Joell Ortiz and The Bodega Chronicles - Another Glance at the Classic

Joell Ortiz is one of those rappers that exhausts you; like the kid in the class who always has the right answer. Because, c'mon, he's always doing it right! His songs display his skills to the furthest extent; witty, real, raw, grimy, entertaining, sophisticated and humbling.

"Cuz cops hate blacks, and Hispanics they draw gats/And just slam it before they ask where your hand is/I don't see how a wallet can be mistaken for a cannon;" that's Joell being real.

"So what I ask my man for a piece of chicken/When it ain't yours for some reason it always taste different;" that's Joell being witty.

The fact that the first Latino artist on Aftermath, a west coast entity, isn't a Compton gangbanging vato says a lot. Could it mean that New York may still be carrying the torch?

Joell Ortiz on a Dr.Dre production is a very exciting thought. On the other hand, it's also unimaginable. When you think of Dre's past, you think of violent uprisings, drankin' forties and hatred for the police. Moreover, Joell Ortiz is more of a positive persona who hardly rhymes about body bags. Still, something tells me Joell and Dre will be a dynamic, trans-continental duo.

He's already won the audience with charisma and his honest story, openly discussing his mother's addiction to drugs and getting signed to Aftermath 10 minutes after meeting with Dr.Dre. His enthusiasm is undeniable and The Bodega Chroncles is capsule that embodies all of these aspects of Joell's personality (and career) thus far.

The Bodega Chronicles is his debut mixtape album from Koch Records. It includes features from artists like Big Daddy Kane, Styles P, Big Noyd, Akon, Immortal Technique, Grafh, Ras Kass, Maino and Stimuli.