Keepin' it real

Don't miss Elmatic

It can be said without a doubt that Elmatic is one of the best mixtapes released in the past five years, and not just because it's hard to go anywhere without hearing the same old club music coming out of everyone's stereo. It's an original tribute album that exists in a time where tribute albums are far and few between. Elmatic is probably the best tribute album I've ever had the pleasure of listening to because it stays true to Nas's Illmatic, while still putting Elzhi's own original take on each of Nas's tracks, whether its switching the beat up with live instruments or remaking Nas's "New York State Of Mind" into a Detroit anthem. That is exactly what a good tribute album should do. I can confidently say Nastradamus himself would approve of what Elzhi's done in honor of one of the best, if not the best, hip hop albums ever produced. Elzhi demonstrates his gratitude to Nas's influence on him and his clever rhymes go perfectly with those classic beats from eighteen years ago, and give us some good hip hop as a nice bonus. This album is for anyone who remembers growing up listening to Illmatic and would like a new way to enjoy a classic.

Don't bother with Take Care

This has got to be one of the weakest albums I have ever heard. Former Degrassi actor Aubrey Graham's newest album Take Care consists of whiny songs about Aubrey expecting sympathy for hanging out at strip clubs too often. In place of originality and attention to detail, he just simply repeats lines as on "Cameras" and "Make Me Proud" and says things that are just plain ridiculous such as "Shout out to the Asian girls, let the lights dim sum", and "She said, you're such a dog; I said, you're such a bone." Now I realize people nowadays are more into music for the production value. than the lyrics themselves and in that case the production is the best part about this album. The atmospheric tone of the production can really make you feel the music but then Aubrey begins his rap crooning and it's all downhill from there. This album is very introspective and Aubrey really tries to let his fans know how he's "feeling", but in the end he just comes off sounding like a whiny rich kid. Aubrey doesn't seem to realize that people only want to know what you're thinking if you're an interesting person.