Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous by Big L Review

Lamont Coleman better known as Big L released his debut album in 1995. L's overly violent and graphic lyrics often held him back from breaking out into the mainstream of Hip Hop but he's gained an almost cult like following since then. The album received less than desirable sales but very solid reviews but does L stand the test of time? Well, 

Put It On feat. Kid Capri

Ayo, You Better Flee Hops, or Get your Head Flown Three Blocks. L keeps rappers Hearts Pumpin' like Reeboks

The intended radio hit from the album is Put It On. L made it somewhat radio friendly but still using his usual violent nature in his lyrics. Put It On is also one of few tracks by Big L to have a music video. Still holds up. I always wanted to know how the label reacted to this song. This also shows what Lamont was known best for: Punchlines.

My Guns go Boom Boom and yo' guns go Pow Pow

I smash mics like Cornbread you can't kill me I was born dead

M.V.P

One of the other singles was MVP. Simply a brag track but L was always one of the best at making bragging memorable. It's almost like there wasn't a beat he couldn't ride or a song he couldn't make memorable.

No Endz No Skinz

I never loved this track and believe it or not Esco is not swimmin' in the cash so this doesn't really do anything for me. If you're still unsure of the topic,

If you don't have the money, you won't scoop a honey

His verses are at least solid.

8 Iz Enuff feat. Buddah Bless, Herb McGruff, Killa Cam, Mike Boogie, Big Twan, Terra, and Trooper J

This muthafucka went and put eight people on one track before DJ Khaled decided to put 45 dudes with 30 second verses on every track he's ever made, this seemed impossible. Looking back, he just does it how you'd expect him to. Everyone does their thing here, but I feel if it was narrowed down maybe the verses would be more memorable but it's fine.

All Black

I'll Have Your Family Dressed in All Black

Ultra violence personified into one track. L goes off on a killing spree in this. The beat also just strikes you. You know, there were five tracks removed from the album and one being the infamous Devil's Son. My best guess is that was too controversial, but how did this get a pass?

Danger Zone feat. Herb McGruff

I'll even fuck a dead bitch!

Or this!? The fuck?! This takes shit to a whole new level of unsettling lyrics, it's somewhat you need to hear to understand. I fuck wit it though, even if i need to take a shower just to cleanse myself of the filth displayed here.

Street Struck

Before the rap contract, I was sellin crack, Stay strapped with a Mac, I was into all of that

One thing our host usually doesn't do it get personal. He details his upbringing and struggles in his usual brutal manner and it comes together nicely.

Da Graveyard feat. Jay-Z, Lord Finesse, Grand Daddy I.U., Party Arty, Microphone Nut

Now THIS, is the posse cut the album needed. It's almost too hard to pick a best verse but Microphone Nut did surprise me a bit having never heard him. The topic is well murder and killing as you could expect. Also Pre no hyphen Jay-Z appears on here who was once L's little buddy. Also noted by his appearance on '98 Freestyle. L's assumed mentor Lord Finesse also kills this shit.

Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous

The title track of the album and often forgotten track as well. Coleman almost comes across as angry at his upbringing and life in Harlem, noted by the outro.

Now what kinda life is that for a child

Now what kinda life is that for a child

Now what kinda life is that for a fucking child

Interesting thing to consider.

I Don't Understand It

There are too many MC's who are overrated, You ask me, they wasn't even supposed to make it

L attacks garbage rappers wondering how they even made it in the game before it was cool, or used to get ahead in the game.

Except here Lamont proves himself as a better rapper than those he mocks. His rhymes could be a tad bit better in this one though.

Fed Up Wit the Bullshit

Big L is pissed at cops roaming his neighborhood and unfairly targeting people he lives by. (This may be more relevant of an album in 2014 than I thought...) I did enjoy this as he shows some versatility in topics instead how he can kill you, even if he is creative in his vast ways to slay a man. Cab Drivers can go fuck themselves too according to L.

Let Em Have it "L"

Facts on tracks I recite well, Everybody wanna be like Mike, but Mike wanna be like L

This is like L's "I'll fuck up anybody track." This is usually the type of material people want/expect from our host and I would've liked him to have a much more memorable ending given his rawness on the mic but it's fine.

The Highlights:

Put It On

All Black

Danger Zone

Da Graveyard

The Lowlight:

No Endz, No Skinz

The Gem:

Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous

Is It Worth a Listen?

I believe this is no longer in print so unless you want a used copy, sorry. However i'd highly recommend hearing this. L's a punchline master and I didn't want to spoil any of that here but I don't know anybody who doesn't like this album. The production is low budget but grimy and L rides every beat perfectly. I only wish maybe he'd be a bit more creative as he seems to at least solid at that, he also later proved himself as a very good story teller and that doesn't really come across here. Feel a A- maybe B+ but a strong one.

Overall Grade: A-

One Love

Mr. Scarface is Back by Scarface Review

Brad Jordan better known as Southern MC, Scarface released his debut album in 1991. The album achieved gold status which was rather rare given the little no radio play Scarface was ever given and the lack of popularity for Southern Hip Hop at the time. After several years in the Geto Boys their presumed leader decided to take a chance at making a solo album, using old school samples of Smokey Robinson, James Brown, Barry White, Marvin Gaye and others this turned out to be a very overlooked album, even for Scarface. Let's not waste anymore time and get into it.

Mr. Scarface

Mister mister Scarface went walkin' down the block...

The lead single off the album was Mr. Scarface. The song opens with a parody of The Itsby Bitsy Spider and a sample of the 1983 film of the same name as our MC. Face spins a blood soaked tale of him attempting to survive an ambush at his home. It's classic story telling and just as violent as a Geto Boy fan could expect, or want. Despite his crew appearing on the album cover, his team does not show up in the album for any notable features, but Jordan proves himself as a lone star here.

The Pimp

This is unsettling. I'm having flashbacks of Tim Dog and Kool Keith's Secret Fantasies. This would've been better late on in the album. Scarface expresses his sexual dominance and it fits his personality, but it messes up the sequences a little too much.

Born Killer

My mama did her part, but it's not fault i was born without a heart

This may be a shock to you but a lot of Scarface's material involve graphic violence, but it's violence done well. Face expresses that was born to kill people and commit crimes no matter how he was raised. There's a bit of a loose story told here of Scar going broke and having to start killing and robbing for money, it's nicely done.

Murder By Reason of Insanity

Boy you should of known not to fuck with me bitch, Brothers like me are making mortuaries rich

Scarface delves into his murderous ways more by explaining his motive as being his own insanity. This leads into another story this time of him rolling into a neighborhood with a car full of Mac-10's and Tec-9's ready to start killing.

Dad always said look a man in the eye before you kill him...

Your Ass Got Took

You fucked up b. According to Scarface anyhow, he's here to tell you how to keep your ass from getting took, meaning death or jail. His aggression reaches a new level here, plain uncut gore.

Diary of a Madman

I try to talk to my dad, but my old man ignores me, He says I'm delirious, And I drink too much, so he doesn't take me serious

One of the things our host is best known for is his willingness to detail the frailness of the mind. Here he feels he's gone and trapped in an endless world of killing that no longer affects him in the slightest because he's taken so many lives. Shout out to the Grave Diggaz.

Body Snatchers

Murder. All 'bout murder. Nothing new is stated here but the host keeps the album flowing consistently. It follows almost a B Movie like trail of blood and death left by the body snatcher himself.

That's the face of a reliable man.

Money and The Power

The Bradster has achieved money, power, and his version of success. He sets clear what his goals are and why he does what he does. Even some insight of him bullshitting to his mom about where he gets his money, giving this some realism instead of what sounds like a fantasy.

P.D. Roll 'Em

Scarface's shit talking entry. There's a police siren waling in the background which ISN'T annoying, even though the idea sounds like it would piss you off. This one's okay, it doesn't really improve or hurt the album.

Good Girl Gone Bad

Brad spins a story of a drug deal going bad. The girl in the title refers to cocaine, aka white girl. I've always put our host in the upper echelon of story tellers in Hip Hop and he only furthers proves my point here. They also jump a guy named Big Mike in this song, and i'm fairly certain it's zero relation to the actual Big Mike that threw down with Scarface resulting in Mike's house being torn up. Given he wasn't in the Geto Boys yet. Coincidence eh?

A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die

Life goes on in the streets of my hood when you die. But some cry, and gets by, while others choose to wonder why..

If it wasn't for Mr. Scarface i'd say the best track, bar none. A beautiful sample of Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues leads to a classic track. Scarface bumps this album up so far with this track. The dangers of the hood had been discussed before in the genre but our host gives you the feeling that you're there with him experiencing it. All the horrors you can think of are discussed here and laid out by Brad Jordan. The final two tracks on this album serve as a reflection of Scarface's behavior and environment, this is what sets this album higher than a standard gangster rap album.

I'm Dead

I always thought this had influence on Biggie's Suicidal Thoughts track. Both serving as a grim ending to a gory LP. Scarface as the title entails, is dead. He first doesn't realize it but finds out he's only a spirit in his home and sees his own funeral. Some of the rhymes in the latter parts of the song are a bit weak and the emotion could've been better but as far as i'm aware, this had never been done before. It's still not common for rappers to kill themselves off in tracks, let alone at the end of an album.

The Highlights:

Mr. Scarface

A Minute to Pray and a Second to Die

Murder by Reason of Insanity

The Lowlight:

The Pimp

The Gem:

Born Killer

Is It Worth a Purchase?

I can't guarantee this Scarface LP is still in circulation, but it's not like you can't amazon a copy. Or even just simply burn it if you can't find a cheap enough copy. This is not the best work of Brad Jordan but it's like a B Movie with A Movie qualities to it. There's over the top violence with some terrific story telling ended by a reflection where our host has to pay the price for what he's done. I'd recommend checking this one out.

Overall Grade: A-

Scarface has stated he's retiring this year after his Deeply Rooted album drops, the singles are pretty solid so far. We'll see if he follows up. Until Next Time, One Love.

A Quick Review: Blacc Hollywood by Wiz Khalifa

I wasn't even considering reviewing this nonsense, and I definitely wasn't breaking this down track by track. Mainly cause every song this dude has ever written he either stops rhyming or mentions that his car is push to start. For whatever damn reason, and this not so creative cover didnt change my mind but it's a new release and it's a short album so fuck it. How Do i feel about this? Well, it's better than his past work. So about 2/10. 

We dem boyz...yeah...we dem boyz...

Okay just kidding, but this is pretty awful. Captain Anorexia has got some seriously irritating beats, awful autotune, and basic rhymes that translate into nothing. Wiz brings absolutely nothing to the table that you haven't heard before, but that doesn't mean he can't still make some good material. Except he doesn't. He's just fucking annoying, his hooks are some of the worst i've heard in a long time. He usually just repeats a word or one phrase over and over then does some dumbass laugh. Shit this album got me mad, I don't know why I chose to review this but i've already heard it so the show must go on. There's a few guests here, Curren$y basically has the best verse on the whole album by fucking default. Juicy J showed up, hell if i remember what he did.

shake that shit girl!...yeah!

This is one of the least creative albums i've had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing since i've started reviewing albums. Same ol' shit, hoes, money, weed all that. This time he's using a Migos like flow that makes him somehow worse than before. Even in production it's a struggle to find a dope beat. It's not too long overall but the tracks just drag out to ear bleeding limits. The deluxe edition has some infinitely better rappers than Wiz (Snoop, Nas, Rick Ross, ScHoolboy Q), but why even tolerate any of this LP? It's full of garbage hooks, below average lyrics, and obnoxious autotuned singing. It looks like Wiz's time in the limelight is coming to a close, signaled by seemingly radio hits that i've heard anyway, and zero coverage of this album dropping. I just stumbled upon it's release. That's for the best.

The Tolerable:

True Colors

Still Down

The Lowlights:

Hope

Promises

Staying Out All Night

The Lowestlights:

We Dem Boyz

Ass Drop

Raw

The Gem:

N/A

Is It Worth a Purchase?

You want to PAY for this album?

Overall Grade: F

This album was a fucking mess, here's a random Photo of the Beastie Boys. Maybe it'll brighten your day, I need to go clean out my ears now. Also, no the albums title doesn't mean shit, regardless of what Wiz will tell you. Until Next Time, One Love.

Hell: The Sequel by Bad Meets Evil Review

In 2011 Eminem reunited with Royce da 5'9 to reform their short lived Bad Meets Evil duo. Now normally any time Eminem collabs with fucking ANY body it ends badly. (See Devil's Night, D12 World, and The Re-Up) With one exception, that being his former rival/ally Royce. This album didn't hit the same sales he usually does but the reviews were pretty solid. (Then again, when don't music sites whore for Eminem?) I mean, it's 9 tracks, how bad could it REALLY be? In the old days n shit, these two were going bar for bar out to body each other on tracks, do they head back to those ambitious times? Not exactly.

Welcome 2 Hell

Havoc actually hopped on production for this. But the duo actually do open up spittin' n shit. Em dropped some unnecessarily uncomfortable lines about dudes sniffin the shit out his draws. I wasn't really feel that but aside from that nonsense this is a pretty cool opening. It's a fast two minutes and right into the rest of the material.

Fast Lane

I hope i don't sound too heinous but Nicki Minaj i wanna stick my penis in your anus!

One of two singles off the album. Follows the same style of the two trying to one up each other but not really. Royce starts off borderline ass kissin the dude and Slim comes in the track slow. They set up their story and how they go to where they are now. The slower they go the more you notice some "meh" bars. Hook is dope though, i dont know who did the voice but this dude should pop up more. This entry's fun though so, i ain't got no real problem with it.

The Reunion

This just starts off with Em saying some nonsense about beating women or whatever then Royce turns it into an actual story. Then Slim gotta go above and beyond about torturing women n' shit. It's entertaining at least. Very nice storytelling, well not nice but, you know.

Above The Law 

This didnt need a hook in any way really but anyways the beat is fan-tab-u-lous here. Shocker of the day since Mr. Porter/Kon Artis/Denaun Porter/Weed Carrier made it. This project's delivering so far man. It feels like their hunger is back, mostly. No, this has nothing to do with the actual Above the Law if you actually had a feeling it was. Royce also drops some line about knocking a dude out for having a mouth like Kanye, then apologizes a line later. Sadly.

I'm On Everything feat. Mike Epps

Who in the fuckin' fuck had the idea to put a sub-par Mike Epps stand up on this album? Even twisted it into the song. It's a return to the roots man, not like Black Thought n Questlove but like Em n Royce spitting goofy ass songs about drugs while making some seizure like noises. Their bars basically random and illogical but its somewhat enjoyable. This shit get skipped on repeat listens doe.

A Kiss

This has that raw sound to it. The lyrics however, kinda meh. Slim rambles about women n' shit. Last time he did that it ended in him writing a song about dragging his ex-wife across the grass at night and cutting her throat. This ain't do too much for me.

Lighters feat. Bruno Mars

blah blah blah, penis joke, boring ass lyrics, lighters in the sky!!!

I shoulda Craig Mack faced this bullshit. This boring ass Bruno hook drags like all fucking hell. Royce and Em say borderline nothing of value and 5'9 basically one step away from jumping in Marshall's arms and asking 'em for a bed time story. New level of fuckin' boring, and this was a single. Not even a surprise since just about every single Slim drops is ass, but this ain't tolerable. Nine tracks and you left this on?

Take From Me

It's better than Lighters but what the fuck wouldn't be at this point? Might as well be a Big L/Big Pun collab in comparison. But this still weak. They drift from the whole idea of the album some sleepy bad romance bars. Muthafuckin' awful hook, sound like some 2004 ringtone quality. I don't need no more Eminem tracks like this.

Loud Noises feat. Slaughterhouse

Technically...it's a posse cut, but not really. It's just Slaughterhouse and Eminem. Shits kinda dope but basically the weakest posse cut with expectations to it. I tried to break this down but hardly anything of any value is even said for the longest time. Crooked I takes best verse. Royce gets a -1 for being the 450th muthafucka to call himself 2Pac post his death. 

Living Proof (Deluxe)

Now this is a cool bonus. It's like what you actually want out of the album, instead of Bruno Mars handing out verbal Nyquil.

Echo (Deluxe)

Then this bullshit steps in! More Recovery 2.0 spilled in.

The Highlights:

Welcome 2 Hell

Above the Law

Living Proof (Deluxe)

The Lowlights:

Lighters

Take From Me

Echo (Deluxe)

The Gem:

The Reunion

Is It Worth a Purchase?

At nine tracks and 11 at Deluxe it's not a horrible buy. I mean there's some bullshit here that sounds like Recovery left overs. Em and Royce don't really go bar for bar here, and i'm not really fondly looking back on too many punchlines. It's fun most of the time, but for only 9 tracks i shouldn't be needing to skip songs. I'd say get the deluxe but it's really one entry worth hearing. If you're looking for a good Eminem album, this is his only project i'd recommend post 2003. Em actually has fun on this album, shame he needed another rapper to do it.

Overall Grade: C+

Until Next Time, One Love.

I Am Not a Human Being 2 by Lil Wayne Review

Well...here we are. Here to review...Lil Wayne's last album to date... I am not a human being II. So safe to say Lil Wayne has not been impressive with his last few albums being Rebirth, Human Being I, and Carter IV. Which if you were unaware, were all absolutely devoid of anything good but hey! Third times, the charm or fail? So number four has to be good..right? Let's get into it, on second thought let's not. To review this album I decided to see life through the eyes of Lil Wayne. So I broke down his lyrics to create the following list of phrases for any lover out of the many sexual lyrics Weezy has written. Given he seems to be quite the ladies man i think it's fine you use this for yourself. These pieces of romance should work out fine for you, perfect for any card...email...bouquet of roses.

• I want you to Fuck my hand, suck my thumb
• I stand up in that pussy like a sun roof
• You even do Anal when you don't do anal
• Don't send me cards, I don't wanna read
• You even kiss my ankle when I twist my ankle
• I'm the nigga, cause you said i'm the nigga
• The best part of waking up, is breakfast after my ejaculation inside of you
• You give me coochie in my mama's crib
• We fucked a hoe together, real romance
• You won't find another one like me

Now those were lyrics of Lil Wayne's song Romance, built for cards to send to lovers this time of year or any really. You can thank me or Lil Wayne later. Now Lil Wayne can also detect a love so here's the chart to determine if a woman is in love with you.

She's on a strict diet?	She's eating dick
She loves you	Like Satan
She wants to make you proud	Like Cumming. Prideful.
She wakes up	Eats dick
You said her name	that's snitching

Now Lil Wayne does know a lot about love and hoes so I feel like this is the chart to a perfect marriage as well. Here are just a few other lines from Lil Wayne that I feel can just clearly stand the test of time with great thinkers like Plato or Aristotle.

Yeah Young Money so Gangsta, I personally know strangers

That Pussy boneless, that's Chick Fil A 

These niggas think they hard, these niggas just nipples

Bodies in the sewer...Tampons in manure

I'm in the ocean getting shark pussy

You know i'm on that grass, don't turn on the sprinklers

Penis Colada

I can make your bitch root for me like i grew her

She said my dick could be the next black president

That concludes my review of I Am Not a Human Being II by Lil Wayne

The Highlights:

Huh?

The Lowlights:

I don't have all day

The Gem:

...

Is it Worth Dousing in Kerosene?

Most definitely 

Overall Grade: Fuck Outta Here

Someone's bound to pay for this bullshit, No Love bruh.

Disposable Arts by Masta Ace Review

Overlooked Emcee #1. Masta Ace

Masta Ace is a Brooklyn emcee and former member of the infamous Juice Crew. Ace did not shine in hip hop's limelight as others in the Crew such as MC Shan, Big Daddy Kane, and Marley Marl however he deserved his respect. He formed the Masta Ace Inc. crew and they birthed two albums with notable success. After 1995 Ace did not make another album until 2001. That album is Disposable Arts. Arts sold less than his previous but it has gained a rep as one of the best concept records of all time. Our host decided to tell a full narrative for 24 tracks. But enough of the set up, let's get into it.

The Release (interlude)

Our plot and set up, Masta Ace's character is released from prison. Normally I despise skits but this is necessary to the story. Ace leaves and the guard tells him he expects him back.

Too Long feat. Apocalypse

Y'all waited too long for this...

Leading directly into Too Long, the transition is perfect. Our host declares none of his "friends" held him down in prison and his experience in the joint. Apoc holds his side down too. This is what you want of out a opening track.

Block Episode feat. Punchline and Wordsworth

Woke up this morning hearing shots below my project window, The TV's on from playing all night on Nintendo Masterful story telling by Masta Ace (no pun intended), he breaks down his Brooklyn neighborhood as a kid and now. The hook addresses this as recurring and no longer surprising. Our guests hold it down extremely well. They fit into the story with their own point of views. This shit is next level hood awareness bruh.

Commercial (interlude)

More set up in the album, the institute of Disposable Arts. It's a mock commercial advertising Hip Hop that Ace is watching. It's kinda funny too. "Be a half assed producer."

Don't Understand feat. Greg Nice

I don't do White music, I don't do Black music, I make rap music, for hip hop kids

Masta Ace is walking through his hood and gets the feeling everyone thinks he's losing his mind. He makes it clear he's doing this for Hip Hop and the kids dying in New York. Ace has decided against committing crimes and he's working to save his neighborhood. Nice is solid too.

Goodbye Lisa (interlude)

Ace calls a lady named Lisa and tells her he's moving to the IDA University. She rejects this idea and Ace says he's out the hood.

Hold U feat. Jean Grae

I will never forget the day that we first met, I wasn't even feeling you then but worse yet, I was all up in the mix with one of your friends

Jean Greazy hops on the album and Ace details a love he has for a girl he thought he never had a chance with. Does Jean step up? She goes toe to toe with our host and they work great as a duet in this piece. A nice Dionne Warwick sample too.

Every Other Day 

One of the weaker beats. A Jamaican like hook leads to Ace dropping some great verses. The song relates to people of all kinds wanting the most in life every day. Even relating it to the Lil' Kim/Foxy Brown and MC Lyte/MC Antoinette feuds

Roommates Meat (interlude)

Paul Barman steps in for a skit. Ace meets him as he freestyles. Pretty cool skit forreal forreal. Barman's funny here too.

Take a Walk feat. Apocalypse

Let's take a walk through the deepest part of the hood, I wanna know who it was that said it was all good Grown man raps dawg. Ace is aiming this at the "its good in the hood" cats, he's not fucking around and wants people to see the reality of their bullshit and walk through the violent hood. Ace invites, Queens, Compton, The South, Longbeach and anybody in this situation expanding to the whole nation. Apoc keeps it real too.

Something's Wrong feat. Strick and Young Zee

Strick makes this shit his for the opening verse. The Hip Hop culture comes in here. Zee holds it down too but it comes last and he's slightly overshadowed. They all display their skill from the unfortunately non-existent Hip Hop University i would throw my money at.

The Classes (Interlude)

This is the most spectacular skit in history.

Acknowledge

Taking the role of the teacher he tells the students of hip hop to sit down and pay attention. This is actually a diss track to High & Mighty and Boogeyman. Shits rough man. The hook samples Guru and homey Nasir Jones. He even takes a God tier shot at Vince McMahon's failed football league.

These XFL rappers tryna fuck with a real pro

there are just astounding lines all over

And I heard your album, this must be something you're new at

Cause I'd rather hear a Lil' Wayne/Lil' Zane duet

When your album go on sale after the first hour, remember like Nas nigga, I Gave You Power

You Can't spit so You Obviously Must Swallow

Enuff Mr. Lee Gee

Taking diss shots now at record labels instead of the new school. Ace being old school relates his upcoming in rap as to how the record labels view rappers now. It's hard to follow the Godliness in the last entry but this is pretty good. Shout out to Ghostface Killah.

Watching The Game (Interlude)

Never in my life have I been looking forward to skits on an album until Disposable Arts. This also moves the story along, Ace's old friends are now in jail and he's doing just fine since he didn't stick around the place.

Unfriendly Game feat. Strick

And niggas see the pigskin, they blast cops, So federal agents dress as mascots

Ace relates the hood to football, an amazing concept idea. It plays out great on wax too. Strick steps back in, following the trend of non-wack guest verses.

Alphabet Soup

Okay, so Ace is out to make the most creative rap album in fucking history. This is pre-Papoose doing Alphabet Slaughter. He uses the alphabet in this song to carry it a long before every fucking mixtape rapper made their bootleg version. It's a lone verse and it is stand out, which is common on this album. I wish Masta Ace was my teacher in school.

Dear Yvette feat. Jane Doe

Sampling LL Cool J's track of the same name off his classic Radio LP. Yvette a bit of a hoe if you ain't know. Jane plays the role of Yvette and they pull it off like a dream. If only guy and girl rappers could make songs with a point together more often instead of lame ass happy romance shit.

I Like Dat feat. Punchline and Wordsworth

Sex rap track steps in. Normally i'd hit skip but the trio can do no wrong on this LP. Some of the imagery is more than i needed in my day. It's not necessary but for a album with so many interludes I suppose Ace felt required to give you the bang for your buck. Pun intended.

P.T.A feat. King Tee and J-Ro

This serves as the dreams an underground rapper wants in life, the hoes, mansions, cars, all that shit. And fuck going platinum, Ace wants to go uranium. All of these topics of the preceding and following track(s) are cliches of normal rappers but these dudes put wack rappers to shame with their ability on it.

Type I Hate feat. Rah Digga and Leschea

Another dope lady joins Ace. Rah Digga ain't a slouch on the mic. The topic is the people out for your money and are only faking as your friends. Snakes, if you will. I feel Chief Keef took influence from this. Just kiddin', i'm sure that inept fuck doesn't even know Masta Ace. The hook is meh though. Only song i feel like skipping, not even awful but it's of lower quality than the standard set by this LP.

Dear Diary

This clever muthafucka spits in the third person. Ace is considered a has been now and he's told to let Hip Hop go and walk away. It's funny that he proves that he's still dope by shit talking himself.

Last Rights (interlude)

Masta Ace has graduated from IDA and is having success in Brooklyn. His ex Lisa is pregnant for the third time and an overall fucking loser. Her ex is also 25 to life for murder. Preserve the music y'all.

No Regrets

As the name, Ace has not a single regret about anything he's done or if he even fails in the future. Every underground rapper should take a listen to this.

The Highlights:

Block Episode

Alphabet Soup

No Regrets

Unfriendly Game

Dear Yvette

The Lowlight:

Type I Hate

The Gem:

Dear Diary

Is it Worth a Purchase?

Do I have to tell you? It's 24 tracks with around 5 skits and there's not a single dull moment. This may be the most underrated Hip Hop album of all time, while also being one of the best ever written and conceived.

Overall Grade A+

There you have it, fam. Until Next Time...One Love.

The Marshall Mathers LP 2 by Eminem Review

After hearing Eminem was making a sequel to the Marshall Mathers LP, i let out a wild "meh." I don't hate Eminem in fact i once liked him. But i've sat through Infinite, Relapse, Encore, Recovery, D12 World, Devil's Night, The Re-Up, and Refill. I have no desire to hear another lackluster Eminem album. But given the name, perhaps he is going back to his roots. Should he? Perhaps, perhaps not. I've stalled in reviewing this, considering Eminem stans are basically insane. in fact i've seen reviewers be told to commit suicide just because they didn't like an Eminem album. Why are those fans such little pricks? I have no clue. That's a mystery for another. So, let's just to the chase and just get into the album.

Bad Guy

The loose sequel to the acclaimed track Stan. Does it live up to the name? Not even remotely. The original was quite slow (mainly because of the hook), but it left you wanting to hear the next verse and finish the story. This I don't feel that for. The beat doesn't do too much work. it actually kind of sounds like bed springs squeaking. The hook is noticeably weaker than Stan. Though I feel i should review this as a song on it's own. Not comparing to the initial song is this good? It's a passable first listen or so, but after repeats it's the cure for insomnia. Also this classic line

I walked to the window and reached my full potential, i peaked

Well shit, maybe you should leave the past alone Slim. Until...the final verse is actually really fucking good. The build up to the dope ending is just too piss poor for me.

Parking Lot (skit)

Really bruh? Didn't we all get sick of these skits ten years ago? 

Rhyme or Reason

Forgot what page my rhymes were on, oh it's on the rampage

Holy shit... please don't let these struggle bars be a recurring theme. Slim drops a Yoda impression. For one reason or another. The hook doe, did we need Marshall Mathers showing off his singing abilities. Passable entry at best.

So Much Better

It seems Eminem is producing again, fuck me. He's also brought his spectacular singing abilities back. Verses are decent. Boring ass hooks seem to be a mainstay so far.

Survival

I guess Marshall and Call of Duty has become a fruitful partnership. The music video had the game playing in the background, i think. There's even a COD Deluxe track. Oh and this song? Most people seem to think this is the worst shit they've ever heard and yes it is pretty bad but it's not THAT bad. Slim shouts his bars for no apparent reason. There seems to be no real reason in sight for this to be called MMLP2 aside from a few connection. This nonsense coulda been on Relapse.

Legacy

Marshall backtracks to his life as a kid and reminisces a bit, goes over how he was bullied. I do like this quite a bit. It's another pop hook, this one isn't half bad. I'm pleasantly surprised, now THIS fits on the Marshall Mathers LP 2. Pretty poor sign when it takes six tracks to find something good.

Asshole feat. Skylar Grey

Does Skylar Grey even have an album? I've never heard a solo track, nor do i want to. Anyways, Em's bars are pretty good here. He mentioned ICP though, that kinda fucked my day up a bit. Shout out to Freddie Roach.

Berzerk

Tribute to the late MCA of the Beastie Boys, and Rest in Peace to the dude. The Boys were a dope clique. Slim starts off telling us he's bringing it back and what not. Bringing what back? Hip hop, we're straight from the beginning. By doing a Beastie Boys impression...? I'm all down for tribute to the guys that are basically most of the reason white kids got drawn into Hip Hop but Eminem screaming at the top of lungs. This is fucking garbage bruh.

Rap God

Oh Em Gee, he's rapping fast. That's terrific. Some good ol' speed rap done well, well half of it is. His breath control is astounding but rapping fast only impresses me so far. Every Suburban Stan shit his pants six times when this dropped and i was not that moved by it. He goes off topic at random points and raps about the Ray J/Fabolous beef, battering women (supposed chris brown diss), it's just nonsense. Rather smoke and mirrors type of track.

Brainless

starts off with what sounds like an old film of sort talking about removing a mans brain. Sub-par hook on deck. Eminem's sing song like voice yet again. Yet another case of dope verses and weak music behind it.

Stronger Than I Was

Okay I'm done trying to like this album. Marshall's going to need to impress me sooner than fucking later. More sing songy bullshit isn't helping this album. Em says some okay stuff here but most of it is followed by his nonsensical singing. Also painfully long.

The Monster feat. Rihanna

So Far...

Wh...What is this? Sounds like a Bruno Mars impersonation. Followed by some dope ass Rick Rubin production and Em actually drops some dope material again. He also stopped singing so, ay! It's like a God send.

Love Game feat. Kendrick Lamar

Yo, K.Dot's on this? Man they about to start wildn' out, right!? Guess what!? They fucking do the exact opposite. They just rap about their love for women. Is this a sequel to The Marshall Mathers LP? What is he going for with this? Pass ass gas on this record.

Headlights feat. Nate Ruess

You waited until the final two tracks to get a professional singer to do a hook? (Skylar Grey yeah...) His part is passable. Here Marshall goes back to the well of Mama Mathers for more material but instead to say he actually loves her. Something mature, i'm somewhat proud he took this route instead of "fuck you mom! I do drugs hahahahaha" shit again. Enjoyable.

Evil Twin

Essentially the return to the Slim Shady persona here. Does it fit in, in 2014? Yes, it's borderline the only track on the album similar to that style but it's actually a pretty great ending. Ain't it amazin'? There's also a Call of Duty bonus track (wherever the fuck you buy that) and five deluxe tracks, but for real. I don't need another half hour of this album. A lot of people counted Refill and deluxe entries into Relapse to buff it up as a solid project but no okay. I'm not giving Em anymore credit because the shit off the album might be good.

The Highlights:

Evil Twin

Headlights

So Far...

The Lowlights:

Berzerk

Monster

Love Game

Survival

The Gem:

Legacy

Is it Worth a Purchase?

In no way shape or form do you need this album. Just look at the four positively listed tracks above and call it a day. There's borderline no reason to call this the MMLP2. There's 16 tracks and maybe 5-6 that I actually liked and only four i'd recommend. There's too much of Slim singing, made for radio shit, entries that overstay their welcome, and a few awful lines here and there to match. I really wanted Slim to impress me with this project but it seems his music isn't for me at this point. Don't even look at the deluxe, it takes an hour and 16 minutes just to reach the final 25 minutes of bonus material and the journey is not worth it.

Overall Grade: D+

Well, that was possibly the most disappointing album in a long time. Until Next Time, One Love.