Reviews: July 2007 Archives

Dipset, Dipset...what ya gonna do...nothing. Lol Let me tell you something, Freekey Zeekey is not an MC, he's a weed courier turned rapper. He has his moments every now and then on here but lyrically he's devoid of anything remotely hip hop esque. I was diggin' "730" but that was mostly for the beat. Now dude is def hosting the mixtape but by the looks of the track list his album got mildly date rapped. We won't call it a full on gang rape (Clue's album) but the tracks is heavy on here. The usual D-Block joints are here tho; Styles P with Knock Ya Head Off"....dope and "We Spray Crowds" by Sheek...old. Hahahaha not really I just wanted to know what it felt like to say "old" like these kids do on these half a fag blogs. "This shit is old" hahaha man the internet is "getting" old fast I'll tell you that. Cassidy poking his chest out on "Killadephia"...the lil guy has heart and is lyrically head and shoulder above 3/4 of the rap game. Lil Wayne's on here (makes loud farting sounds)...ehhh. He was MTVs number one "now" MC. Funny, top 10 lists are like the bottom of the barrel content wise, MTV is stooping real low. Kia Shine is doing his thing, his remix for "So Krispy" is long as hell but it's cool in a 2007 half a hip hop sort of way. Remo's got the "Good Stuff" (pause), with that track. Don't count Remo out, he's been somewhat quiet which should scare some of you MCs. I'm checking for Hell Rells album again. His version of "I Get Money" is all mixtape music to the core. That's it tho people. 2007 is deep into the third quarter now and hip hop continues to smoke crack and wear stripped tube socks to the club. The big douche is upon us, you gotta dig to get to the good stuff and let the average "material" get washed away.

Contrary to what people think this IS a good time to be an MC, especially a skilled MC. The thing is if you don't have a do it yourself attitude then all the MIC skills in the world can't save you. Dramills has been consistient and patient with the music since his debut years ago; it's his time. Right now is one of the most important times to really grind as hip hop goes through a natural cleansing of wack MCs, old gimmicks and fly by night fans. It's def not an easy path but they say what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger.

Big Mike and Dirty Harry with the co-sign mixtape wise. "They Don't Know" is the perfect introduction for those that haven't heard Dramills before. He's spittin' right from the heart with no bullshit in between. "What U Need" is most def an anthem. Cats always rhyme about the things they got from selling dope but Dramills gives you everything else regarding dope besides the good shit. "Ain't Gonna Get Me" is that classic mixtape music. If you haven't heard this before then I guess you're not much of a mixtape fiend. Speaking of mixtape music, "Where It Stated At" is my joint. He said, "the flows intrepid, get it how you live it, I just live it how I get it." Personally I like to hear Dramills on those uptempo joints. "Feel The Pain" was def the realness, but the slow flow didn't cut it for me like it did on "To The Movement". Maybe it was just the beat. Without question you can hear the versatility on "First Impressions", flow was tailored mad for that beat so it's safe to say Dramills can flow on any type of beat. I still rock "Up In Ya Building" with Stack Bundles in the ride daily. This has gotta be one of the best Stack colabo's I've heard.

I don't see Dramills on as many mixtapes as I should. It's funny to me cause there's so many quality MCs out there today that you can put on a mixtape and cats still put the same old sorry tracks from the same old crews on their projects while quality MCs don't get heard. Bottom line is Dramills gives you that realness, that true to life real talk with none of the fake fluff of todays music. He's an MC who without question knows who he is and gives you his story in each and every bar. Where else are you gonna get that from? His album is dropping soon, Drama Season, be on the lookout for it and cop that joint when it drops.

Good to see cats are back on their Summer Pimpin again. I miss this series and DJ Supreme's presence too. Regardless, Lil Raskal is holding shit down like a champ and to my surprise has reached into the vault to pull out some forgotten classics. Summer Pimpin' used to be a great time for me but now you might as well throw me in a mini van with a bunch of kids and some soccer balls. Well not that extreme but you get the point. The summer is all about that feel good music at a BBQ, drinks flowing, looking fresh, and/or top down in the whip while you and the Fresh Prince are sitting on Lorenzo's.

Speaking of Lorenzo's....you now "Sumertime" was up on here, no need to explain more you know it by now. From Mac Ten's classic "Backyard Boogie" into Tribes "Can I Kick It" into Rosco's classic "Smooth Sailing" is that shit; all mixed back to back to back, had me looking for a wine cooler and a broad with a fat ass. Raskals flipping beats throughout too. I can't remember the last time I heard "Deja-vu", that shit got much radio play back in the day. Raskal kept it short and sweet while bringing in "Just Wanna Love Ya" with quickness. It truly wouldn't' be a summer mixtape without "Ain't No Fun" on it for the freaks then mixing in "Hey Mr. DJ" to round out the classic tracks. Zhane did the damn thing with that song man. At this point in the mix the cats with a nice buzz start to 2 step. That Run DMC with Pitbull was the shit. I was like those artist just don't mix but Raskal pulled it off. The one track that fucked my head up was Do or Die's "Po Pimp". I haven't heard this shit since it dropped....these cats were def ahead of their time. When "Let Me Ride" drops, that's when the smokers light up. Followed up with AZ's "Sugar Hill"...shit. Time to get smoked out. I was never a big fan of "Sunshine" by Jay Z but it used to get the club open. Fuck the rest of the highlights: Bonita Applebum, Doin it, OPP, Nuthin' But A G Thang, Regulators, Playa's Anthem, I Get Around and This Is How We Do It round out the last third of the CD.

It doesn't matter what part of the country your from this CD will set off the BBQ lovely. Raskal covers all his bases, regions and classics. Not only that he was getting his mixing on like a pro while showing flashes of Dirty Harry throwing subtle beat on beat blends on top of the mixes. This CD should come with a Styrofoam cooler, drinks, gas grill, burgers, hot dogs and scantly clad women of all nationalities. It wouldn't be summer without Summer Pimpin' 4.

If the name of this mixtape doesn't catch your attention, then you probably have a better attention span than I do. The cover image is of Weezy aka Lil Wayne with a crown of thorns on his head, symbolizing who else but G.O.D. Very extreme thing to do, also something that will cause some extreme opinions - you either love it or you don't.

Nevertheless, let's put the image aside and focus on the music. DJ 31 Degreez is the man behind this mixtape. The title Weezyaveli is a play on 'Niccolo Machiavelli' an infamous figure in history, a name that later evolved into a term describing a philosophical belief and a name that Tupac coined in hip hop. The Machiavelli belief is an intense one that states "the ends justify the means." Sounds very black panther-ish, right?

Well, DJ 31 Degreez for some reason has given this term a makeover and assigned Lil Wayne the title.

The mixtape is an incredible 2-disc set featuring over 20 freestyles and songs. Does Lil Wayne live inside the studio? Who has that much time on their hands? Still you can't deny Weezy of being the busiest man in showbiz. His lyrics are clever (as always) and very menacing; like the school yard bully.

So, with much material being leaked, one has to wonder; what is The Carter 3 going to sound like? Listen to "Scarface Carter", the alleged first single for Carter 3, a cliche ode to Scarface. Switching up the mood of things, the uber-obnxious "I Did It" is a no-go. Trying to rhyme on just one word, Lil Wayne fails miserably. Weezyaveli features 'Prostitute Flange," a song that I quite don't understand why it's created the buzz that it has. "I don't care if you a prostitute, and if you hit every man you ever knew..." he sings lazily. This is Lil Wayne's way of being romantic. Yikes!

Lil Wayne has interesting lyrics bragging about chicks, guns, drugs and other related things and he manages to switch up his flow often. However, after listening to the mixtape, there's a void in his music. That void would be filled if Weezy channeled a humble place. He sort of does this on "Pain," where he raps about losing a woman. Thankfully there's no mention of prostitutes.

Still, I want to hear a more passionate Weezy on the tracks. The wordsplay comes easy to Weezy. Let's see you push the envelope Weezy.

If you're a fan of hip hop rejoice that Termanology has another mixtape out. He's easily one of the top five most anticipated MCs this year...well over here in the real hip hop world at least he is. You see I used the word "fan" in the first sentence because literally there are no more "fans" of hip hop music left. Termanology address this issue in one of his tracks some what but we'll get to that later. Right now its about still being a fan of music. It's ok to be a fan, I'm a fan of music. You don't have to be an inspiring MC, DJ, producer, manager, fake CEO anymore...go back to being a fan of music; period. An MC like Termanology doesn't come around that often. It's time to go back to connecting with your favorite MCs, supporting their music and just being a fan of Hip Hop again.

You can't possibly listen to "So Amazing" and be like..'that shit was wack'. Lol. Cats these days would say that while nodding their heads at the same time. I really think Termanology and Premier bring out the best in each other on a track. Premo's cuts on the hook and Termanology's bars are a perfect match; peep his word play on the second verse...absurdly on point. "Has It Ever Occured" is that track I was talking about earlier. Easy Money sets it off..."everybody on earth wanna rap..." So true. Now while the track is more about infierior MCs it rings true for the masses who continue to think being in the "hip hop" biz will get them rich quick. If an MC as skilled and as talented as Termanology isn't a multi-millionaire yet after all the work he's put in then what makes these fly by night cats think its easy? The shit is at epidemic proportions right now. "In God We Trust" is just smooth. It's one of my favorite tracks, ED Rock and Termanology trading bars and dropping knowledge like it's nothing with a dope hook...that's real music. My other favorite track up on here is "Low IQ" with Evidence. This shit had me sharpining the ice pick ready to stab someone in the neck. I love it when cats trade bars like that and are actually good at it. Plus the beat is some basic next level shit. Speaking of beats "Back From The Dead" got the illest vibe to it; like nothing out right now. The sleeper track is "4 The Fam" with Ghetto and Easy Money; cats was flippin' words like pro's and you got Fizzy Womack on the beat.

If you're not bumping this CD right now I don't know that there's help for you. Cats came correct with the beats, the concepts, the skills...it's all in here. The thing I like most about the project is that it's better than the previous Hood Politic mixtapes. That's progression right there, that's cats perfecting their sound, their flow, their whole musical direction. It may sound corny but Termanology found himself as an artist and it shows in the music. Throw Statik Selektah and Big Mike in the mix and you got yourself a street certified mixtape that will add to Termanology's hip hop legacy. You hear that? Sounds like the right deal is right around the corner.

If you're like me you've been waiting to cop this CD like a fiend who just sold a broken amp. I keep the old A-Team mixtapes in rotation and Ransom has truely "come up" from when he first dropped a verse. To me Ransom is the epitome of a raw rhyming, no bullshit MC. No gimmicks, no sing-song'y catchy hooks, just the rawest bars you've heard over some leaving foot prints in the concrete production. With that said, let's see why Ransom is still the best in the city for a second time.

There's one line from "This Is The End" that sums up Ransom's whole style..."I give the good and bad about the hood that we living in". That's it right there, no bullshit, just witty punch lines wrapped in the reality that is his life. How can you not dig that in this fake, made up MC times we're living in? If you haven't heard "Nightmares" yet get to listening. I'm not gonna say it's the best track on the CD cause there's a couple but I will say its the realest song out right now by any MC. If I could quote the whole song I would but know this...one listen and at the end your first word will be; damn! If you hustle or ever really hustled for real then you can appreciate "Hunger". And I quote..."world war 4 coming better stay with your piece"; or is it "peace"? I love bars like those that can have many meanings...sign of true lyricist. I can see "Trap Music" being a slept on track but Ransom with Brisco and Flo-rida is a nasty ass colaboration. If you want to hear a perfect flow peep "Best In The City"...this joint will snap your neck off too. You wouldn't think Spark Dawg would show up on a Ransom track but this shit was tight, hook was a lil weak but the versatility is crazy. If you're a Ransom fan you know "Old Ni99az Die Young" and I was glad he followed the shit up with "Just Came Home". I didn't like the ending but I admit that's some real shit that would happen.

Dead ass real there isn't any more to say about this joint except to make sure you actually purchase the mixtape and you go out an purchase Pain & Glory 2 when it drops. The very last thing I will say tho is just...thanks. Thanks to Ransom for making music period. Thanks for giving cats theme music for their everyday lives and for not giving up on hip hop.

Does anyone even know what Hip Hop is anymore? Dudes are claiming Hip Hop is dead, KRS and Marley say it's alive. Most of the young cats think it lives in the South and East coast heads think everyone with a hit from the Southern hemisphere corrupted the essence of the best art form to come along in 30 years. According to my man DJ Butta "Wake Up" is supposed to cure those ills by giving you a taste of what commercial media sleeps on daily; conscious Hip Hop.

I hate using that term. It's like labeling good R&B, neo-soul. It's the stupidest shit I've heard, but I confess, that I'm guilty of mouthing the words "back pack shit" while listening to Company Flow. With the emergence of Southern Hip Hop and the fact that I have a ton of it on my iPod, I've come to the conclusion that the true separation in Hip Hop should be good or bad music. I say this because, I love the premise behind "conscious Hip Hop", but not all of that shit is hot either.

"Say Something" by Talib and Jean Grae had a familiar intro jacked from Lords of The Underground. Lyrically, Talib and Jean Grae are always a cut above the average gun clapper, but the spit of Rakim couldn't save this track. "She So Fly" has that jazzy feel that's a staple for the Native Tongue like mc's and Kardinal could easily be a modern day member. Its easy listening and a track that I rewound. The "Classic (Butta Blend)" is a stand out joint, although the accapella veers off the beaten path around the time KRS grabs the mic. Kanye and Common are the new dynamic duo. Their music transcends the so called genre. It's easy to understand why their albums are two of the most anticipated.

DJ Butta is swimming against the stream of bullshit that's on your radio waves everyday. This isn't the first cd of its kind and it won't be the last, but nevertheless it was extremely playable and that's all you can hope for with mixtapes currently. I'm looking forward to the next installment. There is a wealth of "true" mc's on "Wake Up"; unfortunately it wasn't very difficult to separate the stars from participants such as GLC. I love going against the norm, so that was a plus for me, but I'd like to see Butta surprise us and take some more chances on the next installment.

The HBO of the mixtape game is back to claim his spot. Unexpected has more original mixtape series than any other DJ out right now. The funny thing about Unexpected is that blends are nothing to this man. He could literally drop a blend CD every couple weeks and probably run a nice portion of the mixtape game. Problem with that tho is he's truely a mixtape DJ "artist" and it's not in him to churn out weak or sub-par product. It's the difference between painting a tool shed out back of your house and painting the Sistine Chapel.

Every Shade Has A Story is the new series; Jamaica is the first installment. If you were to study the mixtape game right now and figure out what "genre" of mixtape there is virtually none of at this very moment it would be hip hop/reggae blends. The timing on this one is crazy but on the real this CD will be selling six months from now as more and more people discover it and the word of mouth spreads.

I'm gonna give you bits and pieces for hightlights cause with any DJ Unexpected CD you have to discover it for yourself. As soon as you hear Biggies "Ni99as Blend" beat behind "Ghetto Story" you know what it is...then the shit switches up to "Window Shopper" then the beat from the Lost Boys "Rene" and you can tell the DJ is just fucking with you pulling out three different vibes from the same track. Then again it could be the three beats flipped behind "Can't Satisfy Her" that fucks you up too. Now on the real, I don't usually fuck with Elephant Man too tough but over a classic "H-Town" beat the shit was hard as concrete. I'm not gonna tell you the beat you gotta hear it for yourself. If you're peeping the track list you see the shit has four interludes and each track that follow plays to the "theme" of the interlude. See cats don't put that much thought into shit these days and its one reason Unexpected is so far ahead of the pack. I don't think I've heard as much energy on a blend as I did with Sizzla on "Get To The Point". This is some riot inciting music and it fits the "story" perfectly. Speaking of Sizzla, he exudes that same energy on "Brand New" as well. I was on the highway with a chip on my shoulder listening to this section floating in the fast lane.

You know what? That's it. No more highlights. Know this....classic beats behind classic reggae telling the story of Jamaica as only DJ Unexpected hears it. That's all you need to know about this one. As a true blue mixtape fiend this is a must cop for the collection. If you don't cop it I would have to question your mixtape fiend sincerity....plus this shit sounds so good in the ride it's ridiculous.

If there is one cat who is the lord and savior of east coast music its Termanology. There are other MCs who are as potent on the MIC in the east but for that all around mass appeal (no pun) the futeur is Termanology. To those people who have never heard the man rhyme this is the CD to make you an instant fan. Collectors get collecting...another DJ Rhude project that the hits like a spiked bat.

I've heard the majority of the music on here cause I'm a fan first so its only right I highlight the true exclusive "Buck 50" Freestyle. Even on his freestyles he brings a concept to the table. The one song you have to bump is "Born Alone, Die Alone"...too many jewels to highlight just one. You get everything on one track; word play, story telling, with a crisp ass delivery. I still marvel at "55 DJs", I'm waiting on part 2 tho. Rhude going back with the classic "Desert Eagle". This joint was on extra heavy rotation back when it dropped and Terms verse was a welcome addition. We need that Tony Sunshine album to drop already. Joell Ortiz and Term is a great colaboration, (We Gon Bang) hope to see these two on a track again in the future. This wouldn't be a best of Termanology withouth "100 Jewels". Roc Raida on the beat and Termanology got yard with the bars. You rarely hear an MC as focused as Termanology is on this joint. Two tracks that were slept on were "Far Away" with its heartfelt horns and "Can't Turn Back" with the overall message.

I can't remember a DJ Rhude relesase that has been sub par this year. Yet...you never see his CDs on these mixtape websites. Zzzzzzzzz like a mutha fucka. He's moving units regardless but still, if I was a mixtape site owner this shit right here would be top line material and/or a freebie or package deal with Termanology's new joint Hood Politics V. Fuck it...Rhude and Termanology both got next whether you see it now or later; it's enevitable.

Legend is back once again. He's got Torae hosting and for those not familiar with Torae you're missing out a dope MC. There is too much good music out there that goes slept on and with DJs like Legend you get to hear what's really good. DJs overall need to stop playing what they think will sell CDs and start playing quality music. It's like the DJ is the train conductor and he's leading the listener through the musical landscape. Instead of stearing the people to the epitome of hip hop, todays DJs stear the people towards what ever throws them the most money. I don't know who's train your riding on but I like the direction Legend is going in...all aboard mutha fucka's.

If you only buy this CD for one song let it be "Click" with Skyzoo and Torae. Premier is on the beat, the horns are regal and the bars are all a lesson in MIC-ology. Can you hear the quiet intensity on "I'm Good"? Stack Bundles (RIP) had perfected his flow and could use it on any type of track. I've been listening to that AC mixtape all last week so it was only proper Legend played "Good Lookin"; it compliments the vibe of this mixtape perfectly so far. The true sleeper track poped up early with Godchild on "Nitro". Rewind this track a couple times cause dude was saying some shit! Torae was bringing that mixtape music to the table with "Lick The Balls"...putting MCs in their place and talking about balance in the music; another MC that gets "it". Good to hear Ciz slide through on "Run"; not really a fan of this beat but the bars was proper. Termanology got that ill word play on "Born Alone Die Alone"...one MC that will never sell out hip hop. Legend stand up! One of the few DJs to play Papoose's new single..."Bang It Out". Fucking lame ass NY DJs can't even play this, such a shame. This is a dope song. It's not a single/ringtone song tho so we'll see what Jive does going forward. Nacirema Dream will be a dope album regardless. Papoose has given the world so much quality music cats should be cop'n his album off principal alone. For those people still sleeping on Torae peep those Bash Bros feestyles and then rewind the shit and become a fan.

In this ringtone hip hop world "Vetrans Day" is much needed. The mainstream outlets don't let cats have a voice and that's something Legend is doing with his projects. It's something Rapmullet was built on too, giving people shine who's voice(s) need to be heard. The mixtape business, and it is a business, is tricky thing. Timing, brand, consistency, hard work and of course MUSIC all play an important role in sucess; with that said Legend is well on his way.

Ain't nothing like some soul music people. You know what I'm talking about, that music that will make you cry, make you nod your head, make you think all the while cats are actually singing. No pop formulas, no cut and past...I-am-a-robot lyrics...just heatfealt lyrics to move, you guessed it...your soul. Me personally, I like a lil funk with my soul, some wah wah mixed into the deepness of the vibe. I want to feel like a pimp and feel bad for a being a pimp at the same time..can you dig that?

Jill Scott will beat your soul up and you will thank her after the fact. "Hate On Me" got that knock, shit has a big sound to it too. I haven't heard to much Erykah Badu but "Real Thing" makes you want to squish up your face into a frown like...damn; while you nod your head. Tell me those horns didn't fuck your head up? Is Robin Thicke the illlegitimate child of Ron O'Neil? Dude is super cool on "Cocaine" or maybe he's just superfly. This song has a whole "Boggie Nights" vibe going on. That's Heatwaves classic for you under-developed music lovers. Amy Winehouse hasn't grown on me yet...yawns at "You Know I'm No good". She swagger jacked someone, I just can't place it yet. I'm def diggin' Corinne Bailey Rae on "Trouble Sleeping"...that's quiet soul right there. Nicole Wray is a sleeper people. "They Call Her Music" is deep and the bass is crazy in this joint. I can honestly say besided that Robin Thicke album, the only other R&B album I bump is Muiq Soulchild's. "Teach Me" is my shit. I get my vibe on to this in the ride all the time. I haven't heard the new Carl Thomas but "Though You Should Know" is cool. Neyo on "Suddenly" was OK, I prefer the original tho...not the best cover but not the worst either; nice end to the project tho.

The best thing about this CD is that it's smooth. The soul was there too but the overall vibe was real smooth and when you get a R&B mixtape that has "soul" in the title I exepct it to be smooth. There was no crazy mixing but it wasn't necessary, Mark did his thing with the fader and let the music dictate where you were going on the CD. It's nice to get a new CD and be able to rock it straight through, no FF, no skipping around and the shit put me in a good mood too.

I assume the younger hip hop generation (like myself) is desensitized to a lot of the garbage lyrics in music. Therefore when I think about cleaning up hip hop lyrics and topics that are discussed in music such as the money, cash and hoes, my mind shamefully goes blank.

In reality, entertaining music -sans the guilty pleasures and vices- IS possible. Really! Just listen to some Dujeous and you'll see what I mean. A song that makes you shake your ass without rapping about ass?! Its Groundbreaking. And it can be found on "Game 7," the newest mixtape from the band.

Dujeous can transition smoothly from a club track to a politically charged joint and back again. Throw in some heartfelt love/hate songs and you're left with good music for everybody. These cats have completely revamped what it is to have original music. Performing as a live instrumental band is what Dujeous is known for, but don't ever think of Dujeous as anything lesser than hip hop. Hip hop soul is embodied in Dujeous. If you MUST hear traditional hip hop sounds, then don't fear. They got that on lock also. On the politically correct song, Death & Taxes, vocal sounds reminiscent of beatboxing is prevalent. And on "Meanwhile" a New York City tale and its 'boom boom bap' beat, you can't deny its hip hop.

So what if they look like a 'band'; they are! So what if they collaborate with System of a Down ( a rock band), they also team up with John Legend (hip hop's crooner).

Like I said, The Duje (as they call themselves) can fit in anywhere.

It sounds like they found the secret to longevity.

Some of the world's biggest egos are formed in Brooklyn. Poison Pen makes fun of that using a satirical tone in the intro of his new project "Immortal Technique Presents Poison Pen: Pick Your Poison" to get the message across.

Making fun of violence, sexism and pride, the emcee poses as a member of the Brooklyn Tourism Board undermining the violence, sexism and pride that is so apparent in Brooklyn -and hip hop. The Brooklynite jumps right into a song with a thick Brooklyn accent, hard beats and a catchy chorus on "Who Are You?"

The mixtape album is a pre-requisite to the rapper's album "The Money Shot" hitting stores soon. In the meanwhile, Poison Pen delivers a few tracks worthy of a trip to Brooklyn. He takes you to the notorious hood of Bedstuy, New York with a track titled, "Bed Stuy Best Buy", a place that has been home to many hip hop greats such the Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown, -it must be something in the water.

Brooklyn residents in hip hop is nothing new, in fact they tend saturate the New York rap scene with lyrics embracing the guns and the glamour. As does Poison Pen, yet he turns that around on Fif N Da Mornin' where he switches up the flow, emulating the 80's way of storytelling in rap music. The beat is cheesy, (very 80's) but it works.

Like Brooklyn greats before him, Poison Pen manages to get his name into the some pretty big events. He's appeared in Dave Chapelle's Block Party, VH1 Hip Hop Honors and MTV's The Stop.

Pick Your Poison is the emcee's first solo project. Keep an eye out for his next solo project, The Money Shot.

For more information please visit: myspace.com/poisonpen

Immortal Technique - Poison Pen Pick Your Poison: The Mark Of The East

J-Ronin is back at it again with none other than Saigon. I don't know how many mixtapes Saigon hosts but either way that's a great look. Click on the track list, see what's about to go down and tell me that shit doesn't look dope...some anticipation of good music is what it should bring about. Now that you're looking at the track list what is missing? No clue? Well it's the south dumb ass, the south is missing. That's not a jab at the south either that's a "highlight" that J Ronin knows what his strengths are, what he likes and supports and he sticks to it...this is also called "knowing how to stay in your own lane". I know a whole coast that could take lessons from this man.

This has to be one of the best first ten tracks back to back to back on a hip hop mixtape all year. That "Crooklyn Dodgers 07" into Saigon's "Don't U B Da Nigga" to "The Hardest" to Hell Raza absolutely murdering the beat for "Verbal Intercourse". He said and I quote: "My music remind you of an '86 deuce flick / I'm Shaft with a tooth pick / in something that's ruthless." The word play is crazy like cat shit. I haven't heard that new Tragedy album yet but "The Truest" was cool, hook was stale but the bars were all Tragedy. "It's On Again" is that rewind, cats went in on some anthem type shit. To round out the first 10 joints you got Common and Premo on "The Game"...one of the best songs out right now. "Not My Baby" has potential man, Saigon stays giving you music to relate too; he's properly building the anticipation for his album. Born Unique is a beast on the MIC too. His "freestyle" got mad energy to it plus he got a voice too. I'll admit I was sleeping on Juice...but no more. "No Love" is the sleeper track on here for me. Dude got bars and that scratched hook was the shit! Killa Sha had me rewinding "Frontline" to soak up all the bars. If you missed the message in "Modern Day Slavery" well then you are truly lost. (Sighs) Saigon said "you rappers ain't thugs /you're men with the hearts of women / trying to blend in" oooooohhhh shit, that's a crazy line. Def check out that acapella freestyle; wow.

Damn, it's the end of the mixtape. You def need to start this shit over cause at this point in the game you don't get many mixtapes like this anymore. Skills...check, Saigon actually hosting the CD throughout...check, dope music...check, mixing...check, swift kick in the mixtape games jimmy...check. I gotta say one of the best collections of new music, semi-new music and underground music out right now and it's presented in a classic mixtape formula. I could say more but all that's left to do is get your own copy.

Today's forcast calls for exclusive music and severe trunk rattling. I think it's safe to say that southern mixtapes run the game right now. Every day there are new southern releases and you would think they would run out of muisc but they don't. Maybe artist are following the Lil Weezy way of flooding the block or there are really that many "good" songs out there. Don't get me started on "new" music versus "good" music again.

As much as I want to hate Lil Wayne "Duck Season" with Rick Ross is that 14-5 a key music. Really it's just that beat with the classic Heart sample but Lil Stain did ride the beat well, I'll give him that. Although that whole "give me back my girl / give me back my life" shit was type corny. "U Know What It Is" is gonna be a huge record. T.I. is about to own the summer with his latest album. I may have spoke too soon because Kiotti on "Crusin' Fly" is making it's own run as the best track of the CD. I don't know who is fucking with Kiotti's flow in the south right now. I'm def fucking with that rapid fire shit on "Throwaways". Yung Joc actually rhyming on this track too, not that slow fluffy shit he usually spits. Gorilla Zoe ate them all up tho, I hope he can get his buzz back too. I tried to dig Juvenie on "Who Can I Run To" but that shit was just wack aka wack juice aka someone needs to get hit with a sock full of nickles for making this track. Fuck that, 31 Degreez should have rocked the whole song for "Duck Season" at the end, that's my track too...RZA went in on his verse.

Like I said above the forcast calls for some exclusive music and some good music at that. 31 Degreez got some sense enough to make the track list flow and work the fader a little too. This is a cop heavy mixtape right here and got much burn in my ride the last couple of days. The game needs a new Kiotti mixtape at this point, anything less would be uncivilized.