Dear XV (re: Vizzy Zone)

DOWNLOAD: XV - Vizzy Zone

The difference between the artists that make it from blog-fame to actual fame is simple: the ones that make it can straddle the line between musicality and being palatable, while the ones that don't focus too much on one aspect more than the other. XV, you seem like you've got a decent balance in the works, but need some time developing your style. A lot of the mixtape was exceptional, but a noticeable amount of it seemed like you were keeping the listener in limbo, which we'll discuss further:

First of all, lyrically, this mixtape was one of the best I've heard in a while. The references you made were both arcane and far-fetched. Vizzy, your mixtape was a barrage of bars from start to finish. "I be eating beats like Doug Funnie be" made me literally bust out laughing. At one point you were just going punchline for punchline for punchline and it was as if one couldn't listen fast enough. I found myself rewinding this tape constantly, attempting to catch your lyrics, because some of them were beyond slick. Bar for bar Vizzy, you're one of the best out, and there is no denying that. That said, your lyrical prowess can be a gift and a curse. While heads such as myself are bar-hungry, other people aren't as receptive to these types of songs. Sometimes the listener just wants to enjoy the song and nod their head, not listen with a pen and pad and hit rewind every 30 seconds. I suppose it's trivial to mention, yet it's something that really stuck out with Vizzy Zone. Even so, this tape was like lightning in a bottle when it comes to lyricism, which is something that no one can take away from you, and everyone should take notice of.

Secondly, this tape's beats varied from FIRE to mehhhhhh. XV, I think your selection needs a bit of work. While looking at the myriad of producers on Vizzy Zone, I feel like you picked some of these guys more because they're up-and-coming than because they matched your style. Vizzy, your rhyme scheme lends itself to long bars and even longer trains of thought/metaphors. Your beats should mirror that ideology. Hip-hop has become a genre that's beat-driven, and a few producers run the top of the game. That said, not every one of them is right for every artist. At times, I wish that the beats on your tape were either slower, or less complex. It seemed like the producers were trying to fit too much into the music at the expense of simplicity and austerity. You should know that better than anyone, having been pushed back since 2005. Sometimes doing too much, especially musically, makes one less appealing. The beats weren't able to take away from your lyrics, but some of them bothered me enough to mention.

Third off, the collaborations you featured on Vizzy Zone were well-placed. A lot of artists have features because they can't populate an entire work by themselves. Every one of your features worked well with your style. The song 'She Go, I Go' with Chiddy Bang was dope, as was 'Reset Button' with Talib Kweli. I suppose talent recognizes the same and you were able to recruit some serious talent to help you on this tape. Fourth off, Vizzy, you seriously need to work on your choruses, bridges or whatever you want to call them. Too much of the time, you ended up just chanting non-rhythmically over the beat, rather than just leaving the choruses alone, or finding someone else to write or do them for you. Vizzy, you're not Wiz Khalifa. Your voice nor your style lend themselves to melody. Not that you'd be unable to string together a competent hook, but I think there were too many times during the tape where you sounded like a lost wolf with a f*cked up howl.

In closing, Vizzy, this was a valiant effort. It was good, not great. I think one of the downfalls of the blogosphere is that every week we get new work from different artists, and the hype that surrounds the work usually overshadows the truth about that work. Vizzy Zone made me realize that lyricism is alive and well, as is creativity in that realm. Also, might I say, the cover for this tape is beyond PIFF. Whoever did it either is the next Van Gogh or has been taking some of the best psychedelic drugs ever produced. In terms of replay value, some of Vizzy Zone's tracks will definitely be in rotation for a while. That's just a testament to how good an MC you have the opportunity to be. With some finetuning, I would not be surprised if you were the next cat to make that big break. Like I said before, it's all about balance when coming up in hip-hop. Can you make the stans happy while giving the radio something to play? Can you be a lyricist while still being palatable? Can you make songs with content that still make you nod your head? You're well on your way, Vizzy. Your 'Zone' is an eerie one, but one that begs to be visited more than once. Kudos on a nice tape.

#dopetracks
The Flying V
Gettin Bizzy
Reset Button
Vizzy Zone
She Go, I Go
Falling Awake

Loosies:
XV - We Zonin' (prod. Seven)
XV – Top Of the Roof (prod. Seven)
XV – Gettin’ BiZZy (prod. Seven)
XV – T.A.L.K. (prod. Seven)