Planet Asia’s history is one of perseverance but it is still somewhat unknown to many. The emcee has been representing for Fresno, California for years, bubbling as loud as the underground act can. Granted, he landed a seat at the Interscope table, but was never pushed as heavily as many felt he deserved. Leaving the Iovine machine meant more freedom but less recognition for the Cali Agent. Still, the acclaim kept pouring. It seems Planet Asia could never truly be held back from praise, lauded for his rhymes and respected as an independent hustler in the culture for years. With his latest release, Crack Belt Theatre, he tackles rhymes with an ongoing theme, crack, which serves well as a cohesive force throughout.
That ongoing theme comes from rhymes but it also comes from various audio excerpts that follow nearly every cut. The various film excerpts lend consistency throughout, a factor that many artists tend to forget about. The theme flows smoothly from the opening cut, “Air Balloon,” a standout for its use of a melodic sample to compliment Asia’s more gritty voice and street-enriched rhetoric. “I can feel y’all waiting on me to make my next move,” he says. “I just keep getting better.” The theme allows the album to transition through a soul sample and a more uptempo “Be Careful” 
without losing a step. This also helps as Mr. Medallions maneuvers through topics. On the more serious “Inspiration,” his ink seems fueled by personal issues. “This year, I had some crazy drama / I never thought I’d have a vendetta against my baby’s momma.” Later, “Black Frost (Retro Mackin’)” brings a laid back and vintage vibe as horns allow Asia to rhyme freely, even dropping rhymes inspired by Big Daddy Kane and Rakim at times. “Gold Chain Medallions,” “Mixtape Madness” and “Boil Makers” follow the classic vibes.
For listeners not looking for lyricists, this album is not for you. The rhymes are intricate and patterns are well-crafted. Whether rhyming every word in a bar or bringing multisyllabic schemes, Medallions makes it a habit to bring clever lines to the table. For instance, on “Boil Makers,” he notes, “Your style of fighting is amateur, when this shit is UFC / With the connect like USB / The new Wesley / Snipe you out your bootleg tee.” It’s this type of lyrical dexterity that has allowed Planet Asia to maintain a relevant presence despite a lack of mainstream approval.
Crack Belt Theatre is not your friendly Rap album and it’s not supposed to be. Planet Asia’s lyrics aren’t timidly written. Sometimes, they beg to be closely analyzed. The beats are meant to create a vintage feel, often a gritty one. Together, Crack Belt showcases the skill Planet Asia still possesses, a talent that may be overlooked by some, but one still deserving of respect.
Planet Asia Needs Euphanasia
it’s called “euthanasia” dumb ass
stfu kid. you have no idea what your talking about.
Asia’s flow, word play and delivery are maad dope and original.
Homie’s a spitter. Keep spittin that shit my G.
I dig Cali Agents, but not a big P.A. solo fan. Still, “Black Frost” might be his best solo song I heard in like 10 years.
much better than gold chain military. good stuff, i really enjoyed it
planet asia is da shit
IMHO Planet Asia got one of the best flows that ever touched a mic. But he got real problems to pick nice beats.. It’s a shame
but not as bad as Canibus and Ras Kass.
I agree with the Canibus statement, but Ras Kass has had some pretty solid beats that he has gone off on… Not sure why he never really caught on, but i don’t think it was the beats.
Either way, pretty mediocre album… decent flow… need some more reviews to start this year, this is the first thing since the Jamie Foxx garbagecan album~. Step ya game up!
Yeah, what are we missing?
Recently Canibus has been getting better.
Rass Kass’ beats are good but I find his lyrics now to have diminished.
NaS is the worst offender of licking shitty beats but with the singles he’s been releasing may show that he finally has been picking better beats.
canibus has been working with warlab lately..
i think you have a problem with your ears and thought process homie…the beats is nice.
this aint an ALBUM its a mixtape! not everything in this world needs to be analyzed, ya’ll putting this project down are homos.
Planet Asia always struck me as a whiny bitch, but to each his own i guess
u are a whiny bitch whinning about someone else being a whiney bitch….lol…u obivously dont know what good music is…ur opinion matters none
and your screen name is that of a bitch cop in a street drama, but hey to each his own…lol..faggotry
you sound like a whiny bitch McSaltyNuts, Not for nothing but at least Asia bitching on record, you on a lame ass website bitching on a comment board… you a lame son. asia that dude.
Sounds decent but the review could have mentioned the production more, always Asia’s weakest link. We know the dude can spit.
u smoke crack!!!!! the beats and production are crazy ill.
im not really feelin this album
its ok but it sound like something ive heard before . 2.5 stars
Some real Rap shit…Asia yeah goes hard but it’s true, them beats overshadow his shine like that. Peace to Asia, Fresno stand the fuck up! This def goes into my mad collection
dat nigga shit is out dated..its 2011 and niggaz still tryin to sound like they from new york (poor mans reakwon soundin mafukka) GTFO with that 5% bullshit..that era in music is a Wrap>>GROW!!!
you crazy, Planet asia rep hard for cali, his sound reflects the 5% music from Ny but he def put that west coast twist on it. Asia will eat alot of these so called new age rapperz, his beats is fresh to def, and his vocab is crazy… stop hating on Asia my dude, he does his thing, it’s good to see the man get some shine without a soul assassins or Dilated Peoples cosign. It’s 2011, stop Hatin on the real niggaz and show show your disapproval of the fake shit being passed off as “authentic”… REAL NIGGA SHIT!!!
Philly got love for Asia!!
yea b i feel bad for you. i can tell you never got pass that high school level education. its time to get educated before you comment on some real music. not that played bullshit you listen to on the radio talkin about degrading women, masculinity fallacies, and gang shit. not to mention the nasty ass sounding r&b music. once you do your homework, beyond asia’s outstanding flow and metaphors you will understand that the album questions the corrupt politics/police drug trade and the coke war.
but i forgot. you never read or bother to look up words he uses to portray this problem that has burden the black community by locking up many young african americans for false drug charges.
i feel sorry for you too nigg….you about the most fucked up nigga i know…planet is real…!
dope shit!!!!
Love the track “Boil Makers” !!!
Planet Asia is one of the best Mc’s ever. One thing I like about him is that he’s consistent and always true to his style. On pure coke he killed it and the current album crack the belt is very gooooooooooood. Keep it up Asia.