This week we only have one notable Hip-Hop entry on the charts: Slaughterhouse. Now is selling 18,000 copies of their self-titled album a good thing or a bad thing? It depends how you look at it. On the bad side, they didn’t crack the Top 25 or 20k in sales. They also had a lot of “internet” hype around them, not to mention a video that got rotation on MTV2, plus they are also currently touring on the Rock The Bells Festival. On the good side, this is a heavy lyrical Hip-Hop album that just missed placing in the Top 25 with almost no radio play (They definitely didn’t break the bank in terms of promotion). Plus, this is the first chance for most of Slaughterhouse members even being this high on the charts. Personally, I would have liked the album to do better because I felt these guys could take Hip-Hop towards better rhyming and more talent. Either way congratulations are in order Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5′9″, Joe Budden, & Crooked I. If you haven’t already, check out the review of Slaughterhouse’s album by yours truly. There are already reports that we may can expect a second album next year. That’s a good thing.

Speaking of Joe Budden; I can’t find any information on the sales figures on his latest album EP Escape Route. And with all the delays and no promotion, I expect that it didn’t even chart. Hopefully he’ll do better with The Great Escape later this year.

#3 Black Eyed Peas/The E.N.D. (Last Week: #4) – 45,300; Total: 917,400 (Gold) [10 Weeks]
#7 Maxwell/BLACKsummers’night (Last Week: #7) – 38,100; Total: 631,100 (Gold) [6 Weeks]
#16 Fabolous/Loso’s Way (Last Week: #9) – 23,700; Total: 159,600 [3 Weeks]
#20 Eminem/Relapse (Last Week: #19) – 20,600; Total: 1,361,700 (Platinum) [13 Weeks]
#26 Slaughterhouse/Slaughterhouse (Last Week: NA) – 18,200; Total: NA [Debut]
#33 K’Jon/I Get Around (Last Week: #12) – 13,400; Total: 47,000 [2 Weeks]
#41 Jeremih/Jeremih (Last Week: #34) – 12,000; Total: 163,700 [7 Weeks]
#45 Beyonce/I Am Sasha Fierce (Last Week: #37) – 11,400; Total: 2,359,600 (2x Platinum) [40 Weeks]

Once again it’s time for me to crank out another edition of iPod Hustle. And by looking at the numbers, it’s my 24th one. If I’d known last time, which would have been my 23rd edition, I would have made some sort of reference to Michael Jordan. 24 isn’t a bad number. Those are Black Mamba/Championship numbers. Anyway, in this Hustle: I look at a cut from the new How Fly mixtape by Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa, listen to the latest Slaughterhouse track off Joe Budden’s Escape Route, and dust off a classic (And unedited) song from DMX. Okay…

Download: Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa – “The Life”
Mixtape: Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa – How Fly [2009]
I’m not even gonna front as if I was bumping this when it was released earlier this week. Then I saw this video and was like; “What’s that shit?” It was “The Life”. By far my favorite track off the How Fly mixtape. Now, I don’t really like the whole album but that’s kinda how I feel about a majority of Curren$y’s releases. His mixtapes are stylized and well put together (And who doesn’t like hearing about jets all the time?). However it’s just something that can’t let me get through a whole mixtape/album. Maybe because I don’t smoke. I really haven’t listen to much stuff by Wiz Khalifa to comment. Infamous F put How Fly up in the forums up when it was originally released (You can get that here). He’s much cooler than me.

Download: Joe Budden feat. Royce Da 5′9″, Joell Ortiz, & Crooked I – “We Outta Here”
Album: Joe Budden – Escape Route [2009]/Producer: StreetRunner
I’m picking this song for a few reasons. First, as somebody who just reviewed Slaughterhouse’s album and gave it 4 Stars, I must say: This shit is not hot at all. The lyrics are there (As always) but that hook is garbage and filled with with Auto-Tune (They need to read Christina Aguilera’s t-shirt). Another reason I wanted to put this up because I don’t know if we’ll get around to reviewing the new Budden album EP, Escape Route. After a few listens, it’s reminds me of Padded Room (Really emotional and sometimes boring). If we do review it, it’ll be sometime next week….maybe.

Download: DMX – “Slippin’” (Explicit Version)
Album: DMX – Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood [1998]/Producer: DJ Shok
I’m sure you’ve all heard “Slippin’” (In ’98, we had a different DMX that you see these days). I’m also sure the version you heard had a lot of “woo’s” and “what’s” bleeping out the curse words (And this was the album version). Thanks to J. Tinsley from The Smoking Section for making me remember that I never got the explicit version. He’s also got other/true versions of Lil’ Kim’s “Big Momma Thang” (With 2Pac & Faith diss) and DMX’s “Get At Me Dog” (Also with a 2Pac and West Coast diss). I love shit like this.

Me being the lyrical connoisseur that I am, I’ve had an interest in the group Slaughterhouse ever since their formation late last year. Even the harshest of Hip-Hop critics would have to admit that the lineup of Royce Da 5’9”, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, & Joe Budden is a relay team of straight spitters. So now, after roughly 10 months of the group’s creation, Slaughterhouse is releasing its self-titled debut. For all it’s members involved, this arguably could be the biggest release of their careers. Will this album deliver and boost the profiles of Budden, Crooked, Royce, & Ortiz? Or could it be an album full of lyrical verses with no direction? Well, it’s “Slau-gust” 11th and the album has finally and “officially” been released. Let’s find out.

1. Sound Off
Produced by StreetRunner
The horns signify the beginning of the Slaughterhouse album and the team forms likes Voltron…literally. Royce Da 5’9” starts it off and makes this so: “We a outfit equivalent to Votron’s/That boy Crooked I equivalent to four arms/Joell Ortiz is the body/The cannibal slash killer/Kill you then eat your body/Joe Budden is the pair of legs/He runs shit along side I, the apparent head”. The beat starts off slow and speeds up with each member changing flows to coincide. At first I preferred them to ditch the rapid flow, but after a few listen it proves to be the right choice. Order: Royce/Joell/Crooked/Budden. They’re off to a good start.

2. Lyrical Murderers
Featuring K-Young; Produced by Focus
The song starts out with a sample of “Onslaught” (“I ain’t with the leaning and rocking…”). The beat is slow and the sinister sounding pianos fit the title and feel. Crooked I definitely keeps with the theme and basically kills it with the first few lines: “Lyrical murderer/Blame Rakim/I’m a sniper shoot my way into your lame top 10/Pistol to your head if I ain’t next to Eminem…” I probably could have done without the hook though. Other than that the song delivers on the promise of the title. Order: Crooked I/Royce/Joell/Joey.

3. Microphone
Produced by Alchemist
Alchemist lends his signature hard-edged sound here. It really doesn’t do anything special but does do exactly what it’s suppose to; gives room for Slaughterhouse to bury this track. Each member performs well. Royce delivers first: “When I bless a joint/It like Spock came up in the spot and grabbed the beat by the pressure point”. But Joe Budden may have the most inspired sounding verse: “Crime ain’t started yet/Still very bars a mess/Fuck record sales or who the machine markets best/I’m the last motherfucker that y’all should test/I’m the sharpshooter/You the nigga I target next”. Order: Royce/Crooked/Joell/Budden.

4. Not Tonight
Produced by StreetRunner
Hey, it’s a remix of “Now I Lay” off Padded Room. Naw, but even though the two beats have different producers, both sound very (very) similar. That’s not to say that there aren’t any quotable lines in the bunch. Besides lazy beat selection, the crew throws some out there: Crooked I – “Y’all say that your pockets are big/I rather say that I’m Pac mixed with B.I.G.” I will point out that the hook is suspect but this song is not anywhere near skip status. Average. Order: Royce/Crooked/Ortiz/Joey.

5. The One
Featuring The New Royales; Produced by DJ Khalil
I know they’re was some disapproved rumblings when this song was released. But hey, what do you expect? It’s the first single. The production (Especially the hook) is made to be more acceptable to the public but the rhymes don’t necessarily show this Particularly when there lines about girls with ball breath (I loved the Speakerboxxx/Love Below line by Budden though). Even though this is not one my favorite song on the album, I’m not mad at this. Order: Royce/Crooked/Budden & Ortiz go back and forth.

6. In The Mind Of Madness (Skit)
This skit shows what’s inside the head of Joe Budden. “Pause”

7. Cuckoo
Produced by DJ Khalil
This was one of the first songs to the leak of the album. And this shit had me hype! As the title suggest, each Slaughterhouse member gets crazy on this track. Since all are given two verses, they have room to drop lyrics like: “My triggers is stupid/You thugs is funny/My bullets be going It for the love of money/Dumb!” (Royce Da 5’9”) or “I dig eyes ass out/Watch me though/This is Bull shit/All the coke don’t fit I need a Scottie nose” (Joell Ortiz). Sick rhymes like this will even make Eminem proud. Khali kills on the beat and provides something that lets the group go insane. Order; Royce/Joell/Crooked/Budden (Does Joe Budden have always to go last?).

8. The Phone Call (Skit)
DJ Premier leaves a message for Slaughterhouse.

9. Onslaught 2
Featuring Fatman Scoop; Produced by Emile
The sequel to the first song Slaughterhouse released as a group lives up to the billing. I think one problem with some lyrical acts is the production not meeting up to the standards. This is not the problem here. The beat puts this one in banger category. Everyone drops heavy bars but one that stands out to me is Long Beach’s own Crooked I: “Listen/Don’t make a nigga find ya dame and make the dime give me brains till my mind is drained/Listen/Don’t make me grab a nine and aim and how your dime did me do your mind the same/But different” Shit! Oh wait, but there’s more: Budden – “They say he talk tough with his fake ass/Four pounds put me in another weight class”. Okay, I’ll stop cause by now you’ve figured out this is one to check out for right? Order: Royce/Crooked/Joell/Budden.

10. The Phone Call 2 (Skit)
I’m sad to admit that even after a many listens, I still don’t know who’s on the phone here. Update: It’s Bun B. My bad.

11. Salute
Featuring Pharoahe Monch; Produced by Mr. Porter
Slaughterhouse calls in Pharoahe Monch in to sing the hook Even though I would have preferred Monch to trade bars with the group, I understand that it’s jut so many verses to go around. The production slows things down as each member explains why they deserve respect. It well made but it can come off as boring. What’s up with the 50 Cent sample in the beginning? Order: Royce/Budden/Joell/Crooked (Does Royce have to always go first?).

12. Pray (It’s A Shame)
Produced by ReaLsoN
For some reason to me this sounds like something that would be on a DMX album. I do see that the group is trying to show they can make songs about different subjects. This song deals with life’s ill and them dealing with it. Props should be given because they do talk about serious situation, but the beat really brings this one down. It’s shouldn’t be skipped though. Order: Ortiz/Royce/Crooked (Budden just does the hook).

13. Cut You Loose
Produced by Mr. Porter
Here the Slaughterhouse rhymes about the current state of “H.E.R” (Hip-Hop). It’s fitting since this is a lyrically talented group in an industry that’s not necessarily looking for intricate lyrics. This is also the song that Budden calls out Method Man by name (Which was reportedly done before the beef was squashed): “You disgust me/I twelve step my addict itch/So Method Man you can have that bitch”. It’s a song that once again shows that they can rhyme about something other than verbally taking someone’s head off. They’ve done it better on previously released songs like “Move On (remix)” but this is okay too. I still don’t know how I feel about that beat though. Order: Royce/Crooked/Joell/Budden.

14. Rain Drops
Featuring Novel; Produced by Filthy Rockwel
I guess they chose to slow the pace on this half of the album. Actually, the song is quite sensitive and members really try to give the listeners even more insight in their past and present struggles: Joell Ortiz – “I’m still waiting on my dad to get back/He went to store in ’84 and I ain’t seen he after that/Nother single mom/Public assistance/The rent wasn’t consistence/So they had back and forth to court in the month of a blizzard.” Album cuts like this are necessary in giving your fan more than just the singles. Order: Royce/Crooked/Budden/Ortiz.

15. Killaz
Featuring Melanie Rutherford & C. Brown; Produced by Emile
At first I was scratching my head on why they would end the album with this song. But after more plays, the beat and hook grew on me. The ominous sounding track has Slaughterhouse back in verbal form once again bodying the track: Crooked I – “For instrumentals I dig a grave/Then drop so many bars around you/When you listen feel like you in a cage/Niggas styles is sour/You making lemonade?/Take a thousand hours to write/Our rhymes minute made/Me, Joey, and Joell leave you crippled/Motherfuck five cent/But we’ll kill you over Nickel/We some killers”. Yea, that about sums it up.

Bottom Line:
Even though I don’t think this album will be breaking sales record on it’s release date, it’s still a win in my book. I think Slaughterhouse is doing what it’s meant to: Make first-rate lyrical music and raise the stock of it’s members (I personally wasn’t a much of listener of Crooked I or Joell before the formation of the group. I am now.). The debut album will give the dedicated fans what they want and hopefully fellow rappers will take notice and step up their pen game. Not to say that the album doesn’t have it drawbacks. It does sorta drag towards the end and some of the hooks could use replacing (And on a side note, doesn’t the album cover look like a New Era ad?). On the flip side, props must be given to Slaughterhouse for not cheating their supporters. They released around nine songs before the album and none don’t appear here giving you more new music for you buck. Besides all that, all members hold their own and no one seems like a Yayo or Freeky Zeekey… which is really unheard of these days. Hip-Hop needs for groups and albums like this to do well.

nappyPicks: “Cuckoo”, “Microphone”, “Onslaught 2″, “Sound Off”, “Killaz”, & “The One”

Download: Slaughterhouse feat. Fatman Scoop – “Onslaught 2″

Download: Slaughterhouse feat. M.O.P. – “Woodstock” [Not On Album]

You know we don’t post up songs, but as I’ve said before, I’m all for this Slaughterhouse bullshit. “The One” is produced by DJ Khalil and has Budden, Crooked, Royce, & Joell going over a rock inspired track. The self-titled debut album will be in stores August 11th. Support real MC’s bitches!

Download: Slaughterhouse – “The One”

In a perfect world rappers like Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5′9″, Joe Budden, & Crooked I (Better known as Slaughterhouse) would get all the money, fame, and respect they deserve due to their talent. Well, it’s not a perfect world and we got rappers like Gucci Mane being applauded for constantly rapping about bricks (”Aye”). Anyway, with an album on the horizon and each member dropping a EP each week in July, you know I’m excited to hear more from Slaughterhouse. Here’s some recent freestyles from the group. Oh, and sorry about the lateness of this edition of Song of the Week. King Jerm was suppose to do it and all of a sudden he had a meeting with Soulja Boy…I wish I was joking. Enjoy.

Download: Slaughterhouse – “D.O.A. Freestyle”

Download: Slaughterhouse – “DJ Envy Freestyle”

Download: Slaughterhouse – “Shade45 Freestyle”

Wow. It’s been a while since I did an iPod Hustle. The last time I did one of these it was 2008 and it featured…Norah Jones? Okay, let’s make this one good then. For the newcomers (And there are some of you), iPod Hustle is where I look on my iPod and see what I’ve been listening to lately. Sometimes it’s new, sometimes it’s old; whatever. This edition we have sorta new songs (Released in the last month or less): Asher Roth links up with the “Broad Street Bully”, Fat Joe flips a Hendrix sample, and Crooked I jacks some beats. Let’s go…

Download: Asher Roth feat. Beanie Siegel & Rock City – “Perfectionist”

Asher’s debut album, Asleep In The Bread Aisle, is dropping April 20th and the tracks that I have heard so far, I mostly like (The jury is still out on that Cee-Lo joint though). I didn’t expect to see him on a song with Beanie Sigel, but I ain’t mad neither. The song is hot. Plus, Sigel uses lines from the freestyle he did at Max B’s house (Which was also hot). I think everybody is wondering what kinda reception Asher’s album gonna get (You know, with all the Eminem comparisons and what not). I know I’m checking this one out; the kid can flow.

Download: Fat Joe – “Hey Joe”

At this point, to me, Fat Joe is hit or miss. He still makes songs for the radio, but most of the time, I’m not feeling those song. The Elephant In The Room was okay, but I really liked “Preacher on a Sunday Morning”. On “Hey Joe”, this is the Fat Joe we need. Not that “Let’s do a song with whoever R&B’er is hot right now”. Producer Infamous flips a Jimi Hendrix’s sample and Joey goes in. This reminds me of “Victim”. Jealous Ones Still Envy 2 drops on May 19th.

Download: Crooked I – “Jackin’ For Beats 2009″

I’ll admit it, it took me a while to give Crooked I a closer listen. I respected his Hip-Hop Weekly series and mixtapes, but sadly if it wasn’t for Slaughterhouse, I never would have known how dope he really was. Plus, I’m a sucker for “Jackin’ For Beats” type songs: Biggie, 50 Cent, shit, I even thought Sticky Fingaz’s version was hot. Crooked hooks up with Portland’s own DJ West to make a banger here.

Even though I’m was uncertain about Joe Budden’s new album Padded Room (It’s dope but not THAT dope), I’m always up for a new Slaughterhouse track. When Royce Da 5′9″, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, & Budden get together, most of the time a track gets bodied. I think all their previous tracks speaks for themselves: “Move On (remix)”, “Onslaught”, or “Slaughterhouse” (One of our picks for 2008’s best collaborations). Supposedly this track was made last night. But what’s next? An album? Why didn’t they do a song for Budden’s album? Tell us what you think.

Download: Slaughterhouse – “Fight Club”

Our 2nd annual nappyafro Awards week comes to a close. But , before we end this, we still got some categories to go. We still need to find out who is this year’s top producer or what was the collaboration of 2008. We also included the awards we already gave out earlier this week. Bye 2008; you wasn’t so bad.

Man Of The Year: Lil’ Wayne

Album Of The Year: Nas – Untitled

Songs Of The Year

DMF Of The Year: DMX

Best Collabo: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us”

Yes, I’m tired of the word “swagger” too. But love ‘em or hate ‘em,  the song featured Hip-Hop’s premier rappers.

-Runner Up: Joe Budden feat. Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I, & Royce Da 5′9″ – “Slaughterhouse”
-Notables:
Big Boi feat. Andre 3000 7 Raekwon – “Royal Flush”
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West – “Put On”
DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil’ Boosie, Ace Hood, Trick Daddy, and Plies – “Out Here Grindin”
Statik Selektah feat. Saigon, Termanology, & Cassidy – “To The Top”

Best Group: The Roots

Not to say that The Roots didn’t earn this award (The did. Rising Down was pretty good.), but the field wasn’t really competitive. Well then again, what’s that group who made that song “Lookin’ Boy”?

-Notables:
Atmosphere
G-Unit

Best Music Video: Something From YouTube (and other video sharing sites)

While some videos were recommended, our video of the year was, uh…

-Notables:
Young Jeezy – “Crazy World”
T.I. feat. Rihanna – “Live Your Life”

Best New Artist: No real winner. Just some notables.
Wale
Mickey Factz
The Cool Kids
Flo Rida
Ace Hood

Best Album We Didn’t Review: Black Milk – Tronic

Why we didn’t review this album still is a mystery to us. From “Give The Drumma Some” to “The Matrix” the album was one of this years best. Maybe we’ll get around to it one day…

-Runner Up: Evidence – The Layover EP

Turn Yo Headphones up Award: Danny! – And I Love H.E.R.: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The often delayed And I Love H.E.R. proved to be worth the wait with many calling Danny!’s 4th album his best.

Best Mixtape: Mick Boogie & Terry Urban Presents Jay-Z & Coldplay – Viva La Hova

The Hip-Hop mixtape game may be a little over-saturated, but it took Mick Boogie doing the a Jay-Z mash-up with Chris Martin’s group to take the award.

-Runner Up: DJ Drama & Fabolous – There Is No Competition (Gangsta Grillz: Special Edition)
-Notables:
Wale – The Mixtape About Nothing
Nas & Dj Green Lantern – The Nigger Tape
DJ Drama & Gucci Mane – Gangsta Grillz: The Movie
Little Brother – Seperate But Equal (Drama Free Edition)
Runner Up: DJ Drama & Ludacris – Gangsta Grillz: The Preview

Producer of the Year: DJ Toomp

This was so close; Don Cannon REALLY did his thing this year. But DJ Toomp edged him out with stellar production credits on albums from Young Jeezy, The Game, Ludacris, Nas, & Rick Ross.

-Runner Up: Don Cannon
-Notables:
Jake One
Drumma Boy
J.U.S.T.I.C.E League

Beat Of The Year: Lil’ Wayne – “A Milli”

Was there any doubt? Can you NAME all the people who actually rapped over “A Milli” in 2008?

-Runner Up: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, & Lil’ Wayne – “Swagger Like Us”
-Notables:
Nas – “N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)”
Wale – “Studio 43″
Rick Ross feat. Jay-Z – “Maybach Music”

Video Vixen: Bria Myles

Are there still video vixens? Or is this just an excuse for King Jerm to put up a pic of Bria?

Yeah, it’s me again. I think it’s time for me to take a long retirement from Song of the Week; it’s really not what I initially thought it was (It seems I’m picking a lot of new stuff lately). Don’t worry, it’s a great chance that the pick next week will be something dusty and good (Unless Jay-Z drops something with Andre 3000 on the hook). Also, it’s like five other staff members, so there’s that too. Now, let’s see what I got (All links courtesy of Tha Carter Cartel and my lazy link jacking):

Download: Joe Budden feat. Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I, & Royce Da 5′9″ – “Slaughterhouse”

What? I see you punks talking about us on the message boards. For some reason, people seems to think we’re all mainstream on this site. That couldn’t be farther from the truth (I personally have been bumping Royce’s The Bar Exam 2 & The Foreign Exchange’s Leave It All Behind). Well, when this song came out the other day, I’m sure the internet Hip-Hop fan boys were all busting in their pants.  One of the many lines that stands out in the song is from Royce Da 5′9″: “I gotta open window flow/I air shit out/In the D they used to call Mayor Royce/Now they call me Clay Davis/Guess why?/Shhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttt!/Cause when it come to them words you know I wear shit out.” Fans of The Wire rejoice. Since Joe Budden’s Padded Room was pushed back to Feb. 2009, I guess having Halfway House won’t be bad at all.

Download: Akon feat. Lil’ Wayne & Young Jeezy – “I’m So Paid (remix)”

No disrespect to Akon, but for some reason I’m not excited about his new album Freedom (Could T-Pain have jumped him in terms of popularity already?). Well, he pulls out the big guns for this one and supposedly a music video is close behind. The actual song is not bad at all; just a little predictable: Jeezy mentions Michael Phelps, Weezy uses the vocoder, and Akon talks about money. I guess we’ll see how Freedom fairs when it drops on Nov. 25th.

Download: Little Brother – “Passion Flower”

Last week we featured a Little Brother song from Jake One’s White Van Music; this week we give you another LB joint. Here’s a 9th Wonder produced track that will be featured the re-released and DJ Drama free version of Separate But Equal (Scheduled to drop on Nov. 4th). It feels like at this point, this shit is too easy for Phonte; all that dude needs is a bigger arena.

He’s probably the most decorated unheard of rapper in the history of Hip-Hop. He also is very angry. Immortal Technique IS the mad rapper. He’s not mad from hate, but mad about the state of all things political. Tech makes his moves on the underground scene with songs and topics that are usually too socially risky for radio. With the title of The 3rd World, I wonder if this is more of the same.

Death March
Featuring & Produced by DJ Green Lantern
Lantern hosts this mixtape/street album and does some scratching on this track that sets the tone. An ominous sounding, march worthy beat is dressed with heated lyrics about the treatment of those from “3rd World Countries” as well as naming names. It’s a pretty dope song that keeps ya head in motion.

That’s What It Is
Produced by Spectacular
A seamless transition into Lantern offering up some comedy. HOLLA! Don’t you get tired of hearing niggas say that shit all the time? Why don’t you shut the fuck up and rhyme nigga! Well, he’s right. Anyway, this song is Hip-Hop. We have some well done scratching, dope vocal contributions, and a relentless beat. Add to that, lyrics that mention King Tut, Oliver North, and Icarus in the same flow. That’s some lyrical dexterity for ya’ ass.

Golpe De Estado
Featuring Temperamento & Veneneo; Produced by Southpaw
I had to look up as much translation as I could for this song, which is not in English. You can tell by the track that features an incessant beat and a family of horns and trumpets that mimic triumph from the outset to the sunset, that this track is not for play. Translated, it’s hard to tell if it’s wizardry of lyrical manipulation that likens a musical revolution to a real life coup and revolution by the people OR if he is really trying to insight a revolution. Whatever he is trying to inspire, he does speak the truth. When they control business and culture/Music becomes commercial garbage.

Harlem Renaissance
Produced by DJ Green Lantern
As a man that grew up in Harlem, Tech takes time out this track to do a little teaching about one of the greatest time periods for brown people ever. Correction, it is an important time in the history of the country, but especially for brown folk. The track is more musical, along the lines of an R&B type feel, but still really simple. Its okay, I think more could have been done on such an important track, but it’s not bad. The talk of gentrification and our historical importance is wrapped up with a sound byte at the end that says “…people of Harlem, they are the natural allies of the oppressed people of the world…We spend money with the wrong people, we are looking for love with people that don’t love us….”

Lick Shots
Featuring Chino XL & Crooked I; Produced by Southpaw
Southpaw comes back with a nice track. This beat keeps it simple and respects the street, revolutionary lyrics of this track complete with some gunfire in the background. I didn’t even really notice the gunfire in the background until I listened really closely, well done Southpaw. The chorus is rough and grimy, “Lick Shots Lick Shots Lick Shots for the revolution!” but not necessarily good. Chino and Crooked I max out their appearance and really outshine Tech on this one.

Apocrypha (Interlude)
Produced by Sick Jacken of Sick Symphonies

3rd World
Produced by Green Lantern
Damn. Tech paints an eerie picture of his birthplace and those 3rd World Countries that we claim to have an idea about, but clearly we have no idea. A lot his anger is explained here and at the same time, he does some teaching as well. This is a helluva single.

Hollywood Driveby
Featuring Psycho Realm & Street Platoon; Produced by Shuko
Over a track that reminds me of “Smile” by Scarface, we hear Immortal lashing out at the rap game and the many fakers in the biz. He talks about industry slaves, lyrics with no substance…and revolution. I dig the song, the ill ass intro verse and scratch work done on Psycho Realms verse and Street Platoon is not to be outdone either. Yet another well done cameo appearance.

Reverse Pimpology
Featuring Mojo
I’d rather be rich and unhappy than broke and pitiful…nice intro verse to the song. Immortal acknowledges that he spits much conspiracy theory but sticks to his claims of validity in the next lines. The track is well done and is more of an R&B sound. There is an unexpected deep bass drop in the track that somehow manages to make the shit even better. Another well produced track from top to bottom, no complaints here.

Open Your Eyes
Produced by Mes One
Enter the spoken word. There is a track playing in the background along with a spooky sounding vocal, but this is just Immortal Technique talking over a beat. Interesting to say the least…and Immortal, I think you may have finally made the black list with this one fam. If Mandela is on our terrorist list, I GOTTA think you are on that shit fam.

The Payback
Featuring Diabolic & Ras Kass; Produced by Bronze Nazereth
FEMA, we haven’t forgotten. From the offset, you know wassup…as if the title was somehow misleading. This song is not so much about revolution as it is about retribution and reaping what you sow. Oh, and for those that don’t know WHY folks say WE made Bin Laden, turn this joint up.

Adios, Uncle Tom (Skit)
LISTEN TO THIS SHIT

Stronghold Grip
Featuring Poison Pen & Swave Sevah
Personally, I don’t like much about this song. I get it, but I just don’t like the execution. The track sounds horror movie inspired and seems to get annoying by the end of its 4:04 mark. Poison Pen and Swave Sevah do okay, but nothing to write home about.

Mistakes
One of my favorite tracks on the album. The track and hook would coax you into feeling happy and lighthearted about subjects that are anything but. Tech is up to his usual tricks here. He takes only a breath to go from once scenario to the next as we see a “lighter” side of Tech.

Out On Parole
Lantern mixes another winner. The beat is plodding and dominant and dares you to sit still. A lot of the songs here seem to be yin and yang in terms of subject and music, but this one seems to be better matched. It’s hard to find anything bad to say about this track.

Crimes Of The Heart
Featuring Maya Azucena
This track really exemplifies the difference in this album and Immortals previous work. The production is much better and explorative with Tech’s sound. Maya pours it on with her vocals and ads the perfect amount of soul to this winner. Immortal does some more of his dope storytelling on this one about people and situations….to make it short and sweet. I think that the track will win him a few new listeners.

Rebel Arms (Hidden Track)
Featuring Da Circle & J. Arch
This song is dope as hell. More shots fired over a more traditional sounding beat. Lyrically, amazing. I won’t ruin this one though. You NEED this song.

Bottom Line:
Once you get passed the fact that Immortal, who seems to have taken aim at the commercialism of Hip-Hop (and others), used DJ Green Lantern for this album, you realize that the production value is the biggest winner in all this. With a consistent message of revolution, respect, skill, government abuse, etc., one would imagine that you would get tired, but the tracks keep it fresh. Immortal has, somehow, stepped his game up even more than previous albums and with well placed cameos, this album is solid and should be in the running for album of the year, here at least. It’s really refreshing to hear this album over the beating that Hip-Hop has taken in the past few years. This album may be 3rd World by affiliation, but its 1st Class in my book.

nappyPicks: “That’s What It Is”, “Harlem Renaissance”, “Reverse Pimpology”, “Payback”, “Mistakes”, “Out on Parole”, & “Rebel Arms”

Download: Immortal Technique feat. Mojo – “Reverse Pimpology”