Drake - Nothing Was The Same

As much salt they throw on Drake, you can't deny the fact that is a great artist and his fourth album entitled, Nothing Was The Same, is sure to please your ears with melodic rhymes and harmonic singing. 

At first, I was taken back by his choice for the intro. His prior albums always started off real mellow and then he went to the more hard toward the middle but, on my second listen, I learned to appreciate it. I felt like he needed to do this because a lot of people have been coming for Drake's neck and felt like this was like his redemption song. 

The album overall had a great flow. I love that he kept it true to his ending interludes they remind me of The Dream's album. It makes you appreciate the blood, sweat and tears that is put into production. The only downfall is that I felt like his lyrics were a little mediocre on some of his song. I felt like on Take Care, there was a balance of great lyrics and drake holding his tune but, nevertheless, those tracks were saved by the production. 

Speaking of the production; it was great. Of course you know Noah "40" Shebib is Drake's right hand man when it comes to his sound. It's like Missy with no Timberland, Mariah with no Jermaine Dupri. It just wouldn't be right. Drake collab with other "super" producers such as Boi-1da, T-Minus, Mike Zombie, Hudson Mohawke, The Dream and Mike WiLL Made It; to name a few. 

This is another good album by Drizzy. I see this banging for the rest of this year.

Favorite tracks: 

Track 11- 305 To My City Ft. Detail

Track 12 - Too Much 

Track 16 - All Me Ft. 2 Chainz and Big Sean

Least Fave:

Track 1: Tuscany Leather 

This direct link to the album will be open for only four hours so...HURRY UP AND DOWNLOAD!

Download here

Enjoy.

-Jacq

Early Release: Kanye West -Yeezus

I wasn't going even review this album because I wasn't sure about the dark turn Kanye has taken but, I had to remember, Kanye reinvents. Not saying that I'm fully into his turn but, I do appreciate the art of this CD.

Switching form the tone from the last album, Kanye this took a much dark approach. Focusing on issues of socialism, his inner demons (nothing new), race and the New World Order. Electro beats and powerful yet witty lyrics fuel this CD.

This is not Kanye's best works but they are sure to please. Even though this is a good album, it could have been so much more. I felt like it was missing something.

Great CD Yeezy but I did enjoy J. Coles more. In my opinion.

Best Tracks:

Track 1: On Sight

Track 2: Black Skinheads

Track 5: New Slaves

Track 6: I'm In It

Track 7: Blood On The Leaves

Download album here. (Create download link)

Enjoy.

-Jacq

Early Release: J. Cole -Born Sinner

I wanted to just put up this post when I got the drop a couple of days ago but, this is one project I wanted to listen to thoroughly. 

J. Cole has to be one of the most underrated rappers in the game right now. His music is notice but, he as an artist goes under the radar. If you don't have respect for J. Cole then, this album is sure to defer your mind. 

Writing this has me emotional because I truly love hip-hop and when I hear great albums, it makes me appreciate the art even more. When people put their all into something, you feel their hunger through whatever it is they do. J. Cole is very much still hungry. The music speaks for it.

The production, cohesiveness and the lyrical content is just superb. All bangers on this album.

Thanks J.Cole for this piece of history.

Download album here. (Create download link)

Enjoy.
-Jacq

Mixtape: Sir Michael Rocks -While You Wait

Sir Michael Rocks, one half of the Cool Kids has dropped another mixtape entitled, While You Wait. Mikey Rocks last mixtape was surprisingly good and this mixtape is even better.

Since the depart of his Cool Kid counterpart, Chuck English, Mikey has been holding the duo down with his relevance and even though it was Chucks beats that provided the fuel for their verses, Mikey has been outsourcing for production. I must say, he has done a good job in doing so.  Touching out to some of the new leader of the game like Cardo, Polyester, The Freshman and Larry Fisherman (AkA Mac Miller).

I love that Mikey took the initiative to go out on his own but, I hope that Cool Kids reunion is around the corner.

Faves:

Track 3: T-Shirt, No Panties

Track 4: Madness

Track 7: In A Minute

Track 10: The Lobby

Download mixtape here.

Enjoy.
-Jacq

Mixtape: The-Dream -Climax

A couple weeks after the release of his VI Play album, The Dream dropped a mixtape entitled Climax. 

A nice tracklist with  four songs. I think this may have have been unreleased tracks from the album.

Overall, the mixtape is ok I give it a 4.5 out of 10.

Fave Track

Track 2: ROC

Download mixtape here.

Enjoy.
-Jacq 

Mixtape: Gunplay -Acquitted

If you love that gutta, hood, trap rap then Gunplay's new mixtape, will get your adrenalin going.

Gunplay is the rapper for the trenches, the streets. This mixtape is filled with hardcore lyrics and hard beats that will get you going. Its one of those mixtapes that'll have you going hard in the gym.

Overall this is a good mixtape. I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

Best tracks: 

Track 8: Topside

Track 9 : Pyrex

Download this mixtape here . No login required.

Enjoy.
-Jacq

Mixtape: Iamsu! -KILT II

Cali Bay Area native Iamsu! released his new mixtape this week entitled KILT II. 

I always heard collaboration tracks from this guy but, never heard any of his mixtapes. Not really impressed. I just couldn't connect. It seems is if he couldn't connect with his music. I felt like he was just rapping on the beat and not in tune with his music. Production wise it was great and he made most of his beat for this project. I love the horns from Terrance Martin on some of the tracks. 

Iamsu! would be a great artist if he could just connect with his music. Great producer but, not a great rapper.

Just my opinion but, take a listen for yourself.

Fave Tracks

Track 3: Hold It Down

Track 9: Float

Track 16: Best Thing Yet

Track 17: 100 Grand (Remix)

Download this mixtape here. (no login required)

Enjoy.
-Jacq