Wednesday, November 16, 2011

D-Red - Smokin' & Lean'n 2000

D-Red - Smokin' & Lean'n 2000
D-Red is a multi talented artist from the neighborhood of Cloverland located on the south side of Houston, TX. He is known throughout the southern region for his superb production skills as well as his provability on the microphone. D-Red began his career in the mid nineties with the collective known as the "Botany Boys." After a lengthy stint with them, the group disbanded over incarcerations of members D-E-Z & Lil' 3rd as well as the untimely death of B.G. Gator. The remaining members decided to branch off towards solo projects. This is Red's debut solo album and it was released in 2000 on Big Shot Records. Production is handled by D-Red himself and he is assisted by Jhiame on one of the tracks. D-Red's approach for the tracks is a little different than his previous production pattern. He models the beats after the new millennium sound rather than the more accustomed hard, street sound. Somehow he still manges to deliver a good amount of quality tracks. Lyrics have also been somewhat minimized in the sense that they are just not strong enough. D-Red was a lot more vicious and lethal on the mic when he was with the Botany Boys. It seems here that he has either lost interest or that he is trying to change his style so that he can be more appealing to the mainstream. The sub par lyrics are also the reason why there is a guest appearance on each and every track. Now, there are some cuts that really stand out and shine. Guest appearances are made by the Botany Boys, Botany B.G.'z, Brew of Mass 187, Wood of the Half Dead Organization, South Park Mexican, Menace Clan, B-1 of the S.P.C., Se7en, Godfather, 2 Phace, T.P. Sin, Kirby-D, and 1 Da Boy. All in all it is a decent effort from the Cloverland native but it tends to fall short of anything more than just that. D-Red is also a member of the Screwed Up Click as well as the Clover Geez.

Deadly Verses

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Lil Walt - Devil's Dandruff

Lil Walt - Devil's Dandruff
Lil Walt is a rapper originally from Memphis, TN but has also held residence in Atlanta, GA. He is one third of the southern rap group known as "A-Dam-Shame." This is his second solo album and it was released in 2008 on Barons Music. The production is done by the very versatile and talented team known as Low Barons. It consists of G. Seth West, Jimmy Street, and Thomas Sentler. They lay out a completely unique platform for the beats. Some tracks incorporate live instruments while other are made conventionally. Head bobbing melodies and catchy tunes are served up with an utmost attention to detail. The producers end up bringing a very new and refreshing sound to the table. As far as the lyrics go, Walt has never disappointed on the microphone. Ever since his early days with A-Dam-Shame, he has been known to deliver profound rhymes with precise word play. He basically provides more of the same on this album. Guest appearances are made by Menace of A-Dam-Shame, Chattanooga Red, P.J., Mr. Mar, Moleone, G.r.u.d.g.e., Jackie Love, Corey Clark, T.m.a.n., Ryan Thies, and Michael Inge. A good total of twelve tracks are provided with a varied sense of subject matter. Overall it is a very notable release, especially considering the year it was released in. A good mixture of diversity is portrayed through the music and it shows that even in this day and age, an artist can release a successful record without following any kind of mainstream trends. Kudos and much respect is given to Lil Walt and Low Barons for making such a bold move and not thinking twice about it.

Deadly Verses
Activate

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Fat Texas Records - Texas Made

Texas Made is a compilation disc that was released in 2000 by Fat Texas Records who are primarily based out of Dallas, TX. Michael Lopez is the CEO of the label and Michael Cardenas is his right hand man. This is their second release. The first one being "Family Tactics." Since this is a compilation, a gang of producers were used to make this project noteworthy. The beats are courtesy of Icey Hott of Street Military, KG, Avery Jones, Rebel, and Crank. The producers do a good job by providing that Texas style funk fused with that hard underground sound. A few tracks can be tossed out but for the most part all of them equally jam. Lyrics are done by K.B. Da Kidnappa & Icey Hott of Street Military, 3-2, Big Tee, Lil' Sen, Rebel, Tony Montana, Keys, J-Duce, Villian, Relentless Mafia, Miss Asia, and Carla McQueen. The pack of rappers listed above make sure they keep the lyrics very roguish. They team up with each other and start to pass the mic around. A good chunk of the track list really stands out while there are a few fillers. Also, all the tracks on this album have never been on any other album. Meaning tracks were precisely recorded just for this compilation so the material is at least genuinely fresh and not out dated. Overall it is a reputable effort but one that somehow went unnoticed. Fat Texas Records are defunct now but they will always be remembered and respected in the underground.

Deadly Verses
Texas Made

Monday, October 24, 2011

Twank - Is Coming!

Twank - Is Coming!
Twank also formerly known as Big Twankie is a rapper from Houston, TX. He later changed his alias again and is now known as Twank Star. He first started rhyming at the tender age of only fourteen. As he got older, he began showcasing his talents on the streets by getting himself into freestyle battles all over town. He ended up getting the attention of Music District, who were looking to sign a rising star. Is Coming! is his debut album and it was released in 2005 on Music District Records. Production is done by Russell Revo and it is very bland to say the least. The tracks have this new wave feel to them and seem to lack basic fundamentals. The use of actual instruments are pretty much slim to none and the beats are generally derived electronically. Also, each cut is strikingly similar to the next. Twank is decent on the microphone. He is not great and not extremely bad either but he can be placed somewhere in the middle. His rhyming pattern is very tedious and comes off as overly repetitive. His word play one the other hand is quite good and probably the only thing thats keeping this project afloat. Also, the choruses and hooks are way too simple. They need to be done properly by an actual singer and not by Twank himself. The idea was to incorporate elements of the R&B genre in his songs, not only did that recipe fail but it also drives the listener away. There are a total of sixteen tracks and all of them are just thrown together with no sense of general foundation. The artist seems to be claiming affiliation to the streets but the content of the album is very dance savvy and club orientated. All in all the record seems to be poorly managed from the ground up. The label is not the only one to blame for this but also the artist himself. Now granted this is a contemporary 2005 release but that still does not excuse the negligence that is on display here. The whole point is to deliver a work of art that will be remembered by the masses and not something that would be casted aside as a coaster for cold drinks.

Friday, October 21, 2011

DBX - Dragon Klan

DBX is a rapper from the infamous neighborhood of South Park in Houston, TX. He is a member of the South Park Coalition and has been with them since the early nineties. DBX and Ruff Eyque are also the originators of the group known as "Section A." Over the years DBX just made cameo appearances on other S.P.C. albums. In 2003 he decided to release this full length debut album on Full Circle Entertainment. As always the majority of the production is handled by Dope-E of The Terrorists. The beats tend to be typical and very simple, although some tracks do stand out. Tunes seem to be a bit off and the harmony is not quite there. The tracks are mediocre at best. DBX is sufficient as a lyricist, though at times he does seem to impress a little bit. Street savvy tales and relentless subjects are the main course for this entry. X is one of those artists who excel when given a feature or cameo but can't really sustain that level of energy when given a complete solo. Guest spots are courtesy of K-Rino, Klondike Kat, Point Blank, A.C. Chill, Ruff Eyque, K-Water, and Texas Tech. Overall a decent effort by the South Park native but it won't take home any awards. Especially when competing against other members of the Coalition and their projects. With that being said the record is still an uncanny underground piece so shortcomings are somewhat expected.

Deadly Verses

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Sircle Of Sin

Sircle Of Sin
Sircle Of Sin is a three man group from New Orleans, LA. It consists of Vile, Mr. Derek, and Meloo. This is their self titled debut album and it was released in 1996 on Southern Style Records. Production duties are assigned to Matt Buras and Ellis "Pops" Collinsworth. They provide that exemplary sound which "The Boot" is most known for. Instruments are put to good use and have been mixed and mastered beautifully. Tracks tend to be harsh and edgy yet they are still very subtle with melody. Sampling is kept to a minimum and originality is pursued with a passion. Each member is adequately accomplished as a lyricist. The trio don't waste any time and quickly start to trade verses back to back. Their narratives are depictions to the reality of street life and a man's self consciousness while living through it. This method retains the theme and sets the tone for the entire project. Featuring on the album is Lord Sepia and J. An ample total of eleven choice cuts are provided for the listener and each one tells a dope tale of its' own. Overall it is a very gloomy and sorrowful record and one that manages to deliver that exact point across. The album also happens to musically capture the true essence and genuine demeanor of the notorious city of New Orleans.

Deadly Verses
No Fear

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Young Bleed - My Own

Young Bleed is a rapper from Baton Rouge, LA. He is a member of the infamous Concentration Camp and is also very well respected through the southern region of the United States. He first started recording with fellow Baton Rouge rapper, C-Loc on C-Loc Records. He then had a joint venture with No Limit Records, who helped by releasing his debut album, "My Balls And My Word." After gaining a good amount of notoriety he decided to leave No Limit over creative differences and royalty issues. My Own is his sophomore album and it was released in 1999 on Priority Records. Production credits are courtesy of Brian "Big Bass" Gardner, Happy Perez, and Steven Below. The all star line up of producers bring forth some of the most harmonic melodies to come across a human ear. Each track is laced with a plethora of instruments this includes wailing guitars, menacing horns, scintillating synths, and of course a solid dose of ruthless drums. The end result is a masterpiece of twelve tracks laid out for Bleed to demolish with his vocal artistry. Young Bleed is hailed as one of the finest lyricist to emerge from the south. His word play is so unique that it is almost indescribable. His relaxing tone and his laid back persona go hand in hand. His rhyme pattern is also very unorthodox. Simply put, Bleed just savagely attacks the microphone. Guest appearances are made by Too $hort, Daz Dillinger, Lay-Lo, Lucky Knuckles, Gram, Uncle Pauly, and Jennifer Brumfield. Overall it is a complete and faultless work of art. This record is considered to be a timeless classic and it should be held in the collection of every southern rap fan.

Deadly Verses



Deadly Video