Mixtape Review: Wo'se Kofi - "Relations"

Wo'se Kofi
Relations (EP)

https://soundcloud.com/wose-kofi/sets/relations

Reviewed by: Quake

Wo'se Kofi is a conscious rapper hailing from Inglewood, California. Although Wo'se doesn't claim any area or turf you'll most likely hear him coming out the speakers & headphones in the Westside of Cali. His motivation for releasing the EP is to share his thoughts of past relationships with people and to prepare a bridge to his new material. I'm a big fan of conscious music but not really a fan of this project he's released called "Relations." It has way to many misses and only a few hits with me.

"Fly Away" -I like the production. Sadly the verses are neither memorable nor cohesive. Wo'se actually has bar substance but lacks a steady flow. I'm not going to bob my head to this. Maybe he wasn't aiming for that. But even if he was or wasn't, it was a miss for me. The production was a hit though.

"Missin U" - Again nice production. Love the sample work done here but the mixing/mastering is horrible. The vocals are literally so low I can barely comprehend the lyrics. The beat overwhelms the vocals to the point where I don't care anymore about the lyrics, flow, or message. I just want to ride the beat till the end!

"I Can See It" - Another hit as far as the production here. I like Wo'se beat selection but again the lyricism seems scatter brained and uncontrolled. One thing I dislike about a rapper is when he tries to fit so much into one bar. Simplify it if it doesn't fit. It helps convey the message more clear and direct! Now I'm not saying dumb it down. But the message has to catch, And if the bar simply doesn't fit, it doesn't fit!

"My Life" - I don't know who sings the vocals on this track but whomever it is please keep your day job!!. It literally sounded like a wounded deer on his last breath. I spit out my iced tea as soon as I heard that horrible sound. Don't know what to call that but it's defiantly not singing. Sounds like crying if you ask me.

Synopsis: Production is nice but when it comes to Wo'se's flow it just doesn't sync with me. Most of his lyrics and thoughts seemed scatter brained with no focus or storyline. I understand you Wo'se but I don't comprehend you. It's a big difference. It may seem like I'm telling you to dumb down but I'm trying to understand the message in a uniformed fashion. If you convey it with just scattered thoughts. You loose the attention of your audience. You don't have to be dumbed down and catchy. But the message has to catch. It was just inconsistent as far as entertainment goes.

HITS: I was intrigued by the beat selection but not by the lyrics, flow, and especially the singing.

MISS: A couple misses to list are the consistency, fluency, recording and also the mixing/mastering are all a miss. Some vocals were to loud some were way to low.

To sum it up I love Wo'se Kofi's direction and approach as far as character  I just think his execution is lacking. Have a listen and judge for yourself!

SOHD: First Impression

Reviewed by: Quake

SOHD (Swag on HD) is a group from Inglewood, CA. The group consist of Pretty MF Ant, Showcase, Melly Mel, & Tonio Blu. Their engineer/Producer is Tommy Gunz & HAZ-MAT. This mixtape titled "First Impression" is practically the first body of work I'm reviewing from this group. I've mainly just heard singles and music video coming from them, This groups main focus is towards appeasing the opposite sex. With songs like Friends with Benefits, All Night, Girl Like You, Screaming Orgasm, So Swag, and many other singles will tell you the obvious answer of who they are trying to garner attention from. But in this particular mixtape the skits will tell you a whole different story from what the songs are saying.

Intro A Day In LA" - It starts off with the group in the car bragging about their performance and contemplating on getting something to eat at Tam's Burgers on Figueroa (One of my favorite spots lol)

"We Different" - Using the instrumental from 2 chainz "I'm Different." SOHD make a slight spin on the original hook and added their version of verses to it. The verses are mediocre at the best. Tonio Blu's vocals does add a more interesting sound to the hook. Sad to say that my bro doesn't think the same with the signing vocals on the hook. But to me it made an already catchy song even more so. So good work on that remake.

"Clique" - Using the instrumental of Kanye, Jay-Z & Big Sean's "Clique". SOHD uses this one in their mix tape. This one is featuring 1st lady from SOHD. I must say she isn't a skip over. I actually enjoyed her egotistical bars. I would like to hear more original content from her.

"Like You" - Love this single, It;s very commercial and I can hear this on hip hop and R&B radio stations on playback. Nice work on the hook. I don't expect any amazing lyrical abilities coming from a track like this so I won't judge the verses. As long as it's on subject with the hook sung by Tonio Blu.

"Beat A Bitch Up" - Nice parody of the original "YG - Up" song. Love the comedic lyrical approach. Which I think is showcase's strong point. Overall everyone did their thing on this one for a nice laugh.

Synopsis: From what I can hear the mixing/mastering isn't bad, but it isn't superb either. The production isn't authentic so I can't say anything from that stand point. But the overall potential of this group is there. Especially to the audience they are aiming for. To me the skits and songs weren't cohesive. Also the talent in this group isn't in sync as well. The songs are mainly catering towards women yet the skits are catering towards the streets. I personally wasn't impressed by their first impression. But mainly cause the songs don't cater to my interest. But they defiantly have some comedic and commercial singles to my liking. So I wouldn't recommend the trash can for them. Give them a listen and see if it's for your taste.

Mixtape Review: F.A.R (Fuck A Record Deal)



Reviewed by: Quake

 

 

 

F.A.R (Fuck A Record Deal)

 

http://www.datpiff.com/MikeG-and-LX-Turnt-Up-Ent-Presents-Far-Fuck-A-Record-deal-Mi-mixtape.401293.html

 

Mike G & LX Fuck A Record Deal (FAR): Inglewood natives from music group Turnt up ent. are giving us a promotional mix tape displaying what is next for them in their musical journey. I really enjoyed it even though I'm not a big fan of ratchet music. It seems like this duo's focus is aiming towards the clubs, house parties, kickbacks, anything of that nature. So if this is not your taste maybe it's not worth a listen for you. But if the ratchet in you is overwhelming? Try this record out and exercise your inner ratchet lol.

 

"F.A.R Intro": In a musical land where intro's are no longer alive and present in records. I really appreciate a nice intro. It builds the albums general meaning and animates the vocalists giving them another dimension to their character. Very creative title and meaningful introduction into their work. LX plays a label exec who tries to tell the hip hop duo to conform to popular trends.

 

"Shorty Want A Nigga": Very ratchet sample of a girl wishing for her definition of a real nigga.

 

"She ain't coming back": Love the written work on this one. More so the subject I like in particular. The recording sounded lower on this one. It's not a professional mix but it's decent enough to get the general gist of the track.

 

"Poppin While She Poppin": All around great ratchet track. It did it's job. It had the signature ratchet claps that you would expect. It had a catchy hook. And if I was a club goer I would be on the dance floor when this comes on. So nice work done here.

 

"Get it": Love this track when it isn't on a speaker with a subwoofer. That horrible bass in the background is absolutely terrible. Whoever produced this track should of threw that cheap ass bass in the recycle bin where it belongs. But without that horrible bass this is a great beat. And MikeG and LX made a pretty cool song worth a playback.

 

"Ganja": Everything seems so cohesive in this track. From the recording, to the written work. I really enjoyed it. Especially since I am a big fan of Ganja lmao.

 

"Hate Us": A nice attempt in trying to spit some substance in a pretty much ratchet mix tape lol. But it wasn't that bad at all. If the recording was done professionally it would sound pretty good. LX character doesn't demand a solid lyrical ability. So I wouldn't demand him to spit a Nas verse. As long as he can convey the emotion of the song.

 

Synopsis: Well if you known these guys like I've known them. You would be blown away by this record. They literally weren't even worth a listen back then. MikeG and LX have came a long way in their journey. While sitting there during a in studio listening session I was truly blown away. And I am proud to say that this promotional mix tape has been on playback with me a couple times. So if you're planning any functions, parties, kickbacks, download a copy of their record. Especially if you're from Inglewood!

 

 



Mixtape Review: Blizz Wellz - Elevator Music

Reviewed by: Quake

Album - Elevator Music

http://blizzwellz.bandcamp.com/

"Paint your Walls" (Single)

http://blizzwellz.bandcamp.com/track/paint-your-walls-ft-dijon


Blizz Wellz: (Elevator Music): Blizz Wellz is an artist representing Long Beach, CA. He is rather interesting. I love his presentation. But I feel this current project is aiming at what is commercial and popular. Which isn't a bad thing. But it shouldn't be your focal point. Blizz is a cool character and pretty solid lyricist. But I'm afraid that's where it ends. Blizz is missing the unique factor in his story telling and character development.

"Red Cups": All around great track. The recording is nice to the ears. And the hook is rather catchy. And in today's musical climate. It doesn't help to add a catchy hook every now and then to your album. I love the work done here.

"Paint your Walls": I love instrumentals which are atmospheric. It helps, especially with my blood pressure lol. And this song which is produced by Swiff D is pretty much on playback with me. Blizz is well on point with his lyricism. Staying on subject with the general hook/chorus of the song. The meaning is general and mainstream. Nice overall work on a commercial level. Blizz said he wrote the track during the time YG's single "Beat the pussy up," and Tyga's "Make it Nasty" was bubbling up in the clubs and radio stations. He said he wanted to make a song which wasn't as ratchet but displayed the dynamics of an undefined intimate relationship between a man and a woman.

"Money Hit The Floor" ft YG Hootie: One of the lows of this album. I cannot stand the sample used in the background. And the hook is lazy and cliche'.

"Alchy Memoirs" ft. M. Deshun: Great song that develops Blizz's character more. A little more in depth into his personal life and thoughts. Much respected single in a album full of fluff if you tell me. I want to know what makes Blizz, Blizz. This single opens up the character Blizz to more meaning.. And I appreciate that.

Synopsis: In a world full of money, cars, clothes, hoes, and the other cliche's. Blizz is a great all around rapper. But what disappoints me about his character is that it's been done before. This album is great but I've heard pretty much more than 90% of this material already. Blizz is missing a key piece in his character development as an all around artist. He has everything a rapper needs in order to generate attention. Only downside is that the general content he displays in his work has been done before by many personalities. The question is what makes him any more different than the others who displayed such lyricism and songs of his content? I don't know maybe I'm just a horrible critic. So I suggest you click the link and download the album and listen for yourself.

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Mixtape Review: Noah Massin's - Different Species

Reviewed by: Quake

Noah Massin's mixtape - Different Species

http://noahmasinthemonster.bandcamp.com/album/different-species

"Far Away" (Single)

https://soundcloud.com/garrett-brown/untitled-2

"Patient 1" : Song is mainly displaying the general subject of this album. The psychotic approach is taken. Recording is below standard, unmixed, and unprofessional. I would consider this raw material that should only be heard in the ears of the artist ONLY. Production is subpar but has potential. Very melancholy approach with the strings in the background. Which sets the approach of the rapper admitting that he needs shock therapy. The background bass doesn't seem to match with the overall instrumental. The drumming pattern could use a lot of work as well. But with major changes the production can be salvageable. Not really sure about the rhyming though. The production and rappers flow isn't cohesive.

"Yonkers" (Freestyle): Using the instrumental which was featured on rapper (Tyler the Creator's album) "Goblin" Noah Massin displays his rhyming scheme on this instrumental. From the first track I kind of knew the rappers major influence is Odd future and the unorthodox character that group represents. Broken home is trying to produce a generic copy of that groups content.

"One more time": Using one of my favorite Dance/Electronic bands song. Daft Punk's "One more time" sample is a very great choice of use in hip hop. And I've always looked at that as a target song to sample. It seems like someone out there is picking my brain. As enthused as I am about the sample. Unfortunately I cannot say the same about the lyrical ability portrayed by Noah Massin. It seems like in this one he attempts to sing a melodic vocal. Kind of like Drake increments in his records. It fails horribly and I just wished he would recognize that without auto tune. You cannot sing!

"Beyond Beautiful": Nice laid back elevator instrumental. Dreadful mix down on the vocals. Massin's flow is not as cohesive as I expect. Judging from elite lyricist perspectives. The song is featuring Broken Home's group mate Snap Jack.

"Tiger Uppercut": So this song is basically addressing exactly what I'm doing here, dissecting their work. I can't hate their confidence. But I can also have my opinion on their material. And it isn't really my kind of taste.

"Far Away" ft Maya: One of the only highs of this mix tape. Noah actually shows potential with his flow on this single. With some more polishing I would be blown away. But from what I heard from the general mix tape? This is a diamond in the rough. This is only judging from what I would expect from him just listening to the previous songs. He said he wrote the whole song including the hook. Which I was defiantly blown away by. What I even more appreciated is that he actually found a singer who can hold a decent note on a bad recording.

Synopsis: I'm not fond of the listening experience of this album. The recording was done with a freeware application called Audicity. Poorly mixed vocals and poorly written work overall. But the artist in everyone can conjure up a decent track every once in a while. "Far away" is one of those songs that shows potential. If Noah Massin can steadily grow as a lyricist he might be able to pull off a successful listening experience.