Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Here's Proof That Nas Is The Best Rapper Evar

This is Nas circa 1991



And this is Nas as of a few days ago


Twenty years in the game and he hasn't lost a step. Say that about any other rapper but you can't and won't. I rest my case.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Album Review: Big Sean- "Finally Famous"

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I was first introduced to Big Sean in 2009 as Kanye's new artist who rapped like Asher Roth. He since had one of the best "Lemonade" freestyles and the song from the Derrick Rose commercial and some other pretty good shit. So is this guy really the next big thing or just another beta male mixtape rapper as I once assumed? Boiiiiii.

1. Intro

Big Sean sort of raps over the guy playing the piano at the Marriot. Not the worst intro I've ever heard.

2. I Do It

The aforementioned single from the D. Rose commercial that came out a while back. This beat is cool and Big Sean drops a clever line or two. My biggest gripe with this song is the fact that it's called "I Do It". Why does every new artist have to have a stupid ass catch phrase these days?

3. My Last (Feat. Chris Brown)

The radio single with Chris Breezy. This is actually pretty good for what it is in that I wouldn't listen to it on my own accord but it's one of the better song that gets heavy airplay.

4. Don't Tell Me You Love Me

This sounds like a Big Sean remake of a song that Kanye recorded for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy but wasn't good enough to make the album. And that album kinda fucking sucked.

5. Wait For Me (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)

This is more like it. The bouncy paino beat with the chopped up vocal sample are much to my liking and seem to be right in Big Sean's wheelhouse. Lupe flows pretty nice over this as well, even if his guest verse wasn't particularly impactful. Still, a very solid song.

6. Marvin & Charrdonnay (Feat. Kanye West & Roscoe Dash)

Given the name of the song and the violin intro I was anticipating a soulful Kanye track ala "Late" from the Late Registration album. Or even "Overnight Celebrity". Instead this sounds like every other Roscoe Dash song, complete with the tone-deaf hook. Kanye's verse is awful and the song becomes a real mess towards the end if it wasn't one already. I bet this still gets extensive radio play like "No Hands" did.

7. Dance (Ass)

Oh shit, it's an MC Hammer sample! And 808 drums! And there's a Pootie Tang reference! No, but seriously, this is one of the worst songs I've ever heard.

8. Get It (DT)

Between the Casio keyboard beat and uninspired R&B hook I think I'd rather listen to that last song over this. I'm not doubting Big Sean's lyrical skill at this point, just his ability to tell a good idea from a very, very bad one.

9. Memories (Pt. II) (Feat. John Legend)

The sequel to a song I've never heard of featuring label-mate John Legend. Musically this isn't bad especially compared to some of this other garbage, but Big Sean's flow is getting really stale at this point. John Legend comes correct as always.

10. High (Feat. Wiz Khalifa & Chiddy Bang)

Sean, Wiz, and Chiddy Bang sort of half rap, half sing over something extra avant garde sounding. Wiz Khalifa's 30 seconds of rapping blows everyone out on this and I don't even like the guy.

11. Live This Life (Feat. The-Dream)

This might as well have been called "Chris Brown Song Pt. II". If it wasn't bad enough already, The-Dream takes the mic and melodizes that "these bitches look like Bobby Bonilla". Holy shit I hate this album.

12. So Much More

I feel as though Big Sean can never decide if he's rapping or singing. It's like he adopted his flow from Drake's hook on "Over" or maybe one of those songs Fat Joe did with R. Kelly. No I.D's production sort of saves this one even if the choir in the background is a bit much.

13. What Goes Around

Ok, this is a pretty good song. This beat, also by No I.D., and the catchy hook make this a seemingly radio-friendly song that I would actually like to hear on the radio...

14. Celebrity (Feat. Dwele)

...and here he goes again rapping about girls over something decidedly mainstream sounding. I think it's because the Asher Roth album only sold like 40,000 copies.

15. My House

Sean re-hashes the flows from "I Do It" and other songs on the album over pianos and organs and such. At least this is a rap song.

16. 100 Keys (Feat. Rick Ross & Pusha T)

At long last, it's the finale to this god-forsaken album. Speaking of Pusha T, I pray he doesn't go out like this.

Best Songs: "I Do It", "Wait For Me", "What Goes Around"

Comments: This has to be the worst album I've ever reviewed for this site, and that says quite a lot. In fairness, the singles weren't half bad, but everything else was just about impossible to listen to. I no longer have any respect for this kid as an artist. Bring on the J. Cole album!