by DrRapid » Oct 1st, '09, 19:29
Well there are 2 very recent albums I've bought/downloaded. I bought Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II and downloaded Kanye West's The College Dropout.
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II
Clearly my most anticipated album of the year, more than Relapse by far. I couldn't wait to hear what was going to be the sequel to Raekwon's 1995 classic. I just couldn't wait! So I bought it and listened to every track. I've been able to give it a good listen and my opinion is that it's great, almost amazing. Every single track feels like Hip Hop at its best except one or two which I yet have to get used to. The album feels great, I love the production. This time it's varied, not only RZA. RZA by himself would of done a great job too but it's got J. Dilla and Dr. Dre with some good production. Raekwon rhymes very smoothly throughout the whole album with some good solid rhymes while his featured artists don't let you down either. One of them, Beanie Sigel does a great job in the song "Have Mercy". I'm not a big Busta Rhymes fan but I definitely recommend the song "About Me". I recommend this to any Hip Hop listener who's into what I call real and raw Hip Hop. "Hosue of Flying Daggers" is amazing. Check out the Ol' Dirty Bastard tribute "Ason Jones", I reall feel that song.
Favorite tracks: House Of Flying Daggers, Black Mozart, Baggin Crack, Ason Jones, Have Mercy, 10 Bricks, About Me & Kiss The Ring
Rating: 4.75/5 (2 tracks I'm still unsure about)
The College Dropout
Now, I have never been a Kanye West fan. I have never liked Kanye West's music. I have never liked any of his verses. But, I thought that maybe I should check out his debut album, if his albums have been very successful and they've got good reviews then I should give it a chance. Sat down, put it on...and it blew me away. Not many albums have ever grasped my ear from track to track until the end without at least disliking a song for the first time. It was unbelievable the fact that it was Kanye West who I was listening to. The production in the album is incredible, Kanye West's production is some of the best out there, seriously. His rhyming in the album isn't that incredible at all but it sounds very nice with the beats if you know what I really mean. All of his guests do a great job in the album, I'm actually in love with this album. "Slow Jamz" featuring Twista is sick! That's the definition of a good song. Songs such as "Two Words" with Mos Def and "Family Business" make the album feel so good. I honestly recommend this album to anyone cause it's simple in a way so that anyone could like it. I used to really dislike Kanye West's music but now I have a different opinion.
Favorite tracks: Slow Jamz, Two Words, Family Business, Spaceship, Breathe In Breathe Out & The New Workout Plan
Rating: 5/5 (Great album for real)
Raekwon's new album just needs a few more listens and it could get that 5/5 as well.

"A coward dies 1000 deaths, a soldier dies but once."
R.I.P. Guru