 4/5 is an insult.
This short into the year, I think this may wind up being the best album all 2011.
Album of the year.
check out the artwork attached to this audible classic as well..
already one of my fav albums ever
Is this on CD? dope album.
THIS ALBUM IS IN INCREDIBLE! These fellas dominate the PROGRESSIVE MUSIC ECHELON…hands down! 10 STARS…
Respect from OAKLAND,CA!
Ms. Josie Stingray! (HNRL)
These dudes is sick. Completely full album and it ain’t generic.
Classic.
im glad these guys are finally getting some attention for their hard work and the album is dope…
classic
classic
…#SHOUTOUT TO G-SIDE AND THE WHOLE SLOW MOTION FAMILY…THIS RECORD REALLY WAS A COHESIVE EFFORT FROM ARTWORK @JOHNTURNERJR TO MARKETING, MIXING, ALL WAS DONE IN HOUSE…THANKS HIPHOP DX FOR THE RECOGNITION~ I HOPE THIS ALBUM CONTINUES TO GARNER THE RECOGNITION THAT IT DESERVES
Each record holds its own. Can’t say this is better than the last G-Side record. It’s better than a lot of the stuff out right now.
Banger. Period. Point Blank.
This album is incredible! One of the best album of the past few years. I can’t believe I just now learned about these guys. I am definitely going to check out their earlier work.
I love it, this is a album that will be talked about for years on, definitely a classic.
I love this record. I just got put op these dudes. Been hearing the name for a minute though. Music is dope
Pretty good shit..sonics cool, lyrics tight. Will be buying…
Bought this a few days ago. Solid album, but by no means the classic people are making out. Though the first verse on Y U Mad is the best I’ve heard in a while.
Aint nothing out competing with this
I’m really proud of G-Side, Block Beattaz, Codie G, John Turner and all those artists that helped make this a phenomenal project.
This is an example of how far ahead in music the Slow Motion camp is. A truly classic album that deserves to be praised for it’s uniqueness, quality, and cohesion. You can listen to it straight through like an ALBUM should be! Shout out to CODIE G for making it possible!
Great to see Slow Motion get some props, been banging out their tunes for years..representing Huntsville so pure. It’s laid back here.
Can’t believe I slept on this for so long. Finally bought this album, worth every penny and then some. Fuckin amazing production. Bravo.
I don’t know what type of shit ya’ll be smoking! But these dudes are average at best!!! Weak flows, weak beats, wordplay is ok.
Shit, you from the South? This is a breath of fresh air compared to most of the garbage the radiowaves are flooded with now.
Flows aren’t amazing, but these dudes are creative and definitely know how to break the mold and deliver some good music. Can’t hate ’em for that. Different strokes I guess.
You are out of your mind. Shout out to CP and SMS for producing some of the most smooth transitions out there. This shit defines good flow. Timing is perfect even with all the “space” that is between beats… and it always comes back to ONE.
You must be use to that butt music they play on the radio now of days
I like
Starshipz and Rocketz was way better, so was HuntsvillINt, but this is decent. Defintiely if you like this check out those others tho, S&R is the shit.
Good Rep of Alabama
Out of the box… best album yet. Just like Huntsville International you can listen to it from start to finish over and over. I absolutely love it. My favorites are still on Starshipz though. Speed of Sound, Hit Da Block, Everywhere I Go, Swangin’… that ish is the best.
This album is super dope time to get back to ggood music and this album exemplifies that kudos
G-side they own the building. I see you Block
Truly a masterpiece!
classic