Kendrick Lamar - Section.80 Review

When talking about the highlights of 2011 in hip-hop, consensus is reached when Kendrick Lamar's Section.80 gets mentioned. The young and charismatic personality from Compton, California is the new “talk of the town“ on the west coast rap scene and even beyond the state's borders. Compton has always been well-stocked whereas famous rappers like Dr. Dre, DJ Quik, The Game or MC Eiht all claim this place their origin, but while all of them are associated with filigreed and explicit gangsterisms, Kendrick is one of the first rappers raising from this Los Angeles district who is boasting with sharp sense, bright creativity and a relentless analysis of today's young generation. Moreover his delivery provides a great variety of style and is on point, whether it comes to speed and technique as on the rattling, brass-sampled “Rigamortus” or to cool and witty raps (“Blow My High”).
Opening up the album by presenting the emblematic personas of today's 80's-born woman who he calls Keisha and Tammy and who will be mentioned throughout the album, he sets the plot at a bonfire surrounded by wisdom and revolution hungry people. Indeed, “F*ck Your Ethnicity” sets the right tone for what's coming after. He once said he wrote this song after recognizing so many different ethnicities at his shows, what told him he was not speaking just for one race but for a whole generation – section 80. Young women of today are showcased on “Tammy's Song (Her Evil)” and “Keisha's Song (Her Pain)” with a shockingly meaningful story of a rape murder and sexual abuse ('And you can blame it on her mother for letting her boyfriend slide candy under her cover / Ten months before she was ten he moved in and that's when he touched her') and a Springsteen-esque chorus line. But especially the third song dedicated to this topic, “No Make-Up (Her Vice)”, emphasizes today's imagery and reality of a lot of females. The very catchy chorus greatly paves the way for Kendrick's morally chanting 'You ain't gotta get drunk to have fun' footnote. The male perspective is revealed on a confessing “Poe Man's Dreams (His Vice)”, the thoughtful and gritty “Kush & Corinthians (His Pain)” and on “Ronald Reagan Era (His Evil)” on which he subliminally accuses the former president's drug and minority policy, explaining that this was a big factor in the creation of the “80's babies”. The same topic gets discussed on “A.D.H.D.”, an ode to the young generation and their problems, where Kendrick shows all his lyrical talent as well as a superb flow. In those parts he seems like a modern-day Tupac, full of visions and with a clear view on his environment and its causers.
He proves that, above all, on the album's lead single, the J. Cole produced “HiiiPoWeR”. That's what he calls the movement he's envisioning to be shared by the 80's~ born generation and he once again reflects it's characteristics and its reason to stand up against the system 'Every day we fight the system, never liked the system'. He sees himself as the speaker of those people 'visions of Martin Luther starin' at me / Malcolm X put a hex on my future'.
Even the interludes find justification to be on this record as they lissomly (“Chapter Six”) and off-beat yet funky (“Chapter 10”) contribute to the album's plot, both lyrically and musically: 'Riding with them boys and girls and we're high / Only work to do is have a good time / Young, wild and reckless is how we live life / Praying we make it to twenty-one'.
If you still think Kendrick Lamar is just another one of those ordinary braggadocio rappers, then he will simply shut your mouth on the sophisticated and jazzy Terrace Martin production “Ab-Soul's Outro” on which you can hear one of Ab-Soul's best verses to date. Kendrick outlines what distinguishes him from the regular rapper: 'I'm not the next pop star / I'm not the next socially aware rapper / I am a human motherfucking being, over dope ass instrumentation - Kendrick Lamar'. And that is the main reason why Section.80 is outstanding.


 - 9.0/10

Kendrick Lamar - O(verly) D(edicated)

I was just bumping Kendrick Lamar's free teaser mixtape for his "Section 80" album called "O(verly) D(edicated)". For those of you haven't checked this out yet, please download it and spread the word, this is good music combined with great lyrics!


Kendrick Lamar - O(verly) D(edicated)

Lil B gives away "I'm Gay" for free - Kendrick Lamar drops "Section 80"

Summer's hot and not only do the current Steam-sales benefit our wallets. The highly controversial rapper and The Pack member Lil B just dropped his even more controversial discussed solo debut "I'm Gay (I'm Happy)". To celebrate that, he gave that record away for free, via downloadlink on his twitter account.

He stated "CUZ I LOVE YOU IF YOU DONT HAVE 10 DOLLERS TO BUY MY NEW PROJECT HERE IT GOES FOR FREE- Lil B :+)"

On another note, Kendrick Lamar dropped his highly anticipated album "Section 80" on all digital retailers. If you're eager to hear honest music from one of the new voices of the west coast, who is not just bragging about cars or whatever, then you should check this out. As a teaser, watch the video for Kendrick's latest single "HiiiPoWeR", this should give you a proper impression of what Kendrick Lamar is about.

Best of 2008 Series Part I: Paris - Acid Reflex

It is kind of late, but I will begin my "Best of 2008"-series now with the 6th album of Guerrilla Funk CEO Paris, called "Acid Reflex". This series will contain my collection of the best albums released in 2008. Unfortunately, it was quite easy to choose the best records from the past year because of the downfall of quality music in this genre. 2008 was a very bad year for music at all, especially for rap when you look at the sales-numbers also. Even Snoop Dogg didn't manage it to go platinum for the first time in his career despite his hit-single "Sexual Eruption" ("Sensual Seduction"). Nowadays, many rap-artists try to flood the market with non-quality music to make the quick dollar and the rising of digital releases reflects the crisis of the music-industry. Of course, there still are some artist trying to put out quality music instead, whether on a major label or not, but it is sad to see that even those artists rarely fulfil the expectations of the fans.

It took the self-proclaimed "Bush Killa" 5 years to put out his latest solo-effort "Acid Reflex" through his own Guerrilla Funk label and the controversial cover speaks for itself. The lyrics are highly political as usual and Paris tries to show his state of mind on the system in the election year. Still sharp, still embittered and still radical, Paris raps about a country being based on apprehension, lies and consume but the music differs a bit from the album's forerunner "Sonic Jihad". The beats are less banging and "gangster" and also less jazz-funk influenced but are more monotonous and more simple, meaning the drums do not sound that elaborate and there are only a few funky arrangements in the background. The music is still professional produced and well balanced, but it sounds more slow and similar. The barnstorming groove is kind of missing on this CD.

The albums has its musical highlights for sure, though. I have to mention the lead-single "Don't Stop The Movement" - which features newcomer T-K.A.S.H. on the hook - at first, because this sounds just like the Paris we know from "Sleeping With The Enemy"-days. You may put the CD into your system and the first track just bombs you away like "whoa!" (see also: my full review to this song here) and you sure will expect more of that sound. But you will get belied a little bit then, because most of the other songs cannot compete with this one. There is no "filler" or complete failure on this album, but most of it is not really thrilling or special - besides some of Paris' raps. As I said before, his raps can still carry you. He is still aiming on the president like on "The Trap":

>>I vote but never stop the problems around
Them soldiers, only murderin the black and the brown
I get my gun and stun 'em we run 'em out of the town
I'd rather, shoot now Congressman, shoot the President<<

When it comes to punchlines, there are only a few rappers that can see Paris at all and he proves this with his lyrics on "Winter In America" also. This song features Chuck D by the way. Paris turns the light on the abuse of 9/11 as a political and social tool to manipulate people:

>>9/11 is no longer a conspiracy
It's being used to reduce civil liberties
Speak critically, they can legally ignore you
And let the verachip think for you<<
Another great track is the drum and guitar based "True". The background effects combined with the echoed synthesizer plus the deep-toned bass keep the thing working, as well as Paris' lyrical effort does:

>>I know you think the West coast started with Eazy and finished with Pac
But think again, we got it just as hard out here
You act like the government ain't in charge out here - man
Pass the Molotov, light it up and throw it at the city hall
Administration, station
Face the Nation, I ain't talkin 'bout the President
I'm talkin 'bout the flag with the star and the crescent in it<<

He also loses a few words about the actual state of hip-hop and you can feel him not being content with it:

>>I'm a threat cause mainstream rejection didn't spook me!
Rappers tried to make me switch and couldn't move me
Kufi salute me and true niggaz choose me<<

>>Now tell me what's so gangster 'bout flossin your bank account
for some quick attention from the women while the people in the hood suffer<<

As usual, Paris' skits are also packed with a political message, so is "The Violence Of The Lambs" on which you can hear Pastor Jeremiah Wright stating some unpleasant facts about America (read here). America's chickens are coming home to roost, somewhat reminding me on the proverb "what goes around, comes around", you can have your own opinion about it.
The CD is listenable from beginning to end, with its great moments here and there, but it misses some replay value in the long run. I would name 5 standout-tracks, including the remix of "Don't Stop The Movement", which is easily the most exciting track I've heard in a minute.

With "Acid Reflex" Paris dropped a very solid and vintage sounding album, but as I said, I think he could have done a little bit better, measured against his earlier releases. This shows, that even grown artists like Paris seem like they do not really know which direction they should give to their music. Compared to the bulk of lame and uninteresting music by other rappers these days, this album is a blessing though. It's good to see that there are intelligent people, putting out intelligent music, don't let themselves get dumped by the industry and keep the funk alive (at least a bit).
So keep in mind:"The people united, will never be defeated."

----Rating: 7,5 / 10

Si-Chill

Paris - Don't Stop The Movement

I start up my blog today with telling you, that we most probably already have heard the song of the year. For those that didn't, check it out here. It's the current single of Paris' latest studio effort "Acid Reflex" (released on Oct. 28th through Guerrilla Funk) and it's called "Don't Stop The Movement" featuring his protégé and label member T-K.A.S.H. on the hook. The song, especially the video itself illustrates the music Paris has made in his career almost perfectly. A raw and funky bass-line, smooth rhodes in the background, smashing and well balanced drums as well as a beat changing during the hook and hard e-guitars with a kinda weird tune to it, which sound a bit disharmonious but fitting at the same time. Paris raps harsh and aggressive as if he never put the microphone aside. His message is obvious, he appeals to the - especially black - people to take back america from the cruel government and capitalists as well as the warmongers which destroy the country.
If this isn't enough for a 2008 comeback, Paris delivers a "Warrior Dance Mix" of this songs on his album also, which remembers me on the good old "Guerrilla Funk" times with those tracks like "Guerrilla Funk [Deep Fo' Real Mix]" and "It's for Real [Extended Movement Mix]".
Paris really has the nerve to change the beat adding a bass guitar, the classic black panther sound effects, another raw e-guitar plus some well known and typical westcoast sounds to it. But, surprise, this isn't even the best: This remix also contains a stunning saxophone solo and G-Funk legend George Clinton, who has some words for the listeners to end up the album.
This sax-solo is the musically best thing that I have heard in the last years on any rap album, even exterminating the impressive work of DJ Quik on Snoop Dogg's "Press Play" song (not saying this is bad though).
You can just sit there and enjoy it and then skip back and enjoy it again. It feels good to hear that Paris still can affort some mid-90's G-Funk for his fans, not fearing any criticism of "not going with the time". Because that's exactly what destroyed rap music - that's another topic though. He gives his audience what they have been missing for a longer time now, that funky feel-good sound. A 10/10 song for real.

Be on the lookout for a full review of Paris' new album "Acid Reflex" soon and feel free to drop any comments. And, most important, enjoy this song.

Si-Chill