Reks – R.E.K.S. (2011) - Review

Reks – R.E.K.S. (Rhythmatic Eternal King Supreme)

Reks has a raw rhythmic flow that tackles concepts with excellent wordplay and lyrics. He is not satisfied to merely have his fans listen – rather, he expects them to interact with his music and be engaged (deriving meaning from his lyrics). From the first track (25^th Hour) on, it is clear that Reks is one of the best MCs right now (listening to the song the first time, all I could think was ‘man, Reks is just dope’). He has the skill and voice to be bigger in the rap game (and there is a sense on song like Kill Em and This or That that he thinks he should be), but the musical sound that accompanies his rhythms has an distinctly underground/indie sound to it – which works well with his voice but does hold him back from more popularity (not that he wants to try his hand rapping over tracks from Cool & Dre or The Neptunes). Plus, the album is very critical of the lyrical content on many popular hip hop artists. And, I think the beats he chooses match his voice well. On this album he works with a great group of producers from legends like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, The Alchemist, and Hi-Tek to good underground artists like Sean C & LV, Nottz and frequent collaborator Statik Selektah.  In terms of features, there are very few which allows the listener to really get a sense for what Reks’s message is on the album, without multiple voices. Styles P (who is on The Alchemist produced track Why Cry, which has a cool unique beat), Freeway, Lil Fame, and Termanology feature on the album, with the later standing out the most trading bars on the track Face Off. All in all, this is a very good album, which again establishes Reks among the best indie hip hop artists right now. 4/5

Editor’s Song Picks:

1)      25^th Hour – Produced by DJ Premier

2)      Kill Em – Produced by Sean C & LV

3)      This or That – Produced by Statik Selektah

Available on CD and Digital Download

Raekwon – Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang (2011) – Review

Raekwon – Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang

Raekwon’s fifth album has a good mix of Wu-Tang Clan members (Ghostface Killah, GZA, Method Man, Inspectah Deck) respected hip hop artists (Busta Rhymes, Black Thought, NaS) and more mainstream artists (Rick Ross, Lloyd Banks, Jim Jones). On the music side, the beats are mostly classic hip hop in style, but there is a more mainstream sound that creeps into a few tracks. The album’s single Rock ’N Roll, however, is completely mainstream in its musical composition, produced by DJ Khalil (who is making some of the best stuff in hip hop right now) and features an auto-tuned Kobe singing the hook (as well as verses from Jim Jones and Ghostface Killah). The album seems to have more of a mainstream appeal than Raekwon’s last effort, which some of his fans will not like but it will help him get his voice out there to the huge newer hip hop generation that is listening to Kanye West, Wale, Drake, J.Cole, Kid Cudi, and similar artists. This album does a nice job of blending styles and acting a bit like a bridge from the underground more old-school sound to the popular soul beats and pop beats of today. At its best, this album is very good (particularly thinking of the track Rich & Black featuring NaS). Fans of Raekwon should not be disappointed and new listeners certainly need to check this album out, as Raekwon’s flow and lyrical art is not to be denied. 3/5

Editor’s Song Picks:

1)      Rich & Black – Featuring NaS, produced by Sean C & LV

2)      Ferry Boat Killaz – Produced by The Alchemist

3)      Masters of Our Fate – Featuring Black Thought, produced by Tommy Nova

Available on CD and Digital Download