Marcus Hopson AKA Hopsin. Here we are. The long awaited and delayed for whatever reason Knock Madness came out last year. What did i think? Nothing I didn't hear it. I didn't care to at all. My interest in this dude had severely dropped, Hop was kinda dope when he was shitting on the new generation or it's MCs but as an artist i dont care for him. But i'll give anyone a chance at least once. I mean, he finally got rid of those bummy ass photoshopped covers he used to have. That's an okay sign, however this album did leak before hand. Only selling 4,000 copies. This caused Hop to have a shit fit and post each song individually on youtube. The problem? Well Hop's PMS reign was unnecessary, basically every hip hop leaks before hand. Literally, even back in the day. Illmatic was bootlegged and sold outta trunks. Hop even hit number one on iTunes, he's just emotional like that and that will lead into my issue with him. Hop is a bit of a cornball and seriously overly emotional. But let's get into the album.
The Fiends are Knocking
Hop's also got this thing with singing his hooks. Sometimes sounding like a computer and sometimes like an actual human. It's not terrible here to be honest. Not frontin' solid opening.
Hop Is Back
Tell these muthafuckas that Hop is Back
Let's dive right into the cornball with this shit. One of the few singles, it's pretty unimpressive. the Videos funny though, i give him that. The chorus is fine for what it is. However if anyone should not be using gunshots in songs, it's Hopsin. Hop does his "i'm back!" shit, as almost every rapper does. I heard some rumors of Hopsin getting all suicidal and i remember him constantly going on rants on facebook so i was kinda expecting better. Rage and depressive thoughts can bring the best out of an artist, not Hopsin though. Some of these lines...
I'm the shit like i slithered in poo
Painful. I wasn't always on board with the "Black Eminem Rip off" title he's been given, but he does sound like he's imitating 1998 Eminem here.
Who's There feat. Jarren Benton and Dizzy Wright
You may be curious how i feel about the Funk Volume crew. I think they're alright. I don't love any of 'em or despise 'em, they are pretty genius with internet marketing doe. How's the song? Mainly tolerable. Some unnecessary shouting in the first verse but everyone does their thing okay.
Tears to Snow
Some of that bitch ass quality i've mentioned earlier shines a bit here, but he keeps it under wraps. Hop shouts shit about his girl and how he emerged from the underground. Doesn't tie together to well. Pass on this track.
Rip Your Heart Out feat. Tech N9ne
Another single with his underground pal Tech N9ne. Tech outshines our host for days on this one. One thing i'll address now is that Marcus really needs some new producers. He does all his own production for the most part and it shows so badly. So many beats sound different but extremely similar at the same time. He needs to let someone else hop in the booth, this shit is getting ridiculous. If you played four beats off this album, I really doubt i could tell which one was which.
Nollie Tre Flip
Marcus raps about how great he is while using comparison to skateboarding. It's creative, i'll give him that. I'd like to see a bit more creativity out of him in some of these tracks like he does here.
Gimmie That Money
This is all about people who want to talk to Hop now that he's making money and he wasn't before. He also breaks down one girl and exactly what she looked like, a bit creepy. It's okay, but his bitterness is leaking out more than necessary. The topics been done a million times over and he doesn't bring a lot to the table. Biggie did this better in one line than he did the whole song. You're 30 years old hop, let the past go. Some girls didn't like you, your family didn't go off a cliff and die on impact.
I Need Help
Our host is concerned about his future and where he's going. Also some of his troubles during success. I've noticed he seems to mentioned his genitals is borderline every song, that's a bit tiring. Song's solid.
Hip Hop Sinister
Wack Niggas prepare to die!
I actually like this one a lot. Marcus goes in pissed and vents his frustration. It's not like it's amazing but its hella better than him going Kanye over hooks and whining about the shit.
Good Guys Get Left Behind
Here we go with this bitch ass behavior. Hop cannot transition. It's one song from him screaming about murder to "Why dont girls like me!?" Again. How many times are we going through this? Don't you have a girl Hop? You even did a valentines day rap to her, why are you still whining like a god damn middle schooler at 30 years old? Grow the fuck up dude. And you're the one who said you're Pac's twisted grim disciple? Hold me back!
Bad Manners Freestyle
Usually freestyles on albums are filler, but this isn't half bad. I'm 100% it's not top of the head though. Also more penis references.
Old Friend (Ill Mind 6)
I tend to tread lightly over tracks dedicated to past friends or family members who are gone. So i don't want to straight shit on this however I have some issues. 1. the ill mind name was clearly an attention grabber 2. He did this better on his first album 3. it's a bit cheesy...
Gimmie Back mah Homey!
Though...it does feel like it's from the heart.
Still Got Love For You
Another Hop is angry about girls track. This one though seems to be a true story. Checked rap genius and his ex's pic and full name pops up. That's really not cool and pretty discomforting. Hook's also ass cheese.
Jungle Bash feat. SwizZz
Is SwizZz ever making an album? Like ever? Anyway I don't hate his voice if you were curious. If I can hear Danny Brown, I can hear anyone. They work well together as they usually do. A true highlight through this sticky emotional mess so far.
Lunchtime Cypher feat. Passionate MC and G-Mo Skee
A pretty cool concept here. Rapping like it's lunch in school again for fun. There's a hook here, that could've been removed and it wouldn't affect too much. As cool as the idea is, it's a meh track for me. No one really shines through like The Dangerous Three team up did for me. They just all fit well. This is the type of track that should be getting mad rewinds instead of some fast forwards.
Dream Forever
More love shi- oh wait! He loves this girl now?! He's not going to cry? I'm in love with you too, Hop.
What's My Purpose?
Sounds like you want a divorce...Just kidding. This isn't even bad. He questions his purpose in life as you could tell by the title. It might make you think a just bit.
Caught in The Rain
Hop's soul is corrupt or something. Sounds really similar to the last track. I'm just so tired of this album. Thank God there's no bonus tracks.
The Highlights:
Jungle Bash
Hip Hop Sinister
Rip Your Heart Out
The Lowlights:
Gimmie the Money
Good Guys Get Left Behind
Still Got Love For You
Hop is Back
The Gem:
Bad Manners Freestyle
Is it Worth a Purchase?
No. It's painful to get through this is one listen. If this was maybe a bipolar concept type of album it could've been done well but it's a mess. Anger here then "why dont girls like me?" over here. He's way too old for this. Emotion is fine in Hip Hop, fuck it's necessary but he cannot do both equally. Some can. He mentions him on the album, 2Pac was amazing at doing emotion without coming off as corny. Pac sounded like more of an mature adult at 21 than Hop does at 30. You can be soft but he's way too laughable and cheesy in this to believe. Also a lot of fat that could be trimmed off this.
Overall Grade: D
Does that look like photoshop or is it just me? Til Next Time, One Love.
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