Album Review: This Ain't No Mixtape

Curren$y - This Ain't No Mixtape

After stints with No Limit and Cash Money, Curren$y spent 2008 getting his independent hustle on, dropping 7 mixtapes, and generating a nice buzz in the process. Finally, he's come with the official album, appropriately titled, This Ain't No Mixtape. If you've followed Curren$y's mixtape game, from Higher Than 30,000 Feet to Fin..., you'll hear the difference as soon as you start listening to the album. This Ain't No Mixtape is clean and focused, as opposed to his mixtapes which, as good as they were, were naturally all over the place.

Spitta takes time out on the intro, "The Briefing", to walk through his mixtape history, and prep the listener for what they're in store for. He begins with, "Get It Ya Self", a song obviously inspired by his failed experiences with former record labels. Next up is the single, "Blown Away", which is followed by "Scared Of Monstas" - the only two songs to be released in their entirety prior to the album's release.

Then comes "Elevator Music", one of many smoker's anthems Curren$y supplies on the album. Each of the album's 16 joints are dope, with the standout tracks being, "Blown Away", "The Jets Son", "Sail On", and "Galaxy". He doesn't overdo it with the guest appearances either, with stellar performance coming in the form his team, Fly Society, Young Chris, Mickey Factz, Amanda Diva, and Bun B. 

While a couple of the tracks aren't as strong, none are skip-worthy, and the album flows cleanly all the way through. Such continuity should be attributed to Caurren$y working exclusively with production team Monsta Beatz, as nothing seems out of place and there is an clear chemistry between Spitta's weed-influence rhymes and Monsta Beatz's futuristic sounding beats (they sampled The Jetsons theme song on one of the tracks). 

It's great to see Curren$y come with his album, as too often rappers like him, who leave major labels, can never, for whatever reason, get their album out. In Spitta's case going independent was the way to go, and he took full advantage of the power of the internet. The album is not in stores, rather only available for download via amalgamdigital.com.  

Blown Away...

Album Review: Deeper Than Rap

Rick Ross - Deeper Than Rap

It's been a hell of a year for Ross. He dropped a dope album, Trilla, fought off CO allegations, and got entangled in a much-publicized beef with 50 Cent. The pressure was definitely on for Rick Ross to perform on this album, and with Deeper Than Rap, he certainly doesn't disappoint. Ross doesn't get too innovative on the album, sticking to the standard Rick Ross themes: money, cocaine, women, and addressing the haters. Everything that comes with being a "Boss".

Deeper comes hard right away with the street single, "Mafia Music", then keeps it coming with "Maybach Music 2", "Magnificent" - the official single, "Yacht Club", and "Usual Suspects". Quite a way to start an album. Other bangers include, "Rich Off Cocaine" and "Murder Mami". Of course he addresses Curly and any other critics, specifically on "Valley Of Death" and "In Cold Blood".

Unfortunately, the album isn't exempt of the need for a skip button. Most of the flaws have to do with failed with R&B collabos. Ironically, two of R&B's biggest stars, The-Dream and Ne-Yo, provide vocals on the album's worst songs, "All I Really Want" and "Bossy Lady". 

As good as Ross' flow is on the album, the real stars of the album are J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, the production team Ross has gotten up with to create the likes of "Maybach Music" and "Luxury Tax". They've slowly become some of the top producers in the game with their intricate, soulful, and sonic beats. On Deeper Than Rap, they produce 3 of the album's top 4 or 5 songs: "Maybach Music 2", "Yacht Club", and "Rich Off Cocaine", as well as the current single. 

Deeper Than Rap is no classic, but it's definitely another solid album from Rick Ross, full with appearences by Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, Nas, John Legend, Avery Storm, and more. Although there are a couple missteps, Ross comes correct, and as long as he's smart enough to stick with J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, he'll be good to go for years to come.

Mafia Music...

Via: onsmash

Album Review: The Last Kiss

Jadakiss - The Last Kiss



Jadakiss is without question one of the dopest, most respected lyricists in the game. Every one from B.I.G. to Nas to Jay to Mary J. has given him the cosign, and he's remained among the elite in the game since he came in the game with The Lox during Bad Boy's glory days. However, his first two albums failed to deliver what all knew he was capable of. Don't get it twisted, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye (2001) and Kiss Of Death (2004) were solid albums, but with the lyrical ability he possess, he's held to a higher standard than most rappers. Many felt that his mixtape, "The Champ Is Here", was in fact better than the succeeding album - Kiss Of Death.

The Last Kiss hits hard right out of the gate. The first track, "Pain & Torture", is that short, scrunch-your-face-up intro, where rapper's come with nothing but BARS. The albums moves strongly after that, with the current single, "Can't Stop Me"; down-south pleasers, "Who's Real", featuring OJ Da Juiceman and Swizz Beatz, and "Something Else", featuring Young Jeezy; and a soulful joint, "Grind Hard", on which Mary J. Blige supplies some fierce vocals.

'Kiss has plenty for the "Heads" on the album, as well. "One More Step" is the Kiss/Styles P. tag-team that they've perfected-- as well as - if not better than - any other tandem in the history of the game, and on "Cartel Gathering", he brings in the gods Ghostface & Raekwon (are these the 3 top dogs from NY right now?).



Jada hits on the introspective tip, too. On "What If", featuring Nas, he poses a laundry list of "What If" questions, such as "What if Peyton was fightin' dogs instead of Mike Vick?" (It's very similar to "Why?"). Jada talks to Notorious B.I.G. on "Letter To B.I.G.", and gives him an update on the current state of the game, and what he's missing - or not missing - out on.

All that being said, there's still filler. The two Pharrell tracks, "Stress Ya" and "Rocking With The Best", are WACK. And "Smoking Gun", featuring Jazmine Sullivan is just unnecessary. Lastly - and surprisingly - the joint with LOX teammate Sheek Louch, "Come And Get Me" is disappointment.

As you can see, the album's a little heavy on the features. And minus the four tracks mentioned in the above paragraph, we might be looking at one of the best albums in recent memory. Instead, we've got another strong, but flawed Jadakiss album, and again, the preceding mixtape, "Kiss My Ass: The Champ Is Here Pt. 2", is better than plastic-wrapped product.

All in all, The Last Kiss is packed with plenty of heat, and is no doubt better than most of the garbage coming out now, and is definitely worthy of your $10-$15.

Jadakiss - Can't Stop Me...

Album Review: Ryan Leslie

Ryan Leslie - Ryan Leslie

In the past few years, Ryan Leslie has made his mark on the music game producing and writing songs for everyone from Britney Spears to Cassie, and New Edition to Jim Jones. A Harvard graduate at age 19 with degrees in Government and Economics, Leslie - singer/songwriter/producer/musician/ - is one of the most talented cats in the game. Since 2006, Leslie's developed a huge buzz on the web via his YouTube channel, and in 2007, Leslie began recording songs for his official debut album (his first debut album, Just Right, was shelved in 2003). After two years of mild airplay with singles "Diamond Girl" and "Addiction", Leslie's self-titled debut album finally hit stores this past Tuesday, February 10. 

(click to enlarge)

Ryan Leslie is one of the best, most balanced, R&B albums in recent years. While many R&B artists have struggled, being "too hip-hop", or "too soft", Leslie finds a happy medium between the two. The singles,  "Diamond Girl", "Addiction", and "How It Was Supposed To Be" are definitely the standout tracks. They're synth-heavy cuts with a nice club bounce to satisfy those looking for a more upbeat hip-hop feel. On the other hand, for those that prefer a more traditional R&B ballad, tracks such as, "You're Fly, "Valentine", and "I-R-I-N-A" are up that alley. He's even got songs for the Pop-Crossover crowd, particularly, "Quicksand", which has a beat that could've made it on a Maroon 5 album.

Why his songs aren't all over the radio, I have no idea, especially since he's got the type of songs that rappers love to hop on, as Fabolous ("Addiction") and Jadakiss ("How It Was Supposed To Be (remix)" - not on the album), have already shown. Even Leslie occasionally starts spitting over a couple of his tracks. 

Although Leslie's not the best vocalist, his melodies, production, and ability to hit the falsetto notes are through the roof. All that makes for a great debut for Ryan Leslie, and one of the best R&B albums in a minute. As long as he keeps making music, and doesn't go back to his behind scenes work of songwriting and production, Leslie will be a mainstay on the R&B scene.

Video: "How It Was Supposed To Be"...