In The Deck

Ja Rule – “Pain Is Love 2″ – @@@ (Review)

What a difference 10 years can make. In 2002, Ja Rule was arguably one of the most in demand rappers at the time. His signature brand of “thug lovin” raps dominated the airwaves, and kept the Murder Inc., flag waving high. Whether you loved him or hated him, you couldn’t help but pay attention to him at the time. Fast-forward a decade later and that whole period in time seems like a distant fantasy. Today the Queens rapper is looked at as more of a punch line than a Soundscan king. There were a lot of reasons why his fall from chart domination hit so hard. Between over saturation, lack of artistic growth, present day imprisonment, and a guy who goes by the name of 50 Cent, Ja’s career never stood a chance at longevity. Of course he hopes to change all that with his latest release, Pain Is Love 2, the sequel to his 2001 Pain Is Love album. [cont.]

In The Deck

Tyga – “Careless World: Rise Of The Last King” – @@@@ (Review)

Tyga’s Careless World: Rise of the Last King seems like the kind of mainstream release we would hate. A bloated, clichéd, guest-laden album with a subtitle that sounds like it should be the name of the next movie in the Clash of the Titans series. But surprisingly it’s not. In fact, as far as this type of record goes, it’s pretty good.

While Tyga is not the greatest lyricist, he has more than enough flow, swagger and, believe it or not, thoughtfulness to make this extra long album a compelling ride. Clocking in at an hour and 20 minutes, we get a little something for everyone—down and dirty party tracks (“Potty Mouth” featuring Busta Rhymes; “Rack City”), something for the ladies (“Far Away” feat. Chris Richardson) and big-boy MCing (“King and Queens” feat. Wale and Nas). [cont.]

In The Deck

Kid Cudi + Dot Da Genius – “WZRD” – @@@@ (Review)

It’s only a natural progression for someone like Kid Cudi to do a rock-offshoot project. Let’s not forget, even from the days of his first single, “Day N Nite”, he was singing more-so than rapping. We saw him infuse these elements even more-so on 2010′s Man On The Moon II, a hip-hop LP with some underlying rock elements. With WZRD, he and Dot Da Genius go full rockstar, with nay a rap lyric in sight.

[cont.]

In The Deck

BJ The Chicago Kid – “Pineapple Now-Laters” – @@@@ (Review)

Following his intriguing mixtape of covers, The Life of Love’s Cupid, emerging soul singer BJ the Chicago Kid delivers his official debut, Pineapple Now-Laters, a smooth, rich R&B experience. After writing and singing backup for big-name artists such as Mary J. Blige and Musiq Soulchild, he steps out on his own and commands our attention. [cont.]

In The Deck

Curren$y – “Muscle Car Chronicles” – @@@1/2 (Review)

“There is not an adjective to describe how I work, hard is not enough brother, I’m tougher.” – Curren$y “The Day”

That line pretty much sums up the career of Curren$y so far. There really isn’t a word to describe this man’s work ethic. His catalog from just this past year is probably deeper than most rappers entire career discographies, and there isn’t an end in sight for him. With the ability to produce a mix tape whenever he pleases, he also tends to secure album releases like it’s nothing. Which brings us right into his latest commercial release, his much-anticipated Muscle Car Chronicles. [cont.]

In The Deck

Just Blaze Presents Saigon – “Warning Shots 3: One Foot In The Grave” – @@@1/2

Coming hot off the heels of a near classic debut, The Greatest Story Never Told, Saigon kicks of 2012 with Warning Shots 3, a collaborative effort hosted by TGSNT producer Just Blaze. Built around a fictional radio station called, uh, One Foot In The Grave (is that on Shade45?), the album suggests it is merely the playlist for this rough, rugged, and raw radio station. [cont.]

In The Deck

Gangrene (Alchemist + Oh No) – “Vodka & Ayahuasca” – @@@@1/2

Quite easily the first great album of 2011, Alchemist and Oh No return as Gangrene with Vodka & Ayahuasca, their second collaborative album. Sharing duties on mics and boards, the duo have created a tripped out concept album, blending psychedelic samples with blunted rhymes. [cont.]

In The Deck

Schoolboy Q – “Habits and Contridictions” – @@@1/2 (Review)

With the arrival of Kendrick Lamar, all eyes have been on the Black Hippy crew, which also includes Jay Rock, Ab-Soul, and Schoolboy Q. Schoolboy Q is next out the gate, with the clique’s first release of the new year, Habits & Contridictions. But is Q just as talented as his Dr. Dre blessed brother? [cont.]

In The Deck

Stalley – “Lincoln Way Nights (Reissue)” – @@@1/2

With the string of success that MMG label has had in the past year, every release from any of its artists warrants some sort of attention. As one of the more recent signees to the labels, Stalley comes through with his Lincoln Way Nights project, a re-release of the mixtape that he dropped in early 2011.

It should be noted very early that despite being an integral part of MMG, this is not an MMG release. No, this project is by all means a testament of Stalleys’ own creativity, and possibly what led Rick Ross to signing him in the first place. The Ohio native gives listeners a chance to understand his perspective on things, without having to distance him self from any of his label mates. [cont.]

In The Deck

Rick Ross – “Rich Forever” – @@@ (Review)

Rappers and rap listeners may hate on Rick Ross, but one thing remains true: everyday he’s hustlin’. And we’re not just quoting his debut singles’ hook. Literally, every freaking day this man litters the internet with new music, news, videos etc, from either himself or members of his MMG label. So, if you are an artist sitting at home, wondering why you haven’t blown up yet, maybe the answer is that you simply don’t work as hard as Rick Ross. Just a theory. [cont.]

In The Deck

Torae – “For The Record” – @@@@ (Review)

Coney Island emcee, Torae, has been building a steady fan base, gaining recognition through collaborations with DJ Premier, his ‘Barrel Brother’ Skyzoo, and of course, producer Marco Polo. Torae’s 2009 collaboration Double Barrel with producer Marco Polo was critically acclaimed and left fans wanting more from “Da Young Veteran”. With his long anticipated official debut For the Record, Torae looks to make a splash and give the fans what they’ve been craving. [cont]

In The Deck

Asher Roth – “Pabst & Jazz (Mixtape)” – @@@@ (Review)

Every artist has some kind of stigma or preconceived notion about themselves that they forever try to live down. For Asher Roth, it was the inevitable Eminem comparisons, which he addressed head-on on his debut LP, Asleep In The Bread Isle on a track called “As I Em”. He’s done enough at this point to shed those parallels, but the new thing he’s trying to live down is everything that came with the success of his smash “I Love College”. While this single presented him as a fun-loving, weed-smoking, beer-ponging frat guy, he’s actually much more than that. If he’s even that at all…[cont.]

In The Deck

Blu – “No! York” – @@@ / Blu & Exile – “Give Me My Flowers While I Can Smell Them” – @@@@

In 2007, Blu dropped an underground classic with producer Exile called Below The Heavens. Almost a perfect hip-hop record, this was almost the album that closed the book on the indie hip-hop movement. The Fat Beats vinyl era was coming to an end, while the digital blog-hop movement was just beginning. A large part of this new era of releasing hip-hop music via the internet (how revolutionary!) was also kicked off by the debut of XXL’s Freshmen list in 2009. Blu found a place on the magazine’s first list, thanks to the constant replay received by Below The Heavens - well after it’s release – and also landed a deal with Warner Bros.

Since then, we’ve seen Blu drop a handful of independent projects – many times going against the grain, getting downright experimental on the listener. While the response has been hit and miss to many of these lo-fi, unmixed, just-sort-of-thrown-out-there releases, heads have been wondering two things. 1) Where is his long-awaited Warner Bros debut and 2) When will he reunite with Exile for a sequel to Below The Heavens? [cont.]

In The Deck

T.I. – “F*ck The City Up” – @@@1/2 (Review)

Fresh off a stint in prison, the self -proclaimed, “King of the South”, T.I., returns with his latest musical offering to start the year off right. The Grand Hustle leader presents a mixtape full of all original music to prep fans for his inevitable studio release coming sooner than later. If it feels like we’ve been here before, it’s because we have. Let’s just hope Tip stays out of trouble long enough to keep the music coming consistently this time. With the intent of being the first thing people heard once the new year started, Tip returns triumphantly with one primary objective, to F*ck Da City Up. [cont.]

In The Deck

Common – “The Dreamer / The Believer” – @@@@1/2 (Review)

Interesting how things come full circle – Common’s longtime producer No I.D. (Can-I-Borrow-I-Dollar-longtime) recently found himself producing hit tracks for Kanye West’s last two LP’s – while Common went on to tap guys like The Neptunes, Dilla, and Kanye himself for his last few LP’s. With No I.D. taking on the position of executive VP of Def Jam, he’s certainly built his own legacy outside of Common’s first three albums, and now the two reunite for The Dreamer / The Believer. [cont.]