Logo

(Rating: 5.0/5.0)

Materials Needed:
Sufficient sound system
Bulletproof vest (Shots will be fired)
Crack pipe (Album is quite potent)

With these materials, I promise you a safe and enjoyable session while listening to the fourth studio album by Royce Da 5’9”entitled “Street Hop”. Royce Da Fever Nina is the number one contract killer out right now. I highly doubt Royce needs any introduction, as he has been a part of the game for quite some time now. Royce began to stir up a buzz, when he first stepped on the scene alongside Eminem as the duo, “Bad meets Evil”; a name which properly describes such a deadly team. Unfortunately, the two had a falling out and went their separate ways. (Watching Drake’s “Forever” video you can see Royce {including slaughterhouse, who just might be signed to Shady Records} backing Eminem, while he spits hot fire. Shout outs to Dave Chappelle lol). Royce Da 5’9” refuses to fall short of greatness.

As we start off the album with the first song, “Gun Harmonizing” (produced by Emile) , Royce speaks to us in his native tongue; a gunshot filled jazzy scat. It is then translated into Royce explaining his hunger for committing lyrical homicide. Fellow slaughterhouse member, Crooked I, also does his damage on the track with lines such as, “…our trigger finger’ll nail you as quick as you clip a cuticle/ hollows’ll hit ya follicles/ ill split ya wig from far away like a long arm barber/ then lift ya weight like a strong arm robber…/”.

"Far Away" (produced by Emile), is a very interesting track. On this particular track, Royce decides to take a different approach by…singing. Yes singing. The track opens with a smooth R&B feel and when I heard Royce speak over the track with, “Yeah, what’s up girl, this my love song”, my shoulders dropped in despair. I couldn’t believe my ears as Royce began to sing, “Maybe you should or maybe you just shouldn't because baby I want to take you so far away, hey.” However, what prevented me from skipping to the next song was Royce’s confession,” I'm just playing I don't really want to take your ass nowhere, let’s do the real song. C'mon!” The song continues to establish Royce as a lyrical murderer.

I’m not going to review all 19 tracks but I assure you each track is worth blowing out a speaker or two. Royce Da 5’9” displays why he deserves his veteran status on each track with his cannibalistic lyrics backed by heavy hitting producers, such as; Mr. Porter (of D12), 6 July, Nottz, Streetrunner, and the great DJ Premier. This album will leave you with enough head bopping to give you whiplash, along with a few jokes to have you laughing (Beginning of “Thing for Your Girlfriend”). Guest appearances include: Slaughterhouse, Kid Vishis, Tre Little, Busta Rhymes, Bun B, and a few others. If this review, or any other for that matter, doesn’t persuade you to listen to “Street Hop”, listen to it for yourself. Still not convinced? Ok. “Street Hop” is better than "Jay-z’s Blueprint 3". That’s a bold enough statement to make anyone listen.

My Favorite tracks include: Gun Harmonizing, Soldier, Shake This, Mine in Thiz, Bad Boy (I’m Jamaican so the track appeals to me more lol), and Murder/On the Run.

(Rating: 4.0/5.0)

(2.0 out of 5) Twista starts off his sixth solo album, with the definition of a Category F5 storm. And according to Buk of Psychodrama (dont ask) an F5 is a storm where "total damage...and a whole lot of fu*ked up sh!t will occur". To that extent the term Category F5 is a fairly accurate description of this album. You will hear a whole lot of fu**ed up sh!t and any hope you had that Twista could return to his Kamikaze days will be damaged beyond repair. While admirable, his rapid fire flow is sometimes so fast that his success on a track depends solely on the production and his ability to ride the beat. Unfortunately, on most of this album the production is lacking. Traxster who often works with Twista is responsible for 6 of the 15 tracks, and seems to fit Twista's style the best. The rest of the production, however sounds very cheap and unoriginal. The worst offender being "On Top' featuring Akon; when the track first plays it sounds like...Aqua's "Barbie Girl"...seriously!

He has always been known as a rapper's rapper, willing to collaborate or feature on other artist's songs. But, on Category F5, the Chi-town rapper, gives a little too freely, and winds up sharing the mic on almost every track. That fact is only made worst by the caliber of the artists he collaborates with. Lil Boosie, Gucci Mane, Do or Die, and Liffy Stokes, are not actually the makings of an all-star line-up.

The misses on the album begin to pile up early on. "Now I Know its been a long time since a motherfu**er made a good song about reefer", that is how "Fire" (track 3) featuring Lil Boosie starts off, and by song's end, it becomes apparent we are going to have to wait even longer. "Yellow Light" featuring R.Kelly sounds like a Kelz joint, especially since he dominates the first 1:30 of the song, and then the auto-tune goes into over-drive and Twista comes in sounding like everything but tempting, on the sex-fueled track. "Walking on Ice" features Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman, you should be able to guess why this songs sucks, but in case you missed it: this track features Gucci Mane and OJ Da Juiceman.

Some of the standout tracks are "Misunderstood" featuring Buk Of Psychodrama, once you get past the first :40 of the song, and let that beat really marinate, you will love the southern inspired track, Twista's delivery is on point on this joint. "Wetter" featuring Erika Shevon, a song makes you reminisce of steamy nights with that special friend. deserves a replay. And "Birthday", which is a rip-off of almost every beat you heard on Swizz Beat's One Man Band Man and a Missy Elliott Track, is completely unoriginal, but its meant for the club.

Overall, you will not like enough tracks to justify buying the album. Listen below to the album below and share your thoughts.

Album: Jeremih by Jeremih
Release Date: June 30, 2009
Number of Tracks: 12 + 1 Bonus Track
Number of Tracks worth listening to: 10
Rating: 5 of 5

Every since "Birthday Sex" hit in the airwaves earlier this year, fans have been dying to hear more from IDJ artist Jeremih. The question on everyone's mind: Is this a one-hit wonder or did a 19 year old guy out of Chicago seriously just light a fire under the R&B scene? While many of his peers rushed to the studio to create different versions of his debut single, he took to answering that question, and released "Imma Star (Everywhere We Are)", a track released soley to send a message. The message: You are witnessing the birth of an R&B star.

The hottest track on the album is as predicted, "Birthday Sex", the Mick Schultz-produced track just never gets old, and Jeremih's voice sends chills to all the right places. Other standouts are: "Raindrops", a sex-fueled track for the other 364 days that you dont have a birthday. "Break Up to Make Up", which is set to be the third released track, will have you singing along to the catchy chorus in no time. "Hatin' On Me" and "My Ride", songs that flow along the same vein as "Imma Star", should also get a replay. It's hard to describe who he sounds like (voice wise), but what sells you is how Jeremih on every track sounds like he fully believes every word. It's that believability that will make the ladies love "My Sunshine", a ballad where he sings about the pain he feels thinking about a lover that has passed away. Island Def Jam showed alot of trust in Mick Schultz by allowing him to produce the entire debut album of their R&B golden child, and he does not disappoint showcasing an impressive range.

Overall: Jeremih justifies his hype. You will be hard pressed to find a track you dont like. However, dont let the first couple of tracks fool you, this is not a "bedroom album".

Question: Why does everyone else seem to be able to pull off the-Dream's style with more success than him? (No, I'm not hating on the-Dream...check the record sales)

Release Date: June 9, 2009 (US)
Number of Tracks: 15 (on the Reg Version), 25 (with the 2CD Deluxe Edition)
Number of Tracks worth listening to: 10
Rating: 4 out of 5

The E.N.D. is the Black Eyed Peas' latest studio release since Monkey Business in 2005. According to Will.I.Am, this is a compilation of singles, because "the album is dead" (I completely agree). The album is predictably quirky, funk fused, dance pop. To do pop successfully, you have to have good production (beats) and a catchy phrase. The tracks should not require heavy thinking and should could dance floor ready! Black Eyed Peas have been perfecting this craft since 1998, and if you loved their formula in the past, you will love this album. There are a few misses, such as "Out of My Head" and "One Tribe", but as whole this album is bubblegum pop at its best. It completely understands it was created for the weekend, and it serves its purpose! The best song on the album is of course "Boom Boom Pow", but other standouts are "Ring A Ling", "Party All The Time", and "Electric City". The Deluxe Edition isn't necessary, all the songs you are going to pump are in the regular version. Listen below and comment!

Bottom Line: Soundtrack for the Summer!

Release Date: May 15, 2009
Number of Tracks: 18 (not including bonuses)
Number of Tracks worth listening to: 18
Rating: 5 out of 5

21st Century Breakdown is Green Day's first album release since American Idiot was released in 2004. The album is formatted similar to American Idiot taking on a "rock opera" form. This time we are following fictitious couple, Christian and Gloria through three acts: Heroes & Cons, Charlatans & Saints, and Horseshoes & Hand Grenades. Their first released single, "Know Your Enemy" (from the Heroes & Cons act), was an instant fan favorite, but if you were one of those few who did not like it, no need to worry it only gets better!

The second track on the album, "21st Century Breakdown" is one of the best songs I have ever heard from Green Day. To list all of the great songs, I would have to give you the track list, but other stand outs are, "Before the Lobotomy" and "21 Guns". This is one of those albums that you can listen to ONCE, and then go to their concert, and sing along with the band! You may not agree with some of their views (political or religious), but the songs are so catchy that it is possible to sing along without realizing what you are actually saying. Give the album a listen below!

Overall: This album will have your fast-forward button feeling abandoned!!! It is a CLASSIC!!!

In case you missed it, here are some albums that have been released or will be released soon. The ones in bold are the ones we will write reviews on (ambitious..why yes!)

Already Released:

• Better Than Ezra-Paper Empire (May 12th)..may review
• Chrisette Michele-Epiphany (May 5th)
• Ciara-Fantasy Ride (May 5th) see review here.
• DJ Paul- Scale-A-Ton (May 5th)
• Ed Harcourt-Russian roulette EP (May 5th)..may review
• Green Day-21st Century Breakdown (May 12th)
• Oddisee-Mental Liberation (May 5th)
• Steele (Smif-N-Wessun) Presents: Welcome to Bucktown (May 5th)
• Cam'ron-Crime Pays (May 12th)
• Madina Lakes-Attics to Eden (May 5th)...maybe..
• Paris Presents Hard Truth Soldiers Vol. 2 (May 12th)
• Paul Wall-Fast Life (May 12th)
• The Crystal Method-Divided By Night (May 12th)-may review
• Yukmouth-The West Coast Don (May 5th)

Upcoming Albums:

May 19th

• Busta Rhymes -Back on My B.S. (B.O.M.B.)
• DJ Drama-Gangsta Grillz: The Album Vol. 2
• Eminem-Relapse
• Hedley-Never Too Late
• Iron & Wine-Around the Well
• Fat Joe-J.O.S.E 2
• Freeway-Philadelphia Freeway 2
• Kate Voegele-A Fine Mess
• Method man & Redman -Blackout2
• Ruben Studdard-Love Is
• Sheek Louch-Life on D-Block
• Tori Amos-Abnormally Attracted to Sin (maybe!)

May 26th

• Electrik Red-How To Be A Lady, Vol 1.
• Kanye West & Malik Yusef Present G.O.O.D Morning, G.O.O.D. Night: "Dawn"
• Kanye West & Malik Yusef Present G.O.O.D. Morning, G.O.O.D. Night: “Dusk”
• Scratch (from The Roots)-Loss 4 Wordz

I am sure I missed something...so check back for an update! Comment below and let me know what album you are checkin' for (listed or not)...

Release Date: May 5, 2009
Rating: 3 out of 5
Number of Tracks:12
Number of Tracks worth listening to: 5

I hate when people mess with a good thing. Ciara had carved out a lane for herself in the up-tempo pop world with hits like “Goodies”, “Get Up”, and “1, 2 Step". She caught some flack for what is thought to be her inability to sing (I've heard worst), and apparently she thought coming out with a diverse album would help her quiet the haters. She is successful in Fantasy Ride to the extent that her album is indeed diverse, but in the end you still aren’t convinced. This is one of the times she just should have stuck her nose up to her haters, and kept with what she knew.

The album gets off to a mediocre start with "Ciara to the Stage". The intro song is supposed to hype you about the rest of the album, this comes off as a warning...and not the good kind. Funky fresh, "Love Sex Magic" is an ok song, but it reeks of 2006 (when “SexyBack” was a hit). “High Price”, (which reminds me of “Oh”) is concept-wise and beat-wise great, but there is something missing in the execution (the Dream would have killed this song). She is partnered up well with The Dream on "Lover's Thing", which serves as the beginning of the good part of the album. The best song is “Never Ever" featuring Young Jeezy with "Keep Dancin’ on Me", a mellow dance record, following as a close second. In all fairness, “Pucker Up” is a good electro song, it just seems like a Britney Spears reject.

My initial rating for the album was 3.5 out of 5, but the good songs aren’t great songs (the only song that made to it playlist status was “Keep Dancin’ On Me”). It's the bad songs you’ll remember after you're done listening to it. You can make up a million jokes regarding the lyrics to "Like a Surgeon" (which I think is suppose to be reminiscent of Ginuwine's "So Anxious" (tempo and subject wise), but that thought only makes this fail seem even worse), one line is "you're my best patient, and you never have to wait in line"...seriously?!? Did she just call herself a ho?

If you are a fan of Ciara’s past albums, you will appreciate that she took a risk and considering its her first time experimenting with new styles, she did a good job. If you are not a fan, however there will be endless opportunites for you to laugh, and if you, after having purchased everything you could possibly need and want, have an extra $13.00 lying around, then...you really need to re-evaluate your "wants" 'cuz I am sure there is something else you could spend your money on.

Here are links to a few tracks:

"Neva Eva"
"Keep Dancin' on Me"
"Love Sex Magic"
"Like a Surgeon"

Release Date: April 21, 2009
Rating: 4 out of 5
Number of Tracks: 13
Number of Tracks worth listening to: 8

It only seems right to start off the review with a warning. In case you missed it, Depeche Mode has changed; it’s whether or not it is for the better or for the worst that’s debatable. Old Depeche Mode fans consider the all of the albums between Formation and Violator to be the band’s best work. New Depeche Mode fans have based their love on Ultra, Exciter, and Playing the Angel. This album is a mixture of the both; the first half finds DM in classic “old fan” mode, and the remainder of the album is given to the new fans.

The opening song, “In Chains” is nearly a 7 minute reminder of why you love them and flaunts everything that is wonderful about New Age music. What’s so great about “Wrong”? It’s simple! Everything!!! The lyrics are well written, the beat is nothing sort of genius, and it supplies an intensity that is evenly matched by Gahan’s vocals. “Hole to Feed” is one of three songs written by Gahan and Eigner, unfortunately its positioning between “In Chains” and “Wrong” (the two best songs of the album) does it no favors, you forget it almost immediately. The two other band-written songs are “Come Back”, Gahan’s vocals on this song are oddly touching, and “Miles Away”, on which everything but the chorus get drowned out by an awesome beat. There are some letdowns, one that stands out is “Jezebel”, within the first minute of the song, boredom consumes you.

So overall, it starts out strong and then fizzles toward the end. But, that could just be the signs of an ODM (Old Depeche Mode fan) talking. Sounds of the Universe will definitely make you look forward to what the band will cook up next, and shows promise that the band will return to their pre-Violator days.

Below are links to a few songs:

"In Chains"
"Wrong"
"Come Back"
"Miles Away"

When you first heard that Timbaland was coming out with another LP, you probably had one of two reactions: you either couldn’t understand why (considering his past endeavors), or you couldn’t wait because you wanted to hear what beats he managed to cook up. I admit that coming in my expectations were low, but I was pleasantly surprised. To fully appreciate this album, there is one thing you need to go in understanding: it is not a hip-hop album! Timbaland blends in a little rock and funk, and even some Elton John. This eclectic mix will be a favorite among music lovers, but a little disappointing for straight hip-hop fans. Especially since most of his few forays into rap, come out a little flat (i.e., “Oh Timbaland” ,“Come and Get Me” (minus 50’s verse), and “Kill Yourself”).

Stand out songs are “The Way I Are” featuring Keri Hilson. Keri is mostly known now for her song writing ability, but if this song is a preview of whats to come, her career in the forefront looks promising. “Apologize” featuring One Republic. One Republic does not have a large following, but this song should fix that! They are alternative rock with a double dose of soul, and you will love them if you like Maroon 5 or The Fray. “Give It to Me” featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. Really, how can you go wrong with that combination? This song pleases your ears down to the last second, and will leave you panting for more! It’s best when played 5 times in a row. “Release” and “Bombay” will satisfy that Timbaland dance beat you’ve been craving for. If you can’t find yourself moving to these two songs, it’s because you’re paralyzed!

So overall, you may have to hit the fast forward button a couple of times, but when the songs are good they are downright infectious, and will have you hitting the rewind button enough times to forget about those you had to skip. This one is a definite BUY.