The Heat
Music Review
By: The MF'in Rapture
Signature Ratings
0- What the hell
1- Borrow don't buy
2- Well...a couple of joints
3- Worth a listen
4- Off the hook
5- Buy it or die
The Dawg Show - Dawg
Wonder
Aight, I'm a rap geek. I study this s#@t. Well, let me tell
you, there's a CD floating around which has challenged me as
an MC, and as a rap geek.
I present The Dawg Show, starring Dirty Dialect Click's own
Dawg Wonder.
Honestly, at first glance,(no offense, Dawg) you might take Dawg to be
a kinda flossy, "trapper, not a rapper" type. But from the clever
intro, leading into the first track on the LP, you realize, you're in for a
much deeper ride. Dawg opens the CD, welcoming us to his circus, silencing
the haters, and preparing us for what's to come. Every joint, from the
track to the vocals, you're locked in. The Louisiana born MC captivates with
a paced, deliberate delivery, accentuated by a flow that fits snugly into each
measure of every track. The most outstanding feature of D-Dubb's spitting,
however, is that unmistakable slow drawl instantly identified with the Boot
State. It's one that's easy on the ears, it's thick, but Dawg makes use of
it's full potential by enunciating so you catch EEV'RY WURRD, reminiscent of
T.I's ATL accent, but much less difficult to fully understand. That being said,
you'd expect him to rep on a host of uninspired, Manny Fresh or DJ Toomp knock-off
beats. Not so, here producers like the DDC's own Darkness provide Dawg with
a varied backdrop, using mid-tempo drum lines, horns, and strings to accompany
Dawg's syrupy, but potent flow.
The disc's highlight, (hard to pick, really) has become Dawg's anthem
of '06-'07, the incomparable "Swinglow", incorporating a sample from "Swing
Low, Sweet Chariot" sounding like PPT's beloved PicnicTyme had Paul Robeson
returned from the dead to lace this cut, allowing Dawg to rip and remind us
of all the reasons he likes to "Swing Low", and why we should all
follow suit.
If you can listen to this CD, and not be inspired to step
your own game up, then you're an even harder nut to crack than
me.
4½ Signatures
Juggernaut -
Steve Austin
Sometimes, in this crazy realm of existence we call hip-hop,
we get stagnant. Complacency sets in after you've heard the
umptibillionth generic MC rant about how rich they are, how
much crime they've done in their past, and how many bitches
they have yadda, yadda…. Not to say that I'm an elitist,
and don't like the occaisional foray into the norm, but dammit,
at least it has to be ENTERTAINING. Enter the man known as
Hollywood Cole and his new mix CD, I'm Tha Jugganaut, Bitch!!!
Named , and built conceptually around the popular Youtube clip,
the CD is strongly built to suit Hollywood's(an alter
ego created by the Bioniq MC, Steve Austin as an allusion to
Andre 3000's spoken word verse on Aquemini, "now who else
wanna f*^% with Hollywood Cole") hyperkinetic flow, and
flamboyant personality.
With soundbites throughout the CD from the Juggy clip, which
is flawlessly blended by DJ Whiz T in true "mixtape" fashion, the disc as a whole is funny,
clever, and rambunctious, true to form Austin. His inventive usage of hilarious
quotes made famous by the Internet phenomenon in his verses cements his ingenuity
as a lyricist, and not a fly-by night "rapper", or "trapper" whose
drug money bought him a place in the spotlight.
His mentions of label issues in the verses and drops keeps the
topics relevant personal, adding a dimension of passion and urgency
to his vocals. The beats, while a bit muffled beneaths Cole's
energetic flow, compliment the MC's personality excellently,
another testament to the work ethic of the man behind the music.
All in all, this is a perfect compliment to those Saturday nights
on the way out to the club, trying to get in that crunk mindset.
Kudos, Steve. Now who else wanna f*^$ wit Hollywood Cole?
4 Signatures
TOP
Monkish -
Acho Brother
By: Carolina Jones
Acho Brother’s Monkish album released by Spanglish Records is by far one of the best CDs we’ve experienced this year. We do not say this lightly. Every track on this album is awesome. A wonderful blend of acoustic guitar with an electronica blend, Monkish is a journey into the heart. A vocal and musical masterpiece. One thing...most of the album is in Spanish. Not up on your Spanish? It’s okay...the music easily transcends that barrier. From the first strum to the last hum, this is one to have. Stand out tracks...come on...we’re giving this an unprecedented 5 sigs, they all stand out. But if I had to pick a favorite ‘El La’ would be it.
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