mix-tape-radio-reviews #2

Artist- RHYMEFEST

 Title- MAN IN THE MIRROR_(presented by mark ronson)

Featuring- Micheal Jackson,Jackson 5,Talib kweli ,Wale,Camp lo and Jungle brown

 

         What does Micheal Jackson and hiphop have in common? Yes quote me-they are both “off the wall”. MJ shattered the MTV for whites only barrier with thriller and hiphop followed suit. Ask any rapper who isn’t influenced by MJ and if he/she says no is str8 up fuhgazzy. From quoting him in songs to sampling his music,hiphop has always adored and respected MJ. This album doesn’t fall short of the aforementioned venerations,in fact Rhymefest takes it a step further and gives it a comedic feel.The skits are so well placed,it’s like Rhymefest sat down with MJ to record this album(I really hope MJ hears this,for real).

   The intro starts off with Micheal beat boxing and Rhymefest kicks a verse-easily this could come off  redundant but ‘Fest pulls this off and to add icing to the cake,Micheal finishes with a verse from “who is it?”-a worthy listen I must say.

  The 2^nd cut-“CANT MAKE IT”  is a str8 up banger,produced by the “best kept secret”.This is really a sick beat and ‘Fest spits jewels all over it and makes this track diamond studded!! “Get up” is another banger and features WALE!!! Together  with ‘Fest they flip the cut like flapjacks, going back and forth like manic sine waves.just peep this

“Covert,am bruce lee with no shirt

The ol bastard with no dirt

I play god,it aint hard,bitch I make soul work

You are like a gang banger with no turf”

    Simply put,Wale and ‘Fest both flow perfectly,without distracting the listener from each other .Fest comes in with his baritone vocals and Wale takes it down with his fast smooth cadence.

  Dancin’ machine is just what it is,if yall can remember the Jackson 5 tune-then 'Nuff said. Quite short  and like what GZA said “half short-twice strong”-don’t skip this

 Am not even gonna comment on the skits because I would love y’all to listen to them yourselves-that’s the key to the album, besides linking all the joints together-just listen and you would fully understand me.

  Never can say goodbye should sound familiar to all Jackson 5 fans. And this version doesn’t disappoint much-beatwise it’s lovable but I’d preferred young Micheal singing the hook than some random chick.Also Talib kweli  comes through with his usual rhyme twisting and  it works well.

 Mike the mentor starts with a long MJ interview ending with a back and forth verse by Fest and MJ..yes MJ’s voice was spliced to finish Rhymefest’s rhymes-you gotta listen to this

 "No sunshine"-nice joint,very familiar-fests comes through and drop tales of woes. Am not really a fan of this song-No thanks to DMX."Foolin around" serves the obvious purpose-dealing with relationships.

  "Set the mood" is just Micheal singing and sets the stage for the next cut “Breakadawn”,a very unique transition I must add. Ok I lied but I have to say one thing about the skit that comes after breakadawn- Micheal FARTS on this one...LOL

 "Higher" samples a J5 song which I can’t seem to find but it has this wierd like live drums playing in it and as usual fest drops jewels all over it. “All that I’ve got is you” is GFK rapping (the same song from his classic IRONMAN album),this is followed by the original J5 song “maybe tomorrow”.makes it a bit nostalgic, especially for me(sob, sob..)

 The next cut “Coolie High remix” happens to be my favourite because it has CAMP LO on it!!Yipeee!! The sample here is infectious-utilizes a smooth boom bap over MJ’s dreamy vocals. Uncanningly the original “Coolie high” samples Janet Jackson. Do you see the trend-No Jackson family, no Coolie high, lol. I highly recommend this cut for everyone.

 The following cut “family reunion” has fest singing with the entire Jackson 5 members, this is str8 up funny.

 The last cut is the title track and it fits the bill. Rhymefest and Micheal go back and forth with the verses and this is a hit.

  Overall this is very innovative, lyrically deep, thought provoking and funny all at once. Rhymefest always comes through with profound and meaningful lyrics and the whole effort doesn’t come out forced or tired.

 In conclusion I highly recommend this for MJ fans, Rhymefest does the beats justice and y’all won’t feel cheated a bit.

 Recommended listen-can’t make it, Get up,Never can say goodbye, Coolie high and man in the mirror 

 

  LYRICS=4/5

 BEATS=5/5

 LONGEVITY=4.4/5

 FINAL JUDGMENT= Highly Recommended

 DOWNLOAD IT HERE