West Coast Connection Forum
DUBCC - Tha Connection => Outbound Connection => Topic started by: Meho on September 11, 2007, 07:25:50 AM
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Hate it or love it. Curtis Jackson doesn't care which, as long as you're paying attention. For 50, it's always been as much about the hustle as the music. This is the cause of both his massive success and the hate he receives from so-called hip hop purists. 50 Cent has solidified himself in the upper echelon of pop stars this decade with multi platinum selling albums, "Get Rich or Die Trying" and "The Massacre." With all his success, the only question is whether 50 is still motivated enough to keep making albums full of hits.
"Curtis" delivers mixed results. While 50 does rehash the same formula of his last two albums, that's not necessarily the problem. The issue here is the utter lack of energy that "Curtis" provides. This isn't due to 50, who displays the same amount of wit he's known for, but the production, which is uncharacteristically substandard. Usually, 50 is known for picking the best beats from unknown producers, but the selection here is full of imitation Eminem and Dr. Dre beats, which is puzzling, considering that he has access to those individuals.
Not all of the production is bad, but very little of it is anything remarkable. After the first three songs, the album picks up considerably, the grooves of "Amusement Park" presenting a nice contrast with the harder beats of songs like "Straight to the Bank," while 50 adjusts well to both sides of the spectrum. Still, neither of those are particularly great, and as singles, they mark a decline in 50's beat choices. Most of the songs here operate in between "average" to "above average," which is a disappointment, considering 50's budget.
That isn't to say that "Curtis" doesn't have its moments. Whenever the production is on, it breathes an even greater life into 50. Over the synthetic thump "Movin on Up," 50 sounds as threatening as ever, ready again to tear your head off if you step up. In other places, the surprisingly club-ready Eminem beat (with an unsurprisingly awkward verse from the same), "Peep Show," draws 50 out of his usual slow pace for a more up-tempo track. Best of all is the Apex-produced "I Get Money," where 50's swagger and wit work together for an instant hit:
"I shipped quarter water, sold it in bottles for 2 bucks
Coca-Cola came and bought it for billions, what the fuck?
Have a baby by me, baby, be a millionaire
I'll write the check before the baby comes
Who the fuck cares? I'm stanky rich
I'ma die trying to spend this shit!"
The sad thing about "Curtis" is that 50 is quietly turning in one of his better performances in spite of the disappointing performances of those around him. There is no dip in quality lyrically; 50 is often criticized for not being a good lyricist, but he's exceptionally witty in his writtens. He's consistent throughout the album, which is overlooked due to dull production. Not only that, but he manages to cover different themes very well, whether it's his generic gangster posturing or playing with seduction on the softer "Follow My Lead":
"You listen to the rumors, they say, "50 fuckin' crazy"
"50 don't know how to treat a lady." They wrong
I like you a lot, I don't want to hurt you
But I call a square a square and a circle a circle
So if you act like a bitch, I'll call you a bitch
Then hang up, probably call you right back and shit
And have to say, "Baby, I apologize."
Cross my fingers, God forgive me for telling lies
Like Janet Jackson said, "I miss you much"
I really want to feel your touch..."
Where "Curtis" doesn't stand so tall is on collaborations. The stars are all here, but the combinations feel awkward and forced. Superstars like Justin Timberlake, Akon, and Eminem sound out of place beside him, while the above "Follow My Lead" severely under uses a Robin Thicke feature. Only Mary J. Blidge has enough personality to stand toe to toe with 50, on the surprisingly grateful "All of Me."
All in all, "Curtis" is an album that will please his core fans, but might not reach out to the huge numbers of people his previous efforts have. It's a solid performance, that is both better and worse than it could have been. It also operates soley within the box 50 has established for himself, both thematically and musically. Nonetheless, it's far from a disappointment, and a worthy pickup for 50 fans and casual rap fans alike.
Music Vibes: 7 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7.5 of 10
KANYE WAST GRADUATION
And so Mr. West's education comes to a close. The third instalment of his epic series is here – and before he can get a 'Good Ass Job', he must graduate from college (even though he dropped out... me neither!). It is no exaggeration to say that this is one of the most eagerly anticipated albums in recent memory – hip hop or otherwise. Kanye has truly conquered the worlds of music and media, with pretty much everyone knowing who he is, even if they don't know his music. Since his messy but charming sophomore effort 'Late Registration' propelled him to new heights, the Chicago native hopes that 'Graduation' blasts him from the album cover rocket up to the stars. But, like Icarus before him, Kanye may have flown too close to the Sun for his own good...
The album starts strongly with 'Good Morning', a simple and soulful beat providing a backdrop for the 30 year-old to drop jewels on his "dissertation": "Good morning, look at the valedictorians/ Scared of the future while I hop in the De Lorean". Hang on – where is the classic Cedric the Entertainer introductory skit? I guess this is the 'serious' album – no time for joking around, especially when you're trying to prove yourself as a legendary MC. In fact, there are no skits at all – one immediately notices how tightly the songs are sequenced together, with 'Champion' launching as soon as the opener stops. The short song proves Kanye's evolution as an incredibly charismatic rapper (perhaps to a lesser extent, a valuable lyricist), as we are swept away by the combination of the artist and a celebratory Steely Dan sample:
"When it feel like living's harder than dying
For me giving up's way harder than trying
Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion
I wish her heart still was in rhyming
Because who the kids gonna listen to, huh?
I guess ME if it isn't you
Last week I paid a visit to the institute
They got the Dropout keeping kids in the school"
A sequence of four singles follows, with the mega-hit 'Stronger' starting things off, complete with updated drums provided by Timbaland especially for the album – the difference is subtle, but welcome. Without doubt, it doesn't quite compare to the original Daft Punk effort, but it has certainly grown into a special song in its own right. In the build-up to the album, Kanye has spoken of his desire to make songs that people can connect with, that they can personalise – and while it is presumptuous to call 'I Wonder' a future single, it seems like a natural selection that fits into this ethos. Loosely documenting the miscommunication between himself and pretty much everyone, it contains enough buzz-lines and Shakespearian open text to hook in the listener ("Do you even remember what the issue is?"). Yet, not for the first time, his ego gets in the way of delivering a beautiful and impassioned plea – he so squarely aims for 'stadium anthem' territory that by the end of the song, forgets about us and our 'everyman' struggles, instead falling back on his blustery bravado. The guilty pleasure 'Good Life', complete with vocoder-plagued T-Pain, fails to inspire due to the underwhelming chorus – the song's heart is in the right place, but the execution lets it down. The same cannot be said of the brilliant 'Can't Tell Me Nothing', which manages to succeed on every count that the previous three songs can't quite live up to. Beat, verses, chorus – it's all classic stuff:
"I had a dream I can buy my way to heaven
When I awoke, I spent that on a necklace
I told God I'd be back in a second
Man, it's so hard not to act reckless
To whom much is given, much is tested
Get arrested, got some chilli, get the message
I feel the pressure, under more scrutiny
And what I do? Act more stupidly
Bought more jewellery, more Louis V
My momma couldn't get through to me
The drama, people suing me
I'm on TV talking like it's just you and me
I'm just saying how I feel man
I ain't one of the Cosbys, I ain't go to Hill-man
I guess the money should've changed him
I guess I should've forget where I came from"
The late addition tracks 'Barry Bonds' and 'Flashing Lights' sandwich the album's nadir – the iPod delete-worthy 'Drunk & Hot Girls', featuring Mos Def (who, frankly, sounds offended to be there). 'Barry Bonds' is the audio equivalent of going to speed-dating events with an ugly friend – featuring an under-par Lil Wayne, Kanye comes off a much more attractive proposition. 'Flashing Lights' is a stunning synth-driven highlight, and saves the albums crucial middle core from oblivion. Another classic starts off the closing sequence, 'Everything I Am' – for some reason, Common passed on this soulful beat (as Kanye states in the first few bars). His loss is Mr West's gain, and combined with some ever-fabulous scratching from the legendary DJ Premier, it proves to be poignantly successful. Another song that was originally slated for release on Common's latest LP, 'The Glory' is a solid shit-talking opus and more in keeping with the sped-up samples of Kanye's past.
The final two songs provide some of the psycho-drama that keeps the internet forums buzzing. 'Homecoming' features Chris Martin of Coldplay, and reinterprets 'I Used to Love H.E.R' – the seminal 1994 Common single. Its success is almost irrelevant until the final track 'Big Brother' explains that Kanye and Jay-Z (his 'big bro') had a falling out over Jigga's decision to include the Martin-featuring 'Beach Chair' on his comeback album, 'Kingdom Come' – after West had told him he was going to use the Coldplay singer on his own LP. West was enraged, and their relationship suffered as a result – the song chronicles the ups and downs of their relationship over the past six years, forming a fascinating episode of fly-on-the-wall reality: "I told Jay I did a song with Coldplay/Next thing I know, HE got a song with Coldplay/Back of my mind, I'm like, Damn, no way!" And what must hurt Kanye even more is that Jay's song with the singer is SO much better than his own track: 'Homecoming' is a corny 1970's impersonation, localised to Chicago; 'Beach Chair' is a rare, inspiringly open and honest introspection that, ironically, listeners can relate to even more.
The album is finished, and you may not be all too impressed – fear not, as it is a grower, demanding repeat listens. Certain sonic touches are subtle enough to go unnoticed; a few clever metaphors will only click on your third or fourth listen. But it isn't enough to save 'Graduation' from paling in comparison to his previous two efforts. Two particular flaws decimate the albums potential: a lack of huge singles to follow on from 'Stronger'; and an absence of fun and humility. In his quest to be taken seriously as an MC, Kanye has forgotten that the listener still requires entertaining – and a sense of humour failure dovetails with his overly-defensive ego. He has taken a risk in every aspect of this album: no skits, a more electronic sound, a smaller selection of songs, fewer guest rappers. It is commendable, and could well have paid off, but the risk falls flat. I mentioned in the opening paragraph that 'Late Registration' was messy but charming – well, 'Graduation' is neat, tidy, formal, but lacking in personality (kind of like an actual graduation ceremony). He's graduated, but not with flying colours.
Music Vibes: 7 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10
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^^Yo TImbo, is that Ur Own Personal Review, or did u get that from some site??
pretty dope InSight!!!
I know sum of you folks already have the album, but i'm getting mine during the weekend!!!
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It's a disgrace to rate Curtis higher than Graduation.
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Yo "Curtis" ain't as good as this dude makes it out to be
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I thought Curtis review was on point but Gradutation was too low.
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That guy seriously underrated Graduation.
Curtis - I've only heard it twice, but I sure as hell wouldn't rate it as high as that. I'd give it maybe a 6 out of 10. 50's been delivering the same uninspiring raps for years now. Plus, the production is lacking.
Graduation isn't perfect either though. I'd give it a 8.5 or a 9. Not sure, only listening to it for the second time while I'm typing this. I think it's safe to say though that I think it's up there with his last record. The worst point on it are the poor guest spots. Weezy further solidifies my puzzlement why people think he's a great rapper, and by now we all know Kanye put the wrong Mos Def collabo on the record.
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rapreviews are always giving high rates to 50's and g unit album. They clearly stated that massacre was not as good as the documentary yet they gave it the same rating.
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Curtis
Music Vibes: 7 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7.5 of 10
Graduation
Music Vibes: 7 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10
Eeeh.
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It's a disgrace to rate Curtis higher than Graduation.
Especially since it was the LYRICAL part of the rating that scored higher for 50.. WTF?!?!?
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It's a disgrace to rate Curtis higher than Graduation.
Especially since it was the LYRICAL part of the rating that scored higher for 50.. WTF?!?!?
lyrically 50's album is better than Ye's, the beats are better on Graduation 8)
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they don't mean lyrical vibe as in just written words.. they mean the whole vocal part, as in flow, delivery etc
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50 is the better rapper but his album is his worst so far, Kanye not much of a rapper but dude makes great music 8)
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50 is the better rapper but his album is his worst so far, Kanye not much of a rapper but dude makes great music 8)
:o
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at their best, 50 is a better rapper ... y'all just think Kanye is better coz he talks about different topics than guns , bitches , cars in his songs .. that makes him different than other rap superstars but not necessarily better
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at their best, 50 is a better rapper ... y'all just think Kanye is better coz he talks about different topics than guns , bitches , cars in his songs .. that makes him different than other rap superstars but not necessarily better
Well none of them is brilliant with flows so I'll take Kanye's lyrics over 50's anyday
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I must be living in 1987. There's no other possible explanation. I know what the calendar on the wall says, but it's wrong. For some reason law enforcement officials still blame hip-hop for causing violence. That can't possibly be right. Surely by now we've all learned that hip-hop reflects the violence of the environment it comes from and not vice versa. Poverty and disenfranchisement breeds hustle and entrepeneurship, the kind of hustle Corporate America doesn't like to acknowledge even if they profit from it. After all somebody has to manufacture and distribute the guns; somebody has to make and sell the baking soda; somebody has to supply the police with batons and uniforms. In this cauldron of insanity tempers boil and bubble over, from innocent bystanders just looking for a way out of hell to guilty onlookers who just want to be left alone to make a dishonest dollar. The police ought to be THANKFUL that hip-hop music and culture creates an outlet for all of that tension. Let hip-hop speak on it, let the people in the clubs dance to it, turn all of that negative energy into a positive release. Yet in 2007 the words of Ice Cube from almost twenty years ago still echo in my head:
"Fuckin with me cause I'm a teenager
with a little bit of gold and a pager
Searchin my car, lookin for the product
Thinkin every nigga is sellin narcotics"
Those quick to point the finger at rap music never had to live the day to day life Hakeem Seriki, better known as Chamillionaire, did growing up on the North side of Houston. Rising above hardship and poverty with intelligence and determination, Chamillionaire got his hustle on without winding up another statistic the same way Too $hort did in Oakland - HUSTLING MUSIC. Why push weight when you can push tapes? Unfortunately the more things change, the more they stay the same. Law enforcement is still fucking with rappers, claiming their music causes violence, saying their crews are little more than gangs, and even creating special units designed to target hip-hop artists for illicit activity. It's staggering to consider the hundreds of millions of dollars wasted that could actually be spent IMPROVING urban neighborhoods - build a park or a rec center or give some money to the schools to buy more supplies or hire teachers. Nope - your local government would rather fund the "Hip Hop Police" and send them out to harass Chamillionaire. Over a pulsating Jonathan 'JR' Rotem beat Cham plays the part of both the frustrated MC and the cop whose job it is to ruin his life:
Cham: "Officer I didn't do it, you can't blame me for this
Could you please loosen up the handcuffs on my wrists?
You can call me what you wanna mayne but I ain't a snitch
No cooperation is exactly what you will get
'Til I talk til my lawyer, you get no reply"
Cop: "You've obviously been watchin too much CSI
I'm not a crash dummy so don't even try
to talk your dirty trash to me, no BFI
If you are not guilty of anything, then why did you run?"
Cham: "Cause you the police! And plus I saw you cockin your gun
And the chamber wasn't empty, it was obviously one"
Cop: "If you think I'm believin that one then you're obviously dumb"
The song would have been hot with or without the Slick Rick cameo in the third verse, but the irony will not be lost on long-time hip-hop fans who recognize the numerous legal troubles Rick himself has been through.
Slick Rick: "A big celebrity, a case we long for
You a pirate - why you got that eyepatch on for?
Funny - puttin people in a hearse what I heard for
Where were you the night of April 21st son?
Home - I think you got your facts wrong, gat's on
You, Chamillionaire, Rob, Chuck, couple cats on Melview
What? - We gonna have to jail you too
In the lineup, don't speak until we tell you to"
It's not a coincidence that Chamillionaire named this album "Ultimate Victory." For Hakeem Seriki it's been a decade plus of long hard work. He's been hustling mixtapes, putting out records, losing friends and making enemies, all while watching so many people who he undoubtedly grew up idolizing in the Texas rap scene die far too young. At this point in his life it really is the ultimate victory to be releasing a long awaited new album. Cham has spoke very openly about squashing all his past beefs and opening a new chapter not only in his life but in hip-hop music itself. That's not to say Cham has given up his swagger and gone to meditate in a Buddhist temple though - he's still out there on the frontlines giving rap fans the true "Evenine News":
"Welcome to the evening news, I thank you all for tuning in
Yes I'm your host and your journalist, Chamillionaire, so let the news begin
Our helicopters out in the streets, look at the screen and let's zoom it in
Cause Ca$his is live at the scene, hey Ca$his how are you my friend?
Got no time for no interviews (got-got no time for no interviews)
No time to trip but don't get confused, cause this type of news opinions and views
Got no time for no interviews (got-got no time for no interviews)
But you know I keep my ear to the streets so it's up to me to bring you the truth
I saw a movie were George Bush had a bearded man on his squad
So much power from oil money that poor folks can't sit by him
No problem, Osama, Bin Laden, been hidin
So long that them pictures all starting to look like him on them milk cartons
Don Imus made comments that made everybody forget about him
That's him, Anna Nicole got pregnant and had kids by him
Rest in peace to Virgina Tech, too many innocent kids dyin
Well let's just blame hip-hop and act like that's the big problem"
Yes ladies and gentlemen, there's nothing wrong with America. Just ask Bill O'Reilly - everything bad must be Ludacris' fault. He's corrupting today's youth with those funny rhymes, catchy dance moves, and profuse profanity. Chamillionaire is undoubtedly his next target. Thankfully for the rest of us he can't stop Kane from giving Cham a beat, or Universal Records from putting "Ultimate Victory" in record stores everywhere. Chamillionaire may be blowing up since winning a Grammy for "Ridin'" but he hasn't forgotten his Southern roots. U.G.K. represent on the album as Bun B appears on "Pimp Mode" and Pimp C raps on "Welcome to the South." The Beat Bullies put down a hard guitar backdrop so Chamillionaire and Lil Wayne can party like a "Rock Star." Even Devin the Dude gets down on a smooth Happy Perez beat as he and Cham rap about surviving on life's "Rocky Road":
Cham: "Friendship and business don't mix
With anyone else it's just business, with friends I'm personally pissed
Is this a curse or a gift? Guess I was blessed with my wish
Don't tell me that you feel my pain that I seen, it's best that we switch
You take the fortune and fame, see if it's what you expected
Take the money and change and be careful where you invest it
Just take the test and don't stress it, you get stopped by a detective
Tryin to get in your personal life, gotta do your best to protect it"
There's plenty like on the solo tip though, as Chamillionaire pulls no punches and lets you into his world to feel every experience he's had and what his life is like. Cham whimsically apologizes in advance for anybody he'll offend before spitting over an amped up remake of Europe's "The Final Countdown" on the tell-all tale "Industry Groupie." He links up with the Beat Bullies to smooth it out and go on "The Ultimate Vacation" but doesn't forget to hook up with The Runnes and "Come Back to the Streets." Chamillionaire updates an old KRS-One theme on "I Think I Love You" by talking about the troubles chasing wealth can bring, but ultimately proves that he "Won't Let You Down" before getting a well earned "Standing Ovation" for this CD.
"Ultimate Victory" is everything one could have hoped for as an official sophomore album follow-up to "The Sound of Revenge" - there's no slump here. Cham even throws out a bone to the "Ridin'" fans by linking up with Krayzie Bone again for the track "The Bill Collecta" but it's just a small piece of the puzzle that ultimately presents a much bigger picture. Cham exhibits all of the tools a top level rapper needs. His breath control is impeccable whether fast or slow, his vocal tone is warm and inviting, his lyrics are written to be both entertaining and thought-provoking and his charisma is WELL above par. While the album falls just short of perfection on a couple of tracks musically, "Ultimate Victory" is still one of the best albums 2007 will have to offer. Ice Cube once said he was "comin straight from the underground [where] a young nigga got it bad cause I'm brown" but Chamillionaire is rushing through the door he and N.W.A. kicked down and his "Ultimate Victory" is an album that speaks the truth regardless who likes it or not. What should really scare the Bill O'Reilly motherfuckers of the world is that this isn't even Chamillionaire at his best - he's only going to keep getting better from here.
Music Vibes: 8.5 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 9.5 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 9 of 10
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^ :raisetheroof: