The Clipse – Til The Casket Drops Album Review

Clipse - Til The Casket Drops

Artist: Clipse
Album: Til The Casket Drops
Release Date: December 8, 2009

The long awaited 3rd album from the Virgina duo known as Clipse has finally arrived.  Arguably one of the best duos to ever pick up a microphone have had their share of issues and setbacks prior to this release.  Releasing a slew of mixtapes, freestyles and features, not to mention an interesting video blog, they have managed to keep their name in the streets and fans salivating at the mouth while awaiting their  commercial release.

Freedom – This intro to the album is powerful as they mix their killer flow with a rock track.  lyrically assassinating the track.  “Cocaine aside all of the bloggers behoove/ my critics finally have a verse to jerk off to.” – Pusha T (5/5)

Popular Demand Featuring Cam’ron – Here they team up with Cam’ron on a Neptunes beat with a Pharrell assisted hook for their latest single.  The instrumental was custom tailored for their type of flow.  Cam’ron adds something the missing piece to the puzzle. (3.5/5)

Kinda Like A Big Deal Featuing Kanye West – The first single off the album.  This is definitely one of my favorite tracks as they murder this drum heavy interlaced with a mean electric guitar sample.  Teaming up with Kanye is a good look for this track as they both heavily use metaphors to make you rewind and replay the track until you catch each and every one of them. (4/5)

Showin’ Out Featuring Yo Gotti – Opening with their trademark “Yeck!!” The Clipse  dismantle this track with their sharp lyricism.  The appearance of Yo Gotti on this track is a surprise but he seemed to hold his own with all the cocaine rap that is spewed throughout this track. (4/5)

I’m Good Featuring Pharrell – The second single released seems to be going for a radio friendly vibe while still staying true to their roots.  This track demonstrates that they can take street rap and make it marketable and radio friendly. (4/5)

There Was a Murder – This spaced out instrumental seems rather busy.  Likable but busy nonetheless.  Not one of the best tracks but they still managed to lyrically carry where the instrumental failed. (3/5)

Door man -Money talk is heavy on this one as they say in the hook ” I put my money on the roof and crush this B****h.  The beat is amazing, yet simple as they rap about money, cocaine and cars. I’m not really a big fan of the topic from them because it seems to easy to rap about having money and buying nice things.  Anybody can do that. (3.5/5)

Never Will It Stop Featuring Ab-Liva -A rags to riches type theme with an assist from fellow re-up gang member Ab- Liva. (3/5)

All Eyes On Me Featuring Keri Hilson -The third single seems to be aimed at the clubs with the Neptunes produced House/club music inspired track.  This was definitely meant to have you out of your seats and on the floor dancing. (4/5)

Counseling Featuring Pharrell and Nicole Hurst -The instrumental and hook are a good fit as the duo speak about needing counseling for their lust for women and fast luxurious cars and things. (3.5/5)

Champion Featuring Pharrell -I really like the ‘bigness’ of this track as they proclaim to be the champion of this rap game. (4/5)

Footsteps -Reminiscent of something from Lord Willin’, they murder this this track. The hook seems out of place. (3.5/5)

Life Change Featuring Pharrell and Kenna -On this track they speak about how life evolves and changes over time.  What was relevant yesterday is not today. (4/5)

This album is not a disappointment if you are a Clipse fan.  If you are not a Clipse fan then you may become one after listening to this album.  They seemed to somehow keep their raw essence but at the same time open themselves up to a new audience.  Some of the standout tracks to me are Freedom, Kinda Like a Big Deal,  I’m Good and Showin’ Out.

Overall I give this album a 4.5 out of 5.

Great Album! Definitely worth the purchase price.

You Can Do It

Everyone has those moments when they feel like giving up and they feel their best is just not good enough.  Those are the times when you’re at your best.  You just need to dig deep down inside to pull it out.  When your back is against the wall or you’re down to your last leg, what do you have to lose?  Just get up, dust yourself off and get right back in the game.

I know it’s easier said then done.  I’ve been there and I’m also one of those that can give advice to others but rarely take it from myself.  I can advise others but can’t seem to take my own advice, weird huh?  Anyway, I thought of this because lately as I’ve been going through my Google reader and checking in on some of my friends sites and I noticed that there are some people carrying heavy loads.   Don’t fret, things will get better.  I know I know, “if you haven’t been in my situation you can’t tell me how to handle it”.  Trust me I’ve heard that before and I’ve told a few people that too, but just know that when things are at it’s worse , you’re still here.  When things seem like they aren’t getting any better, you’re one day closer to victory.  When you feel like  your life is going downhill and you’re just about ready to give up, stop turn around and just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving, before you know it you’ll be at the top of that hill crossing the finish line.

For every problem or situation you want to talk about, I’m always an ear to listen.

Peace

Sincere

A Parent Or Soldier First?

Check me and the other young writers out at youngwritersblock.org

Here’s my take on the Spc Hutchinson story…

Are you a parent or soldier first? (instead of rewriting it click on title.)

Waiting

So I’m sitting in the doctor’s office as I type this and I feel a little nervous. I don’t know why though, its not like I’m expecting bad news or anything. I pretty much already know what we’ll discuss. A basic followup appointment.
Everytime I come to any doctor’s office I get nervous. Maybe it’s all those medical dramas or movies that I watch when they are sitting in the exam room waiting on the doc to come in and deliver some type of horrible news, or maybe I feel like he holds the keys to my future in that closely guarded medical record on his clipboard. Or maybe I’m just a punk when it comes to these type of things. I’m not sure what is it or what combination but I hate waiting and the silence in this room is deafening. The more I sit the better at it I become. Mind over matter, if you don’t mind then it won’t matter.
Lately my blood sugar levels have been in the normal range since they upped my dosages of insulin. Hopefully I can kick this insulin habit and my body will start to produce it on its own. We can all dream can’t we?

W.O.W. Only One Person

“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.” – Brandi Snyder

At times it may seem like your contributions or small gestures mean nothing but it is a blessing to someone somewhere. Continue to help others regardless of recognition or not. That one small thing is a big thing to them.

Peace
Sincere

Wale – Attention: Deficit Album Review

Wale - Attention: Deficit

Artist: Wale

Album: Attention: Deficit

Release Date: Nov 10 2009

As Wale releases his long awaited debut album the question is, can he translate his mixtape success to a major label release?  While he has been able to bring some much needed attention to the DMV rap/hip hop scene, will carrying a city on his back be too much or will he handle it with grace and become a star?

Triumph: On this Drum and trumpet heavy Kanye West track, Wale does his best to introduce you to his style of metaphorical delivery.  ” Tommy Frazier on the 1′s and 2′s/or Michael Vick if yall bark ni**a yall through.” 3.5/5

Mama Told Me: Wale slightly infuses Go-Go into this track with the congo drums playing in the background of this soulful track.  Here he raps of the hardships that occur while he’s trying to put the DC rap game on the map. He seems to flow effortlessly over the track with ease. 4/5

Mirrors Feat. Bun B: Easily one of my favorite tracks.  He once again collaborates with one of my favorite Rappers, Bun B on a major level.  Though he is out shined, he holds his own against the veteran in a tale of how he believes he is better than the current slate of  rappers. 4.5/5

Pretty Girls Feat. Gucci Mane & Weensey: Not one of my favorites on the album.  To no fault of Wale but his features seems to fail him.  Gucci Mane is at his best, if you call it that and Weensey’s voice drives me crazy.  This song really fuses current hip hop with the Go-Go I grew up on. The instrumental is heavy with drums and is great for his third single. 2.5/5

World Tour Feat. Jazmine Sullivan: He teams up with Jazmine Sullivan on the second single to explain how his life is like a world tour and the problems that this jet setting can cause.  Stress, not getting due respect, disappointing his parents because if his choice of career, relationship falling apart but also the good things that come along with it. 4/5

Let it Loose Feat. Pharrell: Pharrell jumps on this track to add another element to this already dope instrumental. Wale seems to be holding back as he flows with Pharrell on the hook. 3/5

90210: This is one of my favorites as well.  Here he raps over a crazy bass heavy instrumental about the perils of living the fast life.  Lyrically taking us through a journey of how a girl will do anything from bulimia to cocaine to be a part of the ‘in’ crowd. 4.5/5

Shades Feat. Chrisette Michelle: As a darker skinned brother with a once  anti light skinned girls complex I can totally relate to this song.  Here he takes us through a time in his life when Black wasn’t so beautiful.  Chrisette’s beautiful voice compliments this track and his verses so well as she croons the hook. 4.5/5

Chillin Feat. Lady Gaga: The lead single off the album.  Teaming up with Lady Gaga on this smash as he raps about the lighter side of rap. 4/5

TV in The Radio Feat. K’naan: Teaming up with fellow African K’naan (Somalian) for an African connection of sorts.  Once again he seems to be holding back and is almost outdone on this one as K’naan raps the hook and gives a great end verse. 3.5/5

Contemplate Feat. Rihanna: He contemplates why he’s with a female that doesn’t want to be with him. The relationship is over as they contemplate why. He definitely gives his all over this slow instrumental. 4/5

Diary Feat. Marsha Ambrosius: Another slow track accompanied this time by Marsha Ambrosius (Formerly of Floetry).  This time he puts himself in the shoes of a young black girl as she writes in her diary about the bad relationships she’s in with him. Very well written. 4/5

Beautiful Bliss Feat. J. Cole & Melanie Fiona: This is beautiful bliss! Basically.  Here the future of Roc Nation (well, not exactly. See Wale is signed to Interscope as an artist but is managed and does his touring through Roc Nation/Live Nation) team up to wreak havoc on this track.  With Melanie Fiona’s soulful voice on the chorus and J. Cole providing the best verse I’ve heard in a long time, this song is definitely a hit.  Wale is out shined once again by his featured guest but still provides a well written verse nonetheless. 5/5

Prescription:  A nice horn heavy instrumental that he metaphorically describes himself as the prescription to the sickness that has taken over hip hop.  He is that medication that he hopes will save the game.  He ends this song and album masterfully with a spoken word rant of sorts about hip hop. 3.5/5

This album is an introduction for some to his ability as a lyricist.  Though at times I feel that he was holding back and could have done a better job, the wait for this album was worth it.  I feel like some of his metaphors and punchlines can get lost in the record at times because he throws so many out at once.  You may not get what he’s saying until you’ve replayed the song a few times.  Some of the standout cuts are Mirrors, 90210, Shades, TV In The Radio and Beautiful Bliss. This is a feature heavy album and at times that can play to his advantage like on Shades and sometimes to his disadvantage like Pretty Girls. Though it could have been better at times, it beckons back to a time in hip hop when lyrics actually meant something and made sense.

Overall, this album is solid for a major label debut and he proves that he can make the jump from the underground to Major label success. I give this album a 3.5 out of 5.

Solid Album. Worth the Purchase.

One Year Ago

Here is President Obama reflecting on his historic victory, one year ago.

Black Vs White We Off That – Mayoral Edition

Kasim Reed received 36% of the vote.

Mary Norwood Received 46% of the vote.

The Mayoral race here in Atlanta, along with many others across the country, went down last night. And it was a close one. It was so close that there is a runoff scheduled for Dec 1st to decide on the winner.

This is a particularly different race on a couple of different levels. You have the race factor and there is also the gender factor. Now we can make it a racial or gender based thing but I think it all comes down to political views and whose is best for the city. On the outside it’s clear that Mary Norwood is a white female and Kasim Reed is a black male but why vote base on race or gender? Shouldn’t we vote based on who is best qualified for the position?
While Mary Norwood seems to have the respect and support of the older black community, Kasim Reed seems to have the youth on lock. So is it now a race about age? If that’s the case then history shows that young people rarely come out and vote on runoffs. If Norwood is elected mayor then she will be the first white mayor in 40 years. that’s a long time!
This will be interesting to watch because Kasim Reed seems to have some innovative ideas about the budget and safety that I haven’t heard from any of the other candidates and I’d like to see how he plans to put them into action. He seems to be an ‘outside of the box’ thinker and I like that.

We’ll see on Dec 1st who will be victorious. Will it be a new tradition in Atlanta or a radical thinker? It’s up to you Atlanta, make your choice.

Kasim Reed – kasimreed.com
Mary Norwood – marynorwoodformayor.com