Peace and Happiness

Eh, they aight

Well, not all YNs are beefing with each other...I figured that since the Yellow Album came out this week, I should do a post on that as well.  I'm not a big Dom Kennedy supporter, in fact I don't really check for dude at all.  All I know is that he's from California, and even that I only knew because Tyler referenced him in a track (with some disdain).  This is actually good though, since I can listen to his mixtape more objectively and focus on the music rather than the person.  I'm actually kinda curious, since this is the first review I've done of something that I wasn't already bumping.


1. So Elastic - An OK way to start the album...I'm already aware from this track though that I shouldn't have my lyrical bar set too high for dude.  So, with that in mind, the track is decent.  Nice and laid-back, definitely some chillin music for summer/spring.  Like I said though, don't expect any lyrical acrobatics on this one - 3/5


2. Been Thuggin - Well, his sequencing is on point thus far.  Great way to get the energy up on the album after the first track.  It's also nice that this is a short track, I'm not REALLY trying to hear dude rap for 4 minutes, hahaha.  This track plays to his strengths though, this is a very solid track.  I fucks with it. - 4/5


3. We Ball (Ft. Kendrick Lamar) - Oh shit, a K Dot feature?  Damn, this nigga must be on a little more than I thought he was.  The beat is fire, and the overall vibe is nice.  Again, Dom's not a lyrical wizard or anything, but he does what he does and sets it up for Kendrick to slay the beat.  Not really a fan of Kendrick doing that little hook thing in between the two verses, but his verse is dope.  NOT TO MENTION THE RIC FLAIR SHIT AT THE END.  Yo, this is dope.  I'll go ahead and give it a 5/5, even though it's more like a 4.5/5


4. My Type of Party - The first misstep of the album IMO.  Not feeling anything about this track, really.  If you like it, you like it.  It's just not for me. Period. - 1/5


5. Girls on Stage - On this one, we get back to Dom's strengths.  The beat is mellow, but kinda keeps your mind off of the lyrics.  It's short and pretty to the point, which is great for Dom.  I fucks with it. - 3.5/5


6. Don't Call Me (Ft. Too $hort) - Biiiiiiiiiiiiitch!  Wait.  I don't think he said that once on this track.  Fuck!  Is a Too $hort track a Too $hort track if he doesn't say "Biiiiiiiiiiiiitch!"?  I need answers!  Anyway, this one actually has a direct message...ho don't fucking call me in the morning!  Fuck!  I'm making money!  This one's also chill as fuck, but...I really want to deduct a point for not hearing "Biiiiiiiiiiiiiitch!"  Especially since he baits it at the end of the track.  - 3.5/5


7. 5.0 | Conversations - Well, he's got his formula down.  Another chill beat you can vibe to, even after the beat switch, and overall, nothing really to write home about lyrically.  I can't hate too hard on it, but he's really sounding like a Wiz Khalifa with even less lyrical ability.  - 3/5


8. Gold Alpinas (Ft. Rick Ross) - A Rick Ross feature?  Damn.  If you think reading this review has become redundant, just imagine listening to the shit...and listening to it multiple times because you don't want to miss something.  The beat is mellow.  He's got a simple hook.  And now he's got Ross on board to stunt...cars are the topic here, in addition to getting money and shit.  I fucks with Ross, but he really doesn't sound at home here.  It's wild...I hadn't heard a beat Ross didn't sound good on in a while, but...here we are. - 2.5/5


9. PG Click (Ft. Niko G4) - This one has a little more energy, which is a change from what the tape has been.  Overall though, it's just a sped-up version of any of his earlier tracks.  You can vibe to it, but you can vibe to any track on here, for the most part.  Niko isn't special either, so it's not like he can get saved by someone like on "We Ball."  Just a lot of mediocrity here.  You haven't struggled until you've tried to listen to a 7 minute track by this dude.  LUCKILY, the latter half of the track has more B.I.G. lyrics than Dom lyrics....so I was able to avoid that situation.  I'll give him credit for this though; he knows that a longer track should have the background split in two, rather than just 6+ minutes over the same beat. - 3/5


10. Lately - The beat on this is more traditional West Coast.  You could imagine Game spitting some shit over this...it's basically a low-rent Dre beat.  I wouldn't be surprised if dude was a ghost producer for the good Doctor, tbh.  It could be just exhaustion, or maybe this album is just too mellow, but at this point, I'm really tired of this guy's rap voice and his raps.  Very meh-inducing.  - 1/5


11. Hangin' (Ft. Freddie Gibbs) - When that Freddie Gibbs/Madlib project comes out, I will be one of the first ones reviewing it.  Without a doubt.  Gangsta Gibbs is that nigga.  Fittingly, this beat is less mellow, more gutter.  Interestingly enough, Dom sounds just as at home on this as on chill beats.  If you've listened to Gangsta Gibbs before, you know his shit is fire.  Great flow, great delivery...I fucks with Gibbs.  This track is a very welcome change from earlier offerings on the tape (although really, there hasn't been a mellow beat in a few songs).  This isn't the best song I've heard with Gibbs on it, but it's still a solid track - 3.5/5


12. 1:25 - This one is actually dope.  Straddles the line between bumpin and mellow, and does it well.  Dom's got a gift for adapting to any beat that he's on, and it's on display here.  Pretty decent track.  When you're not getting bombarded by mellow beat after mellow beat, you can enjoy dude's raps a little more.  - 3.5/5


13. P + H - The end of the album, this one has that generic computer voice on it at times...which isn't dope.  The beat is dope though, and the concept is nice.  A low-energy way to end an overall mellow album...which works.  Peace and happiness is all any of us can really hope for.  I fucks with this ending. - 3.5/5



Overall, he makes his weaknesses a bit too apparent on this, but he also showcases his strengths pretty well. A little too mellow for my taste, and he has no hope of shining on tracks with Kendrick Lamar or Freddie Gibbs, but overall, this is an OK mixtape.  I'm giving it a 3/5, with the final 3 tracks keeping it from a 2-2.5/5

Ring Chasing

So....this still has an OK shot at happening, despite the Heat only being able to offer Ray Allen $3 million versus what the Celtics or other teams (like the Suns) can offer him.  Ray Allen already has a ring, but presumably he wants more than 1, so that's probably why he wants to join the Heatles, but that brings me to this point.  I've been hearing people complain about Allen (and Jason Terry, among others) wanting to join the Heat, rather than joining another team to dethrone the Heat.  Word?  Where were all of these people when Karl Malone and Gary Payton joined the fucking LAKERS to get a ring?!  Yo Gary Payton is my nigga, favorite guard of all time, I think he's the second-best two-way guard to Jordan, but FOH, you know what he was doing at the end of his career was ring chasing.  It's been around for years, don't bitch about dudes who weren't the #1s on their teams opting to do it now.

While it's more than likely more because everyone wants to win a ring, I wonder how many of these players look at their legacy and realize people will really shit on them for not having a ring (or for only having 1 ring, etc.).  Honestly, they probably don't care, but if you've ever been in a sports debate, you know just how much people weigh rings.  I've heard people genuinely argue that Reggie Miller didn't deserve to be in the HOF because he didn't win a ring.  Or that Patrick Ewing wasn't great because he didn't get a ring.  These days, it would have been Dirk if he didn't win or Kevin Garnett if he didn't win.  Fam...a ring is indeed validation...of a TEAM.  I'm not going to sit here and act like Charles Barkley isn't great because he never got a ring.  Shit is stupid, and in general, ring counting is the type of shit that people engage in when they don't have any other argument.

So overall it's annoying as fuck when on one end, people are saying that if you don't win a ring (or a certain number of rings) you ain't shit, but then when you do things to try to win rings (like team up with All-Stars or join a championship team) you still ain't shit.  Stop moving the goal posts, people.

OMG OFWGKTA OMG

The fuck bit the donut bro?

So........I know I was supposed to be reviewing Dom Kennedy's Yellow Album next, but I fucking love Odd Future.  I've had Tyler, the Creator's "Bastard" on my iPod since 2008, and avoided the fuck out of it until 2010 or so.  Watching this movement grow has been a joy...they don't like the Wu-Tang comparisons, and really, it's hard to think of anyone ever duplicating what Wu-Tang did, but DAMN.  Odd Future has spitters, period.  Earl, Tyler, Domo, Hodgy, Mike G, these guys can rap.  Period.  When's the last time a group had that many good rappers?  Roc-a-Fella?  Wu-Tang?  And the best thing is, these dudes love having fun.  More than anything else, they seem to love having fun.  And having fun...isn't that one of the first goals of hip-hop?  But anyway, back to the tape.

Another thing about Odd Future is that they're very diverse.  Contrary to what you've probably heard, they're not all like Tyler or Earl.  So basically what I'm saying is, if you thought this was going to be like Bastard or Goblin or Earl or whatever, then you're coming into this with the wrong mindset.  There's a lot of variety on this, and that's good...because that's what OF is about.



1. Hi. (Ft. L-Boy) - Just an intro with L-Boy shitting on all of Odd Future, lol...kinda hilarious that he couldn't come up with anything for Frank Ocean though.


2. Bitches (Ft. Domo Genesis and Hodgy Beats) - This is MellowHigh, Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats on Left Brain production.  A great way to start the tape, definitely has the energy you want at the beginning of a project.  They have a great back-and-forth, something that a lot of OF shares with each other.  Great use of flows on this track, going along with the beat Left Brain laid out for them.  Hodgy basically reveals what pisses OF off the most with this barb "this game is filled with a bunch of gray-haired dead souls, promise 90s retro...ho!"  This isn't that 90s shit, and these kids aren't being manipulated by a bunch of oldheads either.  Overall, I like this track a lot, it really shows you how good Domo and Hodgy are - 4/5


3. NY (Ned Flander) (Ft. Hodgy Beats and Tyler, the Creator) - We get to see Tyler's abilities as both a rapper and a producer on this track.  Que es eso?!  This has a hilarious couple of interludes in Spanish...they're funny whether you know Spanish or not, but if you DO know Spanish, they're better.  Mostly, the rhymes have no overlapping meaning in connection to the song title, but you do get a fucked up reference to the Pope and Jerry Sandusky (guess what it's about...).  Lots of metaphors in this one; if you aren't offended by the shit, you'll thoroughly enjoy this track. The video is fittingly fucked up as well - 4/5

4. Ya Know (Ft. The Internet) - The Internet is Matt Martians and Syd tha Kid...it's not rap, and it's the first taste of the diversity that makes OF OF.  This is chill music, and the production is what anyone who's listened to The Jet Age of Tomorrow (basically The Internet and Hal Williams) is familiar with.  A nice track focusing on The Internet hooking up with a chick at a bar/club.  This isn't my type of music really, but I can vibe to it. - 3.5/5

5. Forest Green (Ft. Mike G) - The first solo track on album goes to Mike G, one of the spitters of the group.  Over Left Brain production, Mike G gets his swag on.  He's basically the thug of the group; he doesn't skate, and his raps are drugs, hoes, and swag.  This is a banger, but it's kinda out of place within the group.  He can spit though.  So weird having this after "Ya Know," but that's Odd Future. - 3/5

6. Lean (Ft. Hodgy Beats and Domo Genesis) - Another MellowHigh offering, I've got Domo shitting on Hodgy here...which is interesting since I think Hodgy is a better rapper.  Domo's flow is EXCELLENT on this one, while Hodgy's is just decent.  Overall, Domo steals the track and kills it, which is good, because if he had had less flow, this would've been a bad track. "YEA!! BALLS IN MY HAND!!"- OF ignorance at its finest, hahaha -  3.5/5

7. Analog 2/Wheels 2 (Ft. Tyler, the Creator, Frank Ocean, and Syd tha Kid) - The first part of this is the successor track to "Analog" from Goblin, and after a short interlude, we get the sequel to "Wheels" from Bastard.  Another example of Tyler's versatility as a producer, this has an R&B vibe to it.  If you listened to "Analog" or "Wheels" then you already know about Tyler's desire to meet a chick by the lake, so there's nothing surprising here.  Tyler was apparently thinking "of sitting in a forest where the trees had faces on some fairy tale Disney movie type shit."  Word.  It's got a chill vibe, I like it, plus it marks the first appearance of Frank Ocean. - 4/5

8. 50 (Ft. MellowHype) - MellowHype is Hodgy Beats and Left Brain, and this one has the energy we've come to expect from that pairing.  This shit is hard bruh!  I'm getting hyped just listening to it again for this review, my nigga!  "Where the roof at?! We'll stomp that bitch through!"  Man.  Where's that Numbers tape?!  Fuck! Overall though, I don't like this as much as most of their work. - 3/5

9. Snow White (Ft. Hodgy Beats and Frank Ocean) - Another Left Brain track, with Hodgy spitting and Frank crooning on the chorus.  Something OF does really well is short tracks.  They really know how not to prolong a track that doesn't have to be long.  Also, can Channel Orange just come out?  Fuck.  This track really grows on you, Frank is great on these hooks.  Hodgy also hits his stride on this one..."Accounting for all the hatred, get off the children's sacred" - real shit, kids are going to be kids, let them listen to what they want. - 4/5

10. Rella (Ft. Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis, and Tyler the Creator) - This is another single, and I think the first one I heard from it.  Fucking great beat from Left Brain here, and three of the better rappers in OF go off on it.  Really though, Tyler kills this track, even though he's arguably the worst rapper of the 3.  "51-50 I'm off the heezy, you ain't got no fuckin' Yeezy?!"  I'll let the video speak for itself, but this is my favorite track thus far. - 4.5/5

11. Real Bitch (Ft. MellowHype and Taco) - It's fucking Taco!  That nigga's hilarious....but he can't rap for shit........which makes him MORE hilarious.  On this, we get all three OF members pontificating on what a real bitch is.  Real shit though, Taco's description is fucking great.  "I need a real bitch who can make French toast and suck dick."  REAL SHIT.  Where is that chick?  Shit is real laid back, real MellowHype, real as shit.  Hilarious because since it's OF, you know that it's also laughing at these sorts of songs, but it works. - 3.5/5

12. P (Ft. Hodgy Beats and Tyler, the Creator) - Another Tyler-produced track with Hodgy Beats.  I wasn't sure about this pairing since I hadn't really liked it on other albums, but Tyler really just works well with anyone, even though he's best with Earl Sweatshirt.  We get another Sandusky reference here, as well as a Casey Anthony one!  You know I approve of the latter.  Hi Casey.  I'm tryna smash.  Bye Casey.  Anyway, this is pretty much standard fare for the group, along with another Spanish outro.  Nothing really special, but it's not bad either. - 3.5/5

13. White (Ft. Frank Ocean) - We finally get the Frank Ocean solo track, and it's fucking great.  Short and sweet.  Man, Frank can sing.  Can Channel Orange just come out?  Wait, I said that already?  Fuck.  Yo if I ever get on, I will abuse the ability to hear these albums early religiously.  Anyway, this shit is hot.  I fucks with it. - 4.5/5

14. Hcapd (Ft. Domo Genesis, Hodgy Beats, and Tyler, the Creator) - I might just have to reverse my thoughts on Domo...I thought he was the 4th best rapper in the group, around on par with Tyler, but he really might be second to Earl.  For all of you niggas who didn't know, Tyler fucks with Waka AND MF DOOM...so it's no surprise I fucks with him heavy.  Also.  The first "FUCK STEVE HARVEY" quote of the album.  Damn.  This is late as fuck.  Fuck Steve Harvey. - 3.5/5

15. Sam (is Dead) (Ft. Domo Genesis and Tyler, the Creator) - The video for this came out rather recently, and it's pretty good.  You hear that fuckin' brass?  Shit is dope.  Tyler dominates the track, both from a production standpoint and from a rapping standpoint.  I guess Domo can't murder EVERY track he's on, so I'm cool with him letting Tyler take this one.  - 4/5

16. Doms (Ft. Domo Genesis) - We get a Domo solo here, over Tyler production.  As expected, we get a weed reference, we get some swaggy shit.  Kinda meh overall, which is surprising to me.  Maybe it's because I fucked with "Sam (is Dead)" so much.  Nothing really to hear here though - 2/5

17. We Got Bitches (Ft. Taco, Tyler, the Creator, and Jasper Dolphin) - The successor to "Bitch Suck Dick," we get another example of excellence of ignorance here.  "Six hundred and sixty motherfuckin' six bitches on a nigga dick!"  Isn't that every nigga's fantasy?  The energy is high on this one, it's fucking great.  I love this shit on almost a Waka level...even though they aren't as good at it as Waka is, hahahaha - 3.5/5

18. Oldie (Ft. Everyone except Syd) - FUCK.  FUCK.  FUCK.  THIS IS IT.  This is the shit that I throw in any nigga's face when they say OF isn't hip-hop or that no one in OF can rap or whatever dumb shit niggas want to say.  This is the last track on the album, and it's the best.  No contest.  "Rella" is dope.  "NY (Ned Flander)" is dope.  Frank killed his solo track.  But this is the best track on the album.  Despite all of the "Free Earl"s sprinkled throughout the album, this track reveals Earl is back, and he's better than ever.  The video is just...everything good about OF all in one place.  The energy, the fun, the bars.  Fuck.  I love this crew, man.  So many quotables on this shit.  A minimalist beat produced by Tyler.  Just fucking great.  "With the normal ass past like I cheated on my team" "cartilage cartridge is boneless" "Bitch I'm in the zone, stand alone like Macaulay Cock" "My brother, give it some time, Morris and Day" "Swallowin syrup and settin fire to sheriff's whips" "Vocals bold and rough, evoke a ho to pose as drum/and let me hit and beat it with a stick until the hole is numb".  Fuck, man.  Fucking Earl killed the shit, man.  Just watch the fucking video, nigga. - 5/5

Overall, it's difficult to rate because some of the shit is so different, but the vast majority of the shit works.  There are some moments where it gets a little redundant, and I'm DEFINITELY looking forward to more Earl verses on the next one, but this one gets a 4/5 from me.  Golf Wang.  Bitches.

You mad bro?

History, my nigga

So yea.  That happened.  Obama's healthcare mandate (NOT universal healthcare btw) was ruled constitutional by the SCOTUS, using the same tax shit that makes Social Security constitutional.  Hilarity ensued when CNN, among other news conduits, erroneously reported that it had been struck down.  Hence, this image.  But yea, I've got libertarian and republican friends who are crying "DOOMSDAY," so this shit is even more hilarious to someone like me, who genuinely hates seeing people happy.  Progressives rejoicing, since this is a decent START to getting our healthcare shit straightened out, and conservatives crying, so this started my day off pretty nicely.


In other news, I'll probably do an album review of Dom Kennedy's Yellow Album later today too.  I'll also end up doing some reviews of shit that I've been bumping all year long, if I'm up to it.

Needs more French! - Self Made 2 Review

So...it's here.  The follow-up to Self Made Vol 1, which gave us some trunk-rattling summer music last year. After losing Pill to external factors (last I heard, he was never REALLY signed to the group), the Bawse re-upped with new editions Stalley (the more conscious type of rapper), French Montana (ignorance at its finest), and.....Omarion, now going by both Omarion and....Maybach O.  Yea.  Anyway, ignoring Mr. B2K's name changes, let's get into the second installment of what seems to be a series of summer music.




1. Power Circle (Ft. Rick Ross, Gunplay, Stalley, Wale, Meek Mill, and Kendrick Lamar)

A GREAT way to start this thing off.  It's got that subtle energy that gets you vibing without getting too ridiculous too early.  Considering the album itself though, it might have been better suited as an outro.  Best verses come from Wale and Kendrick Lamar, but the most ridiculous (and thus best) line of the song comes from Rick Ross - "the square root of a kilo is me, nigga!"  Never change, Bawse. - 4/5


2. Black Magic (Ft. Rick Ross and Meek Mill)

After the subtle (and dare I say semi-conscious?) "Power Circle," we jump right into the trunk rattling fare that we know Rick Ross for.  It is an odd transition, which is odd for someone whose work is generally so well-sequenced.  However, when you get past the placement, you find another Ross banger; a simple, infectious hook, verses about heaux and money, and a banging beat.  It's no "Tupac Back," but it works. - 3/5


3. This Thing of Ours (Ft. Rick Ross, Wale, Nas, and Omarion)

Again, we run into some odd sequencing.  After "Black Magic," a high-energy track, we get this much more mellow offering, complete with a hook from Omarion.  I don't even have to tell you that Nas murks this shit, but I just did.  When are we going to get a Nas project executive produced by Rick Ross?  Anyway, "every male is not a man...so some of those that will hold out they hand won't understand."  Real shit.  Real track.  I approve. - 3.5/5


4. All Birds (Ft. Rick Ross and French Montana)

Now we finally get into the truly ignorant shit.  Honestly, I didn't really fuck with French until Self Made Vol 2.  I didn't check for his own shit, and when I heard him on "Stay Schemin" I yawned.  He's at home on beats like this one though.  "Huddle up, Round Table, King Arthur shit"...lessons in British history from French Montana.  An early favorite on this album...this shit gets you hype!  That "haaanh" ad-lib is the shit, fam. - 4/5


5. Actin' Up (Ft. Wale, French Montana, and Meek Mill)

Continuing the trend of ignorance, we get more talk about hoes...in this case, hoes are acting above their station, and MMG laments the trend of niggas letting them do so.  So...Wale, French, and Meek have come to remind us how to treat these hoes.  It's good that they do so, because as French's verse points out....hoes be winning b.  It's funny to hear Wale tap into his "The Manipulation" persona for this track...overall, I don't feel too strongly one way or another about this one though. - 3/5


6. Fountain of Youth (Ft. Rick Ross, Stalley, and Nipsey Hu$$le)

Ending the ignorant streak, we get to a more conscious number, with another non-MMG rapper from California, Nipsey Hu$$le.  Ross knows how to pick out mellow beats as well as bangers, so it's no surprise that the chill vibe on this one is great.  Stalley steers clear of the ignorant tracks, but he really shines on the more introspective ones.  Of course, this is no surprise to anyone who has been tracking his moves.  Nipsey comes through with a verse speaking on his pre-rap career, while Ross continues embellishing a past that we know isn't true.  Despite that, this one is dope.  It's a shame that Stalley doesn't get to spread his wings a little more on this album though. - 3.5/5


7. I Be Puttin' On (Ft. Wale, Wiz Khalifa, French Montana, and Roscoe Dash)

We get a more club-oriented one here, with a Roscoe Dash hook that seems like it belongs in 2010 or something...anyway, it's a little hard for me to REALLY like this with the Roscoe Dash hook, but overall, this is head-nodding music (which you probably knew from Wiz's feature).  Overall, I feel like tracks like these don't play to French's strengths though, and the track overall is kinda wack.  The mellow vibe stops you from instantly skipping it, but honestly...I won't be rushing to play this track when I pop the CD in. - 2.5/5

My nigga....cut that shit out

8. The Zenith (Ft. Wale, Rick Ross, and Stalley)

We get another track with Stalley on it here, so we know it's going to be more laid back, with less stuntin.  You know Ross is going to do what he does, and Stalley actually indulges in a bit, but he ties it into his humble beginnings rather than simply boasting of newfound riches.  Wale reminds us that people he used to be cool with aren't cool with him anymore, and overall, the three of them speak on their journey to where they are now.  Overall it's a decent track, but man...how much better would it be to hear just Stalley and Wale rap on a conscious track together?  I fucks with Rick Ross, but it just seems odd. - 3/5


9. M.I.A. (Ft. Omarion and Wale)

I won't front...I didn't like the idea of Omarion joining MMG.  Personally, I felt that Jeremih could fill that void perfectly ("That Way" was the best track on SM Vol 1, don't debate me bro) and he wouldn't even have to join the label.  This track changed that.  You remember how Omarion was on So Far Gone?  Oh...you don't?  Oh...well anyway, at that time, I felt Omarion would join Cash Money and get his career back on track.  For whatever reason, he didn't.  Well, this is his coming out party on Self Made Vol 2.  It's a soft track...as in Drake-level soft.  You'd think it wouldn't fit on an album full of braggadocio from Meek and Ross, yet after the mellow track "The Zenith," this fits perfectly.  Yea it's soft.  Yea it's whining about chicks leaving him.  I don't fucking care.  The shit really gives you that So Far Gone vibe, and I don't care how you feel about Drake now, the odds are you were bumping that shit when it came out.  Wale's one of my favorite rappers, and his verse is good, but I'd rather have this be Omarion's solo joint.  Shit works. - 4.5/5; without Wale, 5/5


10. Bag of Money (Ft. Wale, Rick Ross, T-Pain, and Meek Mill)

This is the first track I had heard of from this album (not that I listened to it, but still).  T-Pain back?  Damn, I thought we were done with T-Pain hooks, but he's back...somehow though, it doesn't sound anywhere near as tired as that Roscoe Dash hook from earlier.  This is a dope single, it's obviously geared toward the women...I will never be able to understand that shit, but whatever, I'm not a woman.  Shit has that low-key bump...you've already heard the shit in the club, it works.  Not a huge fan of the track, but it serves its purpose.  Still feels like I'm in a time warp though. - 3/5

3 CHAAAAAAAAAINZ

11. Let's Talk (Ft. Omarion and Rick Ross)

Yo I didn't think I'd be saying this, but yes!  Another Omarion feature!  Fuck bullshit dudes who can't sing who use auto-tune.  Just get a nigga who can sing.  Has the B.I.G. sample, which you know I approve of.  Ross also sounds at home on this, unlike Wale on "M.I.A."  The hook is dope, and we already know Omarion can sing.  Shit is nice.  This part of the album is geared toward the women, but they really did this well.  This and "M.I.A." are stand-outs thus far. - 4/5


12. Black on Black (Ft. Gunplay, Ace Hood, and Bun B)

Oh shit!  I forgot Gunplay was aligned with MMG!  Nigga finally showed his head after the first track.  Anyway, I'd rather have French on this shit than Ace Hood, but what can you do.  Like Nas on an earlier track, you know Bun B is going to kill it, and he did.  Gotta pause that "put that thing up to his back" line though.  Bun should know better!  But yea, I don't really fuck with this one like that.  I've been bored with Ace Hood for a while, and a French verse would have added a lot more "HAAAAANH."  Which is always good.  Also, where the hell is Meek Mill on this track?  Why the fuck is Ace Hood here?  I'll just skip to the next track. - 2.5/5


13. Fluorescent Ink (Ft. Wale, Stalley, and Rick Ross)

Oh what do you know?  That idea I brought up earlier comes (somewhat) to fruition.  This is a solid track, pretty much the only track that is focused more on rapping than anything else.  Another head-nodding song, it's suitably placed near the end of the album.  After listening to this one again...it's odd that Ross got what Wale was doing on this track, but Stalley didn't seem to.  It's an introspective number that has Wale basically summing up all of his bars since he's been out, but Stalley spends his verse rapping about shit he doesn't normally rap about.  Weird. - 3.5/5


14. Bury Me A G (Ft. Rick Ross and T.I.)

I guess that since Meek is working on his own album, he didn't have a ton of verses to spare for this album...which is cool, I guess.  This shit bangs.  T.I. has lost the swagger he had back when he dropped Paper Trail (you see what I did there?), but he still fits well with this beat.  If you remember "9 Piece," then you know that Ross and T.I. on a track together works VERY well.  Shit goes hard, and the album goes out with a bang.  We get the (ridiculous) line of the album in the hook, with Ross emphatically stating "if I die today, I pray I get buried with clean drawers!"  REAL NIGGA SHIT. - 3.5/5


Overall, this is one of those albums that kinda grows on you.  The trash moments are trash, and there are few standout moments.  It's mostly hovering around average, and after French departs from the album, it's lacking a certain energy.  Overall, I give it a 3.5/5, but it's probably closer to a 3/5.

The Rebirth....

So...Round 2.  Gonna try to get this thing off the ground, which basically means that I have to stop being so fucking lazy.  Considering that I've been unemployed for a couple of weeks now, I really could have been working on this, but eh...anyone who knows me knows I'm lazy.  Anyway, at this point, it would just be annoying to get a job, since the school year is right around the corner, SO I SHOULD be to get this thing rolling.  Since Self Made Vol 2. is out, maybe my first post outside of this will be a Self Made Vol 2 review. I guess I'll figure the other shit out later.