Blog Archives
Lil Wayne is Back and Better Than Ever: “Tha Carter IV” Review
The wait is over, Tha Carter IV dropped today and is fresh as hell! The deluxe version features 19 tracks of straight fire as Tunechi proves to everyone that he’s still got it after spending some time behind bars. The album kicks off with the hard hitting “Blunt Blowin”, one of the best tracks on the album. Soon after, we get a real taste of the MTV Unplugged exclusive “Nightmares Of The Bottom”, which is clearly a product of his experience at Rikers. Its seems that Weezy is now a more conscious individual, which is evident on many of the tracks including “President Carter” and “Mirror (Bonus Track)“. The raw truth that Weezy spits throughout the album is inspiring for all. The album also features Drake, T-Pain, Rick Ross, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Tech N9ne as well as a soulful John Legend and Bruno Mars. Oh yeah, the album also showcases the singles “6 Foot 7 Foot” “John” “How To Love” & “She Will“. Do you hear him now? Lil Wayne is back and better than ever. If the motto is true, history is going to repeat its self! Support YMCMB and buy the whole album on iTunes!
Mixtape Review: Cory Gunz “Son of a Gun”
Young Money’s next in line is ready to hit the scene. After the success of his MTV reality show “Son of a Gun”, and being featured on one of the biggest tracks of 2011 (6 Foot 7 Foot), Cory Gunz has dropped his brand new mixtape, Son of a Gun. With mentors such as Lil Wayne, Nick Cannon, and hip-hop vet Peter Gunz (his father), Cory is ready to make some noise and put NY back on the map. The mixtape, hosted by DJ ill Will & DJ Rockstar, features 25 lyrically stunning tracks with guest appearances from Juicy J, Meek Mill and YM affiliates Gudda Gudda and Mack Maine. Throughout the mixtape, Cory’s rapid word fire ensures to the listeners that this kid is for real! B DOWNLOAD
Album Review – Pitbull “Planet Pit”
Pitbull has released his sixth studio album, Planet Pit, but it’s the first as a truly global star. In recent years, Pitbull has “quietly” produced club banger after club banger as his music has spread to a global audience. Planet Pit includes insane beats and dance tracks that the Pitbull fans Love from producers David Guetta, Dr. Luke and Red One, and guest appearances from Marc Anthony, Chris Brown, Enrique Iglesias, Ne-Yo, Kelly Rowland and more. The first single off the album was “Hey Baby” (feat. T-Pain), which made an impact on the Top 40 charts and in the clubs. “Give Me Everything” was the next single released and adapted a similar formula: energy and club bounce. However, many of the tracks sound the same (dance anthems) and its clear that Pitbull has lost something in his journey onto the global stage. If every album after this sound like “Planet Pit”, people will begin to forget just what made Pitbull so special in the first place: intelligent lyrics and real life stories of a Cuban hustler! B-
On a side note, the Planet Pit iPad App was also released with the album. The Planet Pit all provides fans with 30 high-definition videos and interviews, more than 300 photos of Pitbull and his collaborators, and a wealth of interview, sound samples, biographical info, producer notes, interactive lyrics and links to exclusive online content. It’s a must have if you’re a Pitbull fans, so download it now!
Album Review – Maybach Music “Self Made Vol. 1″
Maybach Music Group (MMG) released its first compilation album, Self Made, starring Rick Ross, alongside Maybach’s newest members Wale, Meek Mill, Pill and Teedra Moses. Unfortunately, many compilation albums have a reputation for having one or two solid songs and Self Made lives up to the reputation. Throughout the album, the trio of Ross, Wale, and Moses shine through and leave Meek Mill and Pill in the dust. The separation of powers is obvious on the opening track “Self Made,” as Ross and Wale offer swagger, with Moses backing them up with soul. It is clear that rappers Meek Mill and Pill struggle to hold their own, which made this album a disappointment. Some of the better songs include “Pandemonium”, “Play Your Part”, and “That Way.” Overall, Self Made is not a complete waste of time, as Wale and Moses step up to the plate and show promise for the future but Ross needs more to make MMG a respectable crew. C+
Mixtape Review – Tinie Tempah “Foreign Object”
Tinie Tempah recently became the first English rapper ever to have a platinum debut single (“Written In The Stars”) in the US. Prepping the American release of his album “Disc-Overy”, on May 17th, Tinie released a mixtape to wet the appetite of his American audience. Tinie Tempah’s “Foreign Object” is one of the most exciting mixtapes that I’ve heard this year, as Tinie goes in on some of the biggest hip hop hits of the year. Hosted by Russell Brand & DJ Whoo Kid, “Foreign Object” consists of 16 tracks from the likes of Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, YC and many more. After the single, “Written In The Stars”, many fans wondered where he would go next, and with this mixtape, Tinie proves that he is a force to be reckoned with in the rap game. Delivering hot verses over the whole tape, Tinie never seizes to disappoint. In many cases, Tinie jumps on the first verse of the song, mimics the original MC’s flow but smashes the song. In that sense, he is standing toe to toe with the big dogs in the rap game and saying “I’m here!” A+ DOWNLOAD
Mixtape Review: Fabolous “The Soul Tape”
Behind all of the hip hop powerhouses in world is a group of rappers that have made it big but don’t hold the same status. Fabolous has been a part of that group for some time. While popular song like “Youngin (Holla Back)” and “Cant Deny It” have gotten Fab some shine, he’s more often behind the scenes. For his latest project, Loso looks to capitalize on the success of his previous mixtapes, There Is No Competition, with a new concept mixtape, The S.O.U.L. Tape. The whole mixtape features Loso rapping over soul-sampled beats with no DJ drops. Like Fab’s other mixtapes, there’s a plethora of original beats with a few popular beats including Kanye’s (Devil in a New Dress) and Wiz Khalifa’s (Phone Numbers). Staying true to the soul concept, the content of many of the songs is geared towards women, which makes this the perfect mixtape to play while chillin with the ladies. DOWNLOAD HERE
Album Review – Snoop Dogg “Doggumentary”
Snoop Dogg is one of the most well-known pop culture icons in the world. He has released over 10 albums, beginning in 1993 with the classic album, Doggystyle. For his 11th studio album, Snoop originally stated that it would be titled Doggystyle 2 and would be a sequel to the original. After completing the album, Snoop decided to change the name of the album toDoggumentary, partly because the album did not reflect that old school style like he previously thought. Doggumentary is more of a reflection of Snoop’s life as a whole, with different styles and sounds. As Snoop tries to take us through his career, the album is a bit inconsistent. It is filled with mediocre tracks but Snoop also brings the heat with “Boom” and “The Way Life Use To Be”. The album, just like Snoop’s career is full of ups and downs, with signs of the OG. Overall, the album is more pop friendly and less gansta, which is a disappointment for more hardcore Snoop fans. The album works for what it is, a toned down more marketable collection. Unfortunately, we will still have to wait for the day Snoop returns to his West Coast roots! B-
Album Artwork Released for Maybach’s “Self Made: Volume 1″
On May 24, Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group will release Self Made: Volume 1, the label’s first compilation. This year, Maybach Music has expanded its roster with young talent including Philly emcee Meek Mill, Atlanta’s Pill and Washington DC rapper Wale. The album artwork for Self Made: Volume 1, has just been released and shows these three young guns standing beside their boss, Ricky Ross. The day after the release of the album artwork, Wale released “500 Benz” which will appear on the album. Ross is quickly putting MMG on the map!
Album Review – Wiz Khalifa “Rolling Papers”
Staying true to his origins by naming the album Rolling Papers, Khalifa again explores his experience of the days and nights partying and rolling up. This is probably the reason for Wiz Khalifa’s popularity; a pleasure seeking, carefree mentality all set to some heavy beats. Since dropping his Kush & OJ mixtape last summer Wiz Khalifa has been on fire. He has survived in the music industry and has aligned himself with established veterans, pushing a single to the top of the charts with minimal corporate support. By doing so, Wiz has solidified a name for himself as one of the sharpest young stars in rap right now as well this generation’s poster boy for marijuana subculture. In terms of the new album, Rolling Papers strives with hits “Black & Yellow”, “Roll Up”, “No Sleep” and “The Race.” For the most part Rolling Papersunfortunately is not a great example of Khalifa’s lyrical capabilities. Good beats and bragging aside, Wiz’s verses aren’t the most memorable or engaging. When compared to the likes of Lil Wayne, Eminem and other creative lyricists in the game right now, Wiz’s skills fall way below. Also, those who wish for the ‘mixtape Wiz’ may find the album quite distant from his original stuff. However, for the limited subject matter covered and the lack of true lyrical creativity, Wiz Khalifa manages to create a successful album, in which he can build his momentum on. B+
Album Review – Chris Brown “F.A.M.E.”
F.A.M.E. is the fourth studio album by the Breezy. Working with a variety of writers and producers, Brown continues to blur the lines between soul, hip hop, pop and dance music. Brown co-wrote the majority of “F.A.M.E.”, and collaborated with a wide range of artists including Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Ludacris, Justin Bieber and others. As for the album, Brown comes out firing in an attempt to put his past behind him. He doesn’t hide any bitterness as he opens the new album with “Deuces,” a send off that sweeps aside an ex (Rihanna) as “nothing but a vulture.” The bar was set high for F.A.M.E. after all that went down, but with singles like “Deuces,” “Yeah 3x” and “Look At Me Now”, Breezy shows that he’s still got it! The album thrives because there are songs from all genres: from street records, to real soul music, to 808’s that you’ll hear in the club, and then others that are strictly for the heart. Breezy is not where he use to be, but he’s on the right track. With a couple more albums like this, Chris Brown will solidify his spot in R&B history!
