Reviews: March 2008 Archives

If you don't already know DJ Jelly is the shit when it comes to mixtapes. A true "mix-ologist" who's been doing it longer than some of these so-called mixtape cats have been out of shitty pampers. I despise top 40, commercial fluffy ass music but when Jelly mixes it...forgetaboutit. If it's mixed proper I can fuck with it and it will always be good 2 go.

I had a major label nut riding A&R tell me the "mixtape" was officially over, finished, and irrelevant. I told him that while it may not on the surface be what it once was I could guarantee him that by the end of year it would be him looking for a job and not the mixtape DJs. The truth hurts my friend and I feel no pain over here. With that said, if you want to see who really has now...this is your mixtape.

Mick Boogie was ahead of the game when it came to marketing. I remember speaking to him once and he willingly described his formula for success. He waited until an artist was on the verge of releasing a project and he dropped a mixtape to coincide with that release. His explanation was that the artists label would be promoting the artist and simultaneously without direct knowledge, promoting his mixtape as well. Why pay for something that the label would do for free. He went from the ho to the pimp. Labels loved him for it and artist admired his savvy, personality and he remained humble. It proved that you didn't have to be an asshole to grind.

Shout to DJ Reeg for dropping a blend CD when blend CDs are about as scarce as free blow jobs from super models. He put himself on the cover too...bold move but hey that's what it's gonna take these days to get your name poppin'. DJ Reeg calls himself "The Mixologist" A.K.A "Blendsetter"...I can dig it but at the same time, you have to back that up with skills; let's "check the blend" shall we.

Who besides me is fiendin' for that new Ali Vegas album? If you're not then I can't fuck with you, go shit your pants and sit in the corner because it's all bout that lyrical content in 2008. No dancing over here, just straight bars; a return to MIC skills and third eye "visualistic" music. That's right I made up a new word, don't test the rocket launchers linguistics. Have you heard 50 on that new "Rider Pt. 2" track? His best voice coder hook and all...that is a track you def won't hear on this mixtape. Block Muzik is full of MCs who beast like the Hulk on the MIC, not that pop, gimmick, fad rap; save that shit for Entertainment Tonight and TMZ paparazzi news fans. We swing elbows over here not gossip.

What the hell was the "Rat Joe Skit" supposed to prove? I missed the logic on that one or maybe I'm just not "hood" enough to understand that shit. As a matter fact, it's straight "wack juice" to have 3 fucking skits on a mixtape with 9 real joints. That math just doesn't compute. I would have liked to see Mike Epps get a skit instead of a drop. He was hilarious, but his drop would have gone perfectly as an interlude for "I Fucked Your Bitch!". It was ill placed, but other than that, this is the rebirth of the Unit.

I see some mixtape cats are od'n on the "exclusive" releases. Like if you drop 20 mixtapes from February till the end of March cats will automatically hand you a Justo or some shit. Or it's an excuse that if they don't win an award they can say "well I dropped 20 mixtapes in the last 60 days, how is that not grindin?". Thats those cats who have no concept of balance, track list flow and just flat out good music. It's not JUST about consistency it's about dropping good music consistently. (I can't strees this enough). That's what cats like DJ Diggz and Rated R have been doing and it's what 1Mic and DVS are starting to do even more this year.

I know what to expect from Custom Made musically but after one listen to Element on this project one word comes to mind...POWERFUL. Powerful lyrics, powerful voice, powerful presence on the MIC. Element brings all that to the table on this project. I don't think I've heard a more focused MC this year so far. He has this borderline angry vibe going on but he's def not angry, he's empowered to get his voice heard by any means necessary.

Seriously, is there any other exclusive mixtape worth even cop'n besides Potent Product? If you say yes...get the fuck outta here you lame. Go pick up a "radio" mixtape with the other corn ball mixtape fans who don't know any better. It's getting to the point were all the South exclusive joints are sounding the same...that mixtape plague that hit NY mixtapes is slowly creeping down south...beware DJs. More than anything else with this series I love the fact Diggz and Rated R are being ultra consistient with it and even more so the music is good...no filler in this project it's all Potent Product.

I had someone tell me that Grafh was just ok as an MC, he was "an acquired taste". I responded saying "it's like this. Either you like good music and a dope lyricist or you're a fag; especially for saying acquired taste". Seems simple enough to me. To all you fags out there close ya ears Grafh is back with another project. DJ Rhude is doing his part in feeding the streets right now, especially the east coast heads. The timing is right with this one for both DJ and MC. Following up Autografh is no easy feat but I don't expect him too. I expect some good music tho and I expect it to be delivered in a way that will make me listen to it over and over again for a good couple of months.