Klassick MC – Lean On Me EP (Soundcloud)
Klassick is clearly one who is a fan of the classics, as the first noticeable thing about this project is that it’s got that 90’s thing going for it. The title, the beats, the focus and direction of the lyrics, is definitely the work of someone who came up to music from that era.
Klassick MC – Lean On Me EP (Soundcloud)
Klassick is clearly one who is a fan of the classics, as the first noticeable thing about this project is that it’s got that 90’s thing going for it. The title, the beats, the focus and direction of the lyrics, is definitely the work of someone who came up to music from that era. The main thing that ran through my mind is “He made this project for himself.” So that being said, there’s passion over perfection in here as much as there’s intention over execution. It’s not all the greatest, but it’s not supposed to “be,” so much as what I gathered Klassick set out to show you, it “is.” Especially in this world, where so much music that squirms its way to the forefront of today’s Hip Hop… ahem, Rap… consumer scene, “isn’t.”
Track sequence-wise, I thought he could have spread the tracks that had the female features out a bit, but even though I didn’t really like the songs, it was still cool to see that someone still has interest in working with females, who for the most part are in the same creative lane as themselves. It’s cool to hear Bobby Capri on “All This Money,” and looking back, I do wish that Klassick had stuck to the vibe of the start of the album all the way through. Instead, he takes us through some RnB-ish type stuff, before getting back to some raw Hip Hop with “Don’t Weep”… and then ending the project. The preceding track, “Real,” is as light as it should have gotten in my opinion; or maybe “Luv Song feat M.P.R.E.S.S.”, if he could contextually find a way to place it.
My final words? Definitely Klassick, most certainly the work of an MC, and though this is not quite a classic, a nonetheless strong effort for listeners interested in “traditional Hip Hop.” It could have used a little more Morgan Freeman in there, though… just sayin’, the man is like cow bell to Hip-Hop.
Tnyce – Va Animal 3 (Audiomack)
Talent. It’s undeniable. We are all fans of the craft. We admire those who “get on.” Influence. Some of us receive, some of us provide. It was clear when I heard “Stickin To The Script” that Tnyce is a fan of YMCMB, as this song is his version of Lil Wayne and Drake’s “Believe Me” (he even goes as far as to say “off the rip”). It’s my job to keep listening, not yours, so if this little detail already turns you off, I understand. I let my bias come and go, and decided to keep going through this project. All influences aside, the production is solid, sound quality is good, and Tnyce is a talented dude. But there are plenty of times where, as seems to be the trend today, Tnyce seemingly substitutes what could be a chance to make a unique impression on a listener, for something we could hear from anyone. But then there are moments like “Dear Lord,” where he does shine, even if at times he does hit the ol “Migo flow.”
So what can I say? Long story short, this project is as good as it is bad. I’m tired of hearing things that sound the same, good or not. At the same time, you can’t deny that Tnyce is good at what he does–but you can’t help but wonder how much looking was done before he leapt on each of these tracks, both by him and at times the producers. We all make comparisons, willingly or unwillingly. As an independent artist, to be compared is one thing, but to sound like, to be within the realm of currently accepted conventions, is another. Think about it–the artists who you have emulated have to disappear for people to recognize your talent. And chances are when they disappear, so does their appeal. So where does that leave you?
—-
Known as the hardest-working man in RVA hip hop, Black Liquid hosts two local radio shows–Thursday nights 11pm-1am on WDCE 90.1 FM, and Saturday nights (aka Sunday mornings) 1am-3am on WRIR 97.3 FM–organizes the bi-monthly Face Melt Fridays at Strange Matter, and teaches creative writing to 7th and 8th graders at Sabot at Stony Point School. He’s also a prolific emcee, having released nearly two dozen mixtapes either as a solo artist or with his compatriots in The New Juice Crew over the past several years. Download his new album, On Air: the WRIR Freestyles, as well as his considerable back catalog, at NoiseTrade.
