Boldy James- My 1st Chemistry Set ALBUM REVIEW

It's time for a new album review, and yep, another Alchemist review. He is just such an awesome producer, I actually do have to check out pretty much everything he does. He was the only reason I listened to the Durag Dynasty album, and that is still in heavy rotation. I have never listened to Boldy James, but I am still excited for this because of Alchemist and the feature list alone. Will this album have the same impact of other Alchemist projects from this year?

The intro to the album, Bold, features the classic Alchemist sound: old school melody, but with a new twist put on it. This beat sounds pretty good. Boldy James flows nicely on it, but doesn't really say anything profound. I do like the hook on this song, though. This song was alright, but the best thing about it was the beat. The next song, Consideration, has a tough, grimy instrumental. Once again, Alchemist puts a modern twist on this one, and it sounds great. Boldy James is once again not that impressive, but he is definitely not terrible. His lyrics stood out a little more on this song, though. This song was a slight improvement over the intro. The third song, Moochie, sounds much better and more focused than the first two right from the start. This beat is just awesome, one of my favorite Alchemist beats this year, probably. Boldy also sounds way better here, stepping his flow up quite a bit. He also had way more quotables on this song. Everything about this song sounded great to me. Traction is the next song, and this one features Action Bronson. The production here sounds more upbeat, but still pretty good. Bronson and Boldy sound great here, and I love how they go back and forth with short verses. Neither of them sound way better than the others, and they both deliver some nice lines. Action Bronson sounds great as usual. The guy really never spits a weak verse. The hook here wasn't that good, but it didn't matter because I loved the rapping here.

The next song, You Know, has some cool, relaxing production, with some good sampling from The Alchemist. I really like this beat a lot. Boldy James still hasn't really changed up his flow on the album, and that continues on this song, but it doesn't sound bad. The hook here was just alright. Aside from the beat, this song didn't deliver much. The next song is Surprise Party, and this one has some awesome production. The darker beats on this album definitely sound great. Boldy also sounds a more aggressive here, and he really sounds good when he puts a little more toughness into his delivery. The hook here is also pretty good. King Chip delivers a pretty solid verse, as his flow was really on point. Freeway probably had the best verse here, from his delivery alone, which sounded perfect on this beat. This song was really, really good, and I loved it.  What's the Word was next, and this featured some piano-heavy production, which sounded lavish and professional. Boldy still hasn't changed anything up with his rapping, but I still can't say its bad just from the beat alone. I did like the hook here, though. Rappies, the next song, sounded good, but at this point, the production is getting a little repetitive. This is another upbeat instrumental that made me think the Alchemist was getting a little lazy here. From a rapping standpoint, Boldy sounds exactly the same. The guest verses weren't much better, as they didn't really do much to impress me. This song was just okay. Cobo Hall was a needed change of pace, as the beat was pretty tough and hard hitting. Boldy sounded more aggressive again, and I liked it a lot. The hook was also pretty nice. This song was pretty solid, and one of my favorite beats on the album.

The next song, Give Me a Reason, had another dark beat, and this one was just sick. The whole vibe of this instrumental was so dark and understated, it almost had a creepy vibe to it, which I loved. Boldy James delivers another nice verse here, with some nice lines and a better flow. While the hook was pretty good, the highlight of this song is Vince Staples. This guy is killing it this year with the verse on Doris and his mixtape with Mac Miller. He only continues that on this song, as he totally murders it on this song. His delivery is just flawless, and he flows with ease. I also loved his lines on this verse. His verse alone made this song fantastic. I have no complaints with this song, it was awesome. 400 Thousand, the next song, had the oddest instrumental by far, as there are so many things going on here. Alchemist makes it work, but it doesn't sound as good as others on this album. Boldy continues his solid rapping here, as he flows surprisingly well over the unorthodox beat. I wasn't feeling the hook that much, but this song was by no means bad. Reform School was the next song, and this was another sick beat. It was just an epic beat that could not have been anyone but the Alchemist. Boldy James flows nicely again here, but still hasn't changed his flow at all on the album. He sounded good, though. Domo Genesis delivers a pretty good hook that I enjoyed, Earl Sweatshirt totally raps everyone under the table here, with a sick verse. It was a classic Earl verse, with complex lyricism with a flow that just fits so well on a dark beat like this. Dash also has a pretty good verse to finish the song off. Everyone sounded great on this song, and Earl's verse makes this a standout. The last song, KY Jellybeans, comes in with the more dark sound that I like from Alchemist. The beat hits hard and sounds pretty good. Boldy also stepped up his lyricism on this song, which I liked. This song didn't really have anything else to make it stand out, though. It was kind of an anti-climactic closer because of how good the end of the album was.

MY 1ST CHEMISTRY SET WRAP UP
+Not one bad instrumental, Alchemist is still killing it in 2013
+Boldy has a classic, grimy, Detroit delivery and voice
+Really good feature verses (Vince Staples, Earl Sweatshirt were fantastic)
+Some dark beats that sound awesome
+Album starts and ends really nicely
-Beats get repetitive in the middle
-Boldy James doesn't really change his flow at all
-Some lazy hooks

Best: Reform School, Give Me a Reason, Moochie

Worst: Rappies

Boldy James- My 1st Chemistry Set
8.0/10

Pusha T- My Name is My Name ALBUM REVIEW

I think everyone can agree with me when I say Pusha T is just undeniably dope. This guy has universal respect from everyone in the rap game and for good reason. His older stuff with Clipse was just classic and he has put together a pretty solid solo career so far. Pusha T is also a sick lyricist and just raps in such a unique way. This was definitely one of my most anticipated albums for this year, as I have always been a fan of this guy. Did this disappoint me after such a long wait, or did Pusha deliver?

Starting this album off was the song King Push, and damn, this was a perfect way to start the album. The beat is epic, cinematic, and even includes some Yeezus samples, courtesy of Kanye. Pusha T sounds like a boss here, with clever lyrics and an angry persona. This song was awesome, and a great intro. The next song was the first single from the album, Numbers on the Boards. This song is such a sick banger I feel like I don't even have to talk about it. The ridiculous beat sets off this song, and Pusha brings more tough talking, hard bars. I love it. I have to say this is one of the best instrumentals I have heard this year as well. The third song is called Sweet Serenade, and I was fearing this one a little because of how much Chris Brown annoys me, but his hook was actually pretty catchy and understated. It sounded really good, surprisingly. Pusha had some really nice lines here, as well. I didn't love the beat, but Pusha more than made up for it. The next song was Hold On featuring Rick Ross, but the first thing you hear on this track is an auto-tuned vocal from Kanye West, which went on throughout the song and sounded really good. Pusha was very lyrical once again, and I liked his verse. Rick Ross actually delivered one of the best verses I've ever heard him spit, as I even think he outrapped Pusha here. Even though this song went on a little too long, it was still very good. The next song was called Suicide, and this one really had some quirky, unique production that reminded me of Pusha's Clipse days. He spit really nicely on this track, and he sounded really comfortable on the beat. The hook was also very nice and catchy. I also enjoyed Ab-Liva's verse on the song, as he had a pretty solid flow and some nice lines.

After those first five really good songs, My Name is My Name went a little downhill. 40 Acres featured a pretty cool, dark beat and a nice hook from The Dream, but it is all just too long too be intresting and nothing really stands out here, even Pusha's verses. No Regrets was another forgettable song, with a beat I wasn't really liking that much and a really bad hook. This song sounded rushed kind of thrown together. I didn't like it much at all. Pusha sounded average at best on this song, and I have never been much of a Jeezy fan. Let Me Love You was next, and this was actually even worse. Kelly Rowland gave a really average, generic hook, and this song probably had Pusha's worst rapping moments on the album, as he just sounded bored and uninterested here. I wasn't feeling this at all.

Luckily, the album really picked back up near the end. This started with Who I Am, which featured Big Sean and 2 Chainz. I really enjoyed this song. Pusha returned to a more aggressive style, sounding really good on the hook and his verse. 2 Chainz was hilarious as always, and I loved his contribution to the song. Big Sean wasn't horrible, but still pretty bad, which was expected. Even that didn't stop this song from being awesome, and I really liked it. Nosetalgia was the next song, and this track was spectacular. The beat was perfect for Pusha's tough-talking rapping style on the song. His lyrics were also on point, with some sick lines and an awesome verse overall. Kendrick Lamar goes next, and he sounded hungry as hell here, rapping aggressively and with lots of passion as he tells the story in his verse. This song was a banger and one of the best songs I've heard all year. Pain was the next song, and Future sounded pretty good on this hook, as he fit nicely over the beat. This beat was pretty generic and nothing special, but it was also perfect for Pusha T. He was usual Pusha here, and he sounded really good rapping here. This song was very solid and I have no complaints for it. S.N.I.T.C.H. was the last song on this album, and it closed out the album perfectly. Pharrell supplied a very catchy and dark hook here, and it was fantastic. Pusha sounded really nice spitting over a classic Pharrell beat, with memorable lines and a flawless flow. This song was epic and a fitting cloer for My Name is My Name.

MY NAME IS MY NAME WRAP UP
+Pusha T is a nearly flawless MC, with sick lyricism all the way through
+He has terrific flow and a voice made for rapping
+The album featured three of the best rap songs I have heard all year, no question
+Some really good beats
+Good features, for the most part
-There didn't have to be a feature on nearly every song, though
-Some awful songs in the middle of the album

Best: King Push, Numbers on the Boards, Nosetalgia

Worst: Let Me Love You

Pusha T- My Name is My Name
8.7/10

CJ Fly- Thee Way Eye See It MIXTAPE REVIEW

New York has been absolutely killing the underground rap game lately. Artists such as Action Bronson, Smoke DZA, and ASAP Rocky, as well has his ASAP Mob, have brought New York back into hip-hop with strong releases and a signature gritty style. Of course the whole "Beastcoast" movement has really contributed to New York's comeback. The Underachievers, Flatbush Zombies, and Pro Era have been taking over the game with their very progressive and interesting approach to hip hop. Other then Joey Bada$$, none of the Pro Era members have stepped up to the plate yet and released a solo project. That is, until CJ Fly dropped this mixtape, Thee Way Eye See It. CJ Fly has really impressed me with all of his feature verses leading up to this, as he has great technical rapping skills and a unique voice. I was nervous for a whole project by him, though, as I feel he is a little one-dimensional. I still decided to give this a listen.

The first thing I noticed on this mixtape is CJ Fly incredible improvement on the mic. The guy is just a pure spitter, and he definitely has the perfect voice for it. CJ's deep, gruff voice makes him very interesting to listen to. As far lyricism goes, CJ relies mostly on clever wordplay, something he can do very well. Many of his lines on this mixtape make you go back and listen again, much like Pro Era teammate Joey Bada$$. Don't think this entire mixtape is wordplay, though, as CJ can also tell a story. The most prominent example of this is the song Eyetalian Frenchip. On this song, he talks about a love triangle he is involved in. He delivers this in a pretty cool way, rapping about his Italian girlfriend on the first verse and his French girl in the second verse. It was definitely an interesting listen. One other thing CJ does incredibly well is execute hooks. Many of his hooks are catchy and get stuck in your head. The hook on the song Tug-At-War is delivered very well, as well as the one on the song right after it, Ernee.

As far as beats go, this mixtape was just what you would expect from Pro Era. Rather than relying  on grimy, "street" beats, Thee Way Eye See It is filled with classy, upbeat, golden era, boom-bap instrumentals. Right from the get go, the Intro is covered by a very elegant piano beat that sounds fantastic. The song Left Get fuses many different sounds together to create something that comes off very smooth and well-made. The song Sup Preme sounds very relaxed and atmospheric, giving off a really cool vibe. Another strong part of this mixtape would be the features, which were chosen very well by CJ Fly. On the song Ernee, Dirty Sanchez comes in with such smooth flow and great quotable Ab-Soul kills it on Sadderdaze, delivering the lyriccsm we all know him for. The very popular Joey Bada$$ is on the song Sup Preme, and he jumps in with a super aggressive, very raspy delivery. It is definitely different, and makes the song fun to listen to. CJ even gets Erick Arc Elliot from Flatbush Zombies for the Outro, and he sounds terrific, delivering what is probably the best guest verse on this tape. Even hip-hop OG Phife Dawg makes an appearance on the track Seek Well, and it is simply awesome.

One very interesting feature this tape has is that some of the songs are complete two parters. The beat would completely change and CJ would suddenly be rapping over something with a totally different vibe. I really enjoyed this on the song Loco Motives, but not as much on the song Crew's Cunt Troll, as it felt kind of forced to make something epic and long. If I had any criticisms of this mixtape, it would be that some of the songs were way longer than they should've been, but that is pretty much it for things I didn't like about this project.

THEE WAY EYE SEE IT WRAP UP
+CJ has proven himself as a fantastic rapper, great flow and delivery throughout the tape
+Terrific lyrics, he has amazing wordplay
+Great beats, from relaxed to boom-bap to classy horn instrumentals
+Some of the tracks tell a story
+Really good feature verses from everyone
+Some well-written and executed hooks

Best: Tug-At-War, Ernee, Q&A

Worst: Still the Motto

CJ Fly- Thee Way Eye See It
8.8/10

Meek Mill- Dreamchasers 3 MIXTAPE REVIEW

Today, I'm bringing a review of Meek Mill's new mixtape, Dreamchasers 3. I just can't get into Meek Mill. I have always appreciated is aggressive rapping style, but I have never loved a project by him. He is pretty good at feature verses and I love how he has been creating beef with some rappers lately, but i can not get into a full project my Meek Mill. His debut album was alright, as was his first two mixtapes in the extremely successful Dreamchasers series. The second installment is actually the most downloaded mixtape on DatPiff's entire website. I thought that mixtape was okay at best, so how will the third one of the series go down with me? Will i finally enjoy a full Meek Mill mixtape?

The first song was titled I'm Leanin, and it was just a mediocre, typical, predictable Meek Mill song. I have definitely heard Meek spit better verses than the one that started this song off. Even Travis Scott came in and had a better verse than Meek. Travis spit with a consistent flow and nice energy on this song, but it wasn't enough to make me like this. The generic trap beat and Birdman's rambling at the end made this song even worse. The second song, Make Me, was honestly terrible. There's nothing I want to hear less than Meek Mill's bad singing voice on the hook here. It sounded corny, and just didn't work. Meek's verses were once again not as good as previous ones I have heard. Also, this song was far too long, as it had no changes throughout the song. This song was pretty awful. Dope Dealer was another forgettable song on this mixtape. The beat was one I feel like I have already heard on hundreds of songs. At this point, I'm most disappointed with Meek Mill's rapping here. All these verses are not half as good as stuff I've heard him spit before. On Dope Dealer, that doesn't change as Nicki Minaj don't really add anything to the song either. On Lil N**a Snupe, Meek did rap a lot better, with his signature aggression coming through hard. He sounds passionate rapping about his passed friend, Lil Snupe.

This mixtape continued to be lackluster, though. Ain't Me was just awful. I don't know why Meek Mill is using so much auto tune now, because he has a pretty good natural voice for rapping. I B On Dat was a little better, as I liked the hook for whatever reason, but the verses were just not memorable at all. Even Fabolous let me down on this song. The next song was actually called Hip Hop. This one was just boring. The beat was lame and didn't sound very polished. Meek rapped okay here, but it was still quite an improvement over other songs. Money Ain't No issue featured Meek Mill rapping pretty well, surprisingly. Future supplies a catchy hook as always, and my head was actually bopping on this song. Fabolous came through with a better verse at the end. This song was pretty good overall, and a highlight of this mixtape. The next track, We Ain't the Same was just a boring auto tune song. Heaven or Hell featured a really impressive vocal on the hook, and Meek had good energy on his verse. I have always loved Jadakiss, so his verse worked for me. This song was solid. This mixtape started to go downhill again after this, though. Fuckin Wit Me, My Life, and Rich Porter were all boring bragging tracks, even with a good Rick Ross verse in the latter. Right Now features an unusual lineup, with Cory Gunz and Mase on the song. Meek's verse was okay, Cory Gunz was alright, but this hook was terrible. Mase probably had the best verse, but it didn't save this song from mediocrity. The End, the closer to this mixtape, featured my favorite beat by far on the tape, with Meek rapping really nicely here. I wish more tracks on Dreamchasers 3 sounded like this.

DREAMCHASERS 3 WRAP UP
+Meek Mill raps with great aggressiveness on some tracks
+A few catchy hooks
-so many forgettable songs
-some awful auto tune
-Meek did not rap as well as I've heard him before for the majority of the tape
-only one beat that really caught my ear
-a lot of the songs sounded the same

Best: Money Aint No Issue, Heaven or Hell, The End

Worst: Aint Me

Meek Mill- Dreamchasers 3
4.2/10