Review: Des Brennan's "For A While" EP

One of the greatest compliments you can pay to an artist is to listen to their latest offering, and of the strength of those songs find their previous projects. I found this to be the case with Des Brennan.  Des Brennan out of Rockland, New York responsible for “Don’t Try This At Home”, “Exit 98”, and “Serene” brings us his latest project “For A While.”   

I must admit I’m a sucker for abstract, conversational flows over New York BOOM-BAP, and Des Brennan does not disappoint. On songs like “Stillness” using an impressive vocabulary the emcee gives us a glimpse of his lifestyle, and day today.  Like most underground artists, Des puts an emphasis on skills, and rides the track with ease and clarity.  On “Before it Ends” Mr. Brennan urges us to Carpe Diem, and appreciate people, and situations that might fade.  Des takes a hard look into who he is; with his craft being his guiding light.  The opposite sex passing him by is the subject of the track “Parting.”  “I couldn’t write enough paragraphs/about your soon to be married ass”, is one of the more standout lyrics of the album, and one of the many testaments to Des’s lyrical prowess.  The producer ADMB did his thing on the beat.  

On the record “Inner (Too Close)" Brennan examines his own longevity in hip-hop.  Citing over two hundred songs that no one quotes, and while people tell him to persevere, he reminds himself that he’s the one that has to deal with repercussions of his hustle. Also, you can’t go wrong using “A Tribe Called Quest” lyrics for the hook.  What Des Brennan and “For A While” accomplish is what all great EPs accomplish. They leave us wanting more.    

Connect with Des Brennan: Facebook   Twitter   Soundcloud   Instagram

Review: Don Neil's "BREAK" EP

If you asked me what I knew about Baltimore, Maryland a week ago it would consist of the city’s homicide rate and Freddy Gray (R.I.P).  Perhaps I could quote you a line from Omar, or remember a scene of stylized violence, and despair depicting the cities drug problem from “The Wire.” But that was before I was put on to Don Neil and his project “Break".

Baltimore native Don Neil blesses us with an album highlighting the problems, and challenges of the hustle.  Whether it’s navigating the rocky terrain of the rap game, or having to let go of people, and situations that don’t benefit his success; Don Neil continues to search not only for recognition but himself. The album starts with “Be” a track dedicated to the rappers dream chasing lifestyle.  Don Neil reminds us that he has been working even sacrificing his education to maybe his grandma’s chagrin for a career in hip-hop. Throughout the pitfalls and tireless days and nights of the grind, he emphasizes the most important rule of being an artist: “Be Yourself.”  Joints like “Break” and “Nixon” solidify the rappers blue collar approach to his craft.  Neil pleads with us not to sleep on him because he is on the cusp of upgrading his watch, lifestyle and position in hip-hop.  

The song “I’m Weak “focuses on the opposition plotting his downfall, and delighting in Don Neil’s defeat, but he refuses to listen to the haters.  “Talk to Me” is an exercise in introspection, and self-doubt, and how the emcee counters that with perseverance and belief.  Failed love and heartbreak permeates the track “Find Your Love”.  The fledgling artist reassures his love interest of his fondness and dedication.  Last but certainly not least the record “God Bless.”  Maybe not the most radio friendly record on the album but I believe that it is the most important.  “God Bless” showcases the talent that is Mr. Don Neil.  The wordplay, and the singing are exceptional on this track. The honesty and vulnerability on this record is palpable. “God Bless” is a sonic signal of the potential of this artist.  Hopefully Don Neil keeps his word that he has been working; because that leads to what we all want: More Music.    

Stream/Download "Break" by Don Neil: Spotify   Google Play Music   iTunes   Soundcloud

Connect with Don Neil: Website   Twitter   Instagram   Facebook

Review: Kendrick Lamar's "DAMN."

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, the Compton based rapper responsible for “Section.80”, “Good Kid, Maad City” and the Barack Obama approved “To Pimp A Butterfly” has released his much anticipated album “Damn.”.  Once again Kung Fu Kenny has distinguished himself among his peers with his latest project.  I like mumble rap.  I like Little Yachty. I like Lil Uzi Vert. I listen to Future’s “Mask Off” at least once a day.  Rick Ross’s “Rather You Than Me” was one of his best. “More Life” was another good album, but let’s be honest as much as a pop powerhouse that Aubrey Drake Graham is, that album could be classified as R&B.  (I mean Kanye sung on it for God sakes).  There is something about audio craftsmanship that never gets old.  A concept, a message, expert beat smiths with years of experience in their craft, and of course Quality BARS will always stand the test of time.  The creativity of A Tribe Called Quest’s virtual tour guide in “Midnight Marauders.” The nineties defining wordplay of Sean Corey Carter’s “Reasonable Doubt.” DMX’s praise and worship on “Its Dark And Hell Is Hot.”  The code like jargon and slang of Raekwon and Ghostface Killa on “Only Built for Cubans Linx.”  The self-therapy and healing of J.Cole’s “2014 Forest Hill Drive.”  Artists that appreciate the process and method quickly separate themselves from the industry standard of a group of A&R check listed songs designed and marketed to get product sponsorship or ring tone buys.  “Damn.” is Kendrick Lamar’s sonic protest to the majority of hip-hop being produced today.  

The prevailing theme of “Damn.” is a familiar one to the rap community. How do I deal with success and why isn’t this more enjoyable? The assassinated legend Notorious B.I.G said it best “More money, More problems.” On Coldplay’s “Lost" Jay-Z rhymes “See Martin, see Malcom/see Biggie, see Pac/ See success and it outcome/ see Jesus, see Judas/see Caesar, see Brutus/see success is like suicide.  Kendrick is no stranger to this feeling and makes it known on this album.  The song “DNA” and its East Indian influenced sample is a testament to the duality of Kendrick Lamar.  The MC speaks of power, pain, poison and joy in his D.N.A. while still stating that he has evil that rots in his genetic code also.  The most striking moment in this song is a sound bite from Geraldo Rivera stating that Hip-hop has done more to harm African Americans than racism to which Kendrick shouts this back buy yelling the chorus ”I got royalty and loyalty inside my D.N.A.”  In the song “Elements” over a subtle piano sample K.Dot pays homage to Cash Money Records Juvenile and the Houston influenced Chopped and Screwed sound while informing us that he is never going back to his former lifestyle.  The rapper has paid his dues in the game and is proud to have turned his daddy’s commissary to commas.  Mr. Duckworth rambles on the song “Fear” that he has been put in a position to bless others but receives no blessing in return.  Over a relaxing piano and a chopping rim shot snare he constantly reiterates that no one is praying for him. “I feel like I’m boxin demons/monsters/false prophets/scheming sponsors/industry promises.”  The Top Dawg Entertainment Artist even mentions Tupac on the song which makes sense with the “Me Against The World” theme which was prevalent in most of Shakur’s work.  On the radio ready “Loyalty” Kendrick explores and asks the listener, groupie, old friend, and record exec what do I control or possess that makes you loyal to me.  On a side note I understand why Chris and Drake were throwing bottles in the club. Ms. Robyn Rihanna Fenty who is featured on this song is amazing. The songstresses voice rhyming feels like warm blankets on a snow day that requires no make-up or change on the exam schedule. Also you can’t go wrong using a Jay-Z lyric from his song “Get your mind right mami” on the hook.  On the soul sampled track “Fear” Lamar lists the many things his parents will corporal punish him for, and then goes on to list the many ways he could die in his neighborhood. He also illustrates his fear of failure, judgement, and being impoverished and rhymes one of the more poignant lines on this album. “I’ll prolly die/cause that’s what you do when you’re seventeen.”  The art of storytelling is most prevalent on the track “Duckworth.”  Over 9th Wonder production (Carolina Stand Up) utilizing the “Butterfly Effect” Mr. Duckworth explains how a chance meeting between his father and label head could have seriously altered his life.  The production changes beat and sample three times.  If you’re a hip-hop head like I am go to Ninth Wonders Instagram site and see him chop the samples on his workstation. It’s masterful. Be careful.  I own a Maschine Groove Studio the same sampler Mr. Douthit owns. When I witnessed him in three posts chopping those samples it took all of God and creation not to take my sampler outside and sacrifice it to the memory of J.Dilla. (R.I.P)

Great albums and artists like “Damn.” and Kendrick Lamar succeed by doing the opposite of what their counterparts do. Instead of spoon feeding a watered downed, sterilized view of the culture to the mainstream; Kendrick pied pipers with skill and execution the masses down to the culture.