stefanoneder Album Reviews

JustMe – Tragedy and Dope

Artist:  JustMe

Album:  Tragedy & Dope

Source:  Bandcamp

Tracklisting:

  1. Tragedy & Dope
  2. I Know
  3. Serenity
  4. The Truth & A Lie
  5. Out Of Context
  6. Ups & Downs
  7. Sexual Confessional
  8. The Prodigal
  9. Quitting Time
  10. Wade

Note:

There should be a new genre of music, categorized as “honest man’s music”.  There is something powerful when a man or woman lays their life out in front of you.   JustMe is breaking down the barriers between artist and listener on his latest release, Tragedy & Dope.  He invites the listener to share a piece of his life and imparts advice through personal experience.

I don’t categorize JustMe as a “Christian Artist”.   He is an artist who happens to be Christian.  His message is inherent in the rhymes and never comes across being overly preachy.  He is not going out of his way to proselytize. His relationship with God simply comes through the words he is spitting.  I feel that, and I think the every day person will too.

Tragedy & Dope is produced entirely by Deacon The Villain from independent mainstays, the Cunninlynguists.  And while his compadre, Kno gets much of the shine on the production for their group, Deacon displays great ability  in producing JustMe’s release.  The sample use throughout the album  really sets tone throughout the joint.   He also does a few of the hooks himself which accentuates the album.  His crooning on the hook for The Prodigal, had me playing that track over and over.   Superior production from Deacon highlights this album.

From the initial tack you know that Tragedy & Dope is going to hold your attention.    The title track is intense as Deacon blends vocal samples and a dope drum pattern together.  It’s a short track but it really does the trick.   I am a sucker for a dope vocal sample, guitar loop, some strings, and a dope beat.  JustMe rips this uptempo track diligently letting us know that “God made both, Tragedy and Dope“.

I Know also utilizes a well placed guitar sample.    The track is a little slower than the aforementioned but suits JustMe perfectly.   He spits verses relating to how we make decisions under the influence of the devil.   His lyrics are insightful and dope.  You can feel his passion for his message.  He brings a different view point to our every day life, on that involves that daily struggle between good and evil.   The hook is done by none other than Deacon The Villain and hits it’s mark in being soulful and provoking.

The aforementioned track, The Prodigal, is really the highlight of this album.   JustMe gives us a window into his life being the prodigal son.   If you are not familiar with the biblical story, I invite you to sit down for fifteen minutes and get acquainted with it.  He turned away from God, and lived a life of  sin.  He reveals the ills of his early life and how he made a turnaround to get back to God.  I can’t do this song the justice that it deserves.  Production is remarkable and the song really reached me on a personal level.  I can’t think of too many in recent memory that moved me to hit the repeat button so often.  Deacon’s chorus rolls around in m head:

“I live my life on the run, outside of my zone, wasn’t the only one, to call the streets my home.  I live my life on the run, outside of my zone, I haven’t been the only one,…the Prodigal.”

This album is dope.  It can not be overstated.  It was a true pleasure to sit down and listen to this from front to back.  You will not find a better album for five dollars in 2010.  Rest assured!

stefanoneder Mixtapes

Kil Ripkin – The Quickening Vol. 1

Artist: Kil Ripkin

Album: The Quickening Vol. 1

Source: Kevin Nottingham

Tracklisting:

  1. Intro
  2. I Like to Mention
  3. We Just Begun
  4. Kil Season (ft. Ike Turner)
  5. Strong
  6. Laid Back
  7. The Flesh
  8. Win Your Love
  9. Universal Mind Bank
  10. Live From The Podium
  11. Sounds Of Freed (ft. Charles Herron)
  12. Special Appearance
  13. Currency
  14. Talk To Me
  15. Kitty
  16. In The Night
  17. Everything’s Changed
  18. Spit That Shit
  19. Quit (ft. Joe Grizzly)

Notes:

When you think of smooth emcees, you should think Kil Ripkin.  The flow is mellow and poignant at the same time.   It is not lackadaisical.  Actually, quite to contrary he flows with purpose on many different subjects.  It just sounds like it comes so easy to him.  He is more effortless than anything else.  I first got up on Kil Ripkin earlier this year.  I heard a single and made it a point to remember the name.  So when I saw this available this week, I did not hesitate to download.

The Quickening Vol.1 is nothing short of incredible.  It wakes the social conscious among the listener.  So many great songs that I thought I would mention just a few.  Strong for instance gets the head nodding and the neurons firing.  Kil Ripkin addresses the need for us all to have ‘courage under fire’ as it were.  Things are not going to get handed to you on a silver plate.   You will run into obstacles.  You must overcome these obstacles to achieve things in this life.  Kil Ripkin sounds like the kind of man who pulls himself up by the boot straps and just goes to war on this one. It’s just that simple.

On the next track, Laid Back, Kil Ripkin abuses a chill beat, and gives you a vantage into his easy going demeanor.   He talks about balancing his “blessings with his short comings“.  He takes things seriously but also takes them in stride.  He doesn’t let life overwhelm him.  He just handles his business as it comes.  He gives you genuine perspective as to how  he lives.    Kil Ripkin has that keen self-awareness that few people have, and fewer emcees address.

“Being Broke is a state of mind which leads to a way of life…” is just one of the dope lines in the short cut entitled, Currency.  That line really resonates with me.   It sounds so simple but when set to music and a rhyme scheme it  hits you all that much harder.   The cut talks about the ills of money and the industry that has control over it.  There is serious science being dropped on this track and I can only hope that you are paying attention.,

Kil Ripkin is one of the doper social and politically conscious emcees in the game. He is embodiment of empowerment and is the perfect example of what happens when dope mic skills and great content collide in music.  Definitely peep this!

stefanoneder Features

Markmywords – Dying Breed ft. Blame One and Chino XL B/W Wage War (Singles)

I am not going to do this very often.  I HATE listing singles and talking about a couple of tracks.   Every blog does that and it seems redundant.  But with that being said, that just makes this particular post all that more special.   Markmywords new single is absolutely beasting!  The verses that Blame One, Chino XL, and Markmywords drop on Dying Breed set such a high standard that I needed to shed light on the single.

I first got put on to Markmywords last year from his album, entitled Homeland Security – Nature Of The Beast.  I like what I heard from this San Diego native and was definitely excited to hear his new material.  Dying Breed/Wage War does not disappoint on any level.  Check them and download!

stefanoneder Video

Block McCloud – Crazy Man (Video)

This one of the best videos from 2010 thus far.  I love the whole concept that just runs parallel to the song itself. Block McCloud is one of my favorite artists.  I have followed his music from the Will Tell Mix Tapes.  Block is unlike any other.  He has that raw rhyme ability and then can sing the hell off of any type of hook.  Go cop the Crazy Man EP off of Itunes and be on the lookout for his new album in early 2011.

stefanoneder Album

Co$$ x Numonics – Revelations

Artist: Co$$ x Numonics

Album: Revelations

Source: 2Dopeboyz

Tracklisting:

  1. Free
  2. Revelations
  3. They Keep Asking
  4. Gone (ft. Freddie Gibbs)
  5. Fake Kings
  6. Doubt Us
  7. We On (ft. Wrekonize)
  8. Confetti
  9. Let ‘Em Live
  10. Now Til Infinity (ft. Reks and Naledge)
  11. Tick Tock (ft. Sene)
  12. Paranoid
  13. Time Is Now
  14. It’s All Happening
  15. Genesis

Note:

Some releases catch you by surprise, Revelations, however was on my radar from jump. Co$$ has been getting better and better with every cut I hear him on. His flow and his drawl are very unique. His content is deeper than most would give him credit for. Numonics is also quickly becoming one of the more acclaimed producers in independent hip hop if you ask me. His previous work on his debut album, released earlier this year, Being Cool Doesn’t Pay The Bills gave him the opportunity to showcase his vast talent.

Co$$ and Numonics is not just a good combination,…it is a great combination. The album is dope. The track Free is a mere glimpse into what the duo can do. Co$$ goes to town over the heater. He breaks down how he is free from the constraints of a corrupt industry. He does not need to conform and can rock the mic his way. He truly is an original emcee in every sense of the phrase. I really can’t think of anyone that remotely sounds like Co$$.  His cadence and rhyme schemes constantly have you checking and rewinding.  It’s unorthodox and entrancing all at the same time.

Another choice cut from, Revelations, is the track Paranoid. Numonics hooks the listener up with a beat that fits the concept. It can best be described as neurotic. Co$$ then proceeds to give you multiple reasons to be afraid and paranoid of existing conditions.  He speaks on his unpreparedness for the future financially, his place in the streets, and having sex in this day and age.  The song straight up gave me a phobia just by listening to it!

Numonics production really leaves me tongue tied at times. It’s hard to pigeon hole the man. He is so diverse in his sound. He uses synth, horns, electric funk guitar, operatic sample, etc. You never know what the next track holds for you musically on this release.  He keeps you guessing on every piece of production which add to the pleasure of listening to, Revelations.

When people ask me who is the next to blow ala Freddie Gibbs, I point them in the direction of Co$$. He has the rare combination of street savvy, intelligent lyrics, and crafty flow. He has all the intangibles to blow up in today’s climate.

Revelations is a clear demonstration of talent both in terms of production and emceeing. It will leave you wanting more and I am sure there is much more on the horizon from both producer and emcee.  Just stay tuned.

*Bonus*

Paranoid (Numonics Alt Mix) -Download

Rock On – Download

stefanoneder EP

Myk Dyaleks – Make’em (Yell)ow

Artist: Myk Dyaleks (Brokn.Englsh)

Album: Make’em (Yell)ow

Source: Kevin Nottingham

Tracks:

  1. Welcome
  2. Amber Alert
  3. Summa Spring Wenta June
  4. Starin’ Down The Lens (ft.  Lyric2Go)
  5. HAV Plenty
  6. Hey…I Know (ft. Empress)
  7. The Stars Look Up (ft. Cayan)
  8. Yell(ow)
  9. Long Kiss

Note:

If you are looking for something soulful and mellow to chill to today, tomorrow, or whenever, this very well might be your jam.  Make em’ (Yell)ow is a very chill EP from Brokn.Englsh member, Myk Dyaleks.

I really love everything about this release.  It’s not breaking new ground, but it is cultivating some stale turf as it were.  I wish I could provide you with some production credits because as far as smooth production, the work on here is top notch.  I would love to give credit where it is due.  Myk Dyaleks voice and flow on the EP are in perfect unison with the beats.  It sounds like a harmonious blend between man and music.

My choice tracks are Amber Alert, Long Kiss, and (Yell)ow.  The first two check in at just over a minute, but even being so brief, the sound was intoxicating to the point that I ran through them three or four times.  The track (Yell)ow, is a full featured track and I love the production off of this joint.   There are a lot of different sounds in that song that music lovers should enjoy.

Peep the Bandcamp below and also be sure to check out Brokn.Englsh’s latest group release totally produced by the incredible The ARE.

 

stefanoneder EP

Wordsmith – Buzzworthy Bangers Vol. 1

Artist: Wordsmith

Album: Buzzworth Bangers Vol 1

Source: 2Dopeboyz

Tracklisting:

  1. Ground Zero (prod. by Streetrunner)
  2. Hear The Whispers (prod. by Centric)
  3. In This Corner (prod. by J-Mac)
  4. Show Me The Money (prod. by Drum Majors ATL)
  5. Touch Back Down (prod. by Strada)
  6. A Night To Remember (prod. by Neo-Keys)
  7. Flashback Of Hope & Happiness (prod. by Strada)
  8. The Righteous Path Revo Remix (ft. Kontact, Black Knight, and Whitefolkz) (prod by Krate Krusaders)
  9. A Night To Remember Revo Remix (ft. Kontact and Black Knight) (prod. by Neo-Keys)

Note:

Wordsmith is one of those artists where the more you hear from him, the more you can appreciate what he does on the microphone. He has a rapid fire delivery and crisp cadence. He has also been a very busy artist this year. A couple of mix tapes and of course his album, Vintage Experience, have really made him pretty prolific and that’s not even to mention all of the guest shots the man has appeared on.

Buzzworthy Bangers Vol. 1 is a different vibe. Wordsmith is going to get his name heard on this release with plenty of accessible tracks.  There is something on here for the hip hop purists and those who are looking for a cut or two that should get some serious radio play if the right people are listening. Hear The Whispers is one of those tracks that could make it in both circles.  Lyrically, Wordsmith is keeping you on your toes, while  the producer Centric organizes a very energetic track.   It’s very uptempo and keeps the adrenaline flowing.   Wordsmith’s skill and charisma really draws you in on a track such as this.

My favorite track is The Righteous Path Revo Remix.   The production is really busy on this track, but it keeps you listening intently.  And while the beat holds your attention, Wordsmith, Kontact, Whitefolkz, and the very underrated Black Knight drop some meaningful bars.   I abide by the policy, that dope production, when coupled with dope, meaningful lyricism will always equal a sure shot.

Buzzworthy Bangers Vol. 1 is a great place to start if you have never heard a Wordsmith joint before, but also a great piece of music for existing fans to sink their eardrums into.  Wordsmith definitely has the ball rolling in a positive direction and I can only hope that hip hop enthusiasts can catch up to and appreciate what he and the rest of his DMV compatriots are putting down.