The Rap God Graces With His Presence Yet Again With MMLP2

Readers, here we go the first blog post under the new format. I hope everyone enjoys it and finds it informative. So without further adieu here we go…

I have been a Eminem fan since he first came out onto the main stage 15+ years ago. He is 1 out of 2 people in Hip-Hop to win an Academy Award and that is just one of his incredible list of awards. Outside of awards he also has sold more units (CDs, digital downloads, etc.) than any other person in Hip-Hop by an incredible margin. His worldwide albums sales stand at more than 100 million, singles 120 million, and the estimated sale of over 220 million records worldwide. In the United States, he has sold 49.1 million albums and 42 million tracks. No other emcee comes even remotely close to this, or complete labels with all their artists combined. These numbers are higher than all emcees from YMCMB as well as GOOD Music combined, it’s incredible. Do not get me wrong, I am not saying anything negative about any of those artists either because they are some of them are my favorites as well and are some of the most talented emcees in history.

Until today it has been 3 years since we were graced with a album from the Rap God which was  Recovery. Personally, I loved Recovery, I think it may be my favorite Em album to date in my opinion, and apparently most people since Em had 2 videos from the album on the top of the 10 most watched videos list on YouTube not all that long after it’s release. However, some huge fans of Em did not like it because a lot of tracks did not have his original sound that first made them fans. This surprised me because I thought it was epic, there is not a song on that album that is not phenomenal. An artist’s sound will evolve and change and some like it and some do not. So I think this is because some fans missed his early sound that we heard on the The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP (MMLP), and The Eminem Show.

The fans that may not have liked Recovery will be so happy to hear The Marshall Mathers LP 2 (MMLP2) goes back to his origins as far as style and delivery, but at an even higher level. He sounds like the old Em but in a more refined way. He has dropped 4 singles already and they are all great and seems to mix the MMLP sound in with his newer Recovery sound as well as a furthered evolved sound. He will see some fans that may have strayed come right back because of that.

On the Marshall Mathers LP 2 Em decided to work with legendary producer Rick Rubin, Dr. Dre, and Em also decided to produce for this album as well. Relapse and Recovery Em was not a producer for. I think that is a match made in heaven with Rick, Dre, and Em working together. I hope he works with Em again on future albums.

The first single to drop was Berzerk which was a fast paced track with the MMLP sound and with a phenomenal beat with unique samples. The video you can see a node to the Beastie Boys with some of the video shooting and it was very fly to see Rick Rubin in a video again, with a little lyrics.

The second single released was Survival feat. Liz Rodrigues which was also a blockbuster. Great beat, lyrics, delivery, etc. The song is inspiring. You hear it on the commercial for the new Call of Duty game as well.

The third single released was Rap God. Em was the only one on this track and spits crazy fast rhymes for 6 minutes. He was the “Rap God” before this track was released and it just helps solidified the fact that is what he is and always will be. I cannot wait for the music video to release.

The fourth single released was The Monster featuring Rihanna is a monster just like the last track the two collaborated on and will be huge. This song is a grand slam and I cannot wait until the music video of this song to premiere either.

All the other tracks are just as good as the single released if not even better, if that can be said. I mentioned above that Recovery was Em’s best but after hearing the entire MMLP2 album I have a new favorite Em album, that being MMLP2. The first week sales are in at 792,000 units sold and they will continue to rise as time progresses.

-automachi

The RHHR Board

The Real Hip Hop Review: Reloaded

Readers, I started this blog years ago and did not keep going with it even though Hip Hop is a true passion of mine as a fan, listener, and critic. So here is round 2. The plan is to review new albums coming out or just released. So a little mix up from the way things were on The Real Hip Hop Review (RHHR). Easier on the author and more informative for the reader.

I have loved Hip Hop since I was a kid and it is getting better daily and I think it will be nice for fellow fans to be able to read another fan’s feeling of new Hip Hop out there. I am not sure what made me suddenly decide to resurrect this blog with a new format that I think anyone reading it will enjoy and get something out of it. 

Some good albums have been dogged by “real critics”. I might be a “critic” but I am a fan first and will give you a completely unbiased opinion on new Hip Hop albums and base it on raw talent, presentation, etc.

I suppose I should thank the upcoming release Marshall Mathers LP 2 (MMLP2) coming out this Tuesday. An epic album lit a fire under this author’s ass to start writing again about this subject apparently. This will be the first album I review under this new format of the RHHR. So it will not very long until you hear from me again since the album is coming out less than 20 hours.

On a personal note, I need to write, it is my creative outlet. I have a religious blog that I wrote 46  posts over several years being a religious person looking for a new Faith. It helped me find what I need to and because of that I have very little to write about in that arena now, at least as far as for a blog. I created another religious blog a few months back and it remains empty, due to the same reason I just mentioned. So I am going to write on something I always have a opinion about and do not have to wait for a topic to “hit me” to be able to create a great piece of work, that being Hip Hop.

When writing about new Hip Hop albums I do not need to have to wait for a topic to inspired me. I just have to wait for a new Hip Hop album or mixtape to be released. 

So… with all that being said check out my review on Em’s MMLP2 coming very soon. I have heard nearly all the songs due to Em letting iTunes Radio play the entire album, which, ironically, is what I am listening to while writing this. I hope that other emcees do things like this, which a lot already do but there can never be too much in that regard.

A nod to Nicki Minaj for helping me thinking of a title to the first post for the resurrection of RHHR.

“Click-click, we are officially reloaded”

-automachi

The RHHR Board

Carter 4 and the State of Hip Hop

I have not been on this Blog in too long!!! I will try and post here more often as Hip Hop is a lot different than it was back in April when I posted last. Kiddos I have been busy!!! Enjoy!

Wow Hip Hop has certainly changed since my last post... C4 is out, and as YMCMB being my favorite label, soooooo much talent, especially with Weezy, he is the greatest rapper alive... however... C4 failed my expectations, but its new and it is different, even though most critics say it is a lot of the same. It simply can be that it will have to grow on me. I actually read some posts on lilwaynehq.com that said the same it was like there 6 or 7 go through and they we really feeling it at that point, which is scary as hell it has only been out since Monday and its Thursday... that is 6 to 7 hours of time, respectively, I do not know how you fit that in when I was reading this on Wednesday... but I have noticed that some other the other songs I am coming around on too. Really digging "So Special" that features John Legend. So I am hoping that all the sounds on C4 have that affect on me, only time will tell.

So now that I got my C4 thoughts out of the way lets go to the State of Hip Hop right now. I think the radio needs to diversify and play more than 10 relatively new songs and occasionally putting in a Throwback jam in there every so very often... 

Went out for a bit and grabbed a bit with fam and really C4 seems to be really growing on me and the I guess this album just has to grow on me I think. 

Getting back to the State of Hip Hop, we have YMCMB at the forefront and they do have a lot of talent, there is a Jay Z presence that is good and Kanye is in there too and then there collabo "Watch The Throne", which is a 5 Star album. Now we have Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (ODWGKTA), with Tyler, the Creator that I think can be the next big Hip Hop genius and his ass is only 20 years old. However, his talent speaks for itself, check out "Yonkers". He could be a mogul in a few years if he plays his cards right. Have not heard too much out of Aftermath Ent. which is a shame, but if we have to wait for the next mega Eminem album them so be it. I just want to see Hip Hop radio diverse like Hip Hop is right now. Tallinn Kweli is shell but gets no air play, he is great, I challenge anyone to state otherwise. Spoken Word Hip Hop is some f the best Hip Hop produced, Common is another name.

Within a paragraph I have summed up the layout and state of Hip Hop, come on lets see some more competition and MCs going for greatness.

I will Try and post more on this Blog but I have another that takes up most of my blogging time.

Kiddos stay safe and away from stupid!!!...

-automachi 

Yela & Tech... 2 Bright Lights to Watch...

What's good HHHs? 

I know I am listening to to 2 artist in particular here lately that I cannot seem to get enough of them.. These 2 artists are great in their craft (speed-spitters), them being Yelawolf and Tech N9ne. I have always been into the funk that came out of the West, like from the Bay (E-40 to Snoop and Bishop Lamont in between) down to the streeps of Compton, and love the New York artists (Wu, to 50, to Hova, and etc.), and of course the dirty dirt south, YMCMB baby!... I love all Hip Hop but these two come and are in a special niche of the rap game.

So lets look at the Kansas City's own Tech N9ne, he is a rap vet and been in the underground scene forever, not to mention he has released on big albums and been at the game for awhile but never got to the success of even Khalifa, Kweli, and others but this brother can spit just as good if not better. The only reason I can think of that he never get huge mainstream success is because he is in the hardcore and horrorcore scenes of Hip Hop and there are very few of them that have ever had a national stage except ICP for a short time but I think Tech has better skills.

However, with Weezy saying while in Rikers that he only wanted to work with 2 people when he got out, Andre 3000 and Tech N9ne I think got a lot of people hip to T9. Plus he and Wezzy and confirmed a track together on the Carter IV which better be a banger. With Weezy F.'s work ethic it better be as heavy as 6 foot 7 foot all the way through. He has to prove he is still "The Best Rapper Alive". But enough about a Hip Hop Don at the moment, Tunechi (and yes Weezy's hands still got the grip on the game, but he needs to tighten it). T9's could have the biggest year every and deservingly so. This brother has been at the grind a long time, is great, and its just this brother's time to get as big as he can. He will get a platinum record in the next 2 years.... I have no doubt. So watch out for this cat and if you ain't hip to T9, buy an album, any of them and you will be glad you did. Tech N999999ne!!!....

Now lets talk about another new star in the Hip Hop realm that is shining bright. That star being Gadsen Alabama's own Yelawolf. This cat is another fast spitter like T9 but with a spin, he is a white dude with major street creed. Plus he is bringing even more and new culture to the game of Hip Hop. With talkking about riding in Chevy's and making that Trunk Muzik. He recently signed a deal with the Reaigning King (and by sales always will be) of Hip Hop. Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen Yelawolf is signed to Eminem's Shady Records. Shady signed him and Slaughterhouse (a Hip Hop Supergroup). Yela re-released a mixtape, making it a retail mixtape that was named Trunk Muzik 0-60, and it bangs and brings a whole new, unheard of style. If this cat plays his cards right and is smart about it he could be a heavy hitter and change the game forever, especially with Em in the mix. If you have not heard of Yelawolf check him out... pick up Trunk Muzik 0-60 you will be impressed. Then, watch out for his first album on Shady which is almost done, Radioactive, I am sure it will be a 5 star album if it is done right.

Until we meet again, keep those ears ringing...

-automachi

Is GOOD Music Good?...

Hello fellow Hip Hop Heads, whats good?

In my last post on this Blog I made mention of reviewing Travis Barker's new album "Give the Drummer Some." Well, I was still in the design process of how this Blog was going to flow... At that time I was thinking of reviewing Hip Hip albums and such culture surrounding them from post to post... Well I took some time and thought about it and decided I did not want to go in the review style format for this Blog. I host several different Blogs and the best posts come from an idea hitting me and me thinking, I have to write about that, for sure!... So that is the way this Blog is going to go forward... Feeling pressured to write about a fresh new album just makes you feel like you have another deadline to hit... and well... I have enough already.  However, I will say go out and by Travis's new album, I throw two thumbs up for that disc, it has killer real drum beats and great lyricists, period. So now lets get started, hopefully the title of the Blog gives you an idea of how posts will be going forward.



So is GOOD Music good?... I think so and I will tell you why. GOOD Music is Kanye West's label that boasts a roster of Kanye himself, John Legend, Common, Consequence, Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Malik Yusef, Mr. Hudson, Sa-Ra, Cyhi Da Prynce, Pusha T, and last bust certainly not least Mos Def.

So I ask you again, Is GOOD Music good? Yeah, I thought you would agree. This is huge and has been kept under wraps compared to most "Label Hype". Look at Cash Money Records and Young Money (YMCMB) they are the biggest hitters in the game right now, but unfortunately (Tunechi is my fav) things look like they are shifting around and Weezy and Birdman may be running up against some compitition with Slaughterhouse and Eminem's endeavors with them and the artists within the Slaughterhouse supergroup (e.g. Yelawolf) and GOOD,  and other new artists, like B.o.B. The landscape is definitely changing my fellow Hip Hiop Heads (H3s).

However, I think the change is good because when you only have one primary outlet for heavy hitters like YMCMB has been the last couple things get stale, but not the YMCMB banggers. Anyway, I recently read about Pusha T's new stuff made me think about GOOD's artist and how much Yeezy's got his hands on the game. We all know that the Yeezy and Jay-Z's collabo is going to be stellar and will move some serious units but he has a lot of other serious artists too. Pusha T's new album will sell good I think. Come on he is half of Clipse and has worked with the Neptunes and now Yeezy, watch out!

However, the talent does not end there. we have Kid Cudi who is off the hook, Man on the Moon II was stellar, his next should be great too. You have Common who is stellar and consistent. Mos Def, just like Common but with a little longer history. So yeah.... GOOD is stacked.

So Hip Hop better watch out because 2011 could be the GOODYear. Kayne has to the troops that coulds bring the pain and lock down Hip Hop for most of the year... We will just have to see how the year goes and how Yeezy plays his cards.

-automachi, making Hip Hop hipper since 1981.

Hating on The Running Man...

You know I was guilty of hating on the Running Man (the Running Man (they call it Hatchetman) being the mascot of Psychopathic Records (Insane Clown Posse's (ICP) label who has themselves , and other bizarre artists Hip Hop artists signed)). I thought they were talentless weirdos, and when they first got my attention they were. 

However, I was thinking of a Blog post and thought I would continue to "hate on the Running Man" and piss a lot of Juggalos and Juggalets off... Haha! (that is what there fans are called, male, and female, respectively...). However, during me weekly walks this week (I have back problems and it helps so I walk) I created a Station for ICP on Pandora on my DROID X. I figured I would get caught up on how this weird cult like fan base around these weirdos started, and grew to what it is today (last summer I saw Hatchman stickers on cars on my commute home from work several times (Cincy to Dayton, OH)).


So I have been listening to them for several days... I have heard a good 80 songs from Psychopathic Record's artists... and after that I do not feel I can hate on them. They are not talentless hacks that I first saw them as. They have a unique culture that surrounds their music  that has a lot of followers when you think about it.


So I was going to get on here and put Juggalos and Juggalets on blast because they artists they are in love with suck but now I cannot due it because there is talent on that label, now, and then. Tech N9ne was an asscoiated artist to ICP and was on the label for awhile. 9 is great, his songs are good, he has a unique voice, and a niche. Hell, Weezy said he wanted to do work with him. When Weezy F. was in Rikers he said he only wanted with two artists that he hadn't before and that was Andre 3000 and Tech N9ne, that say's something for 9, and ICP. 


I never thought I would say this but I have respect for ICP as artists, for a number of reasons, a couple being, never selling out from their original ideals, staying true to their fans, having special talent, and really had good marketing, and that is just to name a few).


Now I am not going out and buying a bunch of ICP, Twiztid, or whatever records but I won't make fun of Juggalos and Juggalets, or what they hold so dear anymore. 

I can never hate on artists doing what they have done. To those Juggalos and Juggalets I have made fun of in the past I apologize... Hell, I think I might go buy a Tech N9ne record sometime soon as that Cat has mad talent. I am not usually one to judge but I hate clowns so I guess I was being prejudiced towards them, my fault...


To those of you who have not heard of them and are wondering what I am talking about check the link below.
http://www.psychopathicrecords.com/index.html

NEXT POST WILL BE REVIEWING TRAVIS BARKER'S GIVE A DRUMMER SOME!!!!!

In the Beginning...

Hello Readers, and welcome, to The Real Hip Hop Review. This Blog will be an attempt at unbiased review of Hip Hop Music as well as the Culture itself.

Let me give you some background on myself... I have been a Hip Hop fan for 20 years, a huge fan, for 20 years, and always have "2 cents" to throw in what I think good Hip Hop is and should be. I am educated (hold a Masters degree for starters) and work as a software engineer. So I am not stupid, and know good Hip Hop and associated topics and whack Hip Hop and associated topics.

I have a lot to say and this is one of my favorite topics so let the reviewing and opinions fly to the day that I die. Remember I said I knew good Hip Hop, not that I am a lyricist or can sing by any means, hence that whack attempt at a rhyme... but I know it was whack, see we are agreeing already...

Let the fun begin.

-automachi (this writer's Pen Name)