An underground emcee from Boston on his second studio album. He’s been making music from around 2001. He’s been making noise on some mixtapes and compilation albums (most notably, Statik Selektah’s Spell My Name Right (The Album)) and finally dropped his album.
Where do I start with this? REKS is a very strong lyricist, with a powerful voice and the ability to change his style many times and still sound great (see “All In One”). He has much knowledge to drop, about the government, the state of hip hop today (he has a lot to say on the bonus track, hip hop gets a reality check), life in general, paying tribute to fallen legends, battle style rhymes, the list goes on. Basically, the man is a monster on the mic.
The production… DJ Premier, Statik Selektah, Large Professor, Soul Theory, 1914, Blaze P, and some other fine producers; to me that equals a top contender for best produced album of the year, if not THE best. Statik Selektah impresses me more and more every single time he has a new project.
He also grows as a producer very rapidly, and is becoming one of the best producers in the game. The guest appearances include: Lil’ Fame (of M.O.P.), Skyzoo, Big Shug, John Hope, Lucky Dice, Termanology (one of my favorites, and also the best guest spot on the album IMO), Consequence, Paula Campell, and Krumbsnatcha. Niether Big Shug nor Lil’ Fame have lyrical verses, more just talking. Skyzoo, Termanology, Consequence, and Krumbsnatcha all have very memorable verses.
This album is turning out to be easily top five of the year. In fact, I’d recommend this over just about every other release of 2008. Seriously, go buy this. Now. Drop what you’re doing and order it. At least listen to the samples, then try to not buy it.
Lyrics- 10/10
Production- 10/10
Guest Appearances- 9.5/10
Overall Sound- 10/10
1. Grey Hairs [Prod. by Blaze P]
2. The One [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
3. Say Goodnight [Prod. by DJ Premier]
4. How Can It Be [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
5. Stages [Prod. by Large Professor]
6. All In One (5 Mics) (w/ Lil’ Fame) [Prod. by Blaze P]
7. Next 2 Me [Prod. by DC The Midi Alien]
8. Money On The Ave (w/ Skyzoo) [Prod. by Soul Theory]
9. Black Cream (w/ Big Shug) [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
10. Love Sweet Misery [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
11. Rise [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
12. Telescope (w/ Jon Hope & Lucky Dice) [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
13. Day 2 [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
14. Premonition (w/ Termanology & Consequence) [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
15. My Life (w/ Paula Cambell) [Prod. by Blaze P]
16. Cry Baby [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
17. Long While [Prod. by 1914]
18. Big Dreamers (Lawtown Remix w/ Termanology & Krumb Snatcha) [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
19. Isiah [Prod. by Demo]
20. Pray For Me [Prod. by Statik Selektah]
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My Source
The Hip Hop Post 