By KEVIN JACOB
Staff Writer
Welcome all to another glorious edition of Kickin’ It. Good news is that within the past week there were many really good projects that I was hearing so I thought I’d come and spread the word on them. Let’s get into it.
Maxo Kream – Quicc Strikes – Recently while I was perusing the web I found a site that I had never seen before and I proceeded to check it out. While I was there (passionweiss.com if anyone was curious) I found a video by Houston’s own Maxo Kream. The video was for Maxo’s “Lewinsky” and it was dark, gritty, gangsta, and a certified banger. Other bangers on the tape include “Whitney Houston”, “LeBron South Beach”, and “Invisible Tops”. In fact I’m gonna be honest, there was barely a track that I didn’t like on this one. But other then that I think Maxo could be on the verge of blowing up. Bringing a really gangster sound that Houston Rap has been lacking as of late. Check the tape out.
Rating: 9/10
Pusha T – My Name Is My Name – EVERYTHING IS PUSHA-T. This phrase was brought to the limelight by Kanye West at the listening party for MNIMN and although Kanye was a bit loose off the goose he has a point. Pusha-T’s been around for a while. Whether it be his work with Clipse or his own solo work I’ve always enjoyed Pusha’s music was ecstatic when he joined Mr. West’s G.O.O.D. Music label back in 2010. Since he joined everyone was clamoring for a Pusha-T solo album and ziplock P has finally delivered the album.
Overall, to be blunt I expected a lot more out of Pusha’s album. Sure there are stand out tracks such as the brilliant intro “King Push”, the menacing “Numbers on the Board” and “Nosetalgia”, and the intricately produced “Pain”. I only enjoyed half of the album. “No Regrets” was straight weak and don’t even get me started on that bull**** track with Kelly Rowland.
In the end I still love Pusha-T. Did he make the album that myself and a lot of fans were hoping for? No. Did he make at least a few decent songs to jam out to? Yeah. Does this one have a lot of replay value? In my eyes? No. There’s word that Push is supposed to already be working on another solo aptly titled “King Push”. Here’s to hoping that is stronger then My Name Is My Name.
Rating: 4.5/10
Danny Brown – OLD – Danny Brown is here with his first official LP “OLD”. I’ve been anticipating this release and everybody’s favorite druggy released a hell of an album. The album with nineteen songs is almost like two albums. The first side of the album is the more hard/gangster side of Danny Brown which we didn’t really see much of on his solid mixtape “XXX”. It sounds more like his earlier stuff like “Hot Soup” and “The Hybrid”. It’s an interesting take for Brown and he really shines on this side of the album for me. “The Return” with Freddie Gibbs, “Clean Up”, and the excellent “Red 2 Go” are some of the standouts of the first half. The second half of the album is the more party friendly, pill popping Danny Brown that people can usually be divided on. If you like turning up you’re going to like this side of the album. I like to turn up so I enjoyed it. And man do things start to turn once “Side B (Dope Song)” begins. This might be the best song on the whole album. The whole track is straight heat rocks with a bass that might actually melt your face off. Insane. “Dubstep” (it’s not exactly how it’s title sounds) was really good to, with a great verse from the UK rapper Scrufizzer who I’ve never heard before this song but kid can definitely rap his ass off.
Overall Danny Brown delivered and then some on OLD. To be honest as blasphemous as it may sound to some but Danny Brown reminds me a lot of the ODB. He’s crazy as all hell and has a distinct sound to his music. You can always tell who it is when you hear that certain squawk to his voice although at times it can be a tad bit overbearing. Danny Brown is the truth. Give OLD a chance.
Rating: 8.5/10
That’s all for this weeks edition of Kickin’ It. Hopefully you check out some of this great music that was talked about.. Until then, take care.
