Dear Pac Div

DOWNLOAD: Pac Div - Mania!



Life is crazy. Life is unpredictable. Life is... controlled mania. Yeah... 'Mania'... Pac Div, your first album is tentatively called Grown Kid Syndrome. The title is self-explanatory. Grown kid: a person stuck between true adulthood and adolescence or childhood. You know, that 18-to-20-something age bracket. From college to jobs to friends to relationship to parents to religion, the things our demographic deal with are an organized mania orbiting our minds. As members of Generation Y, it's your right to speak your peace on the state of your personal mania.

Mania doesn't start out maniacal. Smooth pianos lace the first song, 'The Mirror', where you urge the listener to look to himself for answers. Amid midtempo snares, clearly stated gems galore:

"You don't get nothing if you don't work hard / You can't earn stripe if you never have scars / There's way more to life than money and nice cars / You are who you are, You could be a bum."

I haven't heard rappers come this straightforward in a while. Everything is veiled in 'swag' (#based and diet). The mania isn't straightforward. According to you, only SuperNegroes can sift through. No one can doubt your credentials though. You took the Lyn Collins sample (more recently Rob Base, and sadly Lil' Romeo) and turned it into your own exhibit of bravado. The mixtape reeks of it, yet your's isn't misplaced. Grown kids aren't supposed to take themselves too seriously, because if they did, they'd actually be grown. That is exacly how you portrayed yourself here. It made the music easy to listen to. You never failed to engage me as a listener and it gave the music a very homey feel compared to the 'out there' feeling that mania usually entails.

You guys don't seem to be affected by the mania around you, and continued to show how clear your view as grown kids is. There is kind of a dual consciousness that comes with being a resident in two different demographics. While one might dabble in the refined and stereotypically 'adult', one still revels in the indulgences of childhood. This mixtape did just that. You lauded the assets of the female gender, while revering their grace on 'Show You'. You examined the eerily close relationship between money and God, noting how sometimes we mistake one for the other on 'Saved'. And still, you managed to keep the charisma and wit that makes you grown kids in the first place. Tracks like 'Same Ol' Shit' and 'Chief Rocka Freestyle' (over the Lords of the Underground instrumental) come complete with our generation's smart-mouthed mentality, and enough punchlines to have you listening to this mania all week (and still

"Y'all stutter, all butter, call me Or-i-val / Redenbacher, bet I shock ya, like a morning call / record-settin nigga, started as an underdog / Nobody cares like you fightin on the undercard / you going 'Wood,' it's the lumber yard / we positioning for green like a summer job."

It's clear that you guys weren't just twiddling your thums since your last release, almost a year ago. 'Don't Mention It,' while a good work, felt rushed, and thus had a short shelf life in my iTunes. That you talked about your shortcomings on 'Nobody's Perfect' was endearing, coming after that previous effort. Your perpetual absence, outside of shows, made me wonder if you had hit the wall that a lot of 'blog rappers' (for lack of a better term; *throws up in mouth*) run into.

The lull between fame and stardom often suffocates rap acts. They either regress and evanesce because too much is expected from them without a veritable body of work like Jae Millz, or they explode with an industry-changing ebullience, a la Drake. Ending the Young Money motif, you guys seem poised to sift through the mania surrounding the music industry and create your own. On 'Out,' you envision the world that you, the Grown Kid, could create amidst the mania. It's the perfect ending to a mixtape that's a great prelude to what's hopefully a great debut album. You guys have penned the best mixtape of the year thus far. If there's mania around you now, the sky is the limit for how strong the Pacific Division can become...

Skewby - Everyday

Skewby - Everyday

Sometimes a steady grind is all you need to really ascend to the ranks of hip-hop stardom. You might not need some smash hit record, or a million-dollar cosign, or sex scandals, or even a diss track to get on. Putting out solid work consistently can trump all of those with the right talent. Skewby is proof in the pudding, with his new mixtape 'More or Less' dropping this week. Rapping about the obstacles he's faced in getting to this point, the Memphis MC lets the listener know he's in it for the long haul and working day after day. This is the type of personal track that endears a rapper to an audience, because it shows that rappers are human too. Hip-hop psychology aside, I'm excited to see what Skewby has in store for us on the 21st...

Dear J. Cole (re: Friday Night Lights)

DOWNLOAD: J. Cole - Friday Night Lights



I've said it numerous times, and I'll say it again: Basketball and hip-hop are closer akin than most would like to believe. Both are team sports (check this post, if you're unsure as to what that means), both require intense practice and tutelage, and both are very unforgiving. Most players only get one chance, and most of those players either thrive or don't get a second chance.

J. Cole, this is your third mixtape. By industry standards, and for how famous you are at this juncture, that is about 2 mixtapes more than most make in their lives. The first one was 'The Come Up', or the work leading up to the game. The second one was 'The Warm Up' or the practice right before the game, and the subsequent introduction to fans of a wider variety. Now that it's your third mixtape, those 'Friday Night Lights', or more aptly put, the limelight is on you and is waiting for your performance. Keeping in line with the athletic motif, it's obvious to see why you will be an All-Star in hip-hop for years to come. This mixtape is as complete of a game as one will find today, with an array of different facets of your game for admirers and opposing players to marvel at. From thought provoking tracks, to love songs, to songs for the ladies, to pure beat-knockers, to those 'damn I can relate' songs, there's something for everyone in this work.

One of the things that impressed me so much with FNL is that you were able to seamlessly integrate the features you did into the mixtape. Your first two mixtapes only had 2 features on them altogether. This third one had not only your imprint-mate Omen and your Roc Nation kin Wale (on 'You Got It'), but Drake on the bedtime ballad 'In the Morning'. I point to this namely because you held your own on a track that could have been a massacre for you. Cole, I won't lie. Your style of rap doesn't lend itself to being soft, even though feelings are a great part of your lyrics. That said, Drake is the king of emotions in hip-hop today. That you could go bar for bar with him on a song about the fairer sex and your erotic escapades with them is nothing short of practice gone perfect.

Another part of FNL that made the work so memorable was how honest it was. The best works of music are an accurate portrait of the artist's internal and external reality at that point in time. That means the artist's understanding of what's going on around him and how he and those around him are affected by those goings on. Albums like Illmatic, Ready to Die, and Lifestyles ov da Poor and Dangerous (to name a few) are instant snapshots of what their respective makers were going through at that time. Hip-hop is a barometer for the masses, which is why most great works aren't recognized until well after they happen. Your work on FNL is no different, although you deal a lot more in the ruminations of a college graduate/rapper, rather than a drug dealer/rapper. Tracks such as 'Home for the Holidays' talk about the trivialities of coming home from a semester at school to the ills of the ghetto, while 'Too Deep For the Intro' delves into the troublesome standard that black women adhere to.

Cole, your penchant for telling stories is well seasoned and well-worn in this mixtape, as well. Where other rappers simply describe situations, you inscribe your understanding into the listener's mind without flinching. While you have interesting discourse as to the conundrums that plague the black community, you never hesitate to say 'niggas', just as a reminder that while you are from that environment, you are not of that environment. That's especially evident on songs like '2Face' and 'See World'. It's eerie to see such a dichotomy in hip-hop, especially considering the juncture that a great like Jay-Z is at, commenting on the state of black America, all while embracing that he is a part of that reality. Not to liken you to Jay-Z (we don't need to add fire to that Jay/Nas - Cole/Drake argument), but you seem comfortable dealing with a range of topics and being able to expound on them without it getting corny.

Finally, the best part of FNL is how well-delivered your verses are. Delivery is something that few rappers can master, and you're well on your way to that. The 'Back to the Topic Freestyle' was a perfect example of that, with how easily those multi-syllabic lines seemed to roll off your tongue. In terms of breath control, enunciation and syncopation, there was little lacking on that song or on the mixtape. It's a testament to the perfectionist in you, and those skeptical fans who thought you could come harder... I remember on 'The Warm Up' when you re-did your freestyle to 'Dead Presidents' for that same reason. 'Friday Night Lights' is the equivalent of dunking on that fan with 2 seconds left and the game on the line. You practiced your craft, and are now in a position to display your talents on a wider scale. There's nothing more organic than that, in basketball, hip-hop or life, for that matter. That we're seeing your maturation on wax is a beautiful thing, and something very warm and fuzzy as we prepare to enter your 'Cole World'...

Rugz D. Bewler - Renaissance (prod. Ski Beatz)

Rugz D. Bewler - Renaissance (prod. Ski Beatz)

Fresh off a stint at Ski Beatz' '24 Hour Karate School', where he penned probably the most vicious cut, Super Bad Rugz is ready to take another stab at the solo grind. This time, Rugz D. Bewler has Ski on the boards again, and the result is nothing short of magic. I'm beginning to think that Ski Beatz is becoming a gold standard for cosigns. Everything the 'Uptown Saturday Night' and 'Reasonable Doubt' producer seems to touch these days is gold, and on Rugz' newest mixtape 'Save Bewler: The Memoirs of Muhammad Mc’Fly' the steelo is no different. Rugz claims himself to be the last of the 'Renaissance', which I take to be this new wave of rappers. If he is the last, he certainly is leaving a nice legacy. Bewler hops over a very earthy, jazzy beat with infectious rhymes and drops slick punchlines at the drop of every snare. While I won't say that Mr. Bewler is the end all be all, he certainly makes a case for the title he claims on the track. If the blog rapper is a dying species, then Rugz D. Bewler might very well be the fossil we all remember...

Emilio Rojas - Ex-Girl (ft. Mickey Factz)

DOWNLOAD - Emilio Rojas - Ex-Girl (ft. Mickey Factz)

Everyone has an ex that makes them want to hurl at the drop of their name. It's just a fact. The anger we feel towards them isn't always at them, necessarily. It can be against things they did, or just the sour taste that the whole experience left in your mouth. Of course, it can also be that the ex is a conniving, wicked wench or a scheming, dirty dog, but I suppose there are two sides to every story. On the male side, the backlash can get downright disrespectful. Emilio Rojas and brought Mickey Factz with him to write about the ladies in their lives who should have just ended it at 'Hello'. Emilio's dropping a new mixtape in October with Green Lantern, and this is one of the first tracks. Enjoy, and try not to be mad at your exes, though I can't like I'd readily do the same...

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)

Chip Tha Ripper – From Me To You: The Prelude To Gift Raps

Chip Tha Ripper – From Me To You: The Prelude To Gift Raps

Sometimes you have to ease into liking a rapper. It's not everyday that you hear an artist's work and are immediately drawn to their flow, lyrics or attitude on the mic. At the same time, one can recognize when an artist does have talent as a rapper. That's been my opinion on Chip Tha Ripper for the past year. I've always thought him to be a decent lyricist as well as having a good presence on the mic, but had qualms about his ability to make an actual 'song'. Also, I debate his content. I guess it's only right that my frustration with him come to an end in time for his newest release 'From Me To You: The Prelude To Gift Raps'. Chip, on this 6-track EP shows the listener why he's worth a listen: pure zoning, relaxation and easy-going rhymes. Chip is so Cleveland that it's a problem. Whereas most MC's would have trouble with slowed down beats, Chip has a penchant for adjusting his rhymes to match the track, without losing words or becoming short-winded. What surprised me was how comfortable he seemed talking much grimier on wax. Usually blog-age rappers tend to shy away from those themes (word to Gangsta Gibbs) in lieu of the partying lifestyle and swag raps. Chip, however was able to paint a picture of both with hazed-out bars and syrupy-smooth delivery over even smoother beats. He didn't try to hide his new-ageism, but still kept it funky about the state of his city. Overall, Chip may not have made a fan of me, but certainly kept my attention for all six tracks. I'm definitely hoping some Chuck Inglish production will be able to bring out more of the same. Until then, I'm just gonna vibe out to 'From Me to You'. Check out the d/l link...

Dear Outasight (re: Never Say Never)

(DOWNLOAD LINK BELOW)

I may not always act like it, but I do get tired of rap at times. Not in the sense that I can't listen to hooks, punchlines and verses, but more in the sense that the musical sensibilities of hip-hop tire me sometimes, especially when people are putting out similar music. That's where artists like yourself, Richard Andrews (better known as Outasight) come into play. A Yonkers native is a singer/songwriter/rapper/musician, your musical talents are like a melting pot of jazz, soul, folk and hip-hop. What ends up happening is that you sounds unlike any artist I've heard over the past few years. Notice, I'm slow to put you in a genre, because you straddle so many lines without taking away the integral essence of each. That said, your newest mixtape, 'Never Say Never' (in collaboration with LRG) is just a piece of the smörgåsbord that you offer. The tape starts out with an upbeat chant called 'Complicated,' regaling in the complications of your early life, rife with your trademark singing voice and verses to break it up:

A prep school graduate with a C-average, but I never seen average / I would talk all night bout being Outasight , but I never kareem’d magic / Till I put the words to bed, and woke up the action, and canned the laughter / I ain’t trying to make a stand, I’m trying to fill up the rafters...

You then move on to the title track, 'Never Say Never,' an inspiring, mid-tempo, sing-songy riff about believing in yourself (who does that anymore?). In all honesty, it sounds like you made this mixtape for people to start their days to, evidenced by some the rosy acoustics and snare-heavy beats behind them. The tracks go on, with an ode to inebriated nights in 'Dizzy', a jump-worthy Freddie Gibbs (I'm slowly becoming a fan) feature in 'Near the End', and a bass-laced love track called 'Dear Heartache'.

Dude, you really have a penchant for making mixtapes that sound like albums. When I listen, I almost never am tempted to hit skip, for fear that I might miss a bright musical note sprinkled gingerly about one of your tracks. You really sat down and thought about how you wanted to construct this tape. It goes on to have a feature with XV that is impossible to not nod to in 'Lush Life' and a gospel-sounding anthem in 'Believe'. Yet the highlight for the mixtape in my opinion was your track 'Twenty-Something'. You described the pitfalls of being 1/4 done with life in this era as a pressure-filled one, rife with uncertainty and unfair expectations. It hit me right in the heart and I had to repeat another 3 times, before finishing the mixtape.

Outasight, you've successfully melded three genres with little correlation, while writing songs that capture the mindset of a wandering, yet intuitive generation. No, I'm not saying you're the equivalent of the Beatles (word to 'My Generation), but if I were to pick a recent artist that's made music that could stand the test of time, you would be one of the top candidates. In today's industry, music shelf life is about two weeks, with most songs' popularity outliving that of the artists. You, however, are making music that will always have a place in my playlist. Outasight, your music always seems like it comes from the most genuine and earnest places. Maybe that's a function of the beats. Maybe its your ability to sing, harmonize and rap on the same track that gives you flexibility to express yourself. Maybe its the glasses. I don't know. What I do know is that works like 'Never Say Never' don't come around often. You can charge that to a number of things, but doing so would only take away from just sitting back and enjoying the music. Kudos on a dope mixtape and I'll keep my eyes peeled for an album. Oh yeah... And huge #shoutouts to the Notherground fam. You and those fellows are doing great work on the interwebs...

XV - Gettin' BiZZy

XV - Gettin' BiZZy

There's something about XV that intrigues me. Maybe it's that he's lyrically gifted. Maybe it's that he's from Kansas (never seen an artist come out of there). Maybe it's that I hated his first mixtape Everybody's Nobody. Hell, maybe I'm just in ViZZy Zone. Whatever the case, XV is back on the interwebs, with a new track off his highly-anticipated mixtape ViZZy Zone. I'm really not sure where he's going to go with this mixtape, since the previous one, 30 Minute Layover was a lot of punchlines, metaphors and wordplay. It'll be interesting to see if this time around, Vizzy gets a little more introspective and truly takes us into this place he calls ViZZy Zone. To be honest, parallel universes usually don't work in hip-hop, though I'm sure heads will be jumping on this one in... ehh, give or take 2-3 more leaks. Regardless, the first track is dope sauce. Check it out, and be on the lookout for ViZZy Zone...

Wale - More About Nothing (Trailer)

Wale - Workin'

If you've noticed a sheer lack of Wale across the interwebs, don't adjust your Google Reader. The DC MC went on a mean hiatus for the past month, and explained why in this video. Wale is preparing to drop a follow-up to his critically-acclaimed, and surprisingly apt mixtape 'The Mixtape About Nothing'. The new work is going to be called 'More About Notthing'. Folarin even leaked a track from the new tape, called 'Workin', which describes exactly what he's been doing. Can't say I'm not pleased that the DC representer is back on his grind. Check out the promo trailer and the loosie to go along with it...

Dee Goodz - ConGRADulations

Dee Goodz - ConGRADulations

Ironic that I'm writing this review. 90% of my friends from high school graduated this year, while I've still got a year left. That said, if I had graduated this year, Dee Goodz might be one of the artists to throw on the graduation party playlist, with his mixtape CoonGRADulations. The homie @TheMelvinThomas (who produced much of the mixtape) and his connects at @PhatKaps put me on to this Memphis MC. Dee sounds classic in all of his songs, with syruppy smooth sounds and a laid back flow. One thing I realize about Dee Goodz is that he's not trying to impress you with punchlines and metaphors and random wordplay. Lyrically, Dee is concise and clear with what he wants to say, whether it's a love song like 'Different' or a more introspective track like 'It is What it Is'. He's just rapping about what he knows, what he feels, what he's going through and where he wants to go. This is some of the truest 'reality rap' I've heard in ages. Dee isn't concerned with a specific sound. I loved how the mixtape kept a simple formula. Like I said earlier, the homie @TheMelvinThomas produced a good amount of this mixtape, which you don't see a lot of in hip-hop anymore. The result is a chemistry that belies how musically inclined both of these guys are. Dee rides every beat perfectly, never trying to make more out of them than necessary. Honestly, this was one of the best complete listens I've had in a while. There weren't any tracks I wanted to skip immediately, nor any throwaway tracks. Dee Goodz puts on for Memphis as well as any other and has a bright future in the works. Check the download, tracklist/back cover, #dopetracks, loosies & videos...



#dopetracks
It is What it Is
Peace of Mind
Carefree
Erykah's Joint
Different

Loosies:
Dee Goodz - Too G

Donnis - The Invitation

Donnis - The Invitation

I had grown weary of Donnis over the past six months or so. Maybe it was his scratchy, high-pitched voice. Maybe it was the nondescript Southern 'swag'. Hell, maybe I was just listening to too many other artists that I thought were better at the time. I think, in all actuality, that I stopped listening because everything he put out started to sound the same; not only similar to his other stuff, but similar to everyone else out there. Truth be told, rap today is a huge melting pot that everyone has a bowl of, and everyone tries to re-create for themselves. What ends up happening is a lack of innovation. Donnis fell under that category last year. In fact, I'm not sure what made me listen to 'The Invitation'. Regardless, I'm happy I did, because the ATL native has put in a lot of work and come back harder than I could have imagined. His punchlines, metaphors and wordplay are a lot more focused on this offering. He isn't as content to just say a punchline. When he comes through with one, it's like he's showing rather than telling. As far as swag raps go, he's on the level of Big Sean and the like. You know what you're getting from him and he keeps getting better at that part of his repertoire. I still have yet to see Donnis explore a deeper side to his rhymes, but what can you say to the man? At least he's good at what he does. Donnis flexes his lyrical muscle and shows off for the fans feverishly anticipating his album 'Fashionably Late'. I can honestly say, if he continues this string of music, everyone will be hours ahead when he finally does arrive. Check the download, tracklist, #dopetracks, loosies and the preview for 'The Invitation'...



#dopetrack
Thank You
Country Cool (Remix)
OMG (Remix)
Everyone Nose (Remix)
YUP
Aquemini (Freestyle)
Maybe Baby

Loosies:
Donnis - More Fire
Donnis - Aquemini (Freestyle)

Donnis - The Invitation Trailer from Adam Saewitz on Vimeo.

The Cool Kids - Tacklebox

The Cool Kids - Tacklebox

It's funny how every artist or group's 'plans' work out. Some acts never get their act together and never figure out how to put themselves in the limelight, either due to bad music or bad management decisions. Some acts find their niches, their sounds, their audience and figure out where they stand. The Cool Kids are one of those groups that have stepped into their lane and don't seem to be switching anytime soon. Chuck and Mikey teamed up with the LA Leakers to drop Tacklebox, supposedly the precursor to their rumored album, 'When Fish Ride Bicycles'. This mixtape is almost entirely produced by Chuck Inglish, so you know there are going to be a lot of bass-heavy, synth-heavy beats with non-linear rhymes from the two Midwest MC's. Like I said before, the Cool Kids have found their lane. If you've heard anything from them, you know what to expect, though this is a bit more far-out sounding than Gone Fishing. The one thing that surprised me the most was the difference in rapping styles between the two. Before, both were a similar, with Mikey showing a bit more charisma on wax. Now, it's clear who the rapper is and who the producer is. As a matter of fact, I wish I could hear a mix with just Mikey rapping over Chuck's beats. Not necessarily saying it would be better than this. It's just simple comparative advantage. Regardless of who's better than who, this is vintage Cool Kids, complete with voiceover manipulation and sounds put together that will have you nodding your head all tape long. The tape starts out much different than it ends (I liked the latter half more than the former). Check the download, #dopetracks, loosies and a video where Chuck & Mikey talk about 'Tacklebox' and 'When Fish Ride Bicycles', hopefully coming soon...

#dopetracks
Volume II
Birthdays
Great Outdoors
Good Afternoon
Parking Lot
Summer Nights

Loosies:
The Cool Kids - Flying Kites
The Cool Kids - Fishing Lessons
The Cool Kids - Freak City

The Choice is Yours (Hosted by Don Cannon)

The Choice is Yours (Hosted by Don Cannon)

Don Cannon is a freaking genius for this one. Just like every other sports-interested person on the planet, he and the rest of the rap world are all harping on where LeBron James will end up in the summer of 2010. The season isn't even over yet and already other players are making plans based on LeBron's nonexistent plans. It's as if he has everybody on a string. Regardless, the choice is ultimately up to one person, and that's #23 #6. That's the theme of this three-track mixtape hosted by Don Cannon, where he gets all of the free agents in rap to spit about why LeBron should come to their city. You've got Uncle Murda and Jadakiss (NYC), Mikey Rocks (CHI), Nipsey Hussle (LA), Chip Tha Ripper (CLE), Briscoe (NO) and UM (not sure?) all spitting basketball-related rhymes. Of all of them, Chip, Mikey and Jada did their thing over some dope Don Cannon instrumentals. Ironic that those are the three best cities for LeBron to land at. Guess we won't know until we know. Bump this until July 1st, when the madness will ensue. No #dopetracks or loosies, since it's a three-song tape. Just enjoy...

Marky - Journey to Markyland, USA: Rest Stop 2

Marky - Journey to Markyland, USA: Rest Stop 2

If you don't know who Marky is, please wake the hell up. The DC native last showed up on Dear Whoever with the first of his three part series of freEP's, 'Journey to Markyland'. The first Rest Stop included an ode to the struggle with a dope interpretation of Aloe Blacc's 'I Need a Dollar, showing just how tough it is to get into the rap game. The second Rest Stop is less about struggle and more about showcasing Marky's lyrical ability and understanding of issues affecting the rap game. Marky has upped his game this time. He rides each beat perfectly. It's a rarity in the game today that an artist has the smarts to showcase his rhymes on music that fits him. Then again, Marky doesn't need to have as much discretion as he shows. He does the uptempo thing with a cut of Diddy's 'Hello, Good Morning', slows it down on Louis Squares, and shows his hip-hop knowledge with the Guru beat on 'Full Clip'. In terms of lyricism, he has it bursting from the seams. Clever lines are abundant throughout this 7-track EP. He says "caught the bakerman loafin' so we took the cake, Chuck" and I had to rewind immediately. Honestly, I haven't been posting many mixtapes, albums or EP's lately, because few things have caught my eye. Obviously, that's not the case with Marky. I can't wait until Rest Stop 3, and I'm anxious to see where he takes it for the 3rd installment. As usual, you can check the back cover/tracklist, my #dopetracks, some loosies and videos...



#dopetracks:
Run On
Louis Squares
Full Clip
Hello, Good Evening

Loosies:
Marky – Run On
Marky – Hello, Good Evening

Posted this a few back, but here's the re-up...

ESSO - The Anti-Socialite

ESSO - The Anti-Socialite

Wanna know why I know most blogs don't listen to half of the things that they post before they listen to it? It's because they never have anything to say about some of the mixtape or songs they post up. Not that you have to write a short essay like me (most bloggers can't write anyway), but if you care enough to post it, why don't you have anything of value to say about it? That's neither here nor there, though it brings me to my point. ESSO, hailing from Harlem, wasn't putting out the best music, in my opinion. While you knew he was talented and could spit, his songs came off as overly preachy and sometimes lazy. That's just the long and short of it. I suppose that's why I dig his new mixtape, 'The Anti-Socialite'. The work is a look into the mind of a person who is in the city and its circles, but not of them, hence the title 'anti-socialite'. So much of ESSO's rhymes on the mixtape deal with him meandering about the vapid existences of his peers and wondering where his place is. At times the music is dark and foreboding, but other times you can hear the hope and drive of an MC striving to shine among the city lights. ESSO has the moody, sociable introverted rapper persona down pat, and it shows in every track. 'The Anti-Socialite' is one of those mixtapes you play at night to unwind and think about the day's happenings. While I'm not completely sold on ESSO and want to hear more, this is a solid work from an up-and-coming NYC rapper. Hit the jump for the tracklist, #dopetracks, loosies and some videos...




#dopetracks:
Get to Know Me
Growing Pains
Alone
Dressed Smart
Breakdown
Future So Bright

Loosies:
ESSO – New York, New York
ESSO – (Harlem) Uptown

Pac Div - Don't Mention It

Pac Div - Don't Mention It

Monday, I threw out a loosie from Pac Div called 'Shine'. Today (or yesterday) I got a chance to listen to their new mixtape 'Don't Mention It', and I must say, I'm impressed by the boys from the 'new' left coast. First and foremost, the first few tracks on this mixtape are CRACK. 'Underdogs II' sounded entirely too smooth, 'Birds' was a cheeky ode to dumb and fast women, and 'Broccoli' showed the group's knack for punchlines. Pac Div show a lot of charisma on this mixtape, which shows up in how much more pop-oriented it sounds. Tracks like 'Waves at the Prom' show that they're still catering to a younger audience. Some of their wordplay is a little bit dumbed down from the classic level of 'Church League Champions', but not to a fault. It's just an indication that these guys are ready to blow. Now, do I think it's the best way to go? Not necessarily. You can still keep your content up while making your music more palatable. I just think Pac Div wanted to put something out. Regardless, the production on this mixtape is album-quality and the beats (all original) were a pleasure to hear. I said on Twitter that 5 tracks in, this mixtape was my favorite of the year. It didn't finish with that billing, but rocked enough to make it worth the listen. Pac Div, as well as the rest of the left coast, need to be heard. Check out the download, tracklist/back cover, #dopetracks, loosies and videos...



#dopetracks:
Underdogs II
Birds
Broccoli
Here We Go
Waves at the Prom

Loosies:
Pac Div - Shine (ft. Marz Lovejoy)

Pac Div - Shine (ft. Marz Lovejoy)

Pac Div - Shine (ft. Marz Lovejoy)

The thing I love about some of the artists I've been introduced to in the past 2 years writing a blog, is that when some artists go underground for a while, others pop up. When one of your favorite rappers hasn't put out anything in a minute, either because they've been in the lab or on tour, another one starts releasing new music. That's the case with the boys from the Left Coast, Pac Div. Last year they rocked the mixtape circuit with their banger ' Church League Champions,' and now they're setting up shop to release a new mixtape, entitled 'Don't Mention It'. If they keep up this type of fire, then Pac Div should be damn near at the top of the game by this year's end. Check out the track & download...

Joell Ortiz - YAOWA (Mixtape Trailer)

'You're Actually One World Away' from me... YAOWA... That's what Joell Ortiz decided to call his next mixtape, a collaboration with DJ Green Lantern and Don Cannon. Ridiculous acronyms aside, I'm actually pretty hyped for this one. Joell's has been the most consistent out of the Slaughterhouse crew (Budden, Royce & Crook need to come out with some hot shit) and with that 'Nissan, Honda, Chevy' cut, has the ears of hip-hop. Along with the new mixtape, he put out a song about MY WIFE, Sanaa Lathan. I couldn't help but listen to what another dude has to say about my queen. Check out the loosie track and the trailer for YAOWA...


Joell Ortiz - Letter to Sanaa

HANDS OFF MY LADY, ORTIZ!!!

Wiz Khalifa - Kush & Orange Juice

Wiz Khalifa - Kush and Orange Juice

There are few times when an overt weed reference can bring Twitter down to it's avian knees. One of those times is the eventual day when it's legalized (it's much closer than people think). The other time is when a Curren$y or Wiz Khalifa mixtape happens to hit the interwebs. The latter happened this morning, with Taylor Gang general Wiz Khalifa aka MR. EZ-Wider dropping his highly anticipated 'Kush & Orange Juice' this morning. Wiz does exactly what you think he would do with this mixtape: talk about beautiful women, bomb herb, sneakers and his journey to the top. He also puts together a valiant musical effort with this one. The production is album-esque, which is what I expect at this point. Hell, he samples a track from the end of the movie 'Garden State,' and 'One Beer' from MF DOOM's 'MM..Food,' and rips both!! If I were to choose a perfect time to listen to Mr. Khalifa, it would be a sunny day, preferably a Saturday, with a group of good friends. It's only right. Wiz is unlike any other rappers (besides Curren$y and Devin the Dude) who can populate an entire tape with weed references and party music, and still keep it fresh and easy to listen to. I'll be honest. I think Wiz's lyrics took a small step back in terms of how much he fits in his bars. Because the tape is so long, there are points in it that I wanted to skip, but because it sounded so good, I refrained. I guess that's what weed does to the listening experience. Wiz makes the mixtape more than just lyrics and beats. Sonically, the tape is exactly what the title implies: an audio high and a refreshing glass of OJ to wash it down with. You won't regret this download, even if you don't smoke. Check out the download, tracklist/back cover, #dopetracks, loosies and videos...



#dopetracks:
The Statement
Spotlight
In the Cut
Visions
Pedal to the Medal
Glass House

Loosies:
Wiz Khalifa – Cabin Fever

Videos: Two older freestyles (I don't care) and Wiz talking about Jae Millz...