Damn, I can’t believe it’s been four months since my last Boomin’ System entry back in July with Blaq Poet’s Tha Blaqprint album. I guess now is a better time than ever then to drop something new with the recent slowness on the music scene (which is due to pick up with new albums from the likes of 50 Cent, Rakim, Wale, etc.). In between my prevalent rotation of The Salvation (Skyzoo), The Blueprint 3 (Jay-Z), and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II (Raekwon) since September, I found a chance to listen to new music that has been circulating. In light of the albums and mixtapes that I found on the surface including No Ceilings (Lil’ Wayne), Street Hop (Royce Da 5’9”), and K.O.D. (Tech N9ne)… No, Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em’s trilogy mixtapes didn’t occupy space on my hard drive… I came across Sean Price’s latest mixtape entitled Kimbo Price: The Prelude To Mic Tyson. This was a mixtape whose release I was actually anticipating and was looking forward to listening to after hearing some of the tracks (“Duck Down”, “Boost”, “MegaSean”) that leaked before its official release.

I can admit that I took a late pass on Sean Price in not really starting to listen to him until 2005 with his debut album Monkey Barz and not realizing that he was half of the rap group Heltah Skeltah. With that said, Sean Price is definitely not a newcomer in terms of the rap scene having been around since 1996 with Heltah Skeltah’s debut album Nocturnal, being apart of the Hip-Hop collective Boot Camp Clik, and having released two solo albums since then. His latest offering, Kimbo Price, in mixtape form serves as a prelude and lead up to his 3rd solo album Mic Tyson due next year letting listeners and fans alike know that he’s still been grinding since Heltah Skeltah’s D.I.R.T. album released last year. Sean Price happens to be one of the most creative and comical rappers in the game today as evident by his witty monikers (Deceptacon Sean, MegaSean, Kimbo Price, Donkey Sean, Jr.) and album titles (Mic Tyson, Jesus Price Superstar). This wittiness and comedy is also heard with his lyrics as Price throws comical punchlines in the midst of his confidently strong flow (“You do Coach bags, I do kush bags/You a douche bag, I’m the truth fag”…“Shared greedy, y’all niggas get scared easy/Queer like multiple pairs of Air Yeezy’s”) as heard on tracks like “Duck Down”, which sees Sean teaming up with Duck Down labelmates Skyzoo and Torae over a beat in similar likeness to Raekwon’s “Have Mercy”. Each emcee displays exactly why they’re a force to be reckoned with and the lyrical prowess of the Duck Down label.

The creative of Sean P. as mentioned earlier is seen on songs like “Pork Chops & Apple Sauce” in which he jacks not only Shawty Lo’s “Dey Know” beat but his flow in making a mockery of the artist and his song (while making it better and listenable at the same time) and “Boost” where in theme with Boost Mobile phones Price delivers a stellar verse in chirp mode over the phone. Other spots on the mixtape sees Sean Price in customary mixtape fashion putting his own spin over other artists’ beats as heard on “Abortion”, “Car Thiefs”, “Get Ya Sket Mic”, “This Is Us”, “P’s Up”, and “Bullshit (Radient Jewls Remix)”. There are some original songs to be heard on the mixtape as well like the aforementioned “Duck Down”, “Goodnite!!!”, and “Weed & Hoes”, which has to be one of the most clever sampling and turns of a Gospel song into a Hip-Hop song. Sean Price proceeds to make it one of the highlights of the mixtape with an effortless flow along with a nice guest verse by St Maffew. After 23 tracks of good material with various Kimbo Slice and Mike Tyson clips thrown in between songs, Kimbo Price does exactly what it’s supposed to do as a mixtape. Just as the title reads with it being a prelude to his next album, Sean Price delivers suitable music that will surely hold his listeners over until next year when Mic Tyson is released. A lot of people might not be too familiar with Sean Price as an artist and something like this is definitely a proper introduction to him and his lyrical abilities on the microphone. I look forward to hearing what Sean P. comes with next year on his Mic Tyson album and until then Kimbo Price will find a home next to the other three albums currently in my rotation.

Playlist: “Duck Down”, “Weed & Hoes”, “Boost”, “Car Thiefs”, “This Is Us”, “P’s Up”, “Bullshit (Radient Jewls Remix)”, “Goodnite!!!”, “Abortion”

This week we have eight Hip-Hop/R&B debuts on the charts this week…and six placed below #65. I’m still playing catch up from my little break from the internet I took a few days ago so I’m not gonna get too deep this week (How many weeks have I been saying that?). I’ll be better next time.

#3 Mariah Carey/Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (Last Week: NA) – 168,900; Total: NA [Debut]
#6 Jay-Z/The Blueprint 3 (Last Week: #2) – 88,600; Total: 996,700 (Gold) [4 Weeks]
#13 Whitney Houston/I Look To You (Last Week: #4) –51,500; Total: 671,800 (Gold) [5 weeks]
#20 Drake/So Far Gone (Last Week: #9) – 31,500; Total: 141,200 [3 Weeks]
#22 Black Eyed Peas/The E.N.D. (Last Week: #16) – 29,000; Total: 1,169,500 (Platinum) [17 Weeks]
#28 Ghostface Killah/Ghostdini: The Wizard Of Poetry In Emerald City (Last Week: NA) – 19,200; Total: NA [Debut]
#31 Kid Cudi/Man On The Moon: The End Of Day (Last Week: #17) – 18,300; Total: 150,900 [3 Weeks]
#32 Trey Songz/Ready (Last Week: #21) – 17,500; Total: 241,500 [5 Weeks]
#50 Eminem/Relapse (Last Week: #45) – 12,100; Total: 1,461,500 (Platinum) [20 Weeks]
#65 Marques Houston/Mr. Houston (Last Week: NA) – 9,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#74 Playaz Circle/Flight 360: The Takeoff (Last Week: NA) – 8,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#81 Various Artists/Music Inspired By More Than A Game [OST] (Last Week: NA) – 7,000; Total: NA [Debut]
#126 Skyzoo/The Salvation (Last Week: NA) – 4,600; Total: NA [Debut]
#141 Mack 10/Soft White (Last Week: NA) – 3,900; Total: NA [Debut]
#158 Lil’ Rob/Love & Hate (Last Week: NA) – 3,300; Total: NA [Debut]

Given the current state of Hip-Hop music in 2009, a resurgence of “real” Hip-Hop music and return to the lyricism as heard on classic albums of the 90’s has been seen with recent releases like Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… PT II, KRS-One & Buckshot’s Survival Skills, and Marco Polo & Torae’s Double Barrel. Since his debut in 2006 with the 9th Wonder assisted Cloud 9: The 3 Day High and follow-up mixtapes including Corner Store Classic and The Power Of Words, Skyzoo has undoubtedly noticed the declining state of Hip-Hop music and has been on a mission to bring things back to the way they once were. This is evident with an album titled The Salvation, as the term “salvation” by definition is the saving of humanity from death or eternal damnation. With this album Skyzoo is set on saving listeners and the genre of Hip-Hop from death via untalented artists with limited skills and abilities on the microphone (I won’t go into names here… everybody has their own list). With producers along the lines of 9th Wonder, Just Blaze, Black Milk, Illmind, Nottz, and Needlz, and the credible history of Skyzoo as an intellectual, lyrical emcee, this album looks good on paper to be a success, but in the end does that translate to a quality product.

1. The Opener
Produced by Cyrus The Great
In relation to the album title, the opening track starts off with a gospel interlude followed by some piano playing the leads into some piano driven production by Cyrus The Great. The production plays its role as Skyzoo immediately lets listeners know what they’re getting with this album in the form of lyricism and a return to real Hip-Hop music. This track is a good introduction to the rest of the album that follows.

2. Return Of The Real
Produced by Just Blaze
Speaking of a real to Hip-Hop music, that’s exactly what this track is about as stated by the song title. Skyzoo enlists music producer extraordinaire Just Blaze for this track as he delivers with one of the most energetic beats on the album. After a trademark Just Blaze introduction, Skyzoo gets right into it over the head-nodding beat in speaking about how he’s one of the last few lyricists remaining in the game and is destined to bring the realness back to the genre. This is a track that definitely knocks on the system, as Skyzoo does a good job on his intentions with his convincing lyrics and flow.

3. The Beautiful Decay
Produced by 9th Wonder
This track stood as the first official single for the album with an accompanying video released a few months back that provided excellent visuals to compliment Skyzoo’s lyrics describing the inner city life in a positive manner by name it “The Beautiful Decay”. 9th Wonder supplies Skyzoo with one of his signature soulful beats that fit his lyrics and flow like a glove and sound like something you might have heard from their sessions back on the Cloud 9: The 3 Day High project. This is an excellent track that shows Skyzoo in his zone in speaking about city life and its surroundings.

4. My Interpretation
Produced by Best Kept Secret
On this track Best Kept Secret provides some airy flowing production as Skyzoo gives his interpretation of “getting lifted” with his head in the clouds on his journey to the top. The soulful production once again fits nicely with Skyzoo’s rhyming, as he doesn’t sound one bit out of place with his vivid descriptions and portrayal.

5. Popularity
Produced by Nottz
Getting back to the energetic sound that was heard a few tracks ago on “Return Of The Real”, Skyzoo recruits Nottz behind the boards of this track as he supplies some bouncy production while Skyzoo proceeds to let listeners know why he’s one of the most popular emcees on the rise in the game and doesn’t show any signs of being stopped. Being the type of rapper that Sykzoo is, this is the closest you’re going to get to hearing a potential commercial song receiving radio play, and honestly a song of this kind is one I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing compared to the likes of “You’re A Jerk” or “Money To Blow”.

6. Like A Marathon
Produced by 9th Wonder
9th Wonder returns to the scene with some more soulful production for Skyzoo to deliver some words of inspiration to those on the road to pursuing their dreams. “Like A Marathon” is clever wording which ultimately translates to never giving up and quitting as life and the roads to our goals can feel similar to running a marathon. It’s quite clear to see how Skyzoo and 9th were able to put together a quality project in three days as their chemistry is unlike many other emcee/producer pairings. This track is another gem to be found on the album that listeners are sure to enjoy and relate to with their own lives.

7. The Shooter’s Soundtrack
Produced by Cyrus The Great
After six tracks this is the first track on the album that I’m not really feeling and probably won’t get many repeat listens from me. Cyrus The Great provides some nice production on the track but it sounds dull and gets repetitive after a while of listening. From Skyzoo’s lyrics (which aren’t his best delivered and sound a bit boring like the production) this track is meant to be the soundtrack for those in the streets living the crime life. Ultimately compared to the previous tracks heard, this track sounds more like it was meant and would fit better on a mixtape than an album. The skit/interlude of Skyzoo and his girl’s phone conversation does well in setting up the scene for the next track but sort of goes on too long.

8. Under Pressure
Produced by 9th Wonder
9th Wonder comes through again, this time utilizing the same sample (“Walk On By” – The Undisputed Truth) used by J Dilla on his Donuts album cut “Walkinonit” to a good degree for the production on this track. Skyzoo takes note from the sample’s song title in dropping lyrics about being under pressure in a relationship while doing what’s necessary and providing for both, but realizing that it can no longer work in the end. This is another good song of relatable virtues and values that are realistic in the lives of many going through relationships and difficult times.

9. Penmanship
Produced by Black Milk
In a recent Q&A session (“Ask Skyzoo”) with Skyzoo on 2dopeboyz, he replied to a question that there were two producers that he had to have on his debut album being Just Blaze and J Dilla. As heard on the previous track “Return Of The Real”, he was able to accomplish ½ of his goal with a Just Blaze produced track, but unfortunately due to the untimely passing of J Dilla he wouldn’t be able to have a track produced by the late great Detroit legend. Insert music producer Black Milk who in his own right is one of the best up-coming producers in the game and becoming a Detroit legend in his own right. Having some similar qualities of J Dilla to his name in terms of production and sound, Black Milk provides Skyzoo with the closest rendition to having a Dilla produced joint on his debut album. Black’s production consists of a pulsing organ riff backed by off-beat drum programming that might throw some listeners at first, but is head nodding none the less. On the track Skyzoo gets down in delivering lyrics pertaining to his lyricism and tight pen game. This song reassures listeners that Skyzoo is no here today gone tomorrow type emcee, and his lyrics are some of the nicest out of the rest of the next generation rappers.

10. Dear Whoever
Produced by Illmind
From the previous up-tempo track, Skyzoo decides to slow things down a bit with “Dear Whoever” in which he rhymes lyrics in the form of a letter addressed to past girlfriends (no one in specific) that he went through the same circumstances with. Speaking about being in a relationship where he lowered his guard and put all of his feelings out in the open for his significant other, only to realize that them being apart was better for them than being together. Illmind’s soulful production on this track fit comfortably well in complementing Skyzoo’s lyrics and the track’s subject matter. This song seeming so personal from Skyzoo’s lyrics is a gem to be found on the album.

11. For What It’s Worth
Produced by Eric G.
After a brief interlude of wise words from the late great Tupac Shakur, we’re hit with one of the most heartfelt tracks on the album. Eric G. beautifully samples Dee Dee Bridgewater’s “My Lonely Room” as the perfect backdrop for Skyzoo to deliver lyrics about living life for what it’s worth in the time given while battling between making a living on the block within the drug game or facing the struggles of the legal life to reach dreams. When Skyzoo is in his element of tracks describing life’s trials and tribulations he is one of the realest emcees behind the microphone. In the case of where that’s seen with “For What It’s Worth”, it stands as one of the best tracks on the album.

12. The Necessary Evils
Produced by Needlz
Those who have been following Skyzoo’s career since his start in 2006 through the various mixtapes he has released will recognize this track from his 2007 mixtape Corner Store Classic. Needlz produces a dark, sinister sounding beat for Skyzoo to deliver lyrics about the necessary evils of the street life that seen as everyday living for those involved. Much like the previously heard “The Shooter’s Soundtrack”, this track doesn’t standout in comparison to some of the other strong production found on this album and feels out of place on this album since it was previously featured on a mixtape from two years ago. This is another track that won’t receive much play from me and is one that could have been left of the final track listing.

13. Easy To Fly
Featuring Carlitta Durand; Produced by 9th Wonder
This song features the only guest appearance to be found on the album with Carlitta Durand supplying the hook in gracious vocal styling. 9th Wonder supplies soulful, floating production that fits well with the song’s topic as Skyzoo drops lyrics about a girl that he’s trying to take away from her current bad situation into a better relationship with him. Topic wise this track hold’s the same weight as most of the female tracks we’re used to hearing on rappers’ albums, but the track’s production and guest feature give it an edge from falling totally into the cliché standing.

14. Bottom Line
Produced by Eric G.
Off his fantastic production heard on “For What It’s Worth”, Eric G. returns with some more soulful sounding production on “Bottom Line”. On this track Skyzoo spits lyrics about being on your grind in whatever you do and how it comes so easy if the grind is something you’re consistent with. This is a good track to be heard and stays in tune with most of the soulful tracks heard throughout the album.

15. Metal Hearts
Produced by 9th Wonder
Mr. Douthit returns for the last and final time on the album with some lively, soul production in sampling Barry White’s “Never, Never Gonna Give Ya Up” to good results. Skyzoo uses the nice composed beat to speak about his dedication and devotion to the grind in doing whatever is necessary to see success at the end of the day.

16. Maintain
Produced by Nottz
Skyzoo brings things full circle and ends off on a similar note and mood that was heard on “The Opener”. With the sound writing on the paper in the background, he speaks maintaining in life and in the music industry. Talking about making it to a point that not many people taught they would be him at in delivering an album and having a record deal after three years of diligence and never quitting in the process. This track does a good job in closing our the album on a peaceful vibe that gives listeners the idea that Skyzoo has finally made it to the point in his career that he has been striving for.

Bottom Line:
Many people outside of the underground Hip-Hop scene might not be well familiar with Skyzoo as an artist and his works, but one thing is sure after listening to this album and that is that Skyzoo will be a name that people all over will be familiar with in due time. With an album dubbed The Salvation, Skyzoo’s intentions of bringing the rap game back to its respectable nature of quality music and strong lyricists are evident, and he succeeds in doing that with this album. Skyzoo is an emcee that isn’t afraid to go against the grain of popular dances and trendy gimmicks in providing listeners with the quality, “real” Hip-Hop that has been a missing element for so long now. While he isn’t the only one on this quest and making the necessary steps with an album of this kind (see: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… PT II, Double Barrel, Slaughterhouse, The Ecstatic, etc.), Skyzoo definitely makes the movement strong with the addition of his debut album. During a time where artists’ albums sound more like compilations with guest features just for the popularity of a name (ex: Lil Wayne, Drake, Jay-Z, etc.), Skyzoo realizes that his is his show and uses the platform to showcase himself to listeners with only one guest appearance on the whole album. Aside from a couple of choice songs that threw off the flow and cohesiveness, The Salvation is a prime example of good Hip-Hop that so necessary nowadays. Much like Hip-Hop albums in the 90’s featuring one of two main producers, this album has that feel cohesiveness, as most of the tracks are able to flow easily into each other. With some further work, Skyzoo is on the verge of releasing a classic album in given time. Those searching for quality Hip-Hop outside of the blitz of commercial radio albums and singles should look no further than Skyzoo and The Salvation. When it seems like too many rappers “forgot how to be real and remembered how to be wack”, it’s good that Skyzoo is vice versa.

nappyPicks: “The Beautiful Decay”, “Like A Marathon”, “Under Pressure”, “Dear Whoever”, “For What It’s Worth”

Download: Skyzoo – “The Beautiful Decay”

Bonus: Skyzoo – “Return Of The Real”

For some reason Donny Goines has never been featured on nappyafro. We’ve talk to the brother, had interviews set up and something always fell through. Well that’s changing now with this; his official second album The Breakfast Club (Which is free!). The album features production work by Statik Selektah, Dame Grease, & Cookin’ Soul as well as Termonology, Skyzoo, Emilio Rojas on the rap side of things. Check out the tracklist and then download the album.

1. Don’t You Prod. by Cook Classics
2. Bring It Forward (New York, New York) Prod. by Versatile
3. Whatever It Is (Feat. Mela Machinko) Prod. by Frequency
4. Money (Feat. Mistah F.A.B) Prod. by DJ Static
5. Don’t Mess with a Woman (Feat. Amanda Diva & Naledge) Prod. by Dub Z
6. Sublime (Feat. Peter Hadar & Outasight) Prod. by Buckwild
7. She Like (Feat. Che Grand & Izza Kizza) Prod. by Apple Juice Kid
8. Make Me Feel (Feat. Emilio Rojas) Prod. by Kwame
9. Oh No (Feat. Patent Pending) Prod. by The Goverment
10. What U Expected Remix (Feat. Rain, Termanology, Reks & Big Lou) Prod. by Statik Selektah
11. A Love Song (Feat. Lydia Caesar & Skyzoo) Prod. by Digga
12. Closer Prod. by Dame Grease
13. Digital Genocide (Feat. Planet Asia & Poison Pen) Prod. by DJ Snips
14. Grateful (Feat. Tanya Morgan & Jeremy Carr) Prod. by Cookin Soul
15. Party Apple Prod. by Apple Juice Kid
16. Can’t Get it Right (Feat. A.Pinks, Esso & 6th Sense) Prod. by 6th Sense
17. These Times Prod. by Dub Z

Download: Donny Goines – The Breakfast Club

We put up the promo commercial for it yesterday, now here it is: The Good Morning Mixtape. A great concept mixtape to get you moving in the morning. As you can see from the tracklist, we mixed it up: we’ve got some classic joints from Run DMC, Ice Cube, and Brand Nubian, plus some new tracks from the young cats in the game like Skyzoo and 88 Keys. Brought to you by YourFavoriteWhiteBoy.com, nappyafro.com, & KevinNottingham.com. Check out the front & back cover and then get the mixtape. Enjoy. (Artwork by B-Easy aka me)

Download: The Good Morning Mixtape

Ok, I’ll confess. I didn’t really listen to Reks. I’ve actually gotten into him more lately, due to just being him, getting that Statik Selektah album, and listening to the Grey Hairs album got me into his vibe. From what I see as Reks, he’s just a true underground artist. His wordplay is quite intricate, although easy to swallow. Anyways, he’s releasing his sequel to Grey Hairs, More Grey Hairs, which I can assume to be more of the same that he’s given us before. With open ears, More Grey Hairs (Note: Shout out to Chew who originally posted this in the forums – B-Easy)

Bitter
Produced by Soul Searchers
Luckily, they tell us the producers of this album, because I gotta look out for these guys. Reks starts off in a way Grey HAirs should start off, a grumpy man, who’s just trying to express himself in the rap game. The Soul Searchers really give a jazzy/soulful (no pun) production to Reks, as he explains issues that make him bitter, ranging from Africa, to even his family. The production is simple, yet it’s majestic how Reks flows in this song. Great start.

Play My Music
Produced by Statik Selektah
I’ve always liked Statik Selektah the moment I’ve heard of him. He’s just an underground producer (for now) who’s just trying to get into fame. Anyways, a simple piano chord, and some drum beats kick off this simple production. Rek’s starts to talk about how his music and the mainstream (Example; Wayne’s music) is so much different, and how he and other underground stars (Termanology, Sheek Louch, Prodigy, Joell Ortiz, Skyzoo, etc.) deserve to be accepted into the mainstream, and people should, of course, play their music. Nice track, although a bit simple.

Cloud 9
Produced by DJ Premier
How can anyone go wrong with a legend’s track? Rek’s again spits great fire here, on a really mystifying production that seems so simple, but it really does personify this track, and even relates to the track itself. Reks spits lyrics that just talk about how he’s in “Cloud 9″, I assume it to be whimsical, out of this world. Reks + DJ Premier is a great combination, and this production is one of my favorites so far. Great track. You have to really listen to it to even stomach it.

Stereotypes
Produced by 1914 & Statik Selektah
As the title of the track goes, Reks talks about stereotypes, although I only really heard specific ones about blacks and whites (where’s the Asians?) Well, the production relies on simple drums, and some vocals. The production is a bit lack-luster compared to the others ones, but still doesn’t disappoint. I find this song, although Reks is trying to make a point as usual, a bit boring and bland. Again, that’s just my opinion, but this song is probably the worst of all so far.

Killaz On Wax
Produced by Statik Selektah
Interesting title (Along with the funky, bass production from Statik Selektah). Where’s his producer drop? I like that woman saying, “Statik Selektah”, similar to the J.U.S.T.I.C.E League’s intro. Interesting premise here, as Reks raps about gangsters, and how they’re not real compared to his people. Maybe clichéd, but I found his word play in the song to be really interesting, and intricate. Much better than “Stereotypes”. The hook is also a nice addition to the song.

System
Produced by DJ GI Joe.
Funny producer name, and as Reks says, this production is the real Hip-Hop stuff, as GI Joe gives a good drum beat, with some trumpets to back it up. Reks starts to rap about his “system” which I assume is his lifestyle, and how he lives, what he represents to the people. It’s a bit unclear to me, but I assume he talks about himself, describing his area where he lives, and his lifestyle in general. Nice song, and I love the production in this song.

Year Of The Showoff
Produced by Statik Selektah
This song is straight fire. As Reks says in the beginning, Statik Selektah wanted to make a banger, and this suffices. Reks goes on his braggadocious mode, and raps about how he’s the “Year of the Showoff”. Already used as an idea, and a bit cliché, still, Reks does his job. But the thing I found even better was Selektah’s production. At first, it reminded me of a Wild West vibe, the cowboy rises up in the distance, badass and all. The production is really nice, and sums up the song in general. A banger that you don’t have to feel conceited about.

Money In The Ave (remix)
Featuring Termanology & Skyzoo; Produced by Soul Theory
The first song with a feature in it, a trio of rappers I’ve seen before (They teamed up on “Bars 4 The Stars” off Termanology’s If Heaven Was a Mile Away/J Dilla Tribute) It’s a nice song, the production being soulful (Yeah, I know) while the rappers rap about money in their avenues, and money really in general. The rhymes aren’t fresh, but their good enough for the song. A bit of a filler I have to say though. I like it better than “Stereotypes”.

Dear Winter
Produced by Timeless
That’s one badass producer name. We’re now back to the real album with “Dear Winter”. It’s a nice track in general. Winter, as it symbolizes to Reks is life’s sufferings, problems, and his declaration to it. It’s an unoriginal interpretation of winter, calling it cold to him. But the soulful production by Timeless, is sincere, and charming in general. Reks just simultaneously stacks up bars on bars in this song. Great song, for both lyrics and production

Goodnight & Goodluck
Produced by Demo
As Reks makes a song for the ladies, he simplifies down on his lyrics a little bit, but the production is quite soulful again. The production and how Reks puts up his lyrics aren’t mean as brash and ignorant, I felt that Reks was really sincere on how he really put up these words. Although the woman should’ve sang better, Reks sincere lyrics tell a story about how a man has to leave a woman, and their relationship isn’t working, and how they have to leave on good ways, as the song is called. Nice song.

Why Do We Say Goodbye
Produced by Statik Selektah
I think Statik Selektah pulls in a sample here, but I can’t name it. Reks really has a thing for these kinds of songs, doesn’t he? Again, the production doesn’t disappoint, one of my favorites in the album, in a slow drum beat, a high pitched sample, an other instruments. Reks raps about how he’s on the top of the life, how his life is really good right now, but all good things have to come to an end, even though he doesn’t want to. Reks doesn’t disappoint again, nor does Statik.

I Ain’t Shit
Produced by J. Creed
This song does take a huge downfall from his previous songs. Of course, “I Ain’t Shit” is really just trying to make Reks a real person. The production although soulful is a bit boring, simple, and doesn’t’ really appeal to me. This song although is a nice thing to show Reks as real (Even though he is already) it’s not as good as the other songs on the album. Filler, probably. And that hook is a bit nasty.

Light Of Mine
Prod. DJ Sprino
Any production that starts out with trumpets, and then goes into drums is a top notch one for me. A rebound (not a big, but one) from the last song is nice as Reks soon raps about the light in life, as he is the one, and how he found the light that showed him reality. The production brings back his mediocre song before. I don’t like Reks hooks all the time, unfortunately, and fortunately, Reks makes his hooks short, has other people singing them, or doesn’t have them’ at all. At least he doesn’t sing.

Til’ Ya Hair Turns Grey
Produced by DJ Sprino
The track does start slow; the track does turn into a faster paced one. I find Sprinos production a bit weird on this one, It didn’t really fit because it doesn’t suit the track in general. That doesn’t mean the production is bad, it just means that it’s not as good as we can really expect it to be. Again, Reks doesn’t disappoints in his songs, as of course, he talks about working, stressing, your life, until your hair turns gray, and how it would turn gray. Just story telling a bit from him. I find this to be a peculiar outro though.

Bottom Line:
Reks definitely proves to me that he’s a beast to be reckoned with in the real rappers’ circuit. Reks puts up a solid album, with barely (actually really none, since remixes aren’t really songs) any guests, and still shows he can make a solid album without having guest verses. He brings simple, soulful, yet meaningful production into his works, which really make him shine. Although he had a few trips on the album, most of the songs do have a great meaning, and Reks is quite sincere about this. Good album in general

Chew’s Picks: “Bitter”, “Cloud 9”, “Year Of The Showoff”, “System”, “Dear Winter”, “Goodnight & Goodluck”, & “Play My Music”

Download: Reks – “Cloud 9″

I can still remember my ex-girlfriend calling me early in the morning and telling me about Biggie’s death. March 9th 1997. 12 years later, Iam glad to say that Christopher George Latore Wallace’s name is still alive and well. After seeing the trailer for this mixtape, I was definitely interested. Cookin Soul takes the original samples used on Ready To Die & Life After Death and flips them with original appearances from a whole range of rappers paying their respects to Frank White. DJ Drama hosts. Check out the tracklist and then download.

1 – “DJ Drama Intro”
2 – Tek (Smif-n-Wessun) – “Juicy”
3 – Grafh – “Things Done Changed”
4 – LA the Darkman & Willie the Kid – “World Is Filled”
5 – Freekey Zekey & 730 Dips – “Dreams”
6 – CL Smooth & Skyzoo – “Big Poppa”
7 – De La Ghetto – “Ready To Die”
8 – Styles P – “Kick In The Door”
9 – Emilio Rojas – “Young G’s”
10 – Nipsey Hussle – “Another”
11 – Shiest Bubz – “Going Back To Cali”
12 – “Miss Info interlude”
13 – Lil’ Cease & Cardan – “Ten Crack Commandments”
14 – Amanda Diva – “Get Money”
15 – “Dough Skit”
16 – LA the Darkman & Willie the Kid – “I Love The Dough”
17 – Jean Grae – “Hypnotize”
18 – Uncle Murda – “Long Kiss Goodnight”
19 – Chaundon – “Who Shot Ya It’s Over”
20 – “P. Diddy Outro”

Download: DJ Drama & Cookin’ Soul – The Notorious B.I.G. Tribute (Mixtape)

No group has ever meant business like EPMD. Parrish Smith and Erick Sermon are the epitome of business. Erick and Parrish have been makin’ dollars for over 20 years now. They released their first album in ‘88 (Strictly Business) and have been East Coast legends since. As a group they have faced a fair share of turmoil. They separated in ‘93 and re-united four years later. It wouldn’t be for long though because Erick and Parrish haven’t released any material for over nine years. Until this December that is when they released We Mean Business amidst controversy of the lack of DJ Scratch. DJ Scratch has been an important part of every EPMD album. In many senses, he is just as important to the group as Erick and Parrish are. So the questions is can they overcome his loss?…

1. Puttin’ Work In
Featuring Raekwon; Produced by Ty Fyffe
Not a bad start. It’s kind of refreshing to hear an album without a rap intro. And it’s even more refreshing to hear these Hip-Hop pioneers together. Don’t get me wrong though, this song is far from perfect, but it’s also far from obscurity.

2. What You Talkin’
Featuring Havoc; Produced by Erick Sermon
I could do without the superficial hook and the over-exaggerated instrumental, but this track is alright. On a sidenote, I’m surprised Soulja Boy hasn’t said anything about EPMD yet. They hit him with this gem: “The Oscar De La Hoya, the golden boy/I’m not dude, don’t believe I’ll show ya boy/Ask Destiny’s Child/ I’m not Soulja Boy”

3. Roc-Da-Spot
Produced by Erick Sermon
This is definitely what you’d call classic EPMD. The funk sample, the Biggie sample, the hook. Well done. I was feeling this one.

4. Blow
Produced by Erick Sermon & JFK
The first two verses were fire. The last verse was just off. I don’t know if it was recorded separately or what, but it just did not sound good at all. It’s a good song despite all that though.

5. Run It
Featuring KRS-One; Produced by Erick Sermon
KRS-One the black educator telling people “Get down on the floor” and making all sorts of ambience sound? Am I missing something? Isn’t he supposed to be busy being a positive influence to youngn’s? By the way, this song is terrible.

6. Yo
Featuring Redman; Produced by Erick Sermon & Marc Berto
Best song off the album period. I said no discussion! Who told Redman it was OK to outshine EPMD on their own album?

7. Listen Up
Featuring Teddy Riley; Produced by Erick Sermon
Some songs would be better acapella. This is one of them.

8. Bac Stabbers
Produced by EPMD
You know the phrase “Good idea, poor execution”? Well, this is a case of “Poor idea, good execution”, if that makes any sense at all. Leave it to EPMD to make a song for the bac(k) stabbers, and equip some old-school techno sample.

9. Never Defeat ‘Em
Featuring Method Man; Produced by DJ Honda
Erick Sermon sets it off over this engaging instrumental and Method Man bodys his verse. But then Parrish put me to sleep, he does not sound good over this instrumental.

10. Jane
Produced by Parish Smith
Every EPMD album has a song called Jane. It is typically just a song for the ladies, and it’s no exception this time.

11. Left 4 Dead
Featuring Skyzoo; Produced by 9th Wonder
This song sounds the same way it looks on paper. EPMD is the essence of true school Hip-Hop, 9th and Skyzoo are two cats who are taking Hip-Hop where EPMD took them before. Needless to say, this track is crazy, and definitely worth checking out.

12. They Tell Me
Featuring Keith Murray; Produced by Parish Smith
Keith Murray and EPMD have done some classic work together, this is not indicative of that at all. Skip/delete/sleep/right click… whatever you have to do, this one is not worth your time.

13. Actin’ Up
Featuring Vic D & Tre; Produced by Erick Sermon
A good send-off. Everything was on point here. Good guest spot, good instrumental, good lyrics. Nothing better than good but still…

Bottom Line:
This album will not attract any new fans for EPMD.  They stuck to an old formula with the exception of “Left 4 Dead”, and will most likely only appeal to old fans.  Still it’s a good album, and you should definitely check it out if you haven’t already done so.

nappyPicks: “Left 4 Dead”, “Never Defeat ‘Em”, & “Yo”

Download: EPMD feat. Redman – “Yo”

It’s been over a month since I last dropped a review (Deified by Keak Da Sneak), but SBK is back in the building back at the ‘fro. Since my time away in dealing with summer hell aka Summer School, I’ve been keeping an eye up on nappyafro and an ear out on the music. Being the Hip-Hop head that I am, I’m an active listener of the underground scene far more than the commercial bullshit that’s released. I almost let this release slip by me, but thanks to a good friend that put me on to it (Props to King Jerm), I was introduced to one of my new favorite albums this year. This is a bold statement, but if I were up to me this would be a top contender for album of the year for 2008 (calm down C3 fans and Untitled/N.I.G.G.E.R. enthusiast). I’m going to explain to you very clearly why Reks has one of the best albums of ’08 in Grey Hairs for both underground and mainstream.

Grey Hairs
Produced by Blaze P
The album is announced with Reks and his son Isiah giving us a proper introduction before the nicely laced beat by Blaze P kicks in. Blaze P does this track correctly with a beat that makes you take notice and has a “Now introduction” feel to it. Reks proceeds to drop rhymes explaining the title of the album and how it applies to getting older and gaining knowledge. This is a great way to start off the album and has my attention for the rest to come.

The One
Produced by Statik Selektah
The opening statement on this song is perfectly placed, as “This is not a song for the radio”. Statik Selektah (who produces a majority of the album) does a nice job on the beat for Reks who in turn drops some vicious, hard hitting rhymes on top of it. While this song could have some commercial appeal to it, mainstream wouldn’t be ready or capable of understanding the depth of this track and Reks’ lyrics.

Say Goodnight
Produced by DJ Premier
This beat produced by the legendary DJ Premier is the first single for the album and makes a statement upon the first listen. While DJ Premier is one of the greatest (if not the greatest) producers of all-time and I’m one of his biggest fans, I must admit that this beat is not one of his best. The beat does its job though in providing a classic boom-bap backdrop for Reks to get loose on and drop some nice rhymes. This song is perfect for the current state of the rap game with the classic 90’s Hip-Hop feel that it has.

How Can It Be
Produced by Statik Selektah
I’ve heard that this is the second single for the album and it’s definitely a nice selection. Statik Selektah produces a wonderful beat with a sample filled with various synths included. Reks is able to do his thing and drop some nice lyrics within. I love the DJ Premier technique that Statik incorporates on the chorus with the scratched vocal samples.

Stages
Produced by Large Professor
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, the album is taken up another level with this track. Large Professor laces this track very nicely with a beat that compliments Reks’ rhymes. Reks does his thing in talking about the rap game in 3 different stages (past, present, and future) and how it has changed. The Nas scratched vocals on the chorus make the song that much better. This is one of my favorite tracks on the album so far.

All In One (5 Mics)
Featuring Lil’ Fame; Produced by Blaze P
This is one of the most creative songs I have heard in a while with its concept of Reks rapping the styles of 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Big Pun, and Big L. Blaze P really makes this track come alive (no pun intended) with his hectic, lively beat pounding in the background. While this is a clever track, Reks doesn’t exactly hit the mark on all of the verses representing the deceased legends of the rap game. His verses of 2Pac and Big Pun are on point and give you the spirit of hearing them actually rapping on the track. His verses of Biggie and Big L aren’t directly on and could have been done a bit better. I think this track would have been even better if he had other artists featured on it that could match the individual styles even better like Termanology for Big Pun and so on. But overall this is still a vicious track and most creative one I’ve heard since Lil Wayne’s “Dr. Carter” in terms of concept and theme.

Next 2 Me
Produced by DC The Midi Alien
DC The Midi Alien, who used to frequently collaborate with Termanology, provides a nice beat to Reks for this track. The pulsating beat in the background fits well with Reks’ lyrics as he talks about how many rappers in the industry don’t have enough skills to stand next to him and be compared to him as an emcee. This is an average track at best and it brings down the intensity level of the album following the previous track.

Money On The Ave
Featuring Skyzoo; Produced by Soul Theory
This soulful based track, produced by Soul Theory, provides a nice mood to the rhymes spit by Reks and Skyzoo. They both tell about how artists are no longer making money in the music industry and how the real money is being made on the block and on the corner selling drugs. This song is great for the truth and reality that is presented in the lyrics.

Black Cream (The Negro Epidemic)
Featuring Big Shug; Produced by Statik Seletkah
This is a concept track as it’s best with Reks speaking more truth from inside of the booth. The cleverly titled track “Black Cream” talks about how Blacks are carelessly spending their money and how money is the epidemic facing African-Americans. The chorus on this song is superb and speaks just as well as the rhymes in the verse (“From chains to whips, to chains and whips/Hopped off the slave ships and into fly kicks”). This song is presented in a similar vein of the tracks on Nas’ recently released Untitled/N.I.G.G.E.R. album. These are the type of songs that need to be released more often as they truly speak on many of the issues and problems that Blacks are facing in America. (Check out Black In America on CNN, it’s some real talk for your ears. It’s a shame though that we see a show speaking on the problems facing Blacks in America on CNN, but not on a Black network like BET…WTF is really going on!? I guess 106 & Park and Hell Date are more important and pay the bills. That’s fucked up!)

Love Sweet Misery
Produced by Statik Seletkah
Statik Seletkah channels the same vibe that he had on the previous song in producing another gloomy sampled beat that fits nicely with Reks. I never realized how nice of a producer Statik Selektah really is. He’s gotta be one of the best upcoming producers in the game especially on the underground scene. Reks does a nice job in giving his explanation of love and how it’s somehow connected to misery in most cases.

Rise
Produced by Statik Selektah
This is another nicely produced beat by Statik Selektah, who provides another mild mood beat for Reks to drop some furious rhymes on top of. Reks really shows why he’s one of the nicest upcoming emcees in the game today in talking about rising above the obstacles and oppositions that we face in life. Reks really makes listeners take notice with lines like “Bumped into shorty bopping down the ave nearly half my size/Chain dangling Jesus piece, but eyes that lack understanding to the reason he rise/Rather rose on the third, stopped him for a word to guide”. It lyrics like that which really make you stop and think.

Telescopes
Featuring Jon Hope & Lucky Dice; Produced by Statik Selektah
Damn, Statik Selektah keeps on supplying this heat on this album and drops his best beat on this song. This somber song is perfect with Reks and Jon Hope dropping rhymes about having hope and viewing like through telescope eyes to see farther and more than just what is in front of you in life. This song is something that could be played on radio and make the charts, but mainstream wouldn’t accept a great song of this caliber with such a strong message. It really sucks, but it’s reality that something has to be changed about that cause we need more songs like this to be heard instead of the newest track about money, cash, cars, clothes, and hoes. This is another one of my favorite songs on this album, matter of fact it’s my favorite track.

Day 2
Produced by Statik Seletkah
Once again Statik Seletkah provides a great beat for Reks to drop some intelligent and meaningful lyrics on. With this track Reks talks about relationships in how the first day might be bad, but the second day presents the opportunity for it to get better. Reks does a nice job in not presenting this track like a typical relationship/love song and going against the grain in terms of the topic.

Premonition
Featuring Termanology & Consequence; Produced by Statik Selektah
Wow, Statik is the man coming through with yet another nice track for this song. The mellow mood of the beat really compliments the verses from Reks, Consequence, and Termanology. They all do a great job in rhyming about starting your life over again from scratch and doing things differently the second time around. This is a nice track in regards to the theme of life reflection.

My Life
Featuring Paula Campbell; Produced by Blaze P
This time around it’s Blaze P who come back to bless Reks with a nicely produced piano driven beat. This is another life reflection type track from Reks with him talking about trying to figure out his life paired with a nice chorus sung by Paula Campbell. This track fits perfectly with mood of the previous few tracks.

Cry Baby
Produced by Statik Seletkah
This next song keeps that mood going along with Statik Seletkah providing yet another soulful background for Reks to spit his lyrics over. This song has the same vibe of Jay-Z’s “Song Cry” as Reks speaks about his mother giving birth to him at the age of 17 and the things she had to go through at such a young age. He also talks about his life as a child in growing up in a poor environment and the things surrounding him. Reks does a nice job of the interpolation of 2Pac’s song “Brenda’s Got A Baby” in the chorus that really sums up the song and makes it full circle.

Long While
Produced by 1914
This song, provided with a beat produced by 1914, sees Reks talking about meeting up with those he hasn’t seen in a long while and maintain relationships with the real people in his life. This is a nice song of Reks doing some reminiscing about his past experiences with friends.

Big Dreamers (Lawtown Remix)
Featuring Termanology & Krumb Snatcha; Produced by Statik Seletkah
This is a remix of the “Big Dreamers” track that is featured on Statik Selektah’s previously released album entitled Spell My Name Right: The Album. This is the B-Side of the “Say Goodbye” single. While I wasn’t too keen of this track on that album and thought it was no more than average, I’m feeling this remix better than the original. With new verses from Reks and Termanology, and the additional of Krumb Snatcha on the track, it makes this song that much better this time around than the first listen. All of the emcees on this track do a nice job in talking about having dreams and doing everything you can to make those dreams become reality.

Isiah
Produced by Demobeatz
This is Reks’ song in dedication to his song Isiah, which sees him talking about how his son and how he’s doing everything now to make sure his son lives a better life than he did. The beat produced by Demobeatz with the acoustic guitar and horns perfectly fits the tone and rhymes of Reks, and enables him to speak meaningfully and get his message across.

Pray For Me
Produced by Statik Seletkah
This song features production by Statik Seletkah, and while all of his beats on this album have been on point, I find this one to be average and a bit dragging. The beat gives this song a finale feel to it similar to Jay-Z’s “Hova Song (Outro)” that sees Reks just speaking his mind and clearly not caring what anybody has to say about it. He talks about his view on the current state of Hip-Hop and how things need to go back to the way they used to be with great music. The scratched vocal sample of Jay-Z’s verse from “Dead Presidents II” is a nice addition to the song.

Bottom Line:
While not many Hip-Hop listeners outside of the underground scene really know about Reks as an artist, I think this is the album to change all of that completely. Through the 20 tracks on this album, there is not a skip or filler track to be found throughout and is truly a complete listen all the way through. That is one sign of a great album when you don’t have to skip through tracks and can listen to the album from beginning to end. Not too many albums that I have listened to this year have that claim (including Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III), so that fact alone makes this one of the best albums that has been released this year. If listeners and critics in regards to the mainstream don’t proclaim this as the Best Album of 2008, then this has to be the Best Album of 2008 in terms of underground releases. This album proves the point that many of the releases in the underground scene of Hip-Hop exceed most of the commercial/mainstream releases both in terms of lyricism and production values. Sadly, that fact hasn’t been recognized and this album and many others like it praised by the underground but ridiculed by mainstream will go underrated. This is one of the few albums that I have been referred to give a listen to and end up really like it. Again, major props to King Jerm in referring me to this album because with out it I probably would have missed hearing this album or heard about years later. Go out and cop this album seriously, it’s a true example of the real music that is missed in Hip-Hop today that needs to be brought back to the light.

nappyPicks: “Stages”, “Telescopes”, “Cry Baby”, “Day 2”, “Premonition”, ‘Say Goodnight”, “Black Cream (The Negro Epidemic)”, “All In One (5 Mics)”…JUST COP THE ALBUM!!!

Download: Reks feat. Bug Shug – “Black Cream (The Negro Epidemic)”

I told y’all that I was gonna pick back up where I left off and I’m back once again with yet another Rewind Review for your reading pleasure. This time I coming to you with a mixtape DJ album, since that’s currently a highly debated topic right now with Lil’ Wayne’s recent comments towards them. Statik Selektah (not “Static Selector”, hence the album’s title), who is a highly recognized DJ within the mixtape circuit released an album based off his “Spell My Name Right” mixtape series, similar to what DJ Drama did with Gangsta Grillz: The Album. As you might expect with these type of DJ albums, they usually are filled with collaborations on every track from various artists that the DJ has worked with in the past and done work for. Many times these albums are usually hits and misses, so let’s see how Statik’s album does in comparison to the compilations/albums that have been released before.

Spell My Name Right Intro
Featuring DJ Premier & Termanology; Produced by Statik Selektah
This intro track features DJ Premier setting the mood for the album to come and giving it that sort of mixtape feel, especially if you have listened to a DJ Premier mixtape before or heard his radio show (Live From HeadQCourterz) on Sirius satellite radio. Statik produces a nice beat for this initial track, which features fellow Boston native Termanology lacing the rhymes. Nothing really special about this track, just hearing Termanology rhyming out the name of all of the artists featured on the album.

Stop, Look, Listen
Featuring Styles P, Termanology, & Q-Tip; Produced by Statik Selektah
The intro leads nicely into the second track, which also happens to be the single off the album. Statik laces this track with some very nice production that is handled well by the collaborative efforts of Styles P, Termanology, and Q-Tip. Styles P does his thing and drops a solid verse, as well as Termanology as he displays why he’s one of the nicest upcoming emcees and was featured in The Source’s “Unsigned Hype” article a while back. It’s a pleasure to hear Q-Tip spitting some lines on the track as well as I haven’t heard much from him in a minute.

Express Yourself ‘08
Featuring Termanology, Talib Kweli, & Consequence; Produced by Statik Selektah
This track is Statik Selektah’s attempt to recreate N.W.A.’s classic track “Express Yourself” from their Straight Outta Compton album released in 1989. It’s been about 20 years since the release of that track and I can say that it still holds the crown and this track doesn’t really come close to the magic of the original. Don’t get me wrong though cause Statik hooked up the beat on this one quite nicely and the three emcees each do their thing respectively, but this can’t compare to N.W.A.’s original version. As you can see this is Termanology’s third straight featured song and you should get used to it cause he’s on quite a bit more tracks being one of Statik’s homeboys. Out of the three emcees on this track, I’d have to say that Talib Kweli spit the best verse and even though Consequence is a good rapper, it’s difficult to understand what he’s saying at times.

6 In The Morning
Featuring Joell Ortiz, Kool G Rap, & Sheek Louch; Produced by Statik Selektah
Immediately at the outset of this track you feel a sudden change of energy and things slow down at bit. The production on this track from Statik is somewhat average and starts to get boring really quickly. The artists featured on this track don’t really do much to improve on the lackluster beat and aren’t really saying much other than how they are on their grind and up at 6 in the morning on the block putting work in. This track is a skip for me.

What Would You Do!?
Featuring Freeway & Cassidy; Produced by Statik Selektah
This track features some much better production from Statik with a soulful sounding sampled beat provided for the team of Freeway and Cassidy to attack. I know that this is something that a lot of people expected never to see in Philly natives Freeway and Cassidy collaborating on a track together seeing as how they had beef in the past and Cass got in that ass during their classic battle (yes I think Cassidy murdered Freeway in their battle). They both spit some nice rhymes on this track, even though Freeway’s overly aggressive delivery feeling out of place at times and Cassidy’s dull sounding delivery make his rhyming sound boring. This is a good track nonetheless bringing together two good young emcees that once had problems with each other. All these rappers that have “beef” with each other need to take note of this.

Make A Movie (Interlude)
Featuring DJ Khaled; Produced by Statik Selektah
This interlude track was definitely not needed on this album, especially one from DJ Khaled who is really saying nothing at all. I don’t know what a lot of people see or like in Khaled, but he’s definitely not doing much in my book. Skip this track without a doubt. “LLLLIIISSSSSTTTTEEEENNNN!!!!!” (Shut the fuck up with that shit man, damn!)

Bam Bam
Featuring Red Café, Termanology, & Mims; Produced by Statik Selektah
This sample, which was also used for Guerilla Black’s single “Compton”, has been used enough and didn’t need to be used again for this track. Guerilla Black’s version was good and listenable, but this version is kind of boring. The production is good, but the featured artists on this track aren’t really saying much of anything. Red Café is nice in his own terms, but didn’t really bring it to the table this time. Termanology (back again) sounds just average in his rhyming and is kind of starting to sound the same on every track mainly because he uses the same rhyme pattern/scheme and vocal tone on a majority of them. When it comes to Mims I don’t even know why he was included on this track, let alone the album. He probably has the weakest verse on this track, but it’s no surprise though cause after his little “This Is Why I’m Hot” fame he isn’t anywhere to be found now (Ha!). This track is listenable, but not one of my favorites on the album.

G Shit (Showoff Mix)
Featuring Uncle Murda, Sev-One, Termanology, & Jadakiss; Produced by Statik Selektah
Statik did his thing in a major way with the production on this track as it brings back some energy to the album. With four artists featured on this track, they all tell about that “G Shit” and what being gangsta is all about. Uncle Murda sounds the most convincing after listening to his verse, especially in knowing his background and artist persona. Jadakiss fills the void in this track nicely and really makes it complete with his verse at the end (nice to hear him back on the scene).

Back Against The Wall
Featuring Cormega & Royce Da 5’9”; Produced by Statik Selektah
This track features some nice production work from Statik with Royce Da 5’9” and Cormega laying down some rhymes. Royce comes out with a bang in dropping the initial verse, but Cormega is just average with his lyrics. This track is good for what it is, but nothing really spectacular or amazing.

Hardcore (So You Wanna Be)
Featuring Reks & Termanology; Produced by Statik Selektah
Once again Statik comes with some nice production on the beat for this track. The lyrics on this song are provided by Reks and…you guess it Termanology (for his 6th feature). Reks and Termanology both provide some average lyrics on this track, but they could have been better to match up to the nice beat that Statik provided.

No Mistakes Allowed
Featured Doug E. Fresh, Tony Touch, Scram Jones, DP-One, DJ GI-JOE, DJ Revolution, & Esoteric; Produced by Statik Selektah
Damn, it’s nice to hear Doug E. Fresh on the intro of this track with some classic beatboxing from the man himself. This track has a lot of features on it and they all do their thing whether it’s spitting rhymes or scratching on the chorus. This is nice for hearing the many talents displayed on one track. Just sit back and enjoy this track for what it is and nothing more.

Interlude
Featuring Clinton Sparks; Produced by Statik Selektah
If Statik Selektah was going to have just one interlude on this album, it definitely should have been this one. Skip that DJ Khaled interlude heard earlier in the album, Clinton Sparks is speaking some truth on this interlude. He’s talking about how the rap game nowadays is filled with so many DJs who have no creativity and how it’s oversaturated with so much wackness. CHURCH!!!

Punch Out
Featuring Big Shug; Produced by Statik Selektah
When I first played this track I immediately was on the floor laughing. I could believe that Statik sampled the classic Mike Tyson Punch-Out game for NES (the best boxing game of all-time by the way). That was some funny and creative production by Statik, but my laughter turned to dislike after hearing Big Shug rhyming over it. I really dislike Shug’s voice and only think it sounds good over dark, gritty sounding tracks like “The Militia” or something produced by DJ Premier. Other than for getting a good laugh and bringing back some old memories about Mike Tyson Punch-Out, this track is pretty much a skip for me. I had to go hook up my NES and play some Mike Tyson Punch-Out after listening to this track (I hate fighting Mike Tyson in the final bout though, he cheats like a muh’fucker!!!)

The Good Life (Give It Up)
Featuring M.O.P.; Produced by Statik Selektah
This has to be one of the smoothest produced tracks by Statik on the entire album, and surprisingly M.O.P. fit well rhyming over it. Usually M.O.P. sound their best of harder sounding beats, but they put it down lyrically on this track. I just wish that this track was longer than it is at only 1:06. I would have loved to hear more of this track, guess I just have to keep it on repeat for a while.

Big Dreamers
Featuring Reks; Produced by Statik Selektah
Another track with some good production from Statik, which really fits well with Reks’ rhymes and the song’s topic. This is a pretty good track featuring Reks with him talking about his dreams and goals for achieving what he sets to in life and the struggles along the way.

No Holding Back
Featuring AZ & Cormega; Produced by Statik Selektah
This next track features some average production from Statik. It’s a good beat, but it starts to wear on you after a while of listening to it. Plus, featured guests AZ and Cormega don’t really do much to keep me interested in the song. They both spit some rhymes that are just average and don’t really catch my attention throughout the song. This song would be a skip for me.

Got Me Goin’ (Hip Hop)
Featuring Slum Village & Granite State; Produced by Statik Selektah
After a song with average production from Statik, he comes back with that good shit on this track with a nicely composed beat. What makes this song even better is the feature of Slum Village on the track. They sound really comfortable over the beat and drop some nice lyrics as well. Granite State does a decent job with their rhymes, but Slum Village really steals the show on this one.

Time To Say Goodbye
Featuring Evidence & The Alchemist; Produced by Statik Selektah
Out of all of the tracks on this album, this track sounds the most fitting to its featured guests. The production from Statik sounds like something that could have been produced by either Evidence or Alchemist. That really makes it even better for the two artists to drop some nice rhymes over it. Despite that, neither Evidence nor Alchemist really spit anything that’s worth taking note of. The beat is really what shines out on the track.

It’s Over Now
Featuring Termanology & A.G.; Produced by Statik Selektah
As stated earlier about the track “The Good Life (Give It Up)” in the smoothness of its production, this has to be the other smoothest produced track on the album. If Termanology was to only be featured on one track throughout this entire album, this was the one for him. I think this is his best spit verse out of all of the other tracks he’s featured on. A.G. spits some nice rhymes to complement Termanology with the rhyming, but he doesn’t outdo him by any means. This is a great track to just listen and chill out to, especially in the production from Statik.

Talk To Me
Featuring Jon Hope, Reks, & Skyzoo; Produced by Statik Selektah
I’m not really feeling the production on this track by Statik at all. It sounds too basic and its repetition gets annoying after the first verse (that’s never good for a beat). The idea for this track was a good one, but it just wasn’t executed well at all. The featured artists on this track are speaking a good message, but I just can’t seem to catch interest in what they’re saying particularly from the mediocre beat production.

Did What We Had To
Featuring KRS-One, Large Professor, & L Da Headtoucha; Produced by Statik Selektah
Once again the production from Statik on this beat gets repetitive far too quickly and makes it hard for really listening to the track in general. The artists on this track do a good job in taking us back in telling us what they had to do to make it in the rap game and come up in the industry. Who better than the likes of KRS-One and Large Professor to tell us about those times and their struggles to become the great legends in the game that they are today. This wasn’t a good way to end the album though with an average track.

Bottom Line:
In determining the final verdict for Statik Selektah’s Spell My Name Right album, I can say that after 21 tracks (which is too many and could have been reduced to 13 tracks for an even better album) Statik has produced a good sounding album. In produced every track on the album, Statik did his thing and put in work on the production side. He choices for featured artists could have been better and reduced at the same time. He should have been more selective in the artists that he featured on the album in keeping good emcees and declining the average/bad ones. Don’t just include rappers on your project just because you hosted one of their mixtapes or did a beat for them, which is usually the case with mixtape DJ albums. Nonetheless this is a album that will definitely be picked up by hardcore Statik Selektah fans and should be given a listen to from casual Hip-Hop listeners who don’t really follow Statik’s mixtapes or work in general. I’m sure that those fans will find some select songs off this album that they enjoy that they can purchase off iTunes if they don’t wanna cop the entire album.

nappyPicks: “Stop, Look, Listen”, “Express Yourself ‘08”, & “It’s Over Now”