I just got out of a listening session for Erykah’s new album.

Below is the final tracklist and a description on the artwork and the meaning.

UPDATE - ARTWORK BELOW

“New Amerykah, Part 2: Return Of The Ankh will be released 30th March.

Tracklist

1) 20 Feet Tall (Produced By 9th Wonder & Erkyah Badu)

2) Window Seat ft Questlove, Stephen Bruner, Kirsten Agnesta and James Poyser)

3) Agitation - (Produced By Shaif Husayn (SA-RA) & Erykah Badu)

4) Get Money (Contains an interpolation of “Can’t Turn Me Away” by Sylvia Strippling) - same as the biggie “Get Money” joint.

5) Don’t Be Long

6) Um hmm (Produced By Erykah Badu & Madlib)

7) Love - (Produced By J Dilla & Erykah Badu)

Lovin’ Me

9) Fall In Love

10) Strawberry Incense (instrumental)

11) Out My Mind, Just In Time

Bonus Track - Jump In The Air ft Lil Wayne and Bilal.

I spoke to Erykah briefly after the session. I asked her about the Dilla joint and whether she layed her vocals when he was alive. She revealed that it was made in 2005 when he was alive.

Brief overview of the album

Solid album overall. Badu fans won’t be disapointed at all.

The album starts with a digital frequency sound. Its adjusting itself. It finds the right frequency and that’s Badu’s music.

The Dilla produced joint (”Love”) is dope. I had the Jay-Z “screw-face” when it first played. It’s classic Dilla. Erykah even danced (just for a moment though).

Window Seat with Questo is also another standout joint.

The Madlib produced joints are also gems.

Badu is playful. The sound is organic. There’s a mixture of sounds and instruments to keep you interested.

Lines I picked out from some of the songs

“You love me, I like it” - “Love”

“Loving me and I’m fucking your friend…that’s terrible aint it?” - Fall In Love

The Artwork

The artwork is pretty dope. Its done by an artist called Imick, who Erkyah has worked with for many years.

I couldn’t get a picture of the artwork but here’s some explanation about it and behind it.

The piece is called “Out My Mind, Just In Time”.

Its set underwater. The background seems purple for some reason. There are 3 moons.

There’s a big statue of Erykah. She’s covered in armour.

The reason for that Erykah says is because she’s been “covered” with love, politics and money.

“She rarely gets to be a lady due to her status on society that she is armoured”.

On the Erykah’s shoulders are things like TV, material things that we have in our world.

At the top of the statue, Erykah’s head is cut open (she’s coming out of her mind). There’s a naked lady with a tuning fork taking care of a tree. The statue is surrounded by flowers and leaves.

Tags: Badu, Erykah Badu, Hip-Hop, Music, Rap, Review, Tracklist

Hip Hop is no longer a culture, its now a religion. Millions across the global listen to Hip Hop music every single day. The music has inspired us from the the way we talk to the way we dress.

Nokia Music and The Hip Hop Chronicle UK would like to use this opportunity to get involved with the Hip Hop community to compile a list of these Hip Hop albums and to feature them on the Nokia Music Store.

One lucky reader will win 50 music tracks from the Nokia Music store.

The albums dont have to be in any particular order.

We just want to know….

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE HIP HOP ALBUMS OF ALL TIME???

Leave you’re answers in the comment box below.

http://www.comeswithmusic.com/ 

Things to note:

The Nokia Music Store is only available in 21 countries and so winners will need to be living in one of these countries.

Tags: albums, Biggie Smalls, Eminem, Hip-Hop, Ice Cube, Jay-Z, KRS-One, LL Cool J, Low End Theory, Music, Music Store, Nokia, Paid In Full, Public Enemy, Rakim, Rap, Snoop Dogg, Tribe Called Quest, Tupac

“A Toast To The Best To Ever Do It”

Lyric on final track of the album

A few hours ago, I had the pleasure of being the only blogger/journalist/anyone who has had a chance to listen to the much anticipated “Only Built For Cuban Linx 2″.

Every since speaking with Raekwon the last time he was in town, I’ve been very excited to hear this project and honestly, it doesn’t disappoint.

Below are just some of my thoughts. At this stage, I don’t have titles for the tracks but do have most of the features and production credits. Hope you enjoy it

The album starts with a skit. The beat is soulful, very smooth.

A voice that begins to speak. Its Papa Wu and he’s speaking to the rapper.

“Yo Rae, that you baby, heard all these things about you … we went through so many trials and tribulation, watch the people that cheat you”. Not only is Papa Wu dropping knowledge, but he reminds the listener just how far the rapper from Staten has come. 

Already from the sound of the track and the opening skit, it sets up a mature album without the raw, gritty sound we are familiar with on Only Built For Cuban Linx.

Rae has gone through so much and hes taken it in his stride.

Track 1

Starts off with the classic Shaolin fighting sounds. I think to myself, this is a RZA beat. As the upbeat track is in full flow, I’m still thinking this is a RZA beat. I’m completely wrong, its actually a J-Dilla beat.

Already bopping my head, Rae fires some dope rhymes and some swagger “I’ve always been an ill dude”. Ghostface then rolls through and adds some style. Method Man is also featured on this joint. This is the album version, but the single version which will drop next week will have GZA on the hook. Its called “Flying Daggers”

Track 2

Pete Rock produces this next street and grimey track. Its a street tale and its vintage Raekwon.

He’s looking to make that paper. One line he raps “I haven’t got my money yet”

The third track on the album features Erick Sermon. It has good chemistry. This is followed by what I’m guessing will be called “Its cold outside”. It has the hook from Rainy Days “Its cold outside” but essentially the track is about Raekwon and everything he’s faced from his street life, his music right through to the present. It also features Ghostface.

Track 6 on the album is produced by the legendary RZA with a rich sounding record. “That black Mozart shit right here”, that’s a lyric that sums up the track.

This is followed by a skit with Raekwon flossing. “yo where them Levi’s at”. He picks out some Gucci.

Then the album goes into some vintage Raekwon and Ghostface. The chemistry is still there, they compliment each other very well. It has an old school feel to it. This is followed by Criminology 2.

Then the album takes a mature turn. Something we didnt hear on the first album, soulful beats. This is the first of many tracks that show the Chef reflecting. “In order to be a general, you still need to be a solider”.

The hook goes “The Fat Lady Sings”.

A skit follow this and it seems Raekwon is getting cut out of the street life. A person says to Rae “The bosses dont want to war with you … delete the friendship”.

Then comes one of my favourite joints on the album. Its another Dilla beat. It had my face all screwed up! It features Ghostface. The joint has that Wu feeling. I was expecting the great late Dilla to come with a Wu-sounding record but he comes hard!

Then comes another mature sounding track. Its a RZA produced one. Its a chilled out record, something you can zone out to. It features a German singer on the hook who is very very talented.

Track 15 is one of few Dr. Dre tracks on the album. Raekwon raps “I grew up on the bad side” and later “talking that cocaine rap, that’s what we live for”.

I knew straight away that the track was produced by Dre. The use of the piano said it all.

As that song fades out, I’m still on the sofa wondering whats going to come next!

I hear the Shaolin fighting sounds, im expecting Method Man or Inspectah Deck, instead I hear the raspy voice of Yonkers own, Jadakiss. This is definitely a street joint. Styles also blesses the track.

The legend that is Slick Rick does the hook on the next joint. He sings “we will, we will rock you”. Slick doesn’t rhyme on the record, he just does the hook. Raekwon comes through with his vintage flow. What’s amazing is that the joint was produced by GZA’s teenage son Kareem who I’m told is about 15-16 but I’m not sure.

As the album comes to a close, I’m still wondering what more can I expect. In my mind, I’m thinking if I’m going to hear the Nas record, was it done? Did Esco come through??

But then my attention is taken away by Beanie Sigel who features on a joint and he KILLS it!!! Good energy and its compliments the Chef. The track is about life in jail and being trapped. Sigel came through on that joint for real!

We are on track 19 now, its another chilled joint with a soulful sample. Its not as grimy and funnily enough, it will appeal to the female Wu Tang fans. I say “funnily enough” because even the males gonna like this track (i think i’ll say no homo at this point lol). But seriously, a nice joint but the only difference between this and the other tracks is the content. Rae is talking more about boats, Gucci, Louis Vuitton. Its a feel-good joint and Rae asks the listener to “Walk with me”.

Alchemist record also makes the cut. You already know its a street record with the Wu-Tang member going in hard. This is followed by a fantastic Dr. Dre beat. Its a horn filled track. This beat is banging. I was trying to pick out lines but the beat was so nice, i found myself just enjoying Rae flowing effortlessly with Dr. Dre behind the boards. Real nice Hip Hop joint.

The album is coming to a close now. While reeling over some of the joints I’ve heard so far, I didn’t manage to catch the next one. I think the following line from the hook summed up the track. “Who can you trust, look up ahead, you know we got sharpshooters”.

The final track on the album, which RZA co-produced I hear. This will be the biggest surprise to everyone but a VERY nice one at that.

The track opens with a skit. New Wu plays in the background, there’s loads of chatter and it seem like Raekwon is walking through a crowd with them praising him. There’s fireworks followed by a pop of a champagne bottle…its a celebration.

“Toast to the best who ever done it”.

This beat is actually my favourite of the album. Firstly whats crazy about it is it samples Elton John’s “Yellow brick Road”. Its a classic Elton joint. Now I’m bugging out. I’m thinking “DAAAMN, Raekwon got Elton John to give the go-ahead. Elton has only given his work to Tupac, Kanye West and a UK artist by the name of Ironik.

The story goes….

RZA and Elton are good friends, RZA reached out to Elton and told him about the project. They sent the beat to Elton and he immediately signed off on the record and actually really likes it.

A great end to a solid album.

Ok, so there’s no Nas on the album. I know everyone is disappointed and I’m sure both Nas & Rae are too but it doesnt take away from the fact that Only Built For Cuban Linx 2 is a solid effort.

The production on it is tight. There isn’t one joint where I’m going “yeah, I’ll skip that”. The album has a variety.  There’s joints on there to get you hyped, a joint to listen with your lady, a joint to zone out on and a classic Wu-Tang posse cut.

I know people will ask “Is it better than the first OBFCL?”. My response would be, don’t compare Raekwon to aekwon, compare the album to whats out now. The first album was in a different time, the artist was in a different place so it would be impossible to compare.

The features are pretty good. I didn’t get to hear Erick Sermon’s verse but in terms of guest verses that I heard, Beanie Sigel kills it with his rhymes. But Masta Killa, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Jadakiss, Styles P, and of course Ghostface all appear on the record

Has the Chef lost any game? Hell no! Is his flow still flawless? Hell yes!

I definitely want to hear the album again just to listen to the lyrics.

September 8th is the release date. I suggest Hip Hop fans pick this one up.

Raekwon aint nothing to f*ck with, Wu-Tang Clan aint nothing to f*ck with!!!

Tags: Elton John, Exclusive, Ghostface, Hip-Hop, Method Man, Music, Nas, News, raekwon, Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx 2 Review (WORLD EXC, Rap, Tony Starks

This past Saturday, Hip Hop group The Roots graced the stage at the Royal Festival Hall. Their performance signalled the beginning of the Ornette Coleman Meltdown Festival.

The set began with Questlove and Black Thought coming out on stage. With an audience mixed with ethnicity’s, Black Thought payed homage to classic Hip Hop groups. First up, Thought paid tribute to Run DMC. Soon the emcee went into his rendition of Wu Tang’s “Protect Your Neck” followed by Rakim’s “As The Rhyme Goes On”. Only pockets of the audience knew these tracks but that didn’t stop others from vibing to it. At times during the evening I saw a middle aged woman getting her dance on!

Soon the whole band were on stage and the hits were rolling out. Frankie Knuckles who was on percussion was the hype man for the band, often leaving his post to get the crowd clapping their hands or to make some noise. At one or two points, the sound levels were a little off but that’s not the band’s fault, that’s a technical problem.

Sensing this, after a few tracks, Thought told the crowd not to feel obliged to remain seated but to get up on their feet. Now the performance was in full swing.

I wasn’t too sure what kind of crowd to expect because it wasn’t necessarily a ”Hip Hop” crowd but the audience warmed to the band.

“You Got Me” was remixed into a reggae track, which was brilliant and it had me vibing but for me, there wasnt enough of this. I was really hoping for more renditions like this.

One of the great moments of the evening was when each member of the band had their solo. Questlove (on drums) wowed the crowd with his set. He then started a musical question and answer session with Frankie Knuckles on percussion. They had the crowd hanging on to everything they were doing. All of a sudden, Quest got out of his seat, still playing the drums, making his way over to Frankie. What was cool was when Quest couldn’t reach his drums, he’d hit anything to make a musical sound. Frankie returned the favour, going from his percussion instruments, to Quest’s drums.

The highlight of the evening however was seeing the legendary Andy Hamilton, David Murray and Ornette Coleman rock with the band. Hamilton who is 91, played the saxophone along with David Murray. I wasn’t expecting Coleman to be on stage and it was a pleasant surprise. For those that are not aware, Coleman was one of the innovators of the free jazz movement. The 79 year old played a fantastic solo.

Black Thought said “There’s 250 years of musical genius on this side of the stage over here”  and you could see it was an honour for the band to perform with these three artists that have broken ground in music.

The three legends got a standing ovation and that seemed to be the end of the night. The band left the stage. The end seemed like an anti-climax, it didn’t feel right. The crowd then started cheering urging the band to come back on stage. Questlove appeared on stage, he gauged how much the crowd wanted to hear more music, it felt it was enough so he walked off. A few booed but the rest of Royal Festival Hall, lifted the roof off and the band came back for a couple more songs.

Two hours and 15 minutes of live music from the legendary Roots crew. You cant ask for more.

The Meltdown Festival is currently underway and I’ll urge all music fans to head down to the Royal Festival Hall in London and check it out.

For more information log on to http://meltdown.southbankcentre.co.uk/

Tags: Concert, David Murray, live, Music, Music Performance, News, Ornette Coleman, Queslove, Rap, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Festival, The Roots, The Roots Performance At The Meltdown Festival (Review)

New York emcee, Donny Goines is back with another album following the release of his very well received debut ‘Minute After Midnight’.

For those who arent familiar with Donny, he’s a rapper who had an epiphany after watching Jay-Z’s ‘Fade To Black’ back in 2006. Since then he’s been on a mission to be one of the best up and coming emcees that Hip Hop has to offer. Earlier this year, he dropped his debut ‘Minute After Midnight’, a personal, dark, hard hitting album. 

Now month’s later, Donny has gone decided to create an album that is the polar opposite from his first. “The Breakfast Club” is an album full of upbeat singles and guest features, all of which helps to add to the commercial appeal of the album. 

The album opens with “Dont You”, produced by Cook Classics. It’s harsh, its forceful peppered with a rock sound. A good way to open the album.

This is followed by “Bring It Forward (New York New York)”. It starts with Maino talking about bringing New York back with some “new sh*t”. So Donny decides to do just that. On a beat that isn’t necessarily New York sounding, the New York rapper is making a statement that its a new time and therefore its time for a new sound.

“Whatever It Is” is one of the three tracks where Donny doesn’t have a rhyming partner, a rarity in this album. Its a track where he has freedom to demonstrate his lyrical prowess. He comes through on his trademark punchlines. “I Ike Turner the track”, “Had to borrow from Black Rob, I’m Black Thought, never stray from my roots so haters back off”.

“Money” displays good chemistry between Donny and Mistah Fab while “Make Me Feel” featuring Emilio Rojas has a nice 80’s vibe to it.

One thing I do like about Donny is his choice of beats. “Don’t Mess With A Woman” is an example of this. Amanda Diva, (you don’t want to mess with a talented artist like her!) and Naledge from Kidz In The Hall cap off a solid track.

When I saw the tracklisting and saw the legendary Buckwild was producing “Sublime”, I really couldn’t wait to hear it and it didn’t disappoint. Good vibe, Outasight brings the right energy and Peter Hadar voice compliments the rappers.

Che Grand flows seamlessly on “She Likes” which also features Izza Kizza. Already half a dozen tracks into the album and Donny has already worked on the only criticism of the first album. While I consider Minute After Midnight a personal classic, I felt Donny could show more variety in terms of his flow. Not to say that he didn’t haven’t in his repertoire because he has, I just wanted to see it more in the first album. However already seven tracks in, he’s shown more than enough.

My iPod then plays a track called “Oh No” ft Patent Pending.

“What’s this” I say to myself? “A rock track?” Sounds good but I start to think Donny sent me someone else’s track in the advance copy. Just as I’m about to change the track, I hear Donny rhyming. I didn’t expect this!

For me, Donny always has alot of diversity in his music. ‘I Am Moving’ certainly showed that but I never imagined him on a rock song. But I’m pleasantly surprised, its fairly solid. It has a Fort-Minor-type sound to it but more importantly it doesn’t seem like Donny is out of his element.

The album then moves on to the remix of “What You Expected” with Rain, Reks, Termanology and Big Lou. Before the first album, this was my favorite Donny Goines track. I think all the emcee’s on the track do an admirable job.

Lydia Caesar shines out in “A Love Song”. Her powerful voice is helps the track. While it would seem on the surface that Donny and Skyzoo are talking about a girl, they are in fact talking about Hip Hop.

The hook lyrics: “All I can say is that I love ya, you got such a hold on me, everytime that I hear ya, you call me by my name, I think that I need ya, so I’m writing you this love song”.

Later Donny rhymes: “The beauty lies within its beholder, so when I look in the mirror I’m picturing Hova, Biggie Smalls and Pac, Rakim and the Cold Crush, the music is in my veins when I’m feeling the flow rush”.

Skyzoo was a brilliant choice to feature on this track. His style and lyrical delivery is perfect for the beat. This is one of the stand-out tracks of the album.

The Dame Grease produced “Closer”  helps to further demonstrate Donny’s diversity as a music artist. He can be rock out, he can be street and now he can be smooth (for the ladies!)

But while I’m hearing quality music, I’m starting to wonder when I’m going to hear the defiant, hungry and street Donny that was ever-present on Minute After Midnight. “Digital Genocide” provides that fix.

Along with Brooklyn native, Posion Pen and West Coast emcee Planet Asia, Donny Goines is back to his punchlines. “…come from the era of terror, where most are scared of the sheriff and n*ggas tear up who dare us, before there was a Guevara”.

I was hyped when I heard Cookin Soul would be producing on the album because I am a fan of their work and the soul-infused “Grateful” doesn’t disappoint.

Then comes my personal favourite. “Party Apple” produced by The Apple Juice Kid. The track is essentially a dance track, a well crafted beat with an extremely catchy hook. This should be a single that should bring Donny crossover radio play. Its also a song that he could rip up at festivals (notably the Brooklyn Festival in June, which he’s performing at!).

Donny grooves with the track. It’s like he’s having fun with the track and the music. He’s in a different space from Minute After Midnight but does make a point to warn haters that he’s still lethal with his rhymes. “Don’t bicker or hate. See I can always go back … that my comfort zone, y’all know this n*gga is great”.

But as the listener is starting to feel happy and hopeful, 6th Sense comes with an infectious beat and tells us that A.Pinks, Esso and Donny just “Cant Get it Right”. Whether it’s girl trouble, work trouble, police trouble or the lack of money, things aren’t going the way you want. So after the fun-filled “Party Apple”, the listener and Donny is brought back to reality.  The song is strong, it has a catchy creative hook and Harlem’s emcees A.Pinks and Esso help to add depth to an already solid track.

Finally the album ends with “These Times” . Its a well crafted song with Donny asking poignant questions about the current music climate. Donny puts forward the idea that maybe his artistry isn’t right for the current climate. “I guess I just wasn’t made for these times”.

In the song he asks would he be more successful if attached himself to growing trends. “What if I blend electro, rock music and techno, nothing as retro and simplify my lyrics because executives said so, would you really be a fan and I’d really be the best? No. What if I’m emo, uber or hipster, singing all of my songs in auto-tune …See the truth is, this sh*t is assuming, people think they are ahead of their time but really clueless”

One thing you’ll always get from Donny Goines, you’ll always get quality music. The Breakfast Club is a solid album. It has some fantastic tracks and there arent many independent artist (or those on majors) that are able to churn out intricate lyrics, diverse flow and sound.

It’s cool for a artist to make a hot 16, a hot 32 but its far more difficult to create a quality album, Donny has two.

The rapper’s motto is “If you don’t know my name, I aint working hard enough”, well I’ll flip it to the reader. After hearing Minute After Midnight and The Breakfast Club. “If you don’t know his name, you AINT working hard enough”.

The Breakfast Club is released May 19th.

www.myspace.com/donnygoines
www.twitter.com/donnygoines
www.youtube.com/donnygoines
www.donnygoines.blogspot.com

Tags: Donny Goines, Donny Goines - The Breakfast Club (Album Review), Hip-Hop, Music, Pr, Rap, Review, youtube

 Notorious was released in the UK last week.

The film which documented the life of The Notorious B.I.G. aka Biggie Smalls, who died in 1997 at the age of 24.

The Brooklyn MC is considered by many to be one of the greatest Hip Hop artists to ever bless the mic.

The biopic is not about whether Biggie was the greatest rapper alive, but the film focuses on Christopher’s Wallace’ relationship with the women in his life. This is the main theme of the movie but throughout the movie, we are reminded of the tremendous talent that Biggie had.

The film is excellent, I think overall the director and the producers did a great job. At times I felt the script was lacking. My only other problem with the film is that its too short! Its two hours long but after the credits came up, I wanted more. The Hip Hop fan in me, just wanted more.

The first half is about Biggie growing up, being a hustler and hooking up with Diddy while the second part of the movie show his strained relationship with the women in his life and his feud with Tupac.

In terms of performance, I think the star is definately Gravy. I think as the movie went on, his performance got better and better. Angela Bassett was perfect as Biggie’s mother.

Anthony Mackie, who played Tupac was also pretty good as was Antonique Smith, who played Faith Evans

Derek Luke was not mind blowing. I think he captured Diddy’s nuances brilliantly and think he did a ok job but personally I think he was overshadowed by Gravy’s performance. He definately became Biggie and was believable in that role.

Lil Kim shouldnt be worrying about how the film portrayed her. She wasnt reflected in such a way she made it out to be.

The use of Biggie’s music as the soundtrack to the movie was brilliant. It was a constant reminder of how this young MC touched people across the world. A great scene is when Puffy (now known as Diddy) presents Biggie with the sample for Juicy.

This movie is definately one to see whether you are a Hip Hop fan or not. I am not surprised the director (George Tillman Jr.) is in talks to direct a RUN DMC biopic.

I would encourage you (if you have the money in this recession) to go to the cinema and watch this movie.

Since seeing this movie, Ready To Die is on repeat on my ipod.

Trailer

Tags: Biggie Smalls, Hip-Hop, Music, Notorious, Notorious (Review), Rap

Since arriving on the scene no less than two years ago, New York native, Donny Goines has taken the internet by storm. If its not his dope mixtapes or his highly successful ‘BARS’ weekly segment, Donny Goines has been able to market himself effectively and churn out quality music. Earlier this year, Donny was rewarded for his hard work after winning the Buzz Factor award at this year’s Underground Music Awards.

Taken his stage name from the successful street writer Donald Goines, the rapper has lived up to his name-sakes legacy, providing Hip Hop with vivid songs about the pitfalls of a rapper and the street life. He’s an emcee’s emcee.

Now he is preparing to release his debut album. Minute After Midnight is being released through Amalgam Digital on December 16th 2008, and is executive produced by Dame Grease.

When Donny spoke to The Hip Hop Chronicle earlier this year, he told me that this album will be a great introduction to who is he as an artist.

When I first heard that the album title, I wasn’t sure what it meant but Donny soon cleared it up. He was fascinated by the Cinderella story and what happened after the stroke of midnight.

But when you hear the intro to the album, its no fairytale. Right from the start, you know can get a sense of what’s to come. Produced by Dub-Z, the beat of the intro is extravagant and Donny wastes no time in providing the subject matter.

‘Coke and heroin , dope in a syringe, can you see why life is so disparaging, it was a graveyard, bullets that they mark, and I remember growing up thinking I hate God …’mother’s on welfare, no real help there and Will Smith is the only one living in Bel-Air’.

 Donny Goines - I Am Moving (Video)

The listener is then taken into the second track, ‘The Triumph’ produced by M-Phazes. In this track we see Donny’s fighting spirit, an artist defiant to be the best. The rapper is like a boxer jabbing his opponents with punchlines.

‘Watch rain from the heavens fall as I descend upon the game at your beck and call, Im a legend born, recalling the seconds gone’ and later ‘I can change the world without the major scans. I’ll independently win eventually in this century when n*ggas mention me with those considered heavenly, I knock off Goliath, on a shoulder of a giant, above clouds, so I’ll weather the climate’.

Ghetto USA (a track Donny premiered at SOB’s earlier this year), is a well crafted. Donny is vocally strong and Tess is a welcome addition to the track.

But Donny is strongest is his lyrics - ‘where the good die young … and 357’s all of a sudden make the weak strong. Where hoop dreams and Hip Hop is your big shot’.

I was real surprised at the next track. Using the Eric Brickell & The New Bohemians sample, ‘What I Am’ is mellow and a nice break from the tracks that came before it. If you want to know what Donny likes and dislikes, this is the track for you (‘A little cynical but got a sense of humour, I’m a high school dropout but love computers’). He even explains why he wears a lot of hats (‘I wear a lot of hats, nope, not because im bald, truth is, I got a peanut-head, that’s all’). The more I listen to this track, the more I’m convinced, that this track is an open letter to the ladies who wanna get down with Goines.

‘What Happened’ is an ode to the old school and an insight to what rapper believes is the problem with Hip Hop today. With a soul sample, Donny simply asks ‘What happened … now the game ain’t the same, can you blame me for asking?’. On his list of questions are classic LP’s, classic programs and the culture of Hip Hop (‘now its about a wristwatch flooded with big rocks’). Dub-Z’s production is upbeat, representing a sense hope that Hip Hop can get back to what it used to be. Moreover a sense that Donny could be the person to bring it back.

What Happened (Video) 


“What Happened” Directed by John Colombo from Donny Goines on Vimeo.

Up next is one of the strongest tracks off Minute After The Midnight. Its at this point in the album where Donny is living up to his name sake in regard of storytelling.

Ricky’s Story, is about a young sixteen-year-old named Ricky who imitated drug dealer turned rappers that he had seen on TV but gets mixed up in the street life which ultimately leads to his downfall.

‘His mind frame on high fame and fly chains, so he figured if he supplied Cain, he’s life changed because all the rappers on TV and CD’s made it seem as it it was easy’.

This track is a detailed story of the street life and has an important message behind it - Don’t be somebody you are not. Statik Selektah’s production is immaculate. Having been listening to Donny for a while, I always knew he was a fabulous writer but on this track, he definitely stepped his game up.

‘I Am Moving’ is the first single off the album. Produced by Dame Grease, the track represents Donny’s shift from just being a Internet sensation to a music artist while another Dame Grease produced track ‘MLK’ is interesting. A reflective concept track, where the New York native shows us his persistence to be an artist. ‘I don’t care what they tell me, if nobody believes, it doesn’t matter at all, no matter what I’m a king, so many doubted my vision, all these speech’s I read but when I step on them stages, they know I have a dream’.

But from talking about his dream, Donny is brought down to earth on ‘Cant Fit In My Shoes’.

‘Y’all don’t understand because we ain’t from the same hell, same shell so we can never share the same tales. What you know about sleeping on the floor, nothing motherf*cker because I’m speaking on the poor’.

Cant Fit In My Shoes (Video)

From giving us his dream, we hear about rapper’s life. ‘No bullshit, this is the truth, If you ain’t sitting at the bottom, you can’t fit in my shoes, Walk a mile in them and then you’ll understand’.

As the album comes to an end, the songs became more reflective. ‘Can You Hear Me’ is my favourite track off the album. Reflective and somber, Goines is asking God questions.

‘Why would you make a virus and then leave your people lifeless? … how can you watch your children dying or listen to a million crying?’ and later he asks ‘Why burden me with a good heart, when everybody else from my hood is dark? And why would you give me those book smarts, when you knew you wouldn’t give me a good start? They say it happens for a reason, but can you blame me, I’m asking for a reason’.

The lyrics aren’t intricate, there isn’t much wordplay but what you get is well crafted song. The questions are simple but the answers are much more difficult. I love the beat on this track. Its a throwback to the ’80’s and appropriately catches the mood of the track.

The album finishes up with the DJ Static produced ‘Heaven Is With You’. The track is about the death of his son. ‘No matter where you are, you’re always on my mind and I think about you all the time, was a blessing in my eyes, so I smile when I miss you because when I fall asleep, I know heaven is with you’. Its a great tribute song, its the only time where the rapper is happy. It’s wonderful way to end the album.

Minute After Midnight is a solid album. Donny’s writing has definitely stepped up from his mix-tapes and his Bars segments. He is certainly capable of adapting to any sound. When I initally looked at the tracklist, I was surprised that there wasn’t any guest emcee’s but after hearing the album, it turned out to be a good decision on Donny’s and Grease’s part. Donny’s lyrics were strong enough to hold his own. If you aren’t familar with Donny’s work, this album is a wonderful introduction and im sure you’ll agree that after hearing ‘Minute After Midnight’ his talent and potential really knows no bounds.

Donny Goines is the future

Donny Goines is the truth

Minute After Midnight drops December 16th via Amalgam Digital

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Related

Donny Goines Interview With The Hip Hop Chronicle

Donny Goines Interview After Winning The Buzz Factor Award

Tags: Donny Goines, Donny Goines - Minute After Midnight (Album Review), Hip-Hop, Music, Rap

ECM2 – Mariah Carey

The Continuation of Mimi

Three years after ‘The Emancipation Of Mimi’, Mariah Carey returns with her 11th studio album; E=MC2.

The album begins with the smooth seductive ‘Migrate’ featuring T-Pain; Mariah muses about drinking pinot grigio with her girls. The vocoder trend continues. It’s about time Teddy Riley gets some royalty checks!

‘Touch My Body’ is first single off the album. Mariah is vocally strong and it’s no surprise it reached number 1 on the Billboard Charts.

The collaboration with Damian Marley on ‘Cruise Control’ is a lovely surprise. Jermaine Dupri does a fabulous job meshing reggae tones and R&B together. The only problem is Mariah’s Jamaican accent; it needs a lot of work!

‘That Chick’ is one of the best tracks on the album. It has a great vibe and wonderful potential to be the third single.

E=MC2 is romantic at its heart. On the track ‘Side Effects’ she talks about her ‘private hell’ marriage to Tommy Mottola. We are then treated to a series of love ballads (‘Love Story’ and ‘Ill Be Loving You)

‘Bye Bye’ is a dedicated to the singer’s father who died of cancer in 2002. This is the official second single. The track itself is well arranged and this is one of the few tracks where Mariah is at her best.

The album ends pleasantly with the gospel inspired ‘I Wish You Well’. It’s disappointing that this track is the only one where Mariah’s vocal range is in full flow.

E=MC2 is certainly a musically diverse album with the pop, gospel, reggae influence. With this album Mariah has proven her comeback wasnt a fluke.

Tags: E=MC2, Mariah Carey, Review, Touch My Body