Kool G Rap - Riches, Loyalty and Respect

[stillmatic]

*I obviously copped the leak, but I will also purchase the album.

Kool G is one of the greatest to ever step into the booth and arguably the most influential rapper ever, and there's not one person who could argue against that. He's the godfather of mafioso rap and when it comes to lyrics, there's nothing he can't do, one of the most complete MC's ever. Also, he has never been the type to put out music for the sake of it, so when he grabs a mic, you know it's worth listening to every line, let alone song.

But this is a big record for Kool G Rap. Technically speaking, he hasn't released any good solo material for almost 10 years now. His last album was easily the worst thing he's ever done, with songs with Hilary Duff's sister, bland production and lazy flow, an album not even his great lyrics could save. So there is a bit on the line here, because if this is weak, Kool G might just go down as a rapper who was great in his prime and that's it. He needs to deliver here.

01. Pimptro: Dope beat, which it was longer. Cool intro, short freestyle. 4/5

2. Ya Chic Chose Me: Unbelievable lyrics and delivery. For those new Johnny Come Lately's obsessed with compound rhyming, this is how you do it. Head banging music. 4.5/5

3. In Too Deep: Some dope 60's jazz intro. Sounds like a Pete Rock beat. Mafioso era Kool G on display. 'The streets of NY' definitely knows the name. 4/5

4. 70s Gangsta: Real hating the beat, overides the track. Sounds like Half a Kip, fire lyrics can't save the production. First hiccup of the album. 2/5

5. Pillow Talk: This how you make a bitch track, haha. No gay references here dun, no singing here cuz, straight 'talk like sex'. 4/5

6. The Meaning To Your Love: Can ride to this, nothing great but I guess this one is 'for the brothaz'. 3/5

7. Sad - Definite old school feel, love it. G Rap has always been the most vivid storytellers, and this is no exception. 4.5/5

8. Maggie - "She played her part in the movie Scarface with Tony". Are you fucking kidding me? What a fucking track. Crazy concept, crazy delivery, crazy rhymes. All round perfect track. 5/5

9. $ Ova Bitches - Some tunnel banging NY music here. What up dun, this is pure black hoodie rap. One of the best NY core hip hop anthems this year. 4/5

10. G On - His flow here reminds me of 'Fall back' with Big L, and this track is missing a Big L feature that could make it a classic. G Rap really should have used someone like Lloyd Banks here. 3.5/5

11. Pages Of My Life - Wow!! Mob mentality hard knocking NY hip hop at it's finest here. Rock your head back whilst you simply listen in awe. Queen know how you do them rockers. 5/5

12. Goin In - Real dark track, sounds like a Stic.Man track when he was having a bad day. 'Goin in' by Kool G is complete different to a 'Goin in' by any fake gangsta rapper these days. Big diff. 4/5

13. American Nightmare ft. Havoc - A little scared of another track called 'American Nightmare' that Hav is on lol. But Kool G ain't no Lil Jon, so no chances of anything like that again. Dope music. It's a Queeeeens thang, maaaan. Rockin to this for a long time. Side note - this album is great. 4.5/5

14. Da Real Thing - Oh man, needed this, a bit more relaxed to just spark a cigar up with. Where DJ Polo at? 4/5

15. Harmony Homicide - Beat kicks in, and I know G Rap ain't ever considering even not going on this to finish a great album off. Perfect. Magnetic storytelling, complex rhymes, compound technique in place, cave delivery. Hard to resist dun. 4.5/5

I'm gonna keep my overall comments simple - great. Fucking great. What a fucking album. My favorite solo Kool G Rap album ever. Yeah, you heard me.

No gimmicks here, no shock tactics, no singing, no forced rhyming techniques trying to make every word rhyme or awkward punchlines to make internet nerds knock one off to. This is comfortable in your own skin hip hop.

This is the year for the kings of Queens, with Monch, now G Rap, then the Infamous Mobb, the return of Fif and then Nas. For now, sorry Pharoahe , you've been outdone. Album of the year so far for me.

[ThomasJ]

I'll give this a listen later and post my thoughts on the album.

However, it has to be something else to beat Monch's album...

[Devil'sAdvocate]

already copped the leak.

album is dope as shit!

[Slim Fiasco]

I'm waiting for the 320kbps version (assuming the leak isn't in high quality).

[stillmatic]

Listened to this all night with the homies, felt like old times. Where was this Kool G for the last 8 years? It's definitely a come back.

Seriously, this is hard as fuck. Kool G has skyrocketed himself back in all time greatest contender contention.

I hope we don't have to wait this long for another album. I need more new Kool G.

[Hiphopdane]

Whoever said NY rap is dead must be off his trolley. Talib Kweli, Kool G Rap, Pharoahe Monch, Saigon, Neek the exotic and Beastie Boys have all released good/great stuff. Let alone that Nas, Masta Ace, Blaq poet, Naughty by nature and R.A. the Rugged man have albums coming out this year as well, and I'm sure at least two of those are going to be potential classics.

I've been bumping the album for a few days now and I got to say that I'm impressed that he this late into his career still can come up with material this brilliant.

[yoshi]

Nice review, I'll give it a listen. Hope it's as good as you say it is