By Ahmad Awadallah

Maino has come a long way from his controversial underground gem, “Rumors” and gangster collabos with Uncle Murder and his newest album, Day After Tomorrow, is a true testament to Maino’s new posh lifestyle. You never listen to a Maino album expecting witty metaphors or a hypnotizing array of lyrics, but rather realness radiating from each song. The Bed-Stuy native steps up his pen game a few notches and the production is definitely tighter than on his debut album, but 16 tracks about flamboyant lifestyle and club anthems gets old fast.

The intro really sets the tone of the entire album, with the sound of riled fans cheering and Maino expounding on the materialistic changes in his life. He incessantly reminds listeners where he came from and where he is presently, but still manages to find a problem with the good life. “Never Gon’ Stop” packs sick production that will definitely have you Hip-Hop head banging.  The hook is supplied by some smooth R&B sounds and Maino lays down three exceptional verses. “Make That Money” is another banger that you can G-ride to and the Hustle Hard General’s flawless flow over the record’s insane drum pattern only solidifies the record’s position as the best on the LP.

You don’t need to be Dick Tracy to know what “Need A Way Out” is about. Maino brings the listeners back to his old ghetto ways of life and despite the ill hook courtesy of Mista Raja, the production’s robust snares and stimulating synths, the track is repetitive with its subject matter. The R&B free-fall continues on “Unstoppable” but acquiring the sounds of a bootleg Usher will definitely drive down the quality and credibility of the track regardless of one’s lyrical ability. Maino even acquires the service of a Rihanna sound alike, but unlike the fake Usher tune, this one is pretty decent unless you hate Riri.

“Heaven For A G” is another rare gem on the album where Maino flows over a simple beat. Whether you are trapping or thugging on Facebook, you can definitely feel dude on this joint and even the slapdash R&B dude on the hook is okay.

No one can deny Maino has heart and realness in this pool of superficial artists in Hip-Hop, but let’s face it, the dude doesn’t have the lyrical ability, creativity or conceptual diversity necessary to become “top five dead or alive.” The guy definitely deserves props for his uncanny ability to choose instrumentals and the difficult task of writing a hit song. Maino has a bright future in Hip-Hop, but don’t expect him to deliver a classic album anytime soon.

Out of 5

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