When the Hip-Hop world thinks of Olubowale Victor Folarin, aka Wale, the first thing that may come to mind is DC. And then maybe Maryland and Virginia. And then Go-Go music. Yep, Wale has been waving the DMV flag hard ever since he broke though in 2006 with the local hit “Dig Dug (Shake It)”. Now after releasing buzz singles (“Back On The Go-Go” & “Nike Boots”) critically acclaimed mixtapes (The Mixtape About Nothing, 100 Miles & Running, & Back to the Feature), getting numerous magazine co-signs (Named one of the XXL’s “The 10 Freshmen”; cover of URB), and multiple push backs, Wale’s debut album, Attention Deficit, is finally here. But the question still remains: Is this album worth your attention?

1. Triumph
Produced by Dave Sitek
Backed my announcing horns, the first track off this album proves to be a fitting opening for Wale. He spits boastful rhymes as well as his realizations of a new kid on the block; “I ask Mr. West for a little bit of help/Realize us new niggas got to get it ourselves/…And the only thing I fear is Iovine’s shelf”. Good start.

2. Mama Told Me
Produced by Best Kept Secret
The beat on this track is what I honestly expected on this album; it’s still go-go flavored but updated (Plus it’s well produced). I’m feeling the hook and the beat but for some reason around the 2nd verse I starting to loose interest. Wale rhymes okay, just nothing to hold the attention here like it’s needed on this beat. Hey, it could be that I already heard this beat before. It was used for Birdman & Rick Ross’ “Shittin’ On Them” featuring Busta Rhymes. And honestly they did a better job on it too (Yeah, I said it). Wale’s version is still one to check for though.

3. Mirrors
Featuring Bun B; Produced by Mark Ronson
Wale grabs the surviving member of UGK to ride shotgun here. Wale shows versatility and adopts a stutter flow to explain his point; “M-m-m-mirror, tell me I’m the realest/Since all these other nigga g-g-got gimmicks and l-l-lyrics/It’s all gun busting and such a lack of the subject…” Over a mellow and guitar heavy beat, Bun B makes a good showing and Wale holds his own against with certified vet. The back and forth hook was a nice touch too.

4. Pretty Girls
Featuring Gucci Mane & Weensey; Produced by Best Kept Secret
Like I mentioned previously on “Mama Told Me”, I think Wale maybe at his best when he goes back to his Go-Go roots. From the Weensey chorus to the crown interaction towards the end (“Ugly girls be quiet. Pretty girls clap like this.”), this song is a surefire hit. Then again, I basically speaking on the first version released on internet without the Gucci Mane verse. I understand why he was added to bring buzz but did Gucci really add anything to the track? Besides that, “Pretty Girls” was a good pick for the album’s third single.

5. Award Tour
Featuring Jazmine Sullivan; Produced by Cool & Dre
This is the song that further sparked my interest in this album. If you on a plane going to another city/state/country; how is this not your theme music? The piano laced beat by Cool & Dre does the trick as Wale gives “definition of a jet setter” and Jazmine (Proving once again that she is a force on the rap hooks) kills it with the hook and adlibs. If you haven’t checked for this one, get from under that rock and do so right now. Side note: It seems like this song was slightly rearranged for the album.

6. Let It Loose
Featuring Pharrell; Produced by The Neptunes
When I saw this song on the tracklist, I was eager to see what The Neptunes and Wale could come up with. Then I listened to it and I remembered that The Neptunes hasn’t been the Neptunes in a while. Maybe it’s just me but it’s just what I expected. Maybe I need more time with but as of now I’ll pass.

7. 90210
Produced by Mark Ronson
I’ll give it to Wale, he definitely shows he can mix up the subject matter; here he tells a story of girls lost in the city of Beverly Hills (90210). I’m surely not the demographic he’s going for but that not to say it’s a bad thing as the lyrics are well done; “And she throws up, whatever she eats/She leave the bathroom, with a nose bleed…” The beat is somber and makes you think of a bedtime story, which fits the whole “all that glitters…” theme.

8. Shades
Featuring Chrisette Michele; Produced by Best Kept Secret & JuJu
Speaking of subject matter, Wale jumps on a taboo one and brings Chrisette Michele to go in about the subject of skin prejudice in the Black community; “I never fit in with them light skins/I felt the lighter they was, they better that they life is/So I resented them/And they resented me.” Introspective stuff. Adding to the mood is great production as well as Chrisette on the hook (“From a light skinned sister to a drark skinned brother”) this track shows that Wale isn’t afraid to be vulnerable.

9. Chillin’
Featuring Lady Gaga; Produced by Cool & Dre
For some reason, I never got into this song. I understand it’s purpose, a radio friendly crossover single, but it’s still not my cup of tea. Funny thing is if this song had came out much later (Seeing as how Lady GaGa is way more popular now) this track would have much bigger and received much more attention. You should have heard this one by now. Side note: It seems like this song was slightly rearranged for the album also.

10. TV In The Radio
Featuring K’naan; Produced by Dave Sitek
This is another one that I was eager to listen to seeing that the previous collaboration between K’naan and Wale was bananas (“Un Ricka” off Back To The Feature). I wasn’t initially feeling this track but a few more listens it grew on me a bit. It’s not mind blowing but it is unique. That may be due to the awkward beat provided by TV On The Radio’s David Sitek (*Thinks about the song title*) Oh…

11. Contemplate
Produced by Syience
When I first heard this track, like a lot of people I thought it was a Rihanna feature which would have been a great look for Wale. Well, turns out it’s a sample of Rihanna’s “Question Existing” which is not to say that takes anything away from the song. The sample fits the theme of “contemplating” your reasons and actions. In the first verse Wale deals with his girl who wants the fast life and in the second he questions his own quest for glamor; “One day everybody applauding/The next day you is everybody’s target/Why bother?”

12. Diary
Featuring Marsha Ambrosius; Produced by The Sleepwalkers
On this track Wale tries to get a woman to let go of her past troubles with bad relationship and possible open her heart to him; “Every problem that you have with another man I gotta face/Started off on thin ice/I’m still here but I can’t skate”. He switches up the cadence here also to go with the dreamy production. It’s definitely better than what we usually get with rappers theses days dealing with the opposite sex (Even though towards the end he does sound a little pimpish). It’s a good song but I can also see how the beat could get repetitive. Side note: Does Wale have one of the illest lineups of R&B hook women on this album? Yes.

13. Beautiful Bliss
Featuring Melanie Fiona & J.Cole; Produced by DJ Green Lantern & Mark Ronson
Motion picture shit. The beat courtesy of Green Lantern and Mark Ronson truly sets the stage for the feeling of being on top of the world. Wale verses serve the purpose but J. Cole steals the show; “My punchlines like gut checks/I’m raw dog, I’m rough sex/I’m on deck, I’m up next/I’m god bless, I’m success/So fuck stress/You can get the fuck from round me/And if you listening know you wondering where they fuck they found me.” Whoa.

14. Prescription
Produced by Best Kept Secret
The chemistry between Best Kept Secret and Wale proves true again and this song is a fitting exit to Attention Deficit. Wale gives the listener reasons why he is the “Prescription” to listeners sick of the current state of Hip-Hop (“I breathe life in the game/They are Kevorkian”). He also cleverly sprinkles medical terms to illustrate the point. The beat, like the two previous produced by Best Kept Secret, uses go-go elements that blends well with Wale’s style. Good ending

Bottom Line:
Wale delivers a solid album with Attention Deficit and seeing that it’s his official debut, it’s impressive. He shows ranges of subject matter as well as rhyme talent that other rappers don’t show on their 10th album. You may not love every single track but you can respect the distinct voice used. One of my few disappointments with the album as a whole is that I’m not sure if it surpasses his mixtapes like The Mixtape About Nothing or Back To The Feature. Besides the minor drawbacks, Attention Deficit should hold the interest of listeners looking for good Hip-Hop. DMV stand up! Wale’s gotcha. Update: Changed rating. The 4 Stars never felt right.

nappyPicks: “Triumph”, “Mirrors”, “Pretty Girls”, “World Tour”, “Shades”, “Beautiful Bliss”, “Presciption”

Download: Wale feat. John Mayer – “Letters” [Not On The Album]

Download: Wale feat. Travis Barker – “OGz” [Radio Rip/Bonus Track]

Download: Wale feat. Weensey – “Pretty Girls” [No Gucci Mane Verse]

If one was to look for the definition of classic hardcore New York Hip-Hop, look no further than Brooklyn’s own M.O.P. For over 15 years, Lil’ Fame and Billy Danze have kept it consistent creating adrenaline fueled fight music. Not to say their careers hasn’t been with setbacks. After doing separate unfulfilled stints with both Roc-A-Fella and G-Unit, the firing squad is finally releasing their first official studio album since 2000. Does Foundation still hold true to the group’s rugged roots? How about some hardcore?

1. I’m A Brownsvillian
Produced by Nottz
Backed by heavy guitar licks, this serves as a good opening for the album. The sound is definitely a M.O.P. track as the group reps for their hometown: “Yo I’m a Brownsvillian/Chillin’ and I don’t get a fuck about a killing/Cause I stealing the fact when you illin”. So far, it seems like nothing has change for Fame and Danze.

2. Blow The Horns
Produced by Fizzy Womack
The title for the second track is appropriate since the Fizzy Womack’s (aka Lil’ Fame) production for it is straightforward and of course, horn heavy. The subject matter covers the usual topics (“You ain’t like me/Nigga you a punk…”). All in all it’s an average song. Busta Rhymes was originally on the leaked version of “Blow Your Horns”, I don’t know the reason he didn’t end up on this one.

3. What I Wanna Be
Featuring Rell; Produced by DJ Premier
The Mash Out Posse and long time collaborator Premier link up for what may be the best track off Foundation. The song slows things down a bit and the sample used here perfectly fits. Ex Roc-A-Fella crooner Rell is on the hook and doesn’t sound out of place either (“I wanna be just what I see/Hustler and baller…”).

4. Foundation
Produced by M-Phazes
On the title track, Lil’ Fame and Billy Danze talk about the “blood, sweat, and tears” they put into the game and building their legacy (Well, I guess that’s roughly what they’re saying). For some reason, the beat reminds me of something that G-Unit would rap on. The production is well done, but I could see the song coming off boring. Check for the New Jack City sample at the beginning.

5. Stop Pushin’
Produced by Fizzy Womack
Lil’ Fame continues his love affair with putting a lot of horns in his production. At first the songs threw me off with the opening, but the track changes up becomes more serviceable. I also liked the sample used on the chorus. The hook itself sounds lazy but it’s your standard M.O.P.; “The next motherfucker that push me/I’m going right up side your motherfucking head!”.

6. Crazy
Featuring Termanology; Produced by Statik Selektah
Massachusetts is most definitely in the house when Termanology and Statik Selektah join the party. The beat Statik provides (Complete with signature scratches) fits M.O.P. style while still keeping his own. Termanology also did his thing but sounds a little out of places between Fame and Danze.

7. Street Life
Featuring Demarco; Produced by Fizzy Womack
This was the first song I heard from this album. With dancehall singer Demarco auto-tuning it on the hook, this is as far as commercial appeal as your gonna get from this duo (It’s better than that shit Dame Dash had them doing with Posh Spice). The beat is laid back and gives room for the theme of harsh street life.

8. Forever & Always
Produced by Statik Selektah
“This is for all the motherfuckers that forgot about M.O.P.”. These words spoken by Lil’ Fame basically describe what the song is about; the group gives a short history lesson of their past. On Statik second beat for the album, he gives vintage New York production.

9. Rude Bastard
Produced by Kil Beats
The one thing that first jumps out is the sample used. Which is funny because there has been a lot of controversy over who actually found the sample and produced this track (It’s basically been alleged that Lil’ Fame stole the beat). I personally think the track presented here is average; nothing too memorable. I listed Kil Beats as the producer because Fame released a statement saying he didn’t produce it. If you wan more of the confusion around this track, you can go here and here.

10. Brooklyn
Produced by Fizzy Womack
What’s a M.O.P. album without a dedication track to Brooklyn? I actually like the beat on this one, it’s the hook that I think falters a little. But then maybe if I was from BK I’d like it better. It’s not the best homeown dedication I’ve heard but it’s definitely not the worst. They put on for their city.

11. Bang Time
Featuring Styles P; Produced by DJ Green Lantern
Even though I don’t believe music necessarily causes violence, this will have you pulling down your fitted and thinking about shanking somebody. M.O.P. is in their element when they spit that “Ante Up” shit. Add Styles P to the equation and it’s even more dangerous. Nice job on the beat too Green Lantern,

12. Sharks In The Water
Produced by DR Period
You wanna know how you know a song is gangster? The beat uses gun cocking sounds. Other than that, the song is functional; not filler but not noteworthy either. M.O.P. spits more aggressive shit.

13. Riding Through
Featuring Redman; Produced by Fizzy Womack
This beat straight away reminds you of something that Redman or Erick Sermon would produce. I guess I was wrong because it credits Fizzy Womack (But then again…). Being that this Red’s kind of beat, I was kinda disappointed he didn’t murder it (He wasn’t bad). The story told after the song is worth a listen though.

14. Salute A G
Produced by DR Period
Over another horn heavy beat, M.O.P. ends the album explaining why you should respect them (“Salute a g when you see one/Put four fingers up to your forehead/ And tuck in your thumb”). This songs works as worthy ending and the production by DR sends them off like they entered.

Bottom Line:
It’s good to see that after over 15 years in the game M.O.P. still sounds aggressive. It’s not often you see a Hip-Hop group consistently keep true to their style of music. And this is also a drawback. Most of the tracks here are well done, but you get the same kind of tracks almost all the way through the album. For somebody not wanting this sound for a hour straight, this can become tiresome. But for a hardcore M.O.P. fan, this is great news. M.O.P. is still keeping it gutter and once again crafts an album full of fight music.

nappyPicks: “What I Wanna Be”, “Forver & Always”, “Rude Bastard”, “Bang Time”

Download: M.O.P. feat. Busta Rhymes – “Blow The Horns” (Original Version)

Download: M.O.P. feat. Rell – “What I Wanna Be”

We been waiting on this one. Joell Ortiz connects with DJ Green Lantern and goes in over some Hip-Hop classics. The mixtape art was released earlier but it still must be said how dope it is. Check out the new mixtape by 1/4 of Slaughterhouse. YYYAAAAAOOOOWWWAAAA!!

Download: Joell Ortiz – Joell Ortiz Covers The Classics

My favorite Hip-Hop duo of all time…is Outkast. My second favorite Hip-Hop duo is dead prez. When you really think about that statement, considering all the other great duos in the history of rap music, that’s a pretty big statement. I have various reasons putting stic.man & M-1 up so high, but the main one is the message they deliver. No popping champagne here homie. So you know I was happy when I heard that dead prez was hooking up with DJ Green Lantern for their third installment of Turn Off The Radio entitled Pulse Of The People (Dropping in June 23rd). Here’s a track off the album called “Stimulus Plan” (Produced by DJ Green Lantern). If you haven’t heard their sophomore album Revolutionary But Gangsta, you probably need to check that out too. It’s Classic Material.

Another reason I like dead prez? They spell their name with lower case letters just like nappyafro. It’s the little things…

Download: dead prez – “Stimulus Plan”

While King Jerm may think I don’t appreciate Jadakiss’ talent, I’ve always been a big Kiss fan (And I don’t mean Gene Simmons either). One album I have been anticipating is Jada’s upcoming album Kiss My Ass The Last Kiss. So you know I was happy to see this in my mixtape in the nappyafro inbox. Combining DJ Green Lantern with a good MC always produced good results. Something to hold the dogs over until March 1o^th. Tell us what you think…

Download: DJ Green Lantern & Jadakiss – Kiss My Ass (The Champ Is Back Pt. 2)

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?

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”