By Odeisel

Good morning and welcome to the Sickest Sunday on the net. It was a very busy week in Hip-Hop with mixtapes dropping out the sky like commandos, loose tracks distributed like hand to hands, and some really good gems being put out in the landscape.  Not all of the songs are new, but they are what I go through during the week. Without any further ado, let’s get on with the show. It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you.  But we’re back.

“I’m Good” -Clipse Feat. Pharrell

Your favorite pushers are back from hiatus with the first salvo from the upcoming ‘Till The Casket Drops.  The mixtape marauders have been quiet for a second but we patiently await the follow up to the very dope Hall Hath No Fury. If you’re like me and looking for a crack rap Christmas, this track is not for you. It’s very light and very airy, musically in the same spirit of Jay-z’s “Allure,” also produced by Pharrell.  It’s not wack but really not what I expected from VA’s finest.  Hopefully this is a change of pace and not a lifestyle change. Solid for what it is.

No Mask -Jay Rock

Representing the notorious Nickerson Gardens, Jay Rock steps in this week with part one of his 30 tracks in 30 days promotion.  Not entirely original as Freeway just did a similar thing a few months ago, it’s still good to see hungry rappers.  This is a freestyle over an older  Rich Boy track with the feel of a slowed down “A Milli.” No chorus, just Jay Rock mashin.  Some of the lines are suspect and I can see people not digging it, but I like the relentless feel of this. A different cadence from his debut single. Passable.

Coroner’s Music-Guilty Simpson 

Aside from having one of the all time best names, Guilty Simpson is a source of heat from the o-so-cold D.  This is a short but sweet joint from the gutter.  It’ s not really commercial worthy but it’s a solid mixtape level track. His flow is a bit off on this and I’ve heard better from him, but Guilty on an off day is still gully. Passable.

Shut The City Down-Ma$e  

Everyone’s famous blasphemer is back on the scene. I don’t know how you guys feel about a guy using God as a shield but i think it’s an ass munch move. However in America, no one gives a damn if you’re good at what you do.  If he drops heat, nobody will care that he pulled the lamest move this side of Drake on stage with a busted Achilles tendon. Is this flavor? Emphatically hell no. Weak annoying beat and a performance beneath his best days.  If Pastor Mason wants people to forget about the retirement, the chicanery and the hijinx, he’s gonna have to come harder than this. Fail.

Something New- Ja Rule  14 14 Something New

Ja Rule decided to take a mulligan on his The Mirror album.  That’s a shame because this song is a really good one.  It’s well laid out and very clean in construction.  The storyline is solid and the production is crisp.  Songs like this are what separate Ja from other rappers and shows you what he can do outside the weak pop rap that made him large.  The chick rapping on this is probably spitting something he wrote but she does it well. Thumbs up to this joint.

Down N Out-Nappy Roots Feat. Anthony Hamilton

Some southern fried soul from the Nappy Roots.  When the title of your song is “Down N Out,” there’s only one guy that you can get to truly convey that feeling: Anthony Hamilton.  Hamilton’s vocals are pure Black pain, and the boys kick rhymes of family, life, and hard times in general.  DMC would be  proud.  Mature joint.  Thumbs up.

Lay Back Part 2 Rick Ross Feat. Robin Thicke

Officer Rauce gets it in with our favorite falsetto doing his best R. Kelly  impression. One thing Ross has truly been thoro in during his present incarnation as the Bauce has been his ear for good beats and that ear does not fail him this time around. Typical Ross-fair but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He excels at theses kinds of songs. Solid remix between releases type song.

Aloha- Fat Joe Feat. Pleasure P

Fat Joe has come a long way since his D.I.T.C. days.  With the Bronx in his rearview mirror, Joey Crack has truly adapted to that Miami life.  With all the hits he’s had, beginning with “Lean Back” a few years ago, it has worked out well. This joint, featuring the booty popping Pleasure P isn’t up to his usual hit standards.  The song is a bit cliche’ and neither enhances his legacy or sets the club on fire. The lyrics aren’t great but the main issue is the pleasure principle.  He doesn’t deliver on this. Not a flop but you’ve heard it before like Sunshine Anderson.  Pass.

Round One-AlfaMega

This song, the first of a ten round combo aimed at knocking out America’s most famous inmate this side of Bernie Mizzle. With no TI to respond, he’s swinging at air.  nobody wants to watch a shadowboxing match.A successful diss track has many key elements. Primary among them is the beat. It sets the tone for the whole venture. This son’g sbeat is weak. Lyrically, he doesn’t pause or stop to make any points and as a result inflicts very little damage. There’s nothing on this that makes us want to sit through nine mroe rounds of this.  I don’t disagree with Alfa, I think something fishy is going on, but this song is weak. Fail

Juice-Drake  juice

Over a keyboard replayed “Tom’s Diner”, Drake goes in  on a no frills, non chorused freestyle song.  It’s good to hear him without the autotune and without the “swagger related” additives that he’s picked up on his road to Hip-Hop stardom.  Nothing edgy about it, but nothing glossy either, and for Drake it’s another track under the belt that showcases his skill rather than the fluff. Not great, but a good change of pace and not long enough to tire you as a listener. Solid.

Half Bar Half Amazing-Wordsmith  Wordsmith – Half Bar Half Amazing (Produced By Strada)

This song finds the generally fresh wordsmith doing his best Kweli impression.  His verse and diction is eerily similar to the BK Blacksmith and for someone trying to differentiate themselves that’s not really a good thing.  The beat is almost like musak and doesn’t draw you in. Perhaps that’s to get you to pay attention to the rhymes but he’s not assertive enough to grab your attention. Skills are evident but delivery and execution are where this song falls flat. Meh.

Keep Moving-The Keen One Feat. Young DE

Newcomer Keen is a femcee who keeps the weed smoke blowing, as evidenced by her collabs with B Real, and her clothes on. She takes a no nonsense approach to the mic and with the dearth of credible female emcees, that’s refreshing to no end. This joint in particular is a solid entry with the electric guitar more than capable of handling her voice, which is flat in tone but heavy for a female. Good if not spectacular.

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Bonus

The Keen One’s album. Check it out and let us know what you think.

The Getaway  DOWNLOAD

And that’s it for Sick Sunday this week.  We got that TI a bit late for this but we’ll get at it elsewhere on the site.  Peace out Brussels Sprouts.

-OD

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