Lil’ Boosie is an interesting artist. Although he isn’t one of the most lyrically inclined, he’s well-known and mostly respected after almost 10 hard earned years in the game. If you ask, most people will identify Boosie by his high-pitched voice which sets him apart from sounding repetitive among other artists. I personally can say I like Lil’ Boosie. After all, the streets of Alabama fuck with him the long way. But even after dropping a Gold record, Bad Azz still hasn’t hit that commercial comfort-ability which all artists strive for. Apparently a Pimp C cosign isn’t enough to put you in the limelight. It’s been 3 years since he last dropped a solo record and the game has changed significantly, but Boosie Bad Azz is back for round 2 with Superbad and he’s looking for a Platinum plaque.

1. My Avenue
Featuring Lil’ Phat & Lil’ Trill; Produced by The Runners
The album jump starts on an captivating, but familiar track by The Runners. It reminds me too much of “Out Here Grindin’”, but it works. The sample used on the hook is attracting and kind of makes you want to repeat it. Lyrically, Boosie hasn’t missed a step with rhymes that… almost… sound… like… I’ve… heard… them… somewhere… hmmm. Nevertheless, he rides the track enough to keep me entertained; Lil’ Phat & Lil’ Trill, not so much. The beat over powers Lil’ Phat as he mumbles (Not that he’s saying much) and Lil’ Trill sounds like he tried to imitate Boosie’s flow and verse. Overall, the track & hook carries this into “good intro” territory. I’m just glad there wasn’t any talking.

2. Top Notch
Featuring Lil’ Phat & Mouse; Produced by Mouse
I have to give credit to Mouse. I like pretty much all he produces. It’s never boring and can actually be differentiated from his other works unlike some producers (See Track 1). The title says it all lyrically as there’s more shit talking continued on from “My Avenue” (Track 1). Money, cars, bitches, ice; it’s here. You’re not going to remember these verses, but the hook works and the track bounces! I could definitely vibe with this when I’m about to hit the club, at the club, leaving to club etc. Cool song.

3. Better Believe It
Featuring Webbie & Young Jeezy; Produced by Mouse
The first single off the track just happens to be an instant classic. Mouse delivers on the track once again with a beast. This is a hood anthem and will be for a while. All three deliver a hot verse coupled with a nice hook. Personally, Webbie stole the show from Boosie and Jeezy with the best verse I’ve heard from him since Savage Life 2. This is the best track off the album.

4. Lawd Have Mercy
Produced by Guss
This is the Boosie that the streets ride for. When he starts spitting from the heart about his hood and his problems, he wins. This is that occasion and we get three very satisfying verses. You have to think, “I feel this dude…” But unfortunately we have a problem. The hook is terrible! It annoys the shit out of me. The track is ok; nothing noteworthy. The verses here keep me coming back, but I can’t cosign the hook & beat.

5. I’m A Dog
Featuring Lil’ Phat; Produced by B Real
The whole “I’m A Dog” deal should have died by now, but we have another one. The track is forgettable with a “woof” every 4 seconds and the hook just reiterates the fact that Boosie is a dog. Skip.

6. No Mercy
Produced by B Real
Right off, I’m not feeling the track. I feel I’ve heard it before in some form or fashion. Boosie is alright on the verses, but he fails on the hook. This is good riding music, but…. Can I say filler???

7. Levi’s
Featuring Lil’ Phat & Webbie; Produced by B Real
As a dude that loves his Levi’s, I was excited to see a Levi anthem on the album. The track is cool; laid back and sounds like a “smoke to this” type. At this point, I can’t say that I like Lil’ Phat. I don’t remember him being this bad on Savage Life 2, but his verse sucks and almost ruins the song with the hook. Once again Webbie steals the show with his verse which is pretty good. Boosie puts up a really questionable line “Levis & tighty whities keep my dick real hard!” uhhhh… ok? Overall the song’s alright.

8. Bullshit
Produced by Big Wayne
“BULLSHIT!!!” I had to say it! The song isn’t bullshit at all, but the hook makes you want to say it. The track is really good. The keyboard/piano goes hard as hell and it plays out in all the right places in addition to riding out for about 50 seconds at the end. Boosie drops some nice verses and doesn’t waste the beat. It’s more of that real shit we want to hear, but it works here unlike “Lawd Have Mercy” (Track 4). I really like this one.

9. Who Can Love U
Featuring Bobby Valentino; Produced by Nard & B
Nard & B come correct here with the mandatory track for the ladies. Meanwhile, Bobby V kills the hook quoting both melody and lyrics from Keith Sweat’s “Nobody”. Hook? Check. Track? Check. Verses? At first I was anxious to see how Boosie could do, but he definitely does his job. Also, Bobby V kills his verse! This has got to be a single. There should be a spike in sales after this drops because this is hot!

10. Miss Kissin On You
Featuring Trina & KaDe; Produced by B-Real
To this day, I don’t understand the tactics of putting slow songs one after another. Luckily this song wins in all aspects. B-Real does a nice job of making a grind-worthy track for the lovers out there. And the song can only benefit from a Trina verse! KaDe has the smallest part on the song, a repeating loop of “You”, but it sounds really good. Go Boosie for having two satisfying slow songs in a row.

11. Pain
Produced by BJ
From the title I knew this was going to be good. The first line drops and you know this song is heartfelt from top to bottom. Boosie definitely stepped out of his comfort zone taking on this track; it’s nothing I expected to hear him on. The singing on the hook is so strong & just makes the song as a whole more soulful. From family problems, to the woes of the hood, to the evil thoughts behind this all, this is true gangsta shit. “I finally moved out my moms house, got a happy home, only thing fucked up…. Daddy gone.”

12. Loose As A Goose
Featuring Foxx & Mouse; Produced by B Real
Man, I love this song! This is what you call mood music at its finest! Every time I hear this song I want to hit the shot glasses and pull off to the club! Play this shit at the club/party??? It goes stupid!!! Track is electric and thumps, the verses are fitting and energetic, hook is catchy and fun. This song is a straight banger!

13. Clips And Choppers
Featuring Lil’ Phat; Produced by B Real
This is the guilty pleasure of the album. The hook is too trivial, but at the same time it’s infectious to death. I was singing it all day after hearing the song. The track has that piano I love so much accompanied by a little thump that would make any trunk happy. Boosie’s verses mesh with the beat really well making this a winner. Lil’ Phat still sucks.

14. Bank Roll
Produced by BJ
I can’t say that I like this song much. The track is menacing and has this alarm sounding effect on top of it which is good, but overall the hook and verses make this just a little bit too forgettable. I dig the track, but this is straight filler.

15. Crayola
Produced by BJ
I remember when this leaked on a mixtape a couple months ago. I didn’t like it then. I don’t really like it now. Boosie’s color metaphors/similes aren’t good at all. The hook sucks too. Skip.

16. Mind of A Maniac
Produced by Shonta
I remember when this leaked on a mixtape a couple months ago. I liked it then. I like it now. I’m glad Boosie decided to end the album with what he’s known best for. Violent shit, street shit, REAL SHIT! The track is somber and relentless and acts as the perfect backdrop for Boosie to drop these introspective lines about how the hood has turned him into a “Maniac”. The hook is hard as hell too. Superbad ends on an excellent note. “In these streets they murder mane/And Boosie he a target./So me, I got my 40 when I’m shittin on the toilet.”

Bottom Line
Boosie expressed his desire to get a plaque with HipHopDX a couple of weeks ago. If there was any project he would achieve that plaque for, it would be Superbad. Controversially speaking, this is Bossie’s best work. As an artist, Boosie may not have grown much, but I can certainly say he has become more marketable in today’s game. He serves for the commercial side of his fanbase as well as his hardcore fanbase; both should leave happy. From the ignorant shit, to the ladies, to the “Maniac” we’ve come to know over the years, it’s all here. It flows from one subject to another; you never feel like you’re stuck in the same topic song after song. New fans? Maybe. But it doesn’t matter because Boosie’s cult following is going to eat this up, including me.

nappyPicks: “Better Believe It”, “Who Can Love You”, “Pain” “Maniac”

Download: Lil’ Boosie – “Pain”

Before anybody jumps to conclusions, let me say, don’t ever write off an artist before you listen to them. I, personally, only have vices with artists I have listened to and don’t like. With that being said, I’m sure no one, NO ONE, here can actually say they like the New Boyz. I mean, “You’re A Jerk”? It was always fun to hear at a party or the club, but it wasn’t a very appealing song when you think about it as more than a dance song. But I didn’t write them off. I hadn’t heard anything but that song so how could I judge them as an artist? If someone was new to Kanye and the first single they had ever heard from him was “Love Lockdown”, what was to defend him as an artist? So, among the many interesting and “informative” videos on WSHH was a Green Lantern “On the Spot” freestyle from the New Boyz. Guess what. They had bars! (See for yourself) Now after hearing that, I wasn’t ready to trash bin the group consisting of Legacy and Ben J. And since no one else was going to review their debut, Skinny Jeans And A Mic, I figured I would let the people know what was there to offer. And without further rambling…

1. Cricketz
Featuring Tyga
No intro bullshit talkin’ about the “Jerk” movement. Right out the gate we get a quirky track reminiscent of the “Jerk” beat with a little more depth. Technically you could Jerk to this song, but I rather vibe with it. This song is a direct response to dudes like 40 Glocc, Ice-T, and even Jay who have a problem with skinny jeans and colorful clothes. Legacy goes in with lines like “Jeans stay skinny like I starved my fabric” and “Why don’t you do you and go hump a clone, get it?” Ben J isn’t notable and Tyga rides the beat just fine. This song is fun and I wish Soulja Boy was down with these guys because he’d seem right at home. Nice start.

2. You’re A Jerk
Now we have the trademark song that sparked the movement throughout the nation. The track is simple beyond belief and does an “A Milli” impression with the “Jerk, Jerk, Jerk” repetition. Lyrically, Ben J and Legacy spit some of the dumbest lines ever. The song is catchy, but you’ll trash it in a couple of weeks, probably days.

3. Dot Com
Man what the FUCK IS THIS??? I have no idea what these dudes are talking about. The beat is the only credit I can give it because for some reason I like these simple snap-along beats. But this is a SUPER SKIP!!!

4. Colorz
Once again another simple track, but this is a slowed down and accented by some screwed voice on the hook. As you could probably surmise, this is about the crazy “colorz” they wear. What attracts me to this song is the lyrics. In no form or fashion are they spectacular, but they’re entertaining. I get a kick out of a couple metaphors dropped by Legacy, but the best line came from Ben J “Everybody wanna rock the New Boyz style, even the Cool Kids wanna be the New Boyz now”. Cool Song.

5. Way 2 Many Chickz
Ok, these tracks are getting repetitive on the verse loop, only being distinguishable by the hook loop. Anyway, the verses are hilarious!!! This is on some “Lookin Boy” type shit, but much more funny if you ask me. There may not be much replay value here, but listen to it for the kicks.

6. Turnt
Another over simplified beat, but the ignorant lyrics just keeps me listening. If you’re not interested at this point, TURN IT OFF! I can see the trend here and the album is going to play through in the same simple and playful form.

7. Bunz
Featuring Kydd-SB
Look, at this point, I can write the same description for every song. I can see this played at a high school party or maybe even when the club is just getting started. Skip this.

8. Cashmere
Finally we have a song with a concept. Legacy and Ben J are going bar for bar for the attention of a girl. Like I said, the lyrics are pretty funny and entertaining and the “story”, if you can call it that, turns out … Well, just listen to this. The song is good except the hook (Is the girls name Cashmere?).

9. So Dope
And here is “You’re a Jerk 2.0″. Hook and beat are too similar for me, but the lyrics are better (“Killed that track like I cut a girl weave”). Not really, but it’s somewhat entertaining… It feels like I should have more to say, but these songs are so simple.

10. Tie Me Down
Featuring Ray J
The second single to the album is a winner for radio play and commercial appeal. I’m starting to like Ray J as the hook man because he’s been consistently killing it (Ex. “Sweat” & “Heard of Us”). The verses are pretty weak, but you don’t usually need good verses for a radio single *cough*coughrunthistown… Ok song.

11. New Girl
Featuring D&D
Another R&B sounding track??? Yep it is and the lullaby sounding track fits really well. I hate when rappers talk/sing over singers on the hook, but whatever. The two dudes at the end SUCK! But if this becomes a single, it won’t matter because I swear commercial listeners don’t pay attention to things like that.

12. No More
Featuring O.N.E.
Another track for the ladies…. Hmmm. Honestly the song sounds tolerable, but I don’t want to hear it. Skip if you’re listening through the album.

13. One Night
Yea… 0:20 seconds in and this is a skip. Another singy-song track.

Bottom Line:
Well… I listened to it!!! It was all for you people… And I was kind of hoping there was going to be some kind of redemption for “You’re A Jerk”. There isn’t any. The New Boyz debut with childish appeal, but hey, they’re what… 17? (Soulja Boy anybody?) Still, that is no excuse for a flimsy album. The shining moment here comes with “Cricketz” which I thought was pretty good and should have been a single. I still feel if there was some guidance given to these dudes they could find a comfortable niche and actually be good because they’re not lyrically dead. (Think Soulja Boy… anybody??? Anybody???) I’m not going to say this is terrible, but avoid at all costs if you’re older than 19.

nappyPicks: “Cricketz”, “Cashmere”

Download: New Boyz feat. Tyga – “Cricketz”

Bonus: 2Pac – “You’re A Jerk Freestyle”

I know what you’re thinking: “Didn’t this come out two months ago?” If you were thinking this, you’d be right. But, as you may have noticed, it’s kinda slow around nappyafro (It happens). Plus we wouldn’t want to get an ass kicking from V-G (Somebody who has been riding with The ‘Fro for a minute now). Check out this dope review of Roc Nation’s first signee’s second official mixtape (Huh?). - B-Easy

Sometimes you just know something has gone awry in the Hip-Hop universe. Judging from recent catastrophes (the formation of SlaughterHouse) to unexpected earthquakes of Richter-astounding magnitudes (Drake), we are never safe. Well about a month and a half ago, J. Cole dropped The Warm-Up. Thanks to B-Easy here at nappyafro.com, I got word of the supposed follow-up to the first official J.Cole mixtape, The Come-Up. The first thing that went through my head was “Who the f%$# is J. Cole?” Shortly thereafter, “Jay signed this dude?” No screen time, no radio play, no hype, no anticipation. So I ask myself, “Who the hell cares?” I had time to find out of course, so I downloaded the material. But before my thoughts, let me address the Drake comparisons. I find some validity on the case. Imagine if Drake had got an overdose of Nas/3000 instead of Wayne… We’d have two J. Coles walking around. Both show vulnerability in their raps and seem to have a different perspective on M.O.B. than the rest of the rap world. Most obvious though, is in the introspective angles they approach their lines with. But this is not about Drake. We have J. Cole and he has something to tell you…

1. Intro (The Warm Up)
Produced by J. Cole
Over a piano solo, J. Cole lays out the concept of the tape on the age old basis of “now or never”. He speaks on “not giving up”, “being this close”, and “I finally did it”. Nothing you haven’t heard on every other mixtape/album intro…

2. Welcome
Produced by J. Cole
One of the first things I notice is his flow. Cole obsessively double rhymes, which clutches the track and doesn’t let go. The subject matter is a scattered stream of conscious that pretty much touches on any forthcoming topic. “I let these words flow out like water from a spout.” I believe he agrees with me. Fun, simple, and introductory.

3. Can I Live
Produced by Syience
From the jump this song is good and it gets better. If you’re wondering about J. Cole, LISTEN TO THIS SONG. Homie goes all the way in. His self-assessment is utterly ridiculous. He explains himself: “This is ‘The Boondocks’/ I swear yo I’m like Huey mixed with Riley/ Thursday I be tryna save the world then on Friday/ I hit the club/ Hopin that my dick get rubbed by some fat asses” and how another person (he’s referencing someone from the “Ville”) can’t live: “Like the phone when she heard the news/ her sister on the other line talkin to her shoes/ her only son, what a thing to lose/ more blacks singin more blues”. The track is also amazing. The piano and trumpet accents the maturity found here. Jay-Z “Can I Live”? Naw homie, play that J. Cole.

4. Grown Simba
Produced by J. Cole
Cole returns to the unspecified subject matter/stream of conscious as seen on “Welcome”. Song’s good. Punchlines are there. Flow is just fine. Track delivers (I dig the sample). Hook is satisfying, but nothing extraordinary. The subject hopping takes away here, but it still is really good.

5. Just To Get By
Produced by J. Cole
Freestyle? Really? This is a no hook, non-stop, shootout. Once again, nothing extraordinary, but it’s really good. Best line: “No Soprano/Half black, half white/ I’m a piano/ I’m an animal/ My video on Discovery Channel”

6. Lights Please
Produced by J. Cole
This is what I’ve been waiting for. After “Can I Live”, J. Cole went a couple songs without a real subject matter, but here he discusses how his intellect is pushed aside for sex. Introspection is found here at its finest. What makes it so enjoyable is the relation factor. I’m sure we’ve all had dumb broads that were worth it for the game. He should have got someone else on the hook, but it is very excusable. This is what I call REAL S#!+. Plies? Who?

7. Dead Presidents II
Apparently this is his second go at this beat since some dude told him he didn’t go as hard as he should have the first time around. I haven’t heard the first, but this isn’t particularly special following what I’ve heard him spit. It seems as if Cole clocks in at his best when he has a subject to focus on. Once again, this isn’t bad in the slightest, yet nothing to speak on.

8. I Get Up
Produced by J. Cole
As I progress further, I have to note that the tracks (Which are all produced by J. Cole [except 7 and 21]) are incredibly mature. This is nothing Zaytoven would give Gucci; a good and bad thing. While I could listen to the music all day, there isn’t much appeal to it. It’s basically jazz with 808’s and snare! Of all tracks, this is by far the most lackluster. It may come across as boring, I suppose. Anyway Cole speaks on why he “gets up” and how the drive to succeed resides with him, but not in everyone from the hood. Cole is able to create hooks that are “singy-songy”, but enjoyable (Word to Chamillionaire!) Very truthful and realistic approach to the “motivational” track.

9. World Is Empty
Produced by J. Cole
J. Cole quickens the pace of his flow for this one as reflected by the bouncy track. I’m feeling the sample on the hook. “Niggas rappin about how real they are usually turn out to be the fakest ones.” I couldn’t have said it better. The first verse is warm up (no pun intended), but the second verse and third are very observant. “A wise nigga told me don’t chase that cash/ follow your heart, you’ll make that fast/ Does a stripper love to shake that ass or do she wish to erase that past?” Its damn good music if you’re questioning your thinking after the song.

10. Dreams
Featuring Brandon Hines; Produced by J. Cole
The third standout track comes here and THIS SHIT IS FIRE! J. Cole’s approach is simply amazing here. The concept here is there’s this girl that has completely taken over his thoughts and he premeditates his meeting of the girl, to the murdering of her boyfriend, to getting married to the girl. Was it just me or was anybody feeling a little 3K in there? The Brandon Hines assisted hook mails this in as single material (Imagine the video!). This is the type of music I listen for. This is timeless. Listen to it.

11. Royal Flush
Here we go again… Straight stream of conscious rapping. I can use the same description for one of the earlier songs. Lyrics are hot, flow is nice, track is from “Royal Flush”. It’s good.

12. Dollar And A Dream II
Produced by J. Cole
Ok…. This song is boring. The track is soft (piano, snares) to start, the lyrics aren’t really that gripping, and the end is stupid (what is he talking about???) This song is dispensable.

13. Water Break (Interlude)
Interlude? Best interlude EVER! This is a radio freestlye is suppose (Green Lantern “On the Spot” right?). I’ll put it like this. If I would have heard this on the radio before I heard the mixtape, I would have been on my way to Best Buy to find this dude’s album. “Thought I’d get a deal and head straight to the dealership/ but lookin at my deal I prolly can’t afford benefits!” DAMN!

14. Heartache
Produced by Elite
I wasn’t really feeling this song as a whole, but I like the track and the sample. I mean the lyrics aren’t bad, he has got some quotables here, but something was missing. This is filler.

15. Get Away
Produced by J. Cole
Not feeling the track or sample on this one. Hook is cool and lyrics are mild. More filler than anything.

16. Knock Knock
Produced by J. Cole
See track 15.

17. Ladies
Featuring Lee Fields & The Expressions; Produced by J. Cole
Whew… This is refreshing after THREE filler tracks in a row. We know what this one is about by the title and here Cole doesn’t digress. The tracks and the song go perfect together and the hook assistance makes this well worth the listen. The ending is enjoyable as well.

18. Til’ Infinity
This is an absolute “meh” song. J. Cole can do much better. SKIP!

19. The Badness
Produced by J. Cole
DAMN… “Believe in god like the sun up in the sky/science can tell us how/ it can’t tell us why/ I seen a baby cry/ seconds later she laughed/ the beauty of life/ The pain never lasts/ The rain always pass/ the sun don’t always shine/ When it’s gone I’m lonely/ but when it’s there I’m fine/ I hate the winter time cause the nights come quicker/ the light make the whites think I’m a nice young nigga/ But at night they think twice and walk a little faster/ Funny, a hundred years ago I woulda called this nigga master.” Limewire, Youtube, zShare, something! Find this song. Enough Said.

20. Hold It Down
Produced by J. Cole
First off, I love this track. It’s somber and allows that introspection and vulnerability to show. The hook is great. Like I said earlier, J. Cole can make a good hook for himself (Peep game Chamillionaire!) and he doesn’t disappoint here. This song makes me feel a little better about leaving my homies for college. Nice Song.

21. Last Call
J. Cole hops on Kanye’s “Last Call’ and was as comfortable as Kanye was on the track. It’s no “Can I Live”, but it’s good. There’s a three minute speech at the end… Skip that part.

22. Losing My Balance (Bonus)
Produced by J. Cole
I’m curious as to where this track and sample came from… It’s from a genre far from Hip-Hop I’m sure, but Cole makes it work. Once again, he delivers on the hook and the lyrics are meaningful. I really like this one.

Bottom Line:
I guess it’s safe to say; the Hip-Hop world has a new problem. J. Cole is akin to global warming. It’s not going to immediately kill us, but with the right contributing factors, it’s going to get hot as hell. My main gripe here was the filler songs that were increasingly noticeable in the latter part of the mixtape. Had J. Cole dropped about 5 tracks off here, this would have been a flawless play through. No matter the case, when Cole is on topic, he is FLAME. The bumps in the road for this artist are going to come with the fight for radio play (He’s not very commercial) and against himself to stay on some kind of topic (He gets boring when he’s aimless). But overall J. Cole has the potential to stand among the GOATS. He’s is an absolute beast at his best. Like B-Easy already wrote, this is a must have mixtape of 2009. Oh yea… why isn’t J. Cole on BP3? Jay might be scared of another “Renegade”.

V-G Picks: “Can I Live”, “Lights Please”, “Dreams”, & “The Badness”

Download: J. Cole – The Warm Up [Mixtape]

We originally posted this mixtape earlier this week but “Forum Champ” V-G went ahead and posted a track by track review in the forums…yeah our forums are awesome (Check out the original forum post here). Go V-G. It seems as if the whole game’s been holding its breath for the next big drop from Drake, who many have deemed the next big factor on the hip-hop scene. Well after much anticipation, Drizzy himself has dropped So Far Gone, the next move in his ascension to greatness. We have the regular appearances here (Weezy & Trey Songz) and some surprises (Bun B, Lloyd, & Omarion). The tension is thick here so let’s get to it.

Lust For Life
Drake starts this one off with a rap/ballad. He explains his drive for the game over a simple beat that sounds like it’s from 808’s & Heartbreak. Moderate singing and rapping skills here, nothing special. Smooth start.

Houstalantavegas
The vibe from the first song rides on over to this song and Drizzy is on that singing shit. He is NICE as fuck! Drake’s versatility is played on here as he sings the chorus and the first verse and raps the second verse. You wouldn’t know it was the same person. SICK SONG.

Successful
Featuring Trey Songz & Lil’ Wayne
Drizzy continues with the smooth vibe and simple beat, calling on his BFF’s Trey Songz & Lil’ Wayne. “The game needs change and I’m the muthafuckin cashier.” Everybody’s on their shit right here. Nice chill song cause I’m chillin.

Let’s Call It Off
Featuring Peter Bjorn & John
Wow… This song doesn’t really disagree musically wise with the previous songs, but it’s weird compared to them. It’s a pop song with a dosage of the 60’s/70’s somewhere in there. I coulda swore Kanye was gonna come on, autotune-a-tuning! I’m glad he didn’t. Alright song.

November 18th
Damn Drizzy! Wayne has a powerful influence as Drake’s homage to Texas is characterized by Weezy’s Sizzurp-dripping flow. The Chopped & Screwed hook mailed this one in. But for some reason Drake breaks out singing…. Pretty Good FILLER!

Ignorant Shit
Featuring Lil’ Wayne
This is the song that leaked a few days before the mixtape release. The up-tempo beat sets up the opportunity for these Young Money beasts to spit and it is FLAME they spit. Drizzy makes it known he is no “Joker”. 5:03 of STRAIGHT FIRE.

A Night Off
Featuring Lloyd
At this point the listener’s ought to know Drake is not just a rapper. Lloyd and Drake are flawless as they get your girlfriend wet for you cause you’ll never be THIS SEXY! INFECTIOUS MUSIC right here. One of my favorite tracks.

Say What’s Real
“I always said I’d say it all on one track” Drake couldn’t have been more accurate. He rips Kanye’s “Say You Will” beat a new asshole. Non-Believers, Meet Drizzy.

Little Bit
Featuring Lykke Li
Remember theat weird pop from #4? Well it’s back! This isn’t a bad song cause the verse is alright… But it’s kinda boring… Bordeline Skip.

Best I Ever Had
Drizzy moves right on along from Pop to R&B and doesn’t lose a step. The overhead smooth vibe continues with an attestment to the best he’s ever had. Plenty of potential radioplay here. HOT SONG

Unstoppable
Featuring Santogold & Lil’ Wayne
So put the chick from “Brooklyn Go Hard” on the hook, put them on a techno sounding beat that could come straight from her album, and watch Drake & Weezy stomp all over this song. SICK SONG

Uptown
Featuring Bun B & Lil’ Wayne
Check this line up! The beat drops and I can immediately hear why Bun B is on here. The track sounds like it coulda been on II Trill. Everybody does the damn thing right here. This is an OFFICIAL HOOD ANTHEM. My favorite song on here.

Sooner Than Later
Once again the transition impresses me as we go from raw spittin with the best, to singing like the best. Mark my words, when Drizzy hits the commercial scene its a Reynolds Wrap. NICE SONG

Bria’s Interlude
Featuring Omarion
This, strangely, isn’t an interlude, but it’s still filler. Omarion and Drake play around with the sound effects and end up with an unnecessary song. By the way, I can’t tell who is who and you never find out who Bria is…

The Calm
This puts me in the mind of “Say What’s Real”. It’s a simple beat with Drizzy speaking only the truth. Not as good as “Say What’s Real”, but it’s still DAMN GOOD.

Outro
Bottles Pop, the liquor is poured, and So Far Gone plays out with some piano chords.

Brand New
Really isn’t brand new. This is some old Drake that was poppin’ on MySpace for a while. Nothin special, but still pretty good.

Bottom Line:
I gotta say, before I heard this album, I was a Drake fan and I still am. I believe this mixtape is a driving force to new fans everywhere. Why? The album doesn’t really falter at all, just hits some creative niches that not everyone will enjoy. But when you hear “your” golden song from Drake, you’ll be hooked. From “Let’s Call It Off”, to “A Night Off”, right down to “Uptown”, this album has something for you. “Drizzy” Drake is a threat to anybody in the game and I’m not just talkin’ rap. Watch your back Jonas Brothers, Ne-Yo, or T.I. Drizzy might steal your fans.

V-G Picks: “Let’s Call It Off”, “A Night Off”, & “Uptown”

Download: Drake – So Far Gone