Album Review: Kanye West - YEEZUS

Album Review:

Kanye West

YEEZUS

1. On Sight - Heavy synths in the beginnging of the track make you believe that this isn’t even a hip-hop album.  The synths sound scratchy and unfinished but thats the beauty of it; the first track is supposed to be raw!  Its supposed to set the the tone for the rest of the album, a glimpse of what to expect.  Key themes are electro beats with masoginistic lyrics.

2. Black Skinhead - This entire track sounds like an anthem, a revolution of sorts transpiring from beginning to end.  I feel the message here is totally ant-um...everything.  Ye talks race, establishment, religion, and ultimately revolution.  Looking at the credits... it’s no wonder that Lupe Fiasco is credited on the track.

3. I am a God (Featuring God) - “HURRY UP WITH MY DAMN CROISSANT!” This is Kanye at his best, the egoist spitting heavy braggidacio.  The track starts off with heavy drums and crashing synths.  The track samples Capelton’s “Forward Inna Dem Clothes” and the whole track sounds like something you would listen to riding on a Ducati weaving in and out of traffic at night on 95 (not in VA though, its hot out there).   Another track co-produced by Daft Punk and their electro feel has become a mainstay already on track 3 of the album.  I feel like this track is the cornerstone of the album.  He shows so much emotion talking about, well himself. The lyrics switch between first and second person and Ye gives you a better look at how he views his life and the people in it.

4.  New Slaves (Feat. Frank Ocean) - So many issues brought up in this song.  I’m going to list the major ones: Jim Crow, Ye and fashion, rich and poor stereotypes, civil rights movement, label issues, exploitation of black preformers (think old jazz and soul artists and even NWA), paparazi, and the private prison system in America.  The beat is pretty simplistic compared to the rest of the production on the album but still a noteworthy track nonetheless.

5. Hold My Liquor (Feat. Chief Keef, Justin Vernon) - So this track means and embodies what the title means.  What does liquor do to the body?  Leads to car wrecks, one night stands, anger, and alcoholism.  You may also throw up as well.  But yes this track is kinda lazy.  Not my favorite on the album.  I see how he’s trying big up his ChiRaq homies though, just keep Keef out of trouble.

6.  Im in it (Feat. Travi$ Scott) -  This song is just dirty.  And I love it.  I would love to see a music video for this one... Probably the most traditional hip-hop song on the album, and one most people will lean towards when listening to the album.  The song actually has two different themes when you look at it as well, on one hand you see the debauchery and sex, but on the other hand you see how he’s dealing with the life of a rock star as a future father.  The Jamaican theme seems to be a prevalent on throughout the whole G.O.O.D. Music camp as of late but I love the samples.  

7.  Blood on the Leaves - My personally favorite track on the album that features the sample “Strange Fruit” by Nina Simone.  I love horns, and this track has an abundance.  This is also the auto-tune Kanye as well, while I can do without him fake singing, the bass and horns take the track by the neck and suffocate you throughout.  The track is mainly about a wild night with a woman on the side that cost Ye (or whoever is being referenced) a lot more than he bargained for.

8.  Guilt Trip (Feat. Kid CuDi) - I’m glad to see both of them back on a track together, but this one could’ve used a little work.  Its a one verse track about a girl he lost in auto-tune. Not saying its a skip but...

9. Send It Up (Feat. King L) - When Beenie Man starts your track off, you know its gonna be hype.  Another Daft Punk produced banger that sounds grungy and dirty.  King Louie starts it off and gives some dope bars (Last night my bitches came in two’s/and they both suck like they came to lose).  This is probably the radio hit on the album.  It really has no premise and it just a party song, and should be enjoyed as such.

10.  Bound 2 - This is basically a Ponderosa Twins Plus One remix with Kanye West and Uncle Charlie Wilson.  Nevertheless a great song to end the Opus.  Its a ode to his baby boo Kimmy K and their bundle of Joy.  Also, taking it back to the old Ye, he references Martin.  Jeromey Rome is in the house!

I think it's a damn good album actually that pushes the limits of what hip hop is... But hip hop can be interpreted in so many different ways, this is Kanye's. The subject matter is darker. The production is more acid rock and electro. The features, while limited, fit the scheme of the album. Everyone expects college dropout 'Ye. Niggas want my old shit, buy my old albums. This album is forward thinking, both simplistic and overzealous, and above all to the point. Kanye is making it his mission to change hip hop traditional views and I think he's doing a good ass job.

Beats: 9

Rhymes: 9

Life: 9

Pusha T - Wrath of Caine Review

Intro – The track sets the stage for the entire album.  The Jamaican woman in the beginning is basically saying ‘no one in the rap game can mess with Pusha T.’ Some shots at Wayne are thrown in the beginning as well, (Ima lean till they crown me king of New Orleans) but the energy is the most important aspect.  The tone is set, lets go.

Millions (Feat. Rick Ross) – I like this track because basically both of these guys are really good at being arrogant on the mic.    Yeah I know they did the I’m Good Remix.  Yeah I know they collab’d on I Still Wanna (btw Ab-Liva out rapped both them dudes on that track).  But this seems right up their alley.  The loud horns, booming bass and catchy hook only add value to this already demanding track by giving it the ability to bump in the trunk and be appreciated by all.

Doesn’t Matter (Feat. French Montana) – I’m sorry but the autotune falsetto craze that Future started needs to go away…yesterday.  Anyway back to the track.  He starts off the track with brash comparisons to some of history’s most dominant beings just to put you in your place; ‘Peasants aint sitting with the Kings, Goliath and worried bout your sling, and Cassius aint bothered by your swings.’  The entire track is basically a display of confidence and hierarchy.  Listen to the amount of grammar used, alliteration, assonance, slant rhyme, similes and metaphors.  For all those saying that all this dude talks about is drugs, actually listen to the words and see how skilled of a lyricist he really is.

Blocka – Back to the Jamaican theme with this one, with Young Chop on the beat (Chief Keef’s go to producer). The beat is simple but effective, allowing Pusha to show his rhyming prowess without being overshadowed.  You can tell in his voice that Push is hungry on this track, keeping it short and sticking to his coke rap roots: ‘no soundscan for a brick layer, square nigga you a brick hater.’

Road Runner (Feat Troy Ave) –Harry Fraud comes through with some smooth NYC lax music.  To be honest, it would have made more sense to have French Montana on this track. Push comes through with a lazy coke flow with imagery that would make BIG smile down.

Revolution – Everytime the Clipse and The Neptunes get together, classics are made.  The signature horns and synths allow for Young Thornton to come an map out his career with a syllable heavy flow.  Gives me hope that there will be more collaboration in the future.

Only You Can Tell It (Feat Wale) – This track has some 2004 Dipset roots with the chipmunk voice and heavy drums.  To be honest, I wouldn’t have even thought this collaboration possible before Wale joined MMG, it just wasn’t his lane.  But It seems every day he seems to adapt more and more into this new persona and it shows his versatility.  It’s a good look to have two major artist from the DMV connect on a track together.  The track follows in suit to the two previous tracks, giving us more mellow sounding tracks and some deeper flows.

Trust You (Feat. Kevin Gates) – As stated before, this autotune falsetto stuff is wack… But this guy actually has some decent bars.  This is the track for the ladies.  Nuff said.

Take My Life (Feat Andrea Martin) – We had back to Kingston with this one and bring the guitar and the keys (pun intended) with us.  This track reminds me of Nightmares from When the Casket Drops with an eerie feeling of death around the corner.  Push seems more cautious than paranoid on this track though.

Liva – RE-UP GANG MOTIVATION – R.E.U.P.G.A.N.G. LIVA DON comes through and blesses the tape with a much appreciate feature.  To be honest his flow has always been the one that impressed me out of the 4.  The way he can effortlessly ride a beat and carry the same rhyme over 8-12 bars is nothing short of impressive and the visuals that his paints and the metaphors that he uses makes him one of the most slept on rappers in the game. Go get his I-Can tapes.  If they would’ve gone back and forth on this joint… that would’ve taken me back to 2006.

I am Forgiven – The final track brings a sense of self-realization;  a sense of actual closure.  ‘I ask forgiveness Lord, in hopes of getting more, then beg forgiveness for the same thing he forgave me for’; if that line doesn’t describe life itself.  We know we do wrong but sometimes we can’t help ourselves to be trapped in the same sin again.  He gives us a glimpse of how he perceives his own reality and states that you can’t go through all that he has, and not be forgiven.  I couldn’t think of a better way to end The Wrath of Caine.

Long.Live.A$AP Review

What’s up everyone its Big Rizzle and I’m going to be doing a track by track review of A$AP Rocky’s debut album Long.Live.A$AP.  If you don't know who Rocky is, he is a young cat our of Harlem NY who uses many different styles and influences in his rhymes.  One verse his inner Krazie Bone might come out and on the next line he might sound like Pimp C.  Very versatile and has a very good flow.  Not the greatest lyricist but he knows how to keep you listening.  My opinions are mine and mine alone and if you want to make noise, send me a facebook message or leave a comment below.

1. Long Live A$AP (Produced by Jim Jonsin)

With this joint, Rocky runs head first out the gate. The beat casts a dark cloud over the  rhymes and sets a tone for the test of the album.  Over the mellow cadence, Rocky reflects on life as shown in the last line in verse one: “I wonder if they miss me, as long as I make history/
Now my soul is feeling empty, tell the reaper come and get me.”  This self reflection  on his past and future life tells me Rocky is grounded but at the same time self conscious of the people affected by his music.  He wants to be in it for the long run, and with an opening track that seems to do nothing but look back into the past of a young rock and show us who he’s become, he should have no problem.

Beats - 9  Rhymes - 7   Life - 9

2.  Goldie (Produced by Hit Boy)

Hit Boy is a fool for this one.  This is hands down the best song on the album and it was released months ago.  The way Rocky effortlessly levitates over the beat flaunting names of designers you’ve never heard of (let alone afford), and reminding you why he’s Pretty Flacko and everyone else is just...yeah.  Every rapper has that track that boasts his wealth and its usually a track that stand out in their catalog; i.e. Jay-Z Big Pimpin, B.G. Bling Bling, Notorious BIG Hypnotize.. the list can go on.  And while some of his raps are sub-par in this one, especially the 2 Chainz worthy second verse opener: “Yes I’m the shit, tell me do it stink/it feels good waking up to money in the bank”, he finds a way to bring it back together with his flow and delivery.  The different pitches in his voice make it fun to listen to and the bass makes your speakers crave it.

Beats - 10  Rhymes - 6.5  Life - 10

3. PMW (Produced by T-Minus) Feat. Schoolboy Q

If Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole can do a project, these two can put something together.  Everytime they get together its nothing but energy.  Even though this joint isn’t the livest joint on the album the chemistry is still there.  It’s like Mac and Devin go to college.  If you haven’t found out what PMW stands for, its Pussy Money Weed.  And to be honest its these three topics which encompass 75% of Rocky’s subject matter (the other 25 being fashion and violence).  This song is basically a bachelors anthem, rhymes about one night stands and blowing loud is all the song is really about, nothing special, except the incredible chemistry between these two artists.

Beats - 7  Rhymes - 7.5   Life - 7.5

4. LVL (Produced by Clams Casino)

If you haven’t heard of Clams Casino, please for the love of God go get his beat tape.  He’s like a mellow Flying Lotus.  Anyway the chemistry between Clams  Casino and Rocky was evident on the tracks he produced on Live Love A$AP.  They team up again here to make a track that feels like its on lean (promethazine (prescription cough syrup) and sprite), which is right up Rocky’s alley.  Given his deep influences with the Houston TX rap scene its easy for him to feel comfortable rhyming in a screwed state.  As stated before he doesn’t necessarily have the metaphors and similes to keep most hip hoppers hitting rewind but the kid makes good music and thats what to be appreciated.

Beats - 10  Rhymes - 7  Life - 8

5. Hell (Produced by Clams Casino) Feat. Santigold

A back to back collab between Clams and Rocky would sound like a good idea but the whole song just doesn’t mesh right.  The beat is straight and Rocky’s delivery and style is present but the Santigold feature just doesn’t mesh.  She almost outdoes Rocky on his own track.  Her voice is beautiful and Rocky’s lines seem a bit lazy.  It’s a good song don’t get me wrong but it just doesn’t fit.

Beats - 9  Rhymes - 6.5  Life - 7.5

6.  Pain (Produced by Soufien3000) Feat Overdoz

Back to back songs that just don’t serve a purpose.  The sequence was Hell  and Painful to listen to.  This might be the worst song on the album.  I’m not going to sit here and bash Rocky because the album has promise.  This joint sounds better suited on a Tyler the Creater album.  See if he can use this on Wolf. Just press skip.

Beats - 6  Rhymes - 5  Life - 3

7.  Fucking Problems (Produced by 40 and Drake) Feat. Drake, 2 Chainz, and Kendrick Lamar

I mean, this is the club banger on the CD.  With the lineup you really can’t lose...can you?  To be honest this is right up Rocky, Drake, and 2 Chainz alley....Kendrick though... not his best effort.  Good thing 1 Train is on the album so he can redeem himself (we’ll get to that later).  The song is basically about liking women and it being a problem and liking to fuck and its a ‘fucking’ problem.  The joint went Gold, so I’m not gonna hate, I’ll just grab a shorty at the club the next time the joint comes on.  Probably the only place I’ll listen to it.

Beats - 8  Rhymes - 7  Life - 7

8. Wild For The Night (Produced by Birdy Nam Nam and Skrillex)

This is my joint right here.  When you hear the guitar and the screwed up Rocky talking you think its gonna be like that the whole time... Nah nigga....this joint hits the 0:42 second mark and turns into Optimus Prime.  Rocky got on his Chase and Status/ MC Rage EuroTrip  shit and straight hit this beat over the wall and out the park on some Big Papi shit.  This track is hype, makes you wanna go to the gym and MAX out on everything.  Rocky’s delivery is definitely on point and this is hands down one of the best joints on the album.

Beats - 10 Rhymes 8  Life - 9

9. 1 Train (Produced by Hit Boy) Feat. Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T.

Probably the most hyped track on the album because of, well, the features.  Rocky tries his best to keep up but is left in the dust on this one (probably why he didn’t go last like most rappers do on their own posse cuts).  Everyone steps their rap game up to Super Sayajin levels on this one but there are a few little nuances.  First, Danny Brown just doesn’t fit on this joint and he’s probably my favorite rapper on the track.  And second, the beat, its just not something I want to hear for like 7 minutes.  I will admit, KRIT was on LEVEL 4 (you thinkin you can level more?) and deserved to cap the joint off.  

Beats - 8  Rhymes - 10  Life - 10

10.  Fashion Killa (Produced by Friendzone)

I guess this is the one for the ladies?  Either way the beat is pretty dope, I especially like the hi-hat in the background.  The track was really mixed well.  Basically he finds a way to fit 30 different designer brands into a song... Nothing really more than that.  I think he tries to sing too at the end...

Beats - 8  Rhymes - 5  Life - 6

11.  Phoenix (Produced by DangerMouse)

DangerMouse huh?  Where have you been?  Anyway this track is reminiscent to the first few songs on the album with the dark undertones and Rocky just getting raw.  He is really a deep person who can conceptualize and make you hear his feelings.  Does a very good job of using imagery and painting a vivid picture of what he perceives as reality.  One of the better cuts on the album because it actually makes you feel what hes saying.  The opener to the second verse: “Bloody ink on my pen spelled suicide/Kurt Cobain even died ‘cause you scrutinize/ its a thin line between truth and lies/ Jesus Christ never lied but was crucified” is a good way to portray the ambience the song brings.

Beats - 9  Rhymes - 9  Life - 9

12.  Suddenly  (Produced By A$AP Rocky, Ty Beats)

This is another joint that is just mad mellow and his flow and delivery just find a way to make it beautiful.  He goes back and forth between double timing the rap and keeping it trill and mellow, it takes skill to ride a beat like that.  I love the sample too.  Its a good way to end the album.

Beats - 7.5  Rhymes - 8  Life - 8

Bonus Cuts

Jodye (Produced by Joey Fatts)

Basically Rocky is throwing shots at SPVCXXGHXZTPVRRP andn RVIDXR KLVN.  Its probably the darkest beat on the album but the joint is a bounce track.  Shouts to C-Murder for helping him with the hook too haha.  Listen to how he goes from sounding like Scarface, to Krazie Bone, back to Rocky... Its amazing.

Beats - 8  Rhymes - 8.5  Life 8

Ghetto Symphony  (Produced by V Don)

How this didn’t make it on the actual album... whatever spilled milk.  This is one of my top 3 joints on the album.  Gunplay finds another way to hop on a track and commit murder in the first.  A$AP Ferg...eh.

Beats - 9.5  Rhymes - 9  Life - 9

Angels (Produced by Amsterdam)

The beat is kinda weird but it fits and he bodies it.  Another joint that probably could’ve replaced something on the actual album.

Beats - 8.5  Rhymes - 8.5  Life - 8

For a debut album, its pretty solid. It has a lot of variety and can appeal to a bunch of different types of hip hop heads, and just music fans alike. In my opinion Live.Love.A$AP was a better project but this has a lot better production, features, and symbolism.

Overall Beats - 8 Rhymes - 7 Life 8.5