Throwback Thursday

So, I was searching the internet last week, and decided to see if there were still any CD warehouses left in the Columbus, OH area. Does anyone else remember going to these as a kid? I’m talking about the stores where you could buy, sell, and trade CDs with the owners of the store. At the time, I had never been to any place quite like it, and I can still remember getting my first Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth CDs at this store on Beechmont Avenue back in Cincinnati, OH. After searching the web for a bit (doesn’t take long these days), I found a local store about 15 minutes away. I got in my car and made the trip, and was hoping that the store’s website was up-to-date.

There was no way it could be closed down, right? When I pulled my car around to park in the lot, there was a big sign on the door that said, “Yes, we are OPEN.” Thank God. But anyways, once I walked into Ace in the Hole Music Exchange, I could not have been more excited. Not only were speakers blaring a live show from the 70s, but there were CDs and Vinyl Records everywhere. After taking a look at most of the merchandise, and asking the owner if they may be hiring for some part-time work, I decided to make two impulse purchases. Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and Revolver, two classic Beatles’ albums, were sitting directly in front of me.

I have a good amount of the Beatles’ work on my iTunes, but not nearly enough.  This decision was a no-brainer, and I decided to buy both albums.  If you haven’t listened to either of these albums, I highly suggest finding your nearest CD exchange shop, and pulling the trigger. They are timeless classics, and deserve some good headphones, a nice six-pack, and your listening attention. These albums have been digitally re-mastered, and are worth every penny. Let’s start this Thursday off right, with the intro track off Revolver titled, Taxman.  Not only did this song kick a$$ then, but it still does today.  And, that’s why The Beatles are one of the best bands of all-time.  Timeless music, timeless messages, and timeless hits.

Pusha T – Wrath Of Caine Review

Before signing with G.O.O.D. Music and the likes of rapper Kanye West back in September 2010, Pusha T’s career had never been an entirely solo act. Reigning from the rap-duo known as Clipse, Pusha T and his brother Gene “No Malice” Thornton exploded onto the rap scene in 2002 with their critically acclaimed Neptunes’ produced hit titled, Grindin’. The catchy, unorthodox beat remains a classic to this day, as Pusha started to spread his name and reputation at the beginning of the highly successful track (“I’m Yo Pusha”).

Since the release of his two Fear of God projects, expectations were high for the newly signed rapper and his third body of work. Throughout the 11-track mixtape, Pusha T describes and boasts about his quest for fortune and fame by the means of the drug game, hip-hop music, and the real Wrath of Caine.

Wrath of Caine begins with the sounds of a woman speaking on behalf of Pusha T and his talents, and quickly transitions into the opening beat of the album’s “Intro.”  Pusha T begins the mixtape with some initially great bars as he raps, “I’m Kobe going for his 6^th ring, while that church choir sing, I’mma lean until they crown me king of New Orleans.”  Maybe continuing the Lil’ Wayne beef a little on that one….

The second track off the album, Millions, just seems to get everything right.  The track begins with the ominous sounds of a piano and hits exactly how it needs to: Hard.  Pusha T puts his talent for flow and wordplay on display over a heavy-hitting track produced by Southside and Kanye West. The track never slows down with the addition of a good Rick Ross verse The catchy hook, “Millions, millions in the ceiling, choppas, choppas in the closet,” will be in your head for the entirety of the day.  This much I can promise you.

Pusha T doesn’t skip a beat with the third track titled, Doesn’t Matter ft. French Montana.  Montana’s hook is a bit different, for one thing, but Pusha T makes it work with his exceptional flow and delivery on the track.  He comes out firing on the third track and boasts, “Goliath ain’t worried ‘bout your sling, and Cassius ain’t bothered by your swings, you n***** keep rapping ‘bout your dreams, my reality.”

Blocka, Road Runner, and Revolution are the next three tracks on the mixtape, and are great in their own respect, but seem to slow down the mixtape a little in my opinion.  The Revolution beat is obviously a work of Pharrell and the Neptunes and is exceptional as usual, but is a little too short lived.  However, the album seems to pick up right where it left off, with Only You Can Tell It ft. Wale.  The second track on the mixtape that teams up with MMG nails it as well, as Wale adds yet another creative verse to his repertoire.

The mixtape closes with four very different songs.  In Trust You, Pusha and Kevin Gates talk about a different type of woman, one who keeps it real and is even trustworthy enough to trust with their drugs, and even their expenses.  It’s easy to get lost in the beat and its mystic feel, and Pusha T, Kevin Gates, and producor SK Arthur McArthur connect on all cylinders with this one.  In Take My Life, Pusha T raps over a smooth, street-vibe beat that really fits well into the mixtape.  If you’ve ever seen “City of God,” this song could have been playing in the background in one of its action-packed scenes.

Finally, the mixtape closes with a track in which Pusha T does not rap a single bar, and Ab-Liva does not disappoint on Liva-Re-Up Gang Motivation.  He goes for 1 minute 30 seconds straight without letting up, and seems to connect words from each and every bar he drops.  Last, Wrath of Caine ends with I Am Forgiven, as Pusha raps about being forgiven for his sins in the drug game and his lavish lifestyle.  He sums it up perfectly when he states, “I ask forgiveness Lord, in hopes of getting more, then beg forgiveness for the same thing he forgave me for.”  If there is one thing that is for sure, Pusha T is not afraid to share his lifestyle with his listeners.  Oh yeah, and he’s here to stay.

Wrath of Caine Rating: 8/10

Download Wrath of Caine here:

http://www.datpiff.com/Pusha-T-Wrath-Of-Caine-mixtape.443448.html

CyHi The Prynce Mixtape Review – Ivy League: Kick Back

Let me start this review by saying that I jumped on the CyHi The Prynce  bandwagon after the release of his Royal Flush 2 mixtape back in 2011.  My college buddy had discovered some of CyHi’s tracks online, and mentioned his name one night before we went out.  He informed me that CyHi had a unique style compared to other current rappers in the game, and we listened to the Royal Flush 2 mixtape during our pregame that evening.  I never looked back, and have been eager to get my hands on CyHi’s newest project.  However, if you are now just jumping on the CyHi bandwagon, then have no fear, because you are in the right place.  Ivy League: Kick Back brings something for every listener, with a solid mix of bangers, club hits, samples, and CyHi’s own personal style born and raised in Stone Mountain, GA.

CyHi’s Ivy League: Kick Back opens with the two-minute Kick Back Intro, as the Georgia-based rapper lets his presence be known.  When talking about his newest release, CyHi states, “It might get you high, then might get you drunk, talkin’ slick to me n****, that might get you jumped.”

Since the last Ivy League mixtape, CyHi seems to have some fun with the interludes on his mixtapes, as a Princeton University “stoner” is featured throughout the entirety of Kick Back.  CyHi gets right into it though, with the smooth official opening track titled, Mary Jane.  With a sample taken from Rick James’s classic Mary Jane, CyHi’s song is centered on the one thing he loves the most: the Devil’s Lettuce.  CyHi puts it best when he says, “Cause Mary Jane bought me everything, so if I had to wife a chick, I think I would marry Jane.”

The mixtape continues its course with Favorite Things, a slight lyrical change from the original Sound of Music score, and Far Removed, a hard-hitting track produced by Lex Luger, that could get almost anyone’s blood flowing during their next workout.  Start A War slows the mixtape’s  pace a bit, with a sample from Adele leading the chorus.  The haunting pianos mixed with the bass works perfectly, as CyHi describes life in the streets and dealing with the loss of a good friend from the violence of a drive-by shooting.

Since CyHi’s new mixtape is 22 tracks deep, I won’t get into the specifics of each and every song.  However, some highlights on the rest of the mixtape include tracks like Kick Back, Woah (sample taken from Big Sean’s Mercy and my personal favorite), Sexy, All Night, and more.

Each one of CyHi’s mixtapes seems to bring something new to the table, while his latest release accomplishes that and much more.  Although his unique style differs from many artists out there today, CyHi seems to have created his own brand.  He draws you in with his catchy hooks, hard-hitting beats, creative metaphors and wordplay, and refuses to let go.  So, do as The Prynce says and kick back, grab a six-pack (or whatever you prefer), and enjoy the show.  This Atlanta-based rapper is about to blow up.

Ivy League: Kick Back Rating – 8.50/10

Download Ivy League: Kick Back here:

http://www.datpiff.com/CyHi-The-Prynce-Ivy-League-Kick-Back-mixtape.434180.html

Welcome!

What’s Good Everyone?

My name is Patrick (some of my friends call me PK), and I am a 22-year old music lover who currently resides in the Columbus, OH area.  Ever since I saw my first live show in Cincinnati, OH back in 2007 at the Riverbend Music Center, I knew music was going to change my life forever.  I had never really experienced a sensation quite like it, and I knew I was in for the long haul after that night ended.

Ever since I can remember, movies and television have helped make me who I am today.  I miss the days when  shows like All That, Kenan and Kel, My Brother and Me (look it up), and Boy Meets World ran my life and I just don’t feel like there’s anything on t.v. comparable for kids these days.  If you know the shows I’m talking about, then you’re in the right place.

And since there’s 3 inches of snow on the ground here in Columbus, here’s the perfect video to take you into your weekend….Enjoy!