Detaching himself from The Arsonists for a second solo venture, Brooklyn’s Q-Unique finally presents the underground scene with his latest LP, Between Heaven and Hell. Serving as the first indication that the Fat Beats brand lives on despite the store’s doors closing, the most recent label release is a step in the right direction for the label, as well as Q-Unique.
Between Heaven and Hell is the soundtrack of a New Yorker growing up in the city during a darker time. There is nothing friendly about the album; no sidestepping around touchy subjects or sanitizing details. Q-Unique brings stories of the streets straight to listeners’ ears, set against backdrops of ominous instrumentals and aggressive flows. This is great for fans who love this sort of thing, but a lack of variety on the album will alienate listeners who may not be in the mood to hear about such grim subject matter or such heavy, depressing beats. Q-Unique’s musical preferences are obvious on the album: storytelling tracks, street life raps, and instrumentals centered around vocal samples and keys.
Regardless, he’s good at what he does (save for rare moments such as “Green Grass,” the token weed anthem that really doesn’t say anything much different than any other weed anthem ever made), and he brings along some notable friends to mix things up a bit. He gets most creative on “Man of God,” produced by Al’ Tarba, and “Dead Roses,” produced by Quincey Tones. The former is the story of the son of a Catholic family, who grows up in the church but falls victim to the hands of a perverted priest. It’s a news story we’re all familiar with, however in Unique’s version of the tale, the abused child decides to take revenge into his own hands. “Dead Roses” is the closest thing to a love story that Between Heaven and Hell has to offer, and the ending is far from happy, as it details a girl’s life from her family issues to her drug running, and how it screwed over her man in the process. As crazy as the stories may sound, the way Q-Unique spits it is compelling enough to make one wonder if his bars are actually based upon personal experience.
Q channels Juice in the standout track “Mr. Lopez,” which is a tale of a few people who decide to rob a store and end up killing the clerk in the process, only to see that they walked off with $40 and some change. The song plays out somewhat like a short film, and as each verse portrays a greater sense of panic, Q-Unique’s self-produced instrumental becomes more dramatic to emphasize it. By the end of the song he concludes, “Six hands carry, six hands let go, watch the dollar bill in the street increase the death toll, death means everything and it can mean nothing, especially when someone’s in your way and you need something.”
Features from Ill Bill, Psycho Realm, Slaine, and some of The Arsonists will draw some extra listeners to Between Heaven and Hell, however one may only be able to take so much torment and conflict in their music before the LP begins to feel slightly less enthralling. Despite a lack of conceptual variation within the selection of tracks, Q-Unique’s solo effort still serves as a strong representation of New York underground Hip Hop.
dope ass album. that real uncompromising boom bap grimey nyc shit. hard dark beats-tight production. this album is not that dark- its just for the real heads and open minded people, who arnt robots on a steady diet of bubble gum pop rap. one of the top albums of the year. so much raw emotion and interesting content on this album .
WEAK fuckin review (if you can call it a review- no details- 1 dimensional review-too brief)
been waiting for this site to finally review this album.
it was released 4 days ago. wtf?
this album deserves 4/5., but we all know hip hop dx editiors lack a real spectrum and give most albums 3.5. what a joke.
this album gets the same rating as so mant corny pop rap albums- not cool. DX needs to stop sucking the corporate worlds balls.
bought it and love it.
too real for some
LOL @ Q-unique’s brother below. Good album, not as good as his first. I’d agree with 3.5, but giving 3 cause dude even said he thought 4, but rated 5.
you sound like a stuck up little girl. i gave it a 5 cause of fags like you who give it less than it deserves. and reviewers that dont know shit.
If I’m a fag, give me your address so I can come fuck you.
Girl Fight!!!!!
dope.
incredible album.
dope storytelling, deep content. true to life though.
q-unique always been offical, for those that dont know, he came up under the architects of hip hop.
his storytelling is incredible, and hes changed alot delivery wise over the years. more animation that brings his lyrics to life.
plus he did most the production, self contained, boom bap sample shit.
go support that dope and cop it if u can.
well done q, keep grinding nigga. real artist.
http://www.youtube.com/user/305ilovemia#p/u
No Image No Gimmicks Just Banging Ass Music
I Love M I A Music and Ent. Presents $WonDough$
True blu street life soundtracks.
cool lil thing
Lovin the snippets over at yghh.com. The Necro beat is one of Necro best beats ina minute and its maad simple. If Fat Beats was around I’d scoop this up like cat litter… Hopefully Best Buy got it. This and Digga and Im str8
I can’t wait till it comes in the mail.
physical copy!
lucky.
this album is worth buying physical for $14.00 easy.
Quality hiphop
The album is a must have. The diversity is immeasurable. His lyrical skills are out of sight, very cleverly and substantially put together. His truths and rawness accompanied by his technically ability to actually story tell while having you moving to the beat. The more personal he gets the more one relates to his struggle.In contrast to all the places he takes the listener I’m not into the whole weed smoking thing and “Green Grass” had me high on vibes. I’ve been a fan since Q-Unique mixture Cd and to this day its on my i-tunes mix. The album is awesome…definitely go out and buy.
albumm is wavii =]]
I been hip to Q-Unique since the Arsonists. Shit is dope as fuck and its a plus for us that he a latino repping that hiphop. We heavy in the streets too.
They should already know that and if they dont u cant teach the dumb deaf and blind
http://www.youtube.com/user/305ilovemia#p/u/21/CHf8lFuMEgY
My Territory by $WonDough$
im a big qunique fan since arsonists and his first solo shit was the bomb. but this album aint dope. idk what it is just not feelin it
Respect Q…Very solid emcee with the rhyme schemes, story tellin…Not my fav, but nice….4/5
WHAT AN ALBUM!!!!!
MOST SLEPT ON ALBUM OF 2010.
This is one awesome album in all dimensions. Big up to Q. Real hip hop shit.
REAL HIPHOP SHIT!!