Son of a Pimp - Mistah F.A.B.

The Real:
Honestly I put this disc in not expecting much. I'm familiar with F.A.B. from the Thizznation Mixtapes where his freestyles dominate; plus my people from the Bay are always talking him up. I knew he was a witty lyricist but I just wasn’t sure if he could hold his own (or my attention) through a full album. Well - he did. This is an excellent party album and representation of the hyphy movement with joints like “Super Sick Wit It” and “Kicked Out The Club”; counterbalanced with just enough life experience and spirituality from tracks like “Where’s My Daddy” and “Call Heaven” to call this a complete album.

The Rhymes:
Mistah F.A.B. has a simple yet effective style; stringing together multiple ending rhymes in a row. His word play and delivery are at par but I never caught myself touching the rewind button. Overall he really is good, just not great.

The First; The Last:
Metaphors and one liners saturate this club banger. “I’m the shit like gas and a turd” doesn’t seem like a clever line but he makes it work. "Big Time" is defiantly a hot track that I don’t hate. On the flipside, “U R my Angel” is a very religious RIP track to all those who have passed on. It supports the idea that everyone who dies goes to heaven and becomes an angel who watches over you. Overall it’s well written and worth listening to more than once.

The Grade: B-   |   Play: "Streets Of The Bay"   |   Skip: "Hey Little Mama"

Fear Of A Mixed Planet - Shock G

The Real:
I love Shock G and everything he's ever done. The man is so creative and talented, I mean, words could never do it justice. If you ever have the chance to see DU (Digital Underground) performing live don't sleep on it. That's where it all comes to light. Rappers talk about being versatile; how many have multiple alter ego's that were created so craftily people believed for years they were all really totally different people? Only Shock G, AKA Humpty Hump, AKA Piano Man, AKA (you get the idea). The man has always promoted positivity and this album is no different.

As a "Multi-blooded calico cat" himself, it would only make sense that Shock G would do a album tackling inter-racial dating and racism. The entire project is promoting unity and tolerance amongst all humans with phrases like, "Let it go, It's dated and it's backwards / When applications ask me for a color I put platinum / pimp-slappin 'em right back with they own wack crap / I be tellin 'em I'm an A-fo-rican-euro-asi-ack" REALLY?? Only Shock G.

The Rhymes:
Shoc G's style is usually smooth and laid back. Always on topic and always a good time. Heavy metaphors at times that are so cleverly constructed it's like listening in parallel. His lyrics are so creative and thought provoking; almost in a subliminal way because you can't help but agree with everything the man says. When you listen, pay attention.

The First; The Last:
The first and last formula is flipped on this album. (Which is typical of a man who typically doesn't do what's typical) "Keep it beautiful" is a 3:30 track with a single 18 bar verse sandwiched between the chorus. It's deep trance like bass line and simple synth keys accompanied by jazz horns are mesmerizing; Which is probably why the spot for the second verse is instrumental. Shock's words are deep, with a focus on healing the world through positivity in hiphop - because all the negativity is killing it. On the other end we have the upbeat "Your Sun Iza Pimp" which is one of the parallel's I mentioned earlier. If your not paying attention you'd think the song was about the neighborhood kingpin shining the light of the game on, and looking out for, the youngsters. If you pay attention you'd hear the real; that the sun (not son) is the source of all things good and we as humans are deeply connected to nature. Only Shock G.

The Grade: A+   |   Play: ""Who's Clean"   |   Skip: "Holmedown Up"

Tha Mic Marlow Album - Mic Marlow

The Real:

Albums like this are the reason I primary listen to independent music. Mic Marlow had me grinning from ear to ear with the very first line - "I ain't shit and don't nobody know me". You have to respect the honesty of a line like that! Overall this is a great album. The man touches every life topic from relationships to politics, and just when your brain is getting tired from the thoughts that his words are provoking - BAM! He sprinkles in some club bangers. Over all this is one of the most complete albums I have ever heard.

The Rhymes:
Mic's lyrical style is calm and focused; his affectation and word choice demand your attention. His delivery is very consistent with the exception of "What I Look Like Now" where he flips his mouth piece to fully auto and spits some rapid fire hotness. I appreciate the fact that he didn't overdo it with his style changes. So many others have ruined a perfectly good album by trying TOO hard to be versatile. Besides, who needs flash and versatility when you've conquered your style so masterfully? This dude knows what hes good at and sticks to it. Gotta respect it.

The First; The Last:
"I Ain't Shit" was a good time and the perfect opener for this album. It's one of those songs that forces you to dance around in the driver seat while smashing on the gas pedal. Lines like, "I ain't got no game, just charismatic" kept me cheesing threw the whole track. It grabbed my attention from the start and left me eager to hear more. (The next track was no disappointment.) Jumping to the end, the last track is definitely a good finale. "I Can't Kick the Habit" is a five and a half minute laid back weed song with several guest features. Everybody's verse was on point; talking about the stresses of life and using marijuana to calm your nerves. "When life don't know how to treat ya - grab your reefer" Makes sense to me!

The Grade: B+  |   Play: ""Say Hi To 30"   |   Skip: "Outrageous"

Dinner And A Movie - Brotha Lynch Hung

I'm throwing out our typical review formula. Fuck it if the big man doesn't post it! You want "The Real" well here it is...

The Real:
I've been a Lynch fan for almost 20 years. I've been a Tech nine fan for over 10. When I heard that Lynch signed with Tech's label Strange Music I already knew what was gonna happen - and I was right! With Dinner And A Movie we finally get everything Lynch is capable of, everything us fans have been waiting for. We get the REAL Lynch; Season of the Sicc Lynch; Loaded Lynch; Suicide Note Lynch; all in one masterfully crafted album. Calling it an album doesn't even do it justice. It's more than an album - it's an experience. You can't just slap this in the deck and skim threw it. No-way. This requires you sit down and focus your undivided attention for the entire 77 minutes and 40 seconds while holding on to the edge of your seat, gritting your teeth, closing your eyes, and trying not to scream. I did... I screamed... out loud..."GET THE FUCK OUTTA HERE! REALLY??? LYNCH IS A FUCKING GENIUS!!!! There is nobody - NOBODY - that can do what he does. Who else can not only switch styles and topics but their entire persona from track to track and line to line? Who else is still incorporating appearances from the same neighborhood brethren that they were giving shout outs to almost 20 years ago? Who else can write a horror movie in music form and make it flow seamlessly from one song into the next without ever loosing its direction? Who else can call themselves a good provider for his children by putting food on the table via murder and turning his son a cannibal? Only Lynch. I'm not going to ruin all the twists and turns of this experience by critiquing the first and last tracks but i will tell you this - Your cravings for Lynch will be pacified after Dinner And A Movie, but you will not be full; which is a good thing  - theres more to come. This is just the first part of the three course meal that Lynch has planned for us. Dinner And A Movie is the appitizer, Tha Coathanga Strangla will be the main course, and for dessert... Mann-A-Bal Lector.

Need a few of drinks to get you in the mood before you order the appetizer?
Check out the official video trilogy for Dinner And A Movie here!