Sunday, January 25, 2015

Papa Reu - Xcuse Me!

Papa Reu - Xcuse Me!
Reuben Nero, better known as Papa Reu is a rapper and singer from the southside of Houston, TX. He is originally from the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago but later relocated to Houston at the age of sixteen. He started to build a name for himself by showcasing his reggae influenced style but what separated him from the rest was that he also incorporated Hip Hop into his explicit sound. It was 1994 and Reu got his first stint, he was enlisted by 8Ball & MJG as a back up vocalist for the song "Lick 'Em Up Shot" from their album "On The Outside Looking In." And it wasn't long before he started racking up all kinds of gigs for southern artists. Whether it was contributing his signature sound for the choruses or doing intros & outros and mini skits, Papa Reu provided it all. Xcuse Me! is his second album and it was released in 2000 on Upstairs Records and Reuster House Music, Inc. Production in its entirety is done by Rakesh "Roc" Jacob, Wendell Springer and Papa Reu himself. The beats carry the classic H-Town sound and are oozing with melody. There are a few tracks that are a bit mundane but most of them seem to be pretty well rounded. Lyrically the album is fairly versatile because Papa Reu can go from singing very gracefully to rapping very profoundly. His pace varies from track to track while his street savvy demeanor stays the same. Features are made by the Hot Boy$, Big Tymers, Z-Ro, Lil' Keke, C-Note, Lil' O, Boo, Lone Starzz, Ras Intelligence, Tripple M, Phoenix, Joe Traxx, Ali and Rashaad. All in all the album is a little guest heavy but still quite entertaining. He showed that he can be more than just a back up singer and instead of providing ad-libs, he provided a full length album. Over the years Papa Reu has collaborated with hundreds of artists from all over the nation. He continues to release new music to this day under his own record label known as Reu Muzik, Inc.

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Saturday, January 24, 2015

Young Bleed - My Balls And My Word

Glenn Clifton Jr., better known as Young Bleed is a rapper from the wicked streets of Baton Rouge, LA. He is also a dominant member in the group known as the Concentration Camp. His main influence and the root for all his rhymes is his loving mother. She would read a lot of classical poetry to him at a very young age. Bleed started writing around the age of nine and started recording rhymes by the time he hit his teenage years. He would sell his home made tapes to friends and family before joining forces with fellow Baton Rouge rapper, C-Loc and then ultimately forming the invincible Concentration Camp. My Balls And My Word is his debut solo album and it was released in 1998. Although this release was originally intended for C-Loc Records, it was put out through No Limit Records and Priority Records. The reasoning behind all of this is very simple. In the year 1997, Young Bleed met Thug Drama a local producer, who would eventually introduce him to Master P. Now at that time, Bleed was already signed to C-Loc Records while Master P was pretty much running the state of Louisiana as well as the entire southern region with his empire and army of rappers known as the No Limit Soldiers. So to get maximum exposure for the album throughout the southern United States C-Loc and Young Bleed decided that it would be best to distribute the album through No Limit Records. Also with Master P having the publishing deal with Priority Records, Bleed could quite possibly get world wide attention for his work. It was a win win situation for the rapper as well as all the people involved with C-Loc Management. Production behind this project is done by the expert team of producers known simply as Beats By The Pound, which consists of KLC, Carlos Stephens, O'Dell, Craig B and Mo B. Dick. They are assisted by the extremely talented and always masterful, Nathan "Happy" Perez along with Pimp C of UGK who is also credited for one of the tracks. The beats exceed all expectations as one would suspect with such extreme talent listed above. The melodies are comprised with multiple instruments and their southern vibe is beautifully present. They are crafted with such clarity and precision that each cut gives off an orchestrated feel. All the tracks are laced with superb melodies and such intricate rhythms that the listener has no choice but to oblige. Lyrically the album goes into a whole different realm. Young Bleed is an absolute brute on the microphone and he demolishes the tracks laid out by the producers. No two rhymes are the same and no two lines are the same. His unorthodox flow pattern is a direct result of the poetic mentoring by his mother and his choice of word play is so unique that it may take listeners a few replays just to understand his message. Its no wonder that he received all the backing from Master P since really no other artist from C-Loc's camp has had the honor or the privilege to work with him to such an extent. Guest appearances are made by Mystikal, Master P, Fiend, C-Loc and the Concentration Camp (Max Minelli, J-Von, Lee Tyme & Lucky Knuckles). Although the album only manage to achieve the gold plaque, it is always held in high regards due to its uncanny nature. It may have been that no one expected such a release from No Limit or it could have been that the work was truly ahead of its time. Whatever the reason maybe, it is quite clear to see the talent at hand and a genuine masterpiece at large. At a time when only a few southern artists were known for their lyrics, Young Bleed came and set the standard pretty high and accomplished this feat with ease. All it takes is one listen of this debut album and it can make anyone into a true believer that the South does have quality emcees; one just has to know where to look.

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Saturday, January 10, 2015

Will-Lean - The Chemist

William Gibbs better known as Will-Lean, is a rapper who represents from the notorious neighborhood of Cloverland in Houston, TX. He is a member of the Botany Boys as well as the legendary collective known as the Screwed Up Click. The Chemist is his debut solo album and it was released in 2000 on Big Shot Records. The production varies from track to track and it is provided by M. King, Double D, Bruce Rhodes, Swift, Willy Malone, J.P. Nitty, Eric Hollis, Noke D, Tone Capone, Jhiame, Crazy C and D-Red of the Botany Boys. With a lineup this star studded, it is damn near impossible to disappoint. The beats can be classified under the certified grade-A, Texas funk category. The groovy rhythms are filled with such melody that head bobbing is the only option left for the listener. Will is no newcomer on the microphone. Whether it was his early freestyles on Screw Tapes or his fast paced verses with the Botany Boys, he has always been considered to be a very strong and formidable lyricist. His sharp yet distinct tone combined with the use of clever word play is the recipe for all his rhymes. To top it all off, he also manages to deliver them at a decently quick pace and it is this deadly combination that separates him from the rest. Since no S.U.C. album is complete without an all star guest list, this release is no exception. Will-Lean made sure he invited all his good friends to share a spot beside him in the recording booth. Guest appearances are made by DJ Screw, the Botany Boys, E.S.G., Lil' O, Al-D, Big Moe, Big Pokey, Dat Boy Grace, Hawk, Enjoli, Lil' Flip, T-Pop, A.C.T., Mista Madd, Papa Reu, Guerilla Maab, H.$.E., Noke D, D-Reck, Big T, Ronnie Spencer, B.G. Duke, Scoopastar, Taz, Lil' Real and last but not least the Big Tymers. All in all it is a valiant effort by the Cloverland native and one that boasts sixteen choice cuts. Although it is a little guest heavy and the release went out of print very quickly, the tracks are all still top quality. Will-Lean is still relevant today as he continues to release mix-tapes while selling most of the copies right out of the trunk section of his vehicle.

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Thursday, January 1, 2015

Lil' Sin - My Secret

Ronald Warner Jr., better known as Lil' Sin is a rapper who represents from the eastside of San Antonio, TX. He has been around since the mid nineties and is also very well respected throughout the southern region. Sin first started off with his fellow "Sa Town" rapper, C-Ordell. They were signed to BLVD Records and both took the city by surprise with their excellent debut efforts. My Secret is his third album and it was released in 2000 on Unstoppable Records. The production is split between the trio of Micheal Terry, James Sproul and Jac. The beats can be described as a contemporary mix that emulates southern funk. Some of the melodies are light, while others are somewhat uptempo. They are a perfect blend of the old that is congenially mixed with the new. Lil' Sin is a pretty accomplished lyricist. His unorthodox flow pattern as well as his choice of distinct word play is brought feircely upon the microphone. His unique style is his weapon of choice and although four long years have passed since his debut, he still doesn't seem to miss a beat. Guest features are made by UGK, Ganksta NIP, Lil' Keke, Nino, Kottonmouth, Billy Cook, 3-2, Mr. Joshay, Jamie, King 13, Emanuel, MT, Uncle Roger and S.F.K. Overall the album has its fair share of ups and downs but it still does not disappoint. It is one of those many releases that despite great content, always somehow go unnoticed. Lil' Sin went on to release a few more records before switching his alias to Young Namar.

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