Rap

Slaughterhouse

8/17/2009
in
Slaughterhouse
Ted Simmons

As Royce Da 5'9" describes he and his group members as Voltron, coming together as one being, adding arms to body to legs to head, the super group, Slaughterhouse, already references themselves as the all powerful Transformer. Piecing together already formidable parts into one wrecking machine.

And a transformation is much needed for these four lyricists.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.50Stars

Hustle till I Die

7/20/2009
in
Juicy J
Ted Simmons

Juicy J, one half of Memphis rap group Three 6 Mafia, is back with his second solo album, "Hustle till I Die," an extensive collection of goonish anthems, all equally simple-minded and vulgar.

Three 6 Mafia has enjoyed a good deal of success with hit's "Stay Fly" and "Poppin My Collar," songs that celebrate a simple fun time.

Reviewer Rating: 
2.50Stars

The Massacre

7/19/2009
in
50 Cent
Michael Mandelkern

What some call a sophomore slump could either make or break an artist.

Two years after the release of his monster 9-time platinum debut, 50 Cent's "The Massacre" is a major hit. Selling 1.1 million copies in its fourth day of release, it is far from the bane of his career.50's generally mild-mannered flow could be mistaken for a lack of effort but his wide range of delivery strives for hip-hop versatility. "Piggy Bank" is the quiet before the storm with a subtle warning fired at rival rappers such as Ja Rule and Nas, over a thumping bass.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.50Stars

Fish Outta Water

7/11/2009
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Chali 2na
Kelsey Zukowski

After years of rapping with hip-hop group, Jurassic 5, Chali 2na comes out with his first solo album. Nicknamed, 2na Fish, the album, entitled "Fish Outta Water," seems a very fitting title for the successful rapper straying away from his collaborative efforts to develop his own music. Even in his solo album there is plenty of collaboration with other popular artists such as Talib Kweli, Beenie Man, and Damian and Stephen Marley.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

Creepin on ah Come Up

7/7/2009
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Bone Thugs n' Harmony
Josh Brachfeld

Bone Thugs n' Harmony have to be one of the most courageous rap groups to emerge in the '90s. Coming out of Cleveland to L.A., they brought a new style of speed rapping. Sometimes the thugs even break into song. But do you ever hear anyone make fun of them for singing? No. These guys are the real deal, both in their talent as rappers and in their street cred. Right now, Flesh Bone, one of the members, is doing time for assaulting someone with an AK-47.

"Creepin on ah Come Up," their first CD, is a perfect introduction to the Bone Thugs sound.

Reviewer Rating: 
5.00Stars

Paper Trail

7/6/2009
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T.I.
Matthew Doyle

T.I. is one of the smoothest rappers in the business. He can actually pull off rapping "dude" with "dude," and does so with noteworthy southern suaveness. It's his cutting ATL drawl that has made him so successful in the past. His most recent effort, however, "Paper Trail," has a more anxious tone. Likely, this has to do with the rapper facing a year in prison for federal weapons charges. And while T.I.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.50Stars

Tha Carter III

7/6/2009
in
Lil' Wayne
Matthew Doyle

Lil' Wayne is one weird dude. Tatted up from head to toe, with a shining grill across his teeth and mangy dreadlocks, he's one cat I wouldn't want to run across in a darkened alley. And he's only 5'6"! Equally eccentric are his lyrics...his tone runs the gamut from a marijuana induced cackling to a ponderous, raspy whisper. And with the release of "Tha Carter III," with triple platinum sales at this point, audiences have embraced this nutty cretin.

"Tha Carter III" is Wayne's greatest album to date. He's more confident and oddball than ever.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

Chemical Warfare

7/6/2009
in
Alchemist
Ted Simmons

Even though he provides few of the lyrics on "Chemical Warfare," producer Alchemist is still able to leave his mark all over his latest album. Whereas producer-backed albums by DJ Khaled or DJ Drama put the emphasis on the star power of their guest artist, Alchemist uses insightful skits and an impressive arsenal of instrumentals that put the sound of his second disc firmly in his own hands.

His first album since 2001's "1st Infantry," Alchemist elevates the less than exciting verses of lower leveled stars like Lil Fame or Three 6 Mafia, with dazzling beats.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

Ruthless

7/6/2009
in
Ace Hood
Ted Simmons

Ace Hood raps as if he's an NFL half back. He's handed the ball, in this case the mic. Then he hits the hole, for argument's sake his verse, with enough force to bowl over any potential obstacles. And from there, he's run without looking back.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.50Stars

If Tomorrow Comes

7/5/2009
in
Maino
Kelsey Zukowski

If Tomorrow Comes is the debut album from Brooklyn born rapper, Maino. The structure of the alignment of the music is probably the most interesting part of the CD. The album begins with the light, celebratory track, "Million Bucks." Maino is so thrilled about his new found success that he could give away a million bucks. In a way, it is basking how much money he has and can freely give away as if it was nothing. A bigger part of the song hits on how the money doesn't matter. It's becoming a success, after all of the doubts that were piled against him, that's important.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.50Stars
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