A Fresh BreakDown - Jay-Z : The Blueprint 3

"Hov on that new shit, niggas like how come, niggas want my old shit, buy my old album"

Anybody want to be successful in the rap game? Follow Jay-Z's career blueprint. Nobody can deny after 13 years, he's still on top of his game, and he knows how to stay relevant. When Mr. Carter dropped "D.O.A.," all people took notice. Some cried foul, people like me, rejoiced. But we also heard was Hov at least can get our attention still, but most are wondering, is he about to wear this "Blueprint" title out and possibly ruin it, or does he surge back up to the top in this young man's game?

"Oh they call me a camel, but I mastered the drought, WTF I'm an animal"

By 1st looking at the cover of BP3, with the unique cover, and the features on his tracklist, one would probably imagine this CD was gonna be different. Jay-Z opens up the CD on "What We Talkin' Bout", old man Jay gets alil' help on the hook, but with a futuristic bass backdrop and a smooth transition of words, he's gets his point across quite ell. It sounds more like a shot at nay-sayers / bloggers (aint everything aimed at bloggers these days? ) And towards the end of the track, it seemed like he could've been getting on the heads of some old / former buddies. I was thinking Peedi Crack since he did publicly diss him.

"They think I'm outta shape so I hafta jog they memory"

A common theme in this CD Jay-Z was trying to get at was "I still got it", and he did address some old grudges in this CD, most come in the form of vintage subliminal Jay, and it's some not so subliminal but alittle obvious. In the "Thank You" in his last verse, you can argue that Jimmy, Dipset, and The Game caught a few shots, as he goes in and parrallels their career with the 9/11 attacks. "Not only did they brick, they put a buildin' up as well, then ran a plan into that building, and when that building fell... " Just listen to the rest of the verse, and if you can't at least respect it, you're just hating, plain and simple.

In every since of the theme I stated Jay was trying to get at, he makes an obvious song "Reminder". He got at the critics of his career, people on the "he's washed up / old bandwagon". It also seems as if he got tired of taking the sucker-punch from Joe Budden. "As if, I'ma let you niggas style on me, as if everybody's senile on me, throw backs, I threw 'em back, remember those button ups? Young Hov, tell the ordinary Joes to Budden up... Ain't nothing changed but the year it is"

What goes hand in hand when some athelete or rapper claiming "they still got it", is them having to compete / work with the younger cats. And Jay-Z does do that al throughout the CD. Kanye wouldn't count since he's been around for a bit, but getting the likes of Kid Cudi, Drake, Jay Cole I'll dive into those songs in a minute.

In the midst of this young man's game, Jay felt he should get the help of Alicia Keys for "Empire State of Mind". Reminding people of his trend setting ways and Alicia Key's wonderful vocals, this non-single is catching on everywhere. (Especially if the Yankees are making it one of their theme songs, and it'll be performed in the World Series). And Hov isn't always so bitter at people, when him and (his 1st Roc Nation artist) Jay Cole get on a "Star is Born", he's giving alil' bit of everybody props. Of course he doesn't forget himself, but, that's all rap is about right? Self Boasting? But I'm not to sure how T.I. feels about the "T.I. litterally wanted to shoot up the charts" line, but he got his props none-the-less.

Following the "I still got it" theme, there's bound to be some slip-ups. And Jay-Z definately has those slip ups. The 1st one, the track with Drake, with "Off That. With the Timberland futuristic back-drop and Drake on the hook, it has the theme of the previous banger with Swizz Beats "On To The Next". So, with the same theme, it seems pointless as to why it's on the album, and when comparing the two, chances are you might skip this song.

Now I don't know should I be mad at Jay for putting this song on the CD, or letting Kanye's crazy ass for talking him into making the song, but the song "Haters" is made for no haters... Because most of the world hates this song. And his final song, I get it, I get the point of "Forever Young", but it reminded me of some Peter Pan type shit. I would think this song is more fit for Mariah Carey, not Jay-Z.

"You could, choose to, sit infront of your computer, posing with guns shootin' with YouTube up. Or you could come with me to the white house, get your suit up, you stuck on being hardcore I chuck the duece up... Welcome to the BluePrint... Jay-Z your tutor."

The other theme Jay slips into the CD was the "I'm successful, you should be too" theme. From the 1st song to the last, you'll hear brag about something. But these things that are bragged about, aren't what 99% of your rappers are rapping about. Nobody talks about high-fiving his own players and hitting the president up on the Black Berry, lol. But anyway, this is most apparent on the Pharrell laced "So Ambitious." And there is no point in this song where it's bad, because old school Pharell is in here, not punk-rock-Pharell.

All in all, this CD, at 1st listen, youll be confused. But the CD will grow on you, and like the million that's bought the CD, it'll keep growing on you. Although no classic, and it's a CD pop-culture loves, but your hardcore hip hoppers will jam this CD too. At most, maybe 4 songs skipped. We'll see if Hov can continue this dominance, until then, enjoy the BluePrint 3, because I am :)

PS. I know I didn't mention it, but "Venus VS Mars" is that ish yall. Peace.

A Fresh BreakDown - SlaughterHouse

"To many critics seems to be silly, to many frogs go ribbit but never leave lillys" - Joel Ortiz

Slaughterhouse slaughterhouse slaughterhouse. This group has been setting the underground a-blaze for a minute. Loaded with no lack-luster rappers on their roster, it's filled with all kinda lyrical goodness that the lyricist fan would love to hear. But, can these four co-exist to make a good album?

The cd starts off with Royce comparing the group to Voltron, basically saying when they get together, it's nothing that's gonna stop them. As far as this track goes, I think Joel Ortiz stole the show, after the break down... Well, maybe I wasn't hip on game, but I didn't know Joel had Twista / Bone Thugs potential in 'em. In this song, they also show that they know where they're good at and not, for example. At the tail, Joe Budden, after the breakdown, Joey didn't dare try to rhyme like he could go Busta Rhymes at any moment. He just threw in an extra few syllables and kept it moving.

But leave it to Joey still throw a personal agenda into a song or two. Now mind you, everyone does a wonderful job in the song "Microphone", but Joe seems to take some more shots at Wu-Tang and Jay-Z (and he claims the beef is 2 years old, whatever). When you say things like ..

"Treat old timers like fags who drop the soap, might got Alzheimer's, forgot that they was dope, to many dogs not enough barkin' yet, to many BLUEPRINTS not enough ARCHITECTS, ... Still every bar's a mess, fuck record sales or who the machine markets best!" - Joe Budden

Uhm, you might get a response, but regaurdless if it was tapping up anybody in general, it was still a fresh ass song, lol.

The group takes a shot at a "commercial" track, and it actually went well for them. "The One" has some heavy guitar assistance, and drums accompany them as they talk about a party life. But it's pretty obvious, at least to me, that Crooked I ran away with this one, easily the most entertaining verse.

"I'm the one who wants to Spear Brittany, give Pink some black and put it near kidneys, here kitty! " - Crooked I

It's really not alot of concept in this CD, more so of alot of what people expected, just good lyrics laced in with sick ass beats. But, about 11 songs in, with alil' help from Pharohe Monch, these four made a classic track called "Salute Me". And you will salute them after hearing that song.

The group continues to dig into the concept that was lack-luster in the beginning. Talking about struggles going unnoticed by God, with accompaniment with the organ in the background. It gives it an Erie feel. Your standout here would easily be Royce here, because he didn't talk on the struggle, he spoke on more of how it's gonna be bad for 'em and why. Much different road that everyone else took.

"When I die, God ain't gonna judge, he gonna deal with us" - Royce Da 5'9

They give us two more songs with pretty good concept, and end it back on a lyrical note. Now, although this CD is a treat for the underground listeners, the CD will leave you feeling just a little sour. Why? Because it very short, and when you consider the fact that it's four of them sharing one song, it seems like it goes by pretty quick. Also, having 3 different interludes doesn't help the length of the CD. But otherwise, if you want a CD you here you can practically go into non-skip mode, and you appreciate good lyrics, you can't pass this CD up.

Oh, and just to keep in the spirit of competition that this Hip Hop genre keeps itself in..

Crooked I won. Lol. Feel good about that you West Coast, and NorthWest people.

A Fresh BreakDown - Fabolous : Loso's Way

"I walked into the game with no crutches, no Diddy, no Dupree, no Dr. Dre, no Cashmoney from Baby, no Rocs from Jay, and I'm still here!"

You all know 'em, F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S, aka Loso. Nobody questions this guy's ability to rap if you're in the know. If you do question his skill, you're pretty much a retard. Anyway, lets compare Fabolous to Carmelo Anthony. We know what this guy's workin' with, and we know how great he can be... But only if he wants to be. Like Carmelo on the Olympic / USA team, no one else is better.. (Example: Fabolous killing it on the Carter 3). But, when he gets back on his own ish, he, like Melo leaves us scratchin' our head. Like Melo's unwillingness to hustle, Fab just can't leave the damn women alone in his music, and it hurts his overall product. Well, Fab didn't make a great splash with his 1st Def Jam CD, and after Jay-Z's American Gangster, Fab pledged he would put out a CD that would follow Carlito's Way to the T. Fab came out with the single "It's My Time", supposed to be giving us a heads up on he's about to be something great. Well, we're gonna see if Fab "sticks to the script" or if he lets the women pull 'em down again.

Fabolous comes like he has a chip on a shoulder, on "The Way" intro song, and he seems to be penning about everything that's irked him since here and last CD, and putting up valid points on how he got where he is now. And one thing about Fab, while maturing he's able to use that mixtape wordplay, and wit and combine 'em into clever lines. You hear these lines all over "I'mma Do It". Another song where he workin' that chip off his shoulder, with lines like "Feeling just like JFK, in a city that let 'em fly like JFK", you kinda see he's not the most happy camper in the industry. Now, only problem with this CD so far, is that he's had 3 songs that's felt like an intro. Granted, these songs were nice songs, but Fab took to long to start to digg into this concept.

In "Feel Like I'm Back", you can kinda compare this to Carlito being happy he's outta jail, he's trying to change, but he still has that old natural "don't f with me mentality". Fab kinda ties that mindset together with "I fathered dude who fathered you, shit you like my grandson, I came back for it like I left it nigga, you try me, you get more than an E for effort nigga." It also doesn't hurt to add the fact the deep bass in the song, and the lady accompanying him in the hook makes the song very addictive. Keri Hilson, Ryan Leslie, Fabolous, "Everything, Everyday, Everywhere" should instantly remind you of Carlito's club, (If, you've seen the movie.) Not the best song, but it's a cool one, but if it's to follow Carlito's Way, it DOES fit the concept, and Fab got away with having a club joint in his project without having a hiccup on the original idea.

Now remember how we compared Carmelo's hustle, to Fab's ability to get off track for whatever reason. Here's when we start to question him alittle bit. I suppose, if you need a song for the women, you'll need The Dream for some help. The song is "ok" at best, but I seem to be the only one who isn't really on this song as hard, so maybe it's just me, so, I'll wave my white flag on that one. But it is hard to argue that this one followed concept, yes, Carlito was ballin', but did he take Gail shopping? I can't remember.

Now back to concept, you can see this going on through Carlito's mind about Gail on the song, "When the Money Goes." Fab got a track from Jay-Z and asks a great question. "When the money goes... Will the hunnies stay, will the grey clouds replace the sunny days"? (Hey Hey Hey hey hey.. But me personally, I still liked Jay-Z's version alil' better.) But, Fab did his job on this song, no tampering with an already flawless hook.. Now on to a flawful, awful song... Now I don't know where "Salute," would come from if you're being inspired by Carlito's Way. But to sum it up quickly, suspect beat, Fab didn't try, and Lil Wayne can't rap better than Fab. There, that song's over and done with.

Fab uses some help with Freck Billionaire, Paul Cain, and Red Cafe, in "There He Go," although this is a mixtape track, the deep bass and the witty lyrics everyone comes with sucks you in regaurdless. So it gets a pass.

Now Fab starting to get back on concept, Gail wasn't the richest woman in the city, but Carlito had a few pennies to spare, and all Carlito wanted to do was get out the game, and get away with Gail. With help from Ryan Leslie, even with a Bahamas-vacation-type beat, you can kinda see Carlito and Gail get away on this song... (Well, they were black I guess.) So REGARDLESS of what you don't like about this song, Loso, is on concept here. And the song is a good song anyway.

Now, we all knew it'd be one to many lady songs, and the song with Ne-Yo, we're spot on. Some ladies will like it, and we'll leave it at that.

Now our on-going love story continues. A song with the help of Trey Songs Carlito (Loso,) and Gail (whoever Fab's talkin' to,) is havin' that argument about him being on the streets to much. Living life to dangerously. And cleverly executed, to make it sound like a love song, which it is, it's the love for the game, and bad habits getting the best of 'em, showing his imperfections, and how the bad domino effect came through and got him in the end.

"I get under n*ggas skin, yall should call me I.V., but if you try me n*gga, I will be your caller I.D., that means I got ya number, please don't make me dial it, that could land ya fly ass down like a pilot."

This is probably the album's brightest moment, brilliant concept. Fab gives a clever name for untrustworthy friends, "Pachanga's." So Fab goes into the song describing a relationships with people he trusts, but in the end, they turn on him, like Pachanga did Carlito. And as a retalitation to that back-stabbing friend, you would love to sing him/her a "Lullaby" wouldn't you? With a lazy, but fitting hook, ear drowning beat, killer lyrics, this song is no slouch by no means.

Now, this song is more personal than anything, "Stay" with Marsha Ambrosius, Fab just chops it up about father-hood. Nothing special, but it's still a great song, and hopefully some men that don't take responsibility about theirs will hear this n it'll make 'em clean up there act. Even if it's just one.

Fab ends this roller-coaster trip with a different type of love story. Instead, this Gail is in the game with him, and the dark beats drives you all the way into a tragic ending. "I Miss My Love" is hookless, but beautiful none-the-less and it is a must-hear, especially if you like a good story.

To sum it all up, yes, Fab got off track, Fab had some great songs. For the most part he was on concept, if he were to let go of 3 questionable songs, this CD would be that of a different calibur. But like I say, he's like Carmelo to a T, he made alotta progress, got all the way to the Western Conference Finals, but let a few hiccups slow 'em down n kept 'em outta the finals. But if Fab stays on track, there's only better CDs ahead.

A Fresh BReakDown - Maino : If Tomorrow Comes

"YOU GONNA REMEMBER MY NAME!!"

Boy...  You talk about someone who came outta nowhere, and worked to where he got to.  You can probably remember a few years ago that guy that came out with that song "Rumors"..  He said she said..  But other than the wild shit he was sayin', those most ridiculous thing he said..  "The streets are sayin' that Brooklyn is all mine...  The Industry ain't prepared for me," Well..  It sounded ridiculous then.  But something was alittle different about Maino than other New York rappers.  He had amazing confidence, and didn't mind reminding people that your favorite New York rapper ain't have shit on him.  Fast forward through a few five-finger-hellos, to a record deal from Atlantic, and everybody (including Drop-Bomb) screamin' HI HATER!  Maino is ready to release the album he's worked so hard to give to the people.  But will he give us a good introduction??

Maino's CD starts out, where he's at in his life right now, with the help of Swizz Beats, he expresses that he feels so good that he feels like givin' away amilli, quite generous in 2009.  But he quickly reminds us that wasn't always like this for him through a interlude.  Maino then begins to start to follow that old school artist blueprint, letting us know HIM.  (Now mind you, this has barely been done right for a long time now.)  Step one of him getting out of prison in "Back To Life", he goes through the routine thing, meet with his homie, get a girl.. Then the inevitable, going to meet his Parol Officer, and of course, that P.O. basically lets 'em know he'll be back in prison shortly. Maino then tells the P.O. to "Remember My Name", fitting, and with alil' help from B.G., Maino shines alil' more light on his character.  

"Maino, my life is all gone, my son'll have grandkids when I come home... I can feel his pain on the phone"

Maino then connects with Kay Slay, and gets some assistance from T-Pain in "All Of The Above".  More like a song that fills you with hope, a very feel good song, and T-Pain auto-tune-freaks the hook and does it all kind of justice.  In "Here Comes Trouble", is more like a warning for the industry at the time, you could probably call this the time "Rumors" came out, and he was getting his buzz.  His track "Kill You", at first glance, you'd probably think it was another shoot-'em-up-bang-bang mixtape track.  Well, we couldn't be more wrong, he's expressing all the hate towards his baby mother, and with even deeper songs "Runaway Slave", Maino shows us how he was letting things kind of get to him.  With alot of energy, and a familiar beat (Joe Budden - Pray For Me), he gives us alot of images, and thoughts going through his head at that point of time.  So he lets hate fuel 'em in "Soldier" and songs from here on is pretty much inspirational.  


Maino's on his ultimate high on "Celebrate" as you could probably imagine from the title of the song.  To be blunt, this CD you get to see alot of pain, and alot of hard work, and alot of inspiration.  Now, I didn't talk much about Maino the rapper, because what is that great format with sucky songs right?  Well, for our listening pleasure, Maino delivers here too.  He doesn't try to go outside of his boundaries, Maino knows what kind of rapper he is.. To the point (ex. Scarface).  His flow is hardly ever choppy and his beat selection is on-point.  A gripe about the CD could be he had alittle to much help for the hooks, and we don't know how good his hook creativity is on his own.  But that's for another CD.  For the majority of this CD, he is on his own, most of the features are hooks, not verses, which is good, because we get to hear Maino, not Maino featuring.  Now the album as a whole..  Maino even cleverly keeps his interludes very short so that it doesn't kill the flow of the album.  This is a street album, this is NOT INDUSTRY friendly.  Which is great in 2009, maybe him being in jail for x amount of years, he only remembers how it use to be done.  Which is what we need to see more of.  There hasn't been an album as personal, and followed this kinda introductory format since 2003 (ex. Kanye West, 50 Cent).  TUESDAY, JUNE 30 2009, If Tomorrow Never Comes.

"OUTTA NOWHERE, STREET NIGGA KILLED THE RAP GAME!!"

A Fresh BreakDown - Slim Thug : Boss Of All Bosses

"I don't f*ck with yall rappers, you fake to me, I don't f*ck with you majors, yall snakes to me, I don't care about fame, fuck bein' a star!"  

Slim Thug came onto the industry balla-type scene in unfamiliar fashion than his peers.  Given the biggest head start, he was backed by then (and probably now), the most powerful music label at Interscope, one of the more popular producers in Pharrell, and it seemed he knew how to to stunt much much better than anyone other than Jay-Z.  (I mean seriously, who brings Bentleys and other cars (that's been proven his alla MTV Cribs), and talkin' shit about Jimmy Ivine on their 1st video)?  But ironically, the great start-up, and the confidence in his skills (Already Platinum), didn't bring the success one would think.  It seemed like Thugga was the only one from Houston that broke onto that big scene that didn't go platinum.  Well, after arguing his way off of Interscope, going through personal mishaps, the original Boss (not Bawse), comes our way this time with the independent route.  How does he do?

"Claimin' they the boss, they like my style, copyin' what I do mayne they like my child...  If the shoe fit wear it, listen to it compare it, you ni**as ain't my fam how my style you inherit"?  

The 1st cut is delivered to us with a singing choir in the back, and absolutely bass heavy (for us southerners), where he's basically making a strong statement that he is infact the boss of all bosses.  And the whole song, it seems he's going after somebody's head, he never names names, but it fits some shoes.  

"Instead of movin' on try'na do ya own thang...  You stay recruiting for the we-hate-Slim-Thug-game"

Slim Thug made a few songs that were pretty catchy a few years ago, (Tippin', 3 Kings, I Ain't Heard Of That).  His 1st single is probably a favorite of your local corner boy, "I Run" flips that old 80's song and turns it into a nice street anthem for them to put on their Myspace page.  And he wouldn't go on through the album without havin' s'more of that, so you hear more bass-ridden tracks like "Thug", and a classic song "Associates" accompanied by Z-Ro that'll probably be the anthem of somebody's drive-by.  And considering that those two had beef not to long ago, for them to make a song like this together is good news.  

"Dropped Already Platinum but it only sold gold, and niggas lookin' at me like I sold my soul.. Cuz I'm rappin' with P n not Mr. Lee, but when you on the grind sometimes you can't see."

Slim Thug was big underground, but when he broke industry he did a few things different, like not working with his longtime producer Mr. Lee.  Well, Slim Thug is not only back with his CD, but he's back to trying to please that underground crowd.  With alittle help from Devin The Dude, Slim dives into his struggle on the industry level, and what he learned from it, thus re-assuring his listeners he is indeed back.  Also while underground, he's not pressured to make just industry friendly songs, so with alittle help from Scarface, telling about the struggle comin' up around their way.  "Got a 1st class ticket to the pen, 17 years old, but up in there they all men".

If Thugga wanted to stay afloat in the industry, what would any other rapper do?  Well, number one, make something catchy, two, make something for the club, three make sure it's good, (ok in 2009 it doesn't have to be good).  But Thugga seems to have struck gold with the song "Smile".  With the synthesizer beat blaring through the speakers, all this does is encourage a hell-of-a club scene.  And I'm sure it'll get alotta women to take more pictures on their Myspace page since he encourages 'em to "smile for the camera".  But when you're goin' clubbin' on the CD, you're treaddin' on thin ice because if there's more clubbin', then less substance.  Thugga does a pretty good job at this, since he arguably only has 1 other club song, where he's accompanied by Mannie Fresh, but it's actually a pretty cool song, so he's safe here.

Also, if he was going to stay afloat on his independent bowie, looking for that big industry ship to come along and scoop 'em up.  He'd have to make a song for the ladies.  He slips up with the ultra cliche and bland track "My Bitch", it offers nuthin' that we haven't heard from other artists.  It also breaks up some of that consistency that his album was on.  But he does hit another homer with "She Like That", could serve a dual purpose.  This could be the male's player track before he's 'bout to make that late night trip, or just get the lady in the mood.  Good stuff.

Like all Texas artists, I believe he drops a few types of songs that he loves to do most.  And they'd call it some Slab Music.  What slab songs would consist of in Texas, nice cars, pimpin', and lean.  Now these types of tracks are gives n takes, I doubt it bodes well up north, or out west, as it does down here where I'm at.  So given I'm born south of the Dixie line, it naturally fits me.  (And it'll fit =!=, he's from Mississippi too, lol).  And he gets some help from fellow Texans Paul Wall and UGK, even a new verse from Pimp C.

Now after the long long, we-are-the-world, Texas-is-the-shit (maybe only Texas liked), "Welcome to Houston", you realize how short the CD is.  And it seems like that last track was a waste of 8 minutes, not that it was a bad idea to have the track on their, but to end it on that note.  Maybe Thugga didn't realize what a great CD he had and decided to end it on such a bland note that everyone could enjoy.  And 8 minute same-track-song, and that one love song slip-up, we'd be talking about a classic album here.  The two "Slab" tracks are probably questionable by the universal ear standards, but hey, he's independent, he's humble, and putting out great music still, so we can't complain to much.  

** On a side note, Slim Thug scrapped the original "I'm Back" track, it was made by Dr. Dre...  That's alotta money you can throw away on an independent budget!!**

"You win when you don't let this martial shit impress ya..  Fuck fame put my name on the cash, I use to wish n dream I could swang on the glass, now cars, clothes, n hoes is a thang of the past."

A Fresh BreakDown - Eminem : Relapse

"Alotta people ask me where the fuck I've been at for the past few years.. Shit I dunno.. But I do know.. I'm back now..  Haha"

Well, probably the most famous rapper ever, with the biggest hardcore fan base of any rapper ever just came out of his Hiatus.  The industry got itchy when 50 Cent started telling people that Eminem was working on his new album, no one knew how true that was till leaked freestyles were released.  Then, another wait, until, unexpectedly, in Eminem fashion, here comes this song on the TV of him gettin' at pop-culture.  That's pretty much been Em's 1st video bread and butter, and it shouldn't have caught anybody off guard.  But, since Em has been on a hiatus, and a disappointing last album, everyone wants to know is gonna make the LL Cool J (Mama Said Knock You Out) comeback, or the Nelly comeback?

Em tries to set the tone for the album with a skit with his inner demon, and it serves it's purpose well to go into his introduction song "3 A.M."  Which in the song he sets the tone that this is suppose to be a dark album, and he's going through a relapse that got him checked into the rehab he was checking out from.  The imagery, forceful mic presence, and with the help of a suspenseful beat, helps set the dark view of where this album his supposedly headed.  Even going far as himself quoting something from Silence Of The Lambs.  

Throughout the album he reminds us that he's scarier than the horror villains that you've come to love over the years.  He warms the listener up on the song "Same Song And Dance" with a character comes out throughout the album. In the song "Stay Wide Awake".  The title itself gives it a dead give-away, with help of the guitar, Em gives sadistic episodes of his character's spiral into a relapse.  "It's making me play hide 'n' seek like Jason I'm so hungry..  She's naked see, no privacy, but I can see she wants me... So patience see I try to be, but see why does she taunt me... Pull the drapes n see she's right to sleep n I creep right through the front seat... So blatantly but silently, cuz I know that she's sound sleep..."  

"Cut your fuckin' head off n ask you where you headed off too?  Get it headed off too?!!!" 

What would an Eminem CD be without him talking about the trials and tribulations of his own life.  In "My Mom", he talks about his mother again, except with a slightly different twist, (still a light-hearted track), instead of constantly bashing her, he describes why he's just like her now at this stage of his life. Eminem gets critical on himself with a more serious tone in the song "Deja Vu", he went into details on how he basically was an addict.  He talked about ways he use to hide it, and how it had all kind of side affects on him.  "Beautiful", backs it up, as he basically talks about how he's trying to bounce back from a slump that he was in, although he wasn't in the public eye during his hiatus.  

What hurts his album the most, is the break-up of the flow of the CD, and the inconsistency of what songs are placed where.  There is no reason to throw a filler track like "For Old Times Sake" in between "Stay Wide Awake", and "Must Be The Ganja".  Although one song is on a lighter note, "Must Be The Ganja" behind "Stay Wide Awake" would keep you from hitting the skip button on your CD / MP3 player.  So random filler songs are scattered across the CD that makes the CD inconsistent, sadly, they're not even catchy..  

"I guess it's time for you all to hate me again!!"

What has plagued Em since the Eminem Show, he couldn't find anything else to talk about it seemed.  You would think he'd have alittle more to talk about since he's been sitting out for 5 years, and his lyrical skill hasn't gone anywhere.  So it's disappointing to hear a song like "Insane", not only is the title to mis-leading, it's to over-the-top.  Once you hear it, you'll get what I mean.  He actually had a pretty good song with "Medicine Ball", but at the end of the song...  He cracks on Christopher Reeves..... AGAIN!  For a WHOLE verse!  But, (at least to me), it was funny.  So it's a give or take.  What's bad is, he knows it..  Lol.  "Now everybody's pissed at me, like it's my fault his name rhymes with so many different words... Jeeze!"

I must say, I had to listen to this CD alot.  Alot and alot of evaluating, and re-evaluating, I believe people will jump quick to judge the CD and make seem like the worst CD ever...  Same way people did Jay-Z (Kingdom Come), they're going to judge Eminem from his past work, and people won't actually listen to the songs and apply it to the concept.  Because technically, all the songs follow the concept of a relapse; whether he's going re-doing unneeded (whack) songs with Dr. Dre, or getting into a horror movie character that actually follows the beginning of the CD...  He's on the same concept.  This is by no means a classic, not close, but, unfortunately, people won't judge it fair, and therefore most of the people who'll bump this consistently will be that harcore fan-base. (All 3 million of them).

But, Eminem does leave us a treat with his last track, where he absolutely makes a mockery of all our favorite horror movie characters with a hell of a flow and sick ass beat.  Maybe it's a sign of things to come?  I mean...  He is coming out with another CD in December... Or so he says.

"Turn Halloween back into a trick or treat holiday... Have Michael Myers looking like a liar, swipe his powers, replace his knife with flowers and a stack of flyers... Hit Jason Vorhees with a 40, stuck a suppository up his ass, and made him tell me a story... Gave Hannibal Lector a fucking nectarine and sat him in front of the fruit and vegetable section and gave him a lecture!" 

And... What would an Eminem CD be without Ken Kaniff?

A Fresh BreakDown - Asher Roth : Asleep In The Bread Asile *Special Review*

** Well, you may be askin', "what makes this review so special"?  Well...  If you don't know Asher, (Mr. I Love College), he's a pretty gifted guy.  And, if you haven't noticed, he's white, also, he's made a good buzz on the industry.  Now, this poor guy has to endure getting compared to Eminem every time he gets an interview, or when any guy with an opinion listens to who songs.  But to Asher's credit, he's not no-where near garbage, and he's very creative.  Although he has these things on his side, just because he's white, it's very UNFAIR to him to compare his 1st album or his career to Eminem's just because he's white.  It's unfair to him, and it's unfair to Eminem, the topic may be intriguing t0 some, but in this review Asher Roth WILL NOT be compared to Eminem.  **

"I'm mad different, just ask Jigga.."

It seems like almost every group is represented in Hip-hop, from the gangsters to the emo's, everyone has someone to look to.  But Asher Roth appeals to a crowd that's hardly catered to, which would be the white college crowd, to be more specific, the guys.  But can Mr. Roth use that creative mind of his and make it friendly for every crowd's ear?   Or..  Will the CD make us sleepy as the title of his CD?

Well, most of you know about his "I Love College" joint.  It's a very light-hearted track, with not much skill put to use, it's still touching on a part of social life, no one in hip hop has really visited yet.  Now everyone likes to party and have fun, but when you're regular retail CD is only workin' with 12 tracks, you'd think he wouldn't waste any more of the LP with a lackluster club song.  That song being "She Don't Wanna Man", or another lack-luster joint called "Blunt Cruising".  I don't think it'll appeal to many except some weed heads, (actually the beat may be to fast for the weed heads, lol.)  He has another fast foot tapper, being accompanied by Busta Rhymes.  The fast pace beat suits Busta perfectly, so of course it sounded like he was hittin' every syllable, but Asher doesn't do a bad job himself of keeping up.  

"If we go hungry... I wonder what it's like living in Hungary, yea it isn't funny but it's about to get ugly, streets turn into a game of rugby."

It also seems like Asher knows exactly how the college guy / gal feels when all that cramming gets to be to much.  So he offers "La Di Da", and "Bad Day" with help from Jazze Pha, he gives a comical approach to a bad day.  He goes from bad days, to a down right struggle, when he gives a story of a father (I'm thinking it's his), and how he makes sacrifices for his dreams to provide for his family.  And how his dreams, basically becomes his sons dreams.  But, struggle, turns into pet peeves, and Asher checks off things he thinks on what's wrong with America.  "Make it rain hundreds, is it just me or is that just dumb shit? .... Poverty's our biggest problem, and it aint gonna stop with Obama, to save the world we must start at the bottom!"  

"Straight from the Philly Burbs, feel me?  Pretty sure.  Suburban Threat was the name we would really work, steady wasting the day spittin silly verses."

And what debut CD would be without a life story?  So, Asher P., kicks us some lines about how he grew up on "Fallin' ". With a sweet catchy laid back hook, and the flow (OMG it's amazing on this song), it's an easy track to fall in love with.  And he dove deep into his most recent, and redudant story to him, he takes on the subject of being compared to Eminem.  He confesses that Eminem was an inspiration, and basically gets on our (critics) ass about comparing him to Eminem because of the skin color and high pitched voice.  He even uses a clever play on Eminem's name with the title "As I Em", accompanied by a nice rock sample, and a heavy bass line where you can see that this kinda bothers the man. "I'm constantly on the fence defending my own name, explaining that we're not the same, not much that I can say, except I'm sick of it!" 

"And now the masses think that Asher wants to be a Marshall Mathers, they say Asher's not a rapper, his ass is just an actor."

Well, I'll be one of the guys to stand up for him, he's no actor, (especially after hearing that Don Cannon mixtape).  Asher's definitely going to be a main-stay in this game for a long time.  You kinda would wish his debut was longer, either that, or he had just alittle less party on the CD ("She Don't Wanna Man, Blunt Cruising"), especially after hearin' on what kinda topics he can touch on.  More substance or not, the CD is still a great one, and it'll eat up some time in alot of people's CD players and MP3 players.  

 

Worth Buyin' - Yessir...

Fav Tracks -  Be By Myself, Bad Day, La Di Da, Falling, Sour Patch Kids, His Dream, As I Em

Oh.  PS..  I hear that there is Special CD with 3 bonus tracks.  When I hear them I'll edit accordingly.

A Fresh BreakDown - Joe Budden : Padded Room

"They say the room is padded for my own safety..  But the cushion don't soften shit.. They lock the door but still they let my thoughts in it.. I can't even see the sky from here, I guess my time is near.."

Joe Budden...  Infamous in the underground (internet) for his lyrics and deep thought songs, and his Mood Music series.  Although underground listeners appriciate his efforts, it doesn't cloud the fact he's had some rough rough times since his 1st album dropped on Def Jam years ago.  Bad moves on both sides held "Mouse" back.  He was hungry, and everyone else was hungry to hear Joey go to the next level with his next CD.  A few wasted opportunities kept a classic-capable-artist from making a classic CD.  So now with a new label, years of GROWTH (lmao), did he waste any opportunity, or did he capitalize on his absence and give his fans what they've been wanting.

Joe busts on the CD, reintroducing himself to the world, with a hot beat, and hammering in the idea of "only God can judge me."  He dwindles in his past alil' bit, and speaks on how he's grown since back then and now.  Not the beastly intro we've known Joe to make, but it certainly gets the job done. 

Now one thing that plagued Joey's CDs (album, and mixtapes), he's felt the need to do an uptempo song for the club.  But listening to Joe after "Pump It Up", realistic fans know that club music is sorta out-of-his-lane.  But here, in a new friendship song with The Game, Joey actually pulls off a pretty decent song.  And it doesn't seemed forced into the CD, since it's only the 2nd track in, and it doesn't lack charisma like in other club songs he's put out.  But, prepare yourself, because that is the low point of Padded Room.

"Waiting on an antidote but I lack the patience, but on a 2nd thought I got my own vaccination"

Joe Budden starts to take the listener into the theme of him being in a padded room with "If I Gotta Go."  Where he begins to question how people other than himself works, and shows us how he looks at things through his eyes.  And he invites people to look at things his way. "I wish everybody would comprehend like I do, I know it don't sound like I want 'em in..  But I'd like to."  And the sample, a deep eerie deep voiced hook, with the help of a guitar in the back ground, the listener should know that they truly are in Joe's Padded Room.

The album also shows how Joe paints himself as a black sheep in society.  Songs like "Happy Holidays," displays this perfectly.  Where re-enforces the fact that he looks at a holiday as just another day.  And how his family annoys him.  "Don't need a phone call or a present, matter fact, I don't need any of yall present."  Damn even Christmas Joe?  Speaking of "Christ"mas, (now this will only be deep to people that are Christians, I apologize to any other religions reading).  In "Pray For Me", the listener gets to hear Joe get into an argument with God himself.  And in the song, he's like most people, questioning God's methods, and in his argument with God, the listener finds the black marks on Joe's life.  Which makes it much more authentic, and makes it seem as if its an actual quarral.   Another quarral he discusses is that one with Prodigy of Mobb Deep, where he absolutely flexes that lyrical muscle and puts Prodigy's "Blood On A Wall."  Lol.

Another avenue in the album is this song, where Joe speaks on the dark-side of Joe, who he loves and hates.  On the songs "Exxxes" Joey embodies a girl as his bad personality whom is always calling his name.  A lust for a her who knows all about Joe but they've never spoke, but he can't help himself into always getting into sexual encounters with him.  It seems that this girl is the perfect sex slave,  since he claims "her period is never on" and when she's giving demands he follows.  Which maybe his deep morbid desires.  "Is she just a symbol, there for me to look at everything I resemble...  Since I'm in this room alone she becomes convientient.  I hope we lie together, cry together-- die together." He disscusses more women in his song "I Couldn't Help It" with the help of a beat that reminds me a of a tragic love song.  1st he speaks about his baby's mother and the many ways he did her wrong and he never wanted just wanted the abortion.  And if you remember the 1st CD you'll recall Joey having an affair with some famous rapper's wife.  (Someone who he claims sold millions of records, and no it ain't Jay-Z).  He really only scratched the surface on his 1st CD, but here, he gets in detail with her and....  Her friend, in a hotel room.  "All I could think bout was him and her on TV with their kids while I had her on the TV on her ribs."  Crazy right, yeah I know!  Now you get the idea of the Padded Room.  A Perfect album for the non-mainsteam cat, or Joe Budden fan to add to their collection.

"I Ain't As Crazy As I Seem To Be, It's Just That Nothing Is The Way That It Seems To Me."

Album Ratin:

Worth Buyin' - Absolutely.  Feb 24th.

Fav Tracks'    - 14 Tracks of nice lovely morbid shit.

A Fresh BreakDown - Scarface: Emeritus

EMERITUS  [im-mer-rit-uss] - noun, adjective - retired or honorably discharged from active professional duty, but retaining the title of one's office or position.

"I grew up on KRS and Rakim....  Bitch you grew up on me.."

A hell of a statement made by Mr. Brad Jordan [aka] Scarface.  We can go ahead an pass this on as a true statement.  Considering the fact he's been in it since 1988, and influencing people like...  2Pac, and The Notorious B.I.G., that's sayin' something if he threw in the towel ten years ago.  Well, this is [supposively] Scarface's victory lap.  Does he go out with a bang, or does he show signs that time really passed him by, and it was time to go?

Well, like a few Scarface CDs, he lets the boss J. Prince get a chance to talk over the intro.  After he talks about his current events, he ends it pointing his gun at Lil' Troy.  (For those who don't know, Rap-A-Lot and Lil Troy are like the McCoys and Hartfeilds.)  Anyway..  J.Prince lets Scarface beast on Lil' Troy for the 1st actual song.  Me personally, I believe the fans didn't need a whole song dedicated to Lil' Troy for his "last" CD.  But it wasn't a bad song, and his feud with Lil' Troy will be remembered along with his career..  So I guess the go hand-and-hand.  

Now Scarface, for a while now, has been a humble guy, he's not the one to hogg the spotlight, so he lets other people get their shine through him.  And it's true in this CD too.  Right off the bat, you'll hear a song featuring Lil' Wayne and Bun B.  Some lackluster performances from all three, I guess Bun stole the show?  But that'd be a stretch to say since the whole song from the hook to the beat is not so hot.   Slim Thug and K-Rino joins Scarface where they're goin' bad on women that dissed them in their past, but now is on their nuts.  Funny song, I guess what'd sum it up would be "Now I'm hot, they all on me" kinda deal.  

"Reason I won't vote for Barack is cuz I love 'em, they gonna want 'em hanged after that.....  And John McCain hates niggas, Martin Luther King Day, go figga."

Other than that, Scarface pretty much handles it by himself, except he gets some help on a few hooks.  He's never been shy about talkin about current issues and events.  On the songs "High Note," and "Can't Get Right" he dives into politics and issues that's concernin' this lil' country of ours.  Since we know what those are already, I'll save you the trouble of sayin' what about, and just let you know they are great songs.  

With some assistance from "Cookie", he gives young bunks a warning on the song "Not a Game."  He also pretty much does the same with "Unexpected" later on in the CD.  And he dives alil' bit on his stuggles coming up with help from Z-Ro and The Product on "Soldier's Story."

At the end of this nice CD.  FaceMob sums it up with the exclamation song "Emeritus."  Making sure he did not leave that stone unturned.  And since he does not do alot of boasting and bragging.  In this song he makes his own claim to be the G.O.A.T., and rightfully so.

Other than the lackluster song with Bun and Lil' Wayne, and diverting his attention to Lil' Troy, this CD is VERY short.  This CD will be over before you're outta that traffic jam during rush hour.  That's one downfall on the CD.  For the last hurrah, you'd hope it last a bit longer than it did.  On his last LP, he gave the Best Buy buyer's 2 bonus songs.  Here, you pretty much get, 11 songs, and all aren't five minutes.  But if this is Scarface's last go-round..  Know that the game will not be the same without 'em, it'll feel abit empty, and Brad Jordan / Scarface will be missed.

A Fresh BreakDown: Ludacris - Theater Of The Mind

"Six Albums Later You'll Deposit Every Word, Till Your Memory Bank give me the Credit I Deserve, Top 5 Damn Right but really it just hit me, that 3 of ya top scared to FUCK WITH ME!!"

For a long-ass-time, I've been callin' Ludacris NEW "King Of The South". Bein' from the south n all, I get to hear these little rants for Lil Wayne, T.I., ect ect. Dependin' on where you go. (FYI... Scarface is no longer King Of the South cuz he's been the GodFather of HipHop for a while.. Anyway!) Ludacris put out a hell of an effort for his last CD, some claim it to be a classic. But what was noticed and something everyone could agree on, is he showed alot of growth in that CD. For the past two years Luda hit us with a smooth mixtape with Dj Drama, and he's been quietly KILLING, I mean absolutely KILLING these feature verses he's been on. But will the man deliver in "Theater of the Mind"?

Ludacris first comes on pretty good with his annual album intro. Y'know, alil' bit of talkin', then you'll hear some bars from Mr. Bridges. He then starts to crank up the onslaught and his claim for being "Undisputed," with alil' help from another undisputed champ.. Flloyd "Money" Mayweather. And he further stresses the point on the Chris Rock accompanied song "EveryBody Hates Chris." I strongly believe that the Theater that Ludacris put us through a step-by-step guide for putting together a great HIP HOP CD.

"Luda Do it Cuz it's art!"

Ludacris has always been known for that universal sound, not just catering to the south. Nothing gets more universal than a southern rapper on a Dj Premier beat! As Luda states "The 1st Southern Rapper on a Priemo beat." He does a few more boastin' n braggin 'bout his skills even with Lil' Wayne on the track "Last Of A Dying Bread." Lil Wayne started off nice, but he then began to do alot of yellin' and I guess mistaken it for aggression, but it wasn't bad. Luda absolutely slaughtered this one though. But don't worry, Ludacris doesn't dragggg out his MC skills on purpose through-out the whole CD. To all my southern kin-folk, Luda still remembers us, as he always does, and comes with a smooth southern track with the Biggest Bawse. Rick Ross. Narrated by Ving Rhames, to give it a lil' story / documentary feel. But, catering to the south is also his lowest point on this CD, a song with T.I., T.I.P, and Clifford "Wish You Would." Now this doesn't mean it's a bad song, it's just the worse on this CD, it'd be a highlight on other CDs. It's really just a weak hook, and not the best attempt by T.I. to be honest, but it's still a nice song. Then Luda goes back to the universal crowd, where he goes and visits The Game in Compton and his artist, Willie Northpole in Arizona. All three delivered on their end.. (Yes, I even think The Game did well, he didn't do much name droppin'. Lol.)

Now.. It wouldn't be a Ludacris CD without that good ol' Luda-comedy now would it? Luda teams up with the industry's go-to-guy, T-Pain, and they talk about how your girl will get plugged, or the ugly girl will get plugged, if they keep on drinkin'. Unlike most songs, Luda's comical verse keeps T-Pain from stealin' the show, and T-Pain not on a verse either. A Nice feel-good song for everybody to enjoy. And to all the gentlemen.. I don't give a damn who you are, once you hear this song... You'll say "Yea, I've been there." Or something close to it. Lol. Now to keep it on a feel-good vibe, but more catering to the ladies, Luda gets alil' help from Jamie Foxx on "Contagious", and Mr. Bust-It-Baby Plies on "Nasty Girl." And we all know about "What Them Girls Like" cuz Chris Brown is what them girls like... Lil punk. Knowing how some rappers can get, when it comes to the ladies, they can get kinda cheesy, and it can hurt the album, but here, Luda prevents it from happenin', he also leaves it to only these three songs for the ladies to deal with.

After the good time, Luda comes back down to Earth, with alil' help from Common, they give people some good advice with a play on Spike Lee's ol' joint, "Do The Right Thing." A well-thought-out song, and it was executed well to put this joint on repeat like most of the songs on here.

Now.. I know you heard about this biggie. "I Do It For Hip Hop." Ludacris hops on a track with two no-doubt legends Nas and Jay-Z. The only thing sicker than the beat on this song is all three of their verses. Lol. Now this track was alittle fun, because after you listen to it, in some parts you can tell that they were all competing with each other. And Nas took a direct shot at Jay-Z, I'll let you pick out that line in the comment section, n we'll see who listens, lol. Now, who was the best on this verse? That depends on who you like, if your a Jay-Z guy, like me, then, you'll like Jay-Z's verse best, if you're a Nas kinda guy like my boss =!=, you'll like Nas's verse. If you're more new school, you'll prolly be more into Luda's verse. Truely a classic classic track. A rare gem where EVERYBODY who has the background steps up in the song. Now Ludacris holds strong with both of these guys, and does not stumble. Which says alot about Luda's MC skills.

You may be sayin' that "Damn, that's alot of muthafuckin' guest spots on one CD." It is, I agree. But when you're on your 6th CD, AND there is only ONE song where Luda's verse is only questionable out-done. And that's a big ass question mark. Since his verse is the one you end up payin' attention to, you'll never feel like you're listenin' to some compilation CD. Luda does a good job of keeping up the speed of his last CD, maybe even toppin' it. He also gives us alot of diversity in the CD, no overwhelming dope-boy bullshit or to many lady songs. Plus, the CD flows pretty damn nice in the exact order it's in, AND the songs are good! When you do all that correctly.. You get this kinda ratin'...

"Yea, I guess that's why Everbody Hates Cris"

Worth Buyin' - Think of the CD as Obama's campaign, SUPPORT IT!!!

Fav Tracks - What's not to like?

A Fresh Breakdown - T.I. : PaperTrail

"They've been waitin' on this since what you know" - T.I.  

One of the 1st things bein' said from T.I. on the openin' of the CD, maybe he was hinting that the last two albums definately could've been better.  So after droppin' two not-so-cool CDs, and the off-the-mic problems can the "King Of the South" finally show his haters up?  I'll be breakin' this down accordin' to the personality

Well, the disk starts off not that impressive with 56 bars, the beat really sounds identical to one of Ice Cube's beats on "Raw Footage."  Anyway, he breaks into "I'm Illy" where he really steps his bars up, and reminds people why he dropped the career of Lil' Flip so easily.  There are a few songs where it's strictly remindin' you of the swagger and style in his tracks.  None more obvious than "Swagger Like Us," a track he had help with from Kayne, Jay-Z, and Lil' Wayne.  Mr. Swagger himself, Jay-Z ran away with the track by makin' it look to easy for 'em.  Weezy n KanYeezy's verses weren't to inspiring, but T.I. did smash his verse without a doubt.  There are some dull moments with songs like "Let My Beat Pound," a real weak attempt to give you somethin' to ride to.  But he did make a nice lil' club song with Swizz Beats called "Swing Ya Rags."  It ain't the best, but I do like it, lol.

Of course there has to be some aggression on this CD right?  Of course, other than the two tracks where he's basically jumpin' on Shawty-Lo's head on "What Up," and "No Matter What," there's a different kind of aggression in other songs.  For example in the song "Ready For Whatever" where he tells a story about his youth, and basically explains to you that he really never had a choice to do what he did.  Also, at the end of the song, he explains why he went out and bought the army.

But other than that song, there is more growth to this CD.  One big song would be "My Life Your Entertainment." With alittle help from Usher, he kinda takes shots at bloggers who criticized him recently this past year, and towards the end of the song he reminds haters and wanna-bes you probably couldn't handle his life anyway.  Not being to cocky, he takes a minute to reflect on positive points in his past, and tells his listeners to keep a positive head on their shoulders, on the track "Life Is Like a SlideShow"  John Legend came through with a beautiful hook on this song as well. These two along with a few others, (all assisted by some R&B star, even one with Ludacris) reflect on life in some certain way or another.

And of course, with past albums and a few kids as evidence, a T.I. album just wouldn't be one if he left the ladies alone.  So he does spend a few tracks talkin' to the ladies, most notably the single "Whatever You Like."  But my personal favorite from 'em for this type of song would be "Porn Star".

Other than the few lil' songs that throw the pace of this CD off track, the ugly ass cover, and all the help he got from the R&B stars, you can't help but to give T.I. props for this CD.  Not only for just having a CD full of good songs, but you have to respect the growth of him as an artist on this album.  Lots of rappers need to take note from this album, and jot down that "its ok for a rapper to show growth!"  So I personally thank TI for this CD.  And on that note, I'd like to introduce you guys, the new ratin' system.