On the day that rivals Christmas for holding the highest suicide rate, Valentine’s Day can leave some feeling dreadfully alienated and uncomfortable while forcing them to question their self-worth. All the while this so-called day of romance mirrors the ploys of a cheap marketing scam from big league companies that ambush misguided loved ones into buying lavish gifts for their significant other in fear of undermining their “love”; while others find that February 14th is the perfect time to celebrate love and devotion with their partner.
But why just that one day? Why should one feel obligated because society says so? Who knows. One thing’s for sure is that love, relationships and sex will be on everyone’s mind. And with that, the crafty and insightful group of emcees and producers that make up the exquisite QN5 roster are releasing a six-track ‘digital only’ EP titled Baby Blue For Pink (available now on most online distributions).
PackFM starts things off with the Deacon the Villain laced “Plucking Daisies,” where FM recites the thoughts of a man blinded by love; who has an internal conversation with the daisy in which he is plucking. The teeter-tottering account of his relationship is pulled of brilliantly as it shows the true doubts and hopes a man goes through in a relationship. Session follows up with “The Letter” a dedication to his “number one”. Over the Tonedeff produced track, Session pledges he’d “wait his whole life if [they] went to prison.” How right he is, as the recipient is revealed at the conclusion of the letter (word to the coin slot in his mirror). Although the Cashmere the Pro contribution (“Know I Do”) is originally off QN5‘s Asterisk 4 from last year; Kno adds his production genius to the remix, which fits the EP perfectly.
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Tonedeff lends his production hand once again; this time to Substantial‘s “R Love Songs Gay?” Over the Disney‘s Robin Hood sample, Substantial calls out the “pseudo tough guys” who get upset when a rapper rhymes about their chick instead of them. “So tell me how it’s gay to write a song about my girl/ You suspect, that ain’t how I’m rollin’ in my world/ Them roughnecks on YouTube spittin’ for all dudes/ This shit is sweet? Tell me what do they call you?/ And then some of your rhymes you ‘pause’ your own lyrics/ ‘We don’t love these hoes but I love my niggas’/ ayoo…” As much as I love the attack on the homo-phobic thugs out there, I find the song too “slow” and lacks replay value. Mr. SOS follows up with “Digital Video”. A Cunninlynguists & SunnyStylez assisted joint that brings most men’s fantasies of video tapping the time spent with their woman to life. Again, they seem to accomplish what they set out to do with the track but I don’t see myself flipping to this joint first (or even second or third) when the folder is selected on my Zune. Tonedeff finishes the EP up with “Close”. Over Domingo‘s sultry canvas, Tone’s butter-smooth break-down of his seducing prowess is sure to have girls wanting a “live performance” and bound to agitate the same homo-phobes from above.
As the Baby Blue for Pink EP was recorded for the “Hip Hop head who doesn’t want to hear Michael Bolton bleeding out of his eyes while [they’re] getting [their] groove on,” it’s hard to say QN5 doesn’t come correct. No “pause” needed. Grow up.
