Missy Elliott - Iconology EP review
Missy Elliott throws it back with her new iconic EP called Iconology which is now streaming online. Missy never fails to amaze her audience, old heads and new heads alike, with her music and her songs. Missy can do no wrong when it comes to production, rapping, and songwriting as well as singing. Iconology is her fresh comeback to music. Although short, this EP has highlight songs such as Throw It Back, Cool Off, and Why I Still Love You.
Missy Elliott announced the release of her new EP, Iconology, on Instagram on August 22, 2019. This announcement came suddenly days after she, herself, revealed to be the recipient of the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards. The EP was released to online streaming services by Atlantic Records on the date of August 23, 2019. It has been 14 years since we last saw an album from Missy Elliott since the release of her last album from 2005, The Cookbook. This EP is considered her comeback.
Why I Still Love You has a Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers meets Queen type of vibe. Why I Still Love You is a slow jam produced by Timbaland. Again, Missy can do no wrong when it comes to production, singing, and songwriting. Missy can do no wrong when it comes to singing especially! Missy took 50s pop and blended that sound into neo-soul.
Why I Still Love You is about a man Missy cannot seem to let go of or get rid of even though she really wants to leave him. There are many reasons as to why she still loves him.
Missy keeps going back to him. She asks herself why. Missy goes out of her way to satisfy him. Or in this case make him satisfied. She loves him too much. That doesn’t matter to him how hard she tries. He doesn’t care how Missy feels on the inside emotionally. Missy gets jealous. She tried and tried. She’s tried and tired. She don't know what to do. He’s walkin' around. Got the girls thinking he’s cute.
Missy shows awareness of how her man doesn’t care about her emotionally at the end of Verse 1. Read the lyrics to get an understanding on what I mean.
It don't matter, boy, how hard I try
You don't care how I be feelin' inside
You gon' make me tell you, "Kiss my ass goodbye"
During the chorus, Missy asks “Why the hell I still love you? Why the hell I still love you, baby?” She feels like she can’t trust him. Because he is doing her wrong by cheating on her. Why must he cheat on her? This is the big question.
Missy is not afraid to get physical. She takes a fighting stance in her lyrics. “I’ll fight you and your chick on sight/Don't play with me 'cause baby, I'm 'bout that life”
Missy stands up for herself at the end of Verse 2 by saying, “I’ma do me” and tells him not to play around with her. These lyrics explain how she stands up for herself and what she clearly tells him.: “I’ma do me, nigga, you can go and do you (Hey)/Better not play me 'cause you gon' get the boot”
It doesn’t matter to him how hard she tries. He doesn’t care how Missy feels on the inside emotionally. He will realize when Missy finds a new guy.
Missy tells him during the outro that he can go his own way and she’ll be alright. She let’s him know that she doesn’t need him anymore. She’ll be alright by herself. Missy tells him at the very end of the song to stay out of her face. Be on your way. Don't try to come back.
One would expect DripDemeanor to another annoying pop song or rap song. However that is not the case with DripDemeanor. DripDemeanor is a song about what is required for a man to date Missy Elliott. Throughout the song, she makes a list of requirements a man must meet to be with her. This goes on and on throughout the entire song.
Brandon Black was the one on the vocoder. Missy Elliott, Timbaland, and Corte Ellis wrote this song. DripDemeanor samples and interpolates Big Sean - I Don't Fuck With You.
Guys just want to her twat hot and get inside her pants. She’s too smart and sexually aware to let that happen again. So instead she lists requirements and goes on and on throughout the entire song. These are the things he must do to be with her. This what a guy must do to be with her.
You have to do marry her first in order to be with her. Her ring must be big as a rock. Don't treat her like she’s a bitch. (Da real world anyone?) She is not going to take your shit nor is she going to take shit from anyone else. Missy is lookin' for a romance.
Cool Off served as her second comeback song for this EP. She lets the public know she is back and will continue to record top charting hits which will surely hit the top charts. Missy Elliott is back in this bitch. It’s round and round like a ceiling fan. Cool off. However this song gets repetitive and annoying very quickly after 20 seconds into the song. Many fans of music can agree with this. Cool Off is one of those hit or miss songs with the fans.
The refrain to Cool Off is very repetitive and annoying. The lyrics show it all.
[Refrain]
Do it, do it, do it, do it
Do it, do it, do it, do it
Do it, do it, do it, do it
Do it, do it, do it, do it
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Missy in this bitch doin' shit you ain't never seen
Missy in this bitch doin' shit you ain't never seen
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Get it, get it, get it, get it
Get it, get it, get it (Stop)
However things start to change after Verse 1 as the refrain after Verse 1 is not as annoying or as long either. Of course the lyrics are still repetitive.
[Refrain]
Cool off
Cool off, cool off, cool off
Cool off, cool off, cool off
Cool off, cool off, cool off
Rap game, songwriting, or production, Missy and her friends will surely win. Her songs will reach the Top 10 on the BillBoard Charts. You know what they say. The song never ends. All the DJ's gon' hit that spin.
Missy throws it back on the song Throw It Back when she incorporates trap music layered over old school beats. She is not like the female rappers of today. Remember, Missy was making records with Tweet before ya’ll could even tweet. She lets everyone know on this song that clearly she is back and here to stay. This song is clearly a Missy Elliott mega melody expect without all the songs being sampled but referenced instead.
4/5****!
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Axual Facts - Axual Facts album review
Axual Facts - Axual Facts was the very first album from now deceased rapper Axual Facts which was recorded from 2003 to 2005. The album was supposed to be released in 2005 but never was for whatever the reason(s) may be. Axual Facts was pressed up on CD-r by Small But Mighty Records in 2005 and only a few people have this album.
The album was produced by the Small But Mighty Records camp. Chewboogie, Moodswang, Benji, and Snapalini were the producers for this album. Chewboogie, Benji, and Moodswang were the hottest producers in the city of Flint, Michigan at that time. Benji was a monster on them beats and so was Moodswang.
Axual Facts is one of many unreleased projects that was and recorded at Small But Mighty Records back in the day. Specifically in their prime during the 2000s. The album was not finished yet. So as a result, a promo CD-r was issued to radio stations in/around Flint. Kettering Radio played some of his songs. The songs were The Plain, YEAH, He Is So, Make Me Floss, and Nationwide.
Axual Facts put in work when he was gracing the mic with his lyrics.
4/5****
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BOS - Growth And Development album review
BOS - Growth And Development is an album that uses a balance of positivity and negativity. Most of this album promotes positivity of growth and development in songs such as Safe Sex, Hip Hop Heavensent, and Growth And Development. BOS uses a mixture of conscious rap and hip hop on this album. BOS - Growth And Development is a forgotten EP in Cleveland rap. This rap duo from Cleveland, Ohio never fails to disappoint. For those who did not know, BOS is Brothers of Struggle.
The thing I like about the back credits is the “Unthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.” label. BOS used their own version which reads “Unauthorized duplication will get you beat down!” You don’t get stuff like that anymore. Gotta love 90s rap.
Growth And Development is a song about keeping your mind focused. The song promotes positivity inside growth and development. Put your head up to the sky. Keep your mind. You must stay focused and maintain. Nowadays there’s too much shit in the game.
Growth And Development samples Zapp - More Bounce To The Ounce and Zapp - Funky Bounce. The whole song was heavily influenced by the sounds of funk.
Safe Sex is and ode to safe sex. The explanation for the title of this song needs no further description. Like Keith, you’ll sweat. BOS will give your pussy a big ass stretch it won’t forget. They are swift and slow in the sack. They are stiff as a dildo. You better have a couple of rubbers.
You put a rubber on your dick to prevent sexually transmitted diseases from entering in your body. Unprotected sex will have you ending up in a casket eventually. Sexually transmitted diseases and death. That is the negative side of sexuality. BOS promotes wearing condoms.
Twisted Mind uses SP1200 produced beats over a bit crushed yet smooth and subtle TKO sample. The pace is fairly slow tempo. References to slavery are mentioned throughout the duration of this song.
The song is about a young black brother in his freshman year of high school. Things are changing for the worst for this young black brother. His vocabulary changed from cuss words to street slang. Neighborhood friends are now an organized street gang. He is already rebelling and getting himself into all sorts of trouble. His grades have dropped all because of teenage rebellion. To him, school is a big waste of time. So he quit school.
This young black brother is in rival gang territory getting shot at and chased. A strong armed robbery doesn’t last long or pay enough as people in his neighborhood have it financially tough. Someone called the gang unit on him and he did an 18 month sentence. As long as his pockets get fatter, it don’t matter. He suffers a disease called the twisted mind of a native son.
Although he is no longer a juvenile, there is no change in priorities. His goal is to dodge authority. His outlook on life is a game of hangman. Served a sucker a half of bird. Now he’s got it going on. Young boys are on the corner grinding double ups. This young brother gets locked up again as history is repetitive.
Hip Hop Heavensent uses more of a hip hop sound than rap. BOS gets on the lyrical tip.
Backstreets is a gangsta rap song which is similar to Twisted Mind. The song is dedicated to the GD’s (Gangsta Disciples fka Growth and Development). Backstreets explains how the back roads of Cleveland, Ohio really are. The song explains daily life in inner city Cleveland as well.
4/5****
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Connoisseurs Of Groove – Reap And Destroy album review
Connoisseurs Of Groove – Reap And Destroy is an example of early Flint hip hop and rap. This was probably the first hip hop/rap album out of Flint, Michigan! This was way before MC Breed, The Dayton Family, Top Authority, and Jake The Flake.
The album is filled with everything hip hop heads will enjoy. Heavy turntableism, loud heavy pounding beats, electro synths, and phat bass. You can tell the group put in a lot of work put with production due to the use in multiple layers of instrumentation The number of instrumental layers used in their songs is amazing. 2 layers of instrumentation for percussion and 4 layers of instrumentation for keyboards.
This album was released on vinyl only in 1987 on the Flint City Fresh label. Bernard Terry engineered the whole album at Silver Sun Studios. L. N. White served as executive producer. Connoisseurs Of Groove consists of 4 rappers which are Fresh Kid, Master Emcee, Doc Beat, and Jay.
Reap And Destroy serves as an introduction to the album telling who Connoisseurs Of Groove are. As the liner notes read, “The Connoisseurs of Groove is a group of young men from Flint, Michigan, who insist that the Midwest is the best when it comes to rap music.” Connoisseurs Of Groove seek out to reap and destroy any of those who oppose through their rap lyrics. They cold crush emcees using their incredible lyrics. In rap music, it’s about who’s crew is the best and who is the better rapper.
Things start to rumble as Connoisseurs of Groove introduce to us who they are. Down thought the years as the properties were told. A crew came out that was skilled and groomed by the masters. They would come into the rap industry. And throughout def words they shall deploy. There’s no place to hide as Connoisseurs of Groove have come to reap and destroy.
Have you ever heard MC’s so raw? That is what Connoisseurs of Groove are. They have potential with their credentials. They are supreme. They are kinetically inclined and have visual rhymes meaning that their rhymes use such vivid imagery. So duck! Connoisseurs of Groove are coming fast! Their legions of lyrics are coming tight as a beast. Not a bitch. Surely they will raise hell with their lyrics.
The song uses a bit of rock influence hence the guitar. Most hip hop and rap songs from the 1980s sampled rock guitar riffs. Heavy turntableism throughout different parts of this songs. The song uses old school beats.
Def Words uses dope and def sounds. Heavy turntableism, loud kick drum beats, and phat bass. The song uses old school beats. Def Words is one of the highlight tracks which uses multiple layers of instrumentation.
You can feel the beats as you listen to their lyrics. Def words are what you hear. Connoisseurs Of Groove is always on the go due to their def sounds and words.
Def Words uses samples from Hashim - Al-Naafiysh (The Soul) (A-Side) and The Fearless Four - Rockin’ It. Connoisseurs Of Groove never fail to disappoint when it comes to choosing creative samples for their music selection. Hip hop and rap nearly always uses samples. 80s rap more than anything did that.
Jay's Beat uses a hodgepodge of old school beats and samples. The bass explodes with rhythm and force. The rhyme is ignited by the sound of a voice. You’ve never heard of a rap group so fierce when it came to Connoisseurs Of Groove.
The song uses 80s electro synths over low bass. The Connoisseurs Of Groove are suppressing all beats that you thought were hard. Their beats are darker than Darth Vader.
Stone Break is similar to both Jay's Beat, To The Beat, and Rock the Lynn in terms of sound and beats. Of course some of the beats used for the songs on this album are recycled. Stone Break is one of the more slower songs which slows down the album and calms down the mood for this album. It’s some slow big beat type of shit here.
The thick heavy beats are what really stand out the most and are considered the highlight for this song. 80s rap can’t go without heavy beats. The song uses a bit of rock influence also.
Friends (Watch Who You Call Friend) is the Flint, Michigan answer to Whodini - Friends. Their take on the song is much slower than Whodini’s using a slower tempo. The song serves as a cautionary tale telling us we better know who our friends are and watch what type of person we call a friend.
The beat used on Rock the Lynn is similar to Reap and Destroy. That is no coincidence given that both songs were recorded in the same studio session. Rock the Lynn uses some amazing beatbox skills! All 4 rappers use fast complex rapping skills on this song of theirs. Overall Rock The Lynn is a dope fast paced rap song.
Free-Base City is an example of early Flint hip hop and rap. This was probably the first rap single out of Flint, Michigan! L. N. White produced Free-Base City in 1986. This song has got some faster raps than Reap and Destroy.
Free-Base City is an anti-drum rap song which in turn is based off the life of a cocaine addict where the cocaine user turns into a cocaine abuser. Free-Base City also serves as a cautionary tale on why to not use cocaine and the effects using cocaine. The dangers of using cocaine are discussed too. Cocaine. You ought to leave it alone. Raw cocaine from an 8 ball can be highly addictive. Cocaine if it’s raw is highly addictive.
Now Flint was turning into cocaine central back when this song was written and produced. 1986 is the year when cocaine was becoming big in Flint. Cocaine hit Flint hard.
The 1987 version of Free-Base City is different from the 1986 version of Free-Base City. The 1986 version is longer than the album version. This version here is the album version which is shorter than than the 1986 version which issued on a 12” vinyl single.
To The Beat is similar to Jay’s Beat as the song uses beats from that song. Some of the beats are slow. It’s some slow big beat type of shit here.
5/5*****!
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I-Cue – Derelicts Of Jazz EP EP review
The I-Cue – Derelicts Of Jazz EP uses a mix of jazz and hip hop creating a jazz hop fusion. Most of the songs on this EP use thick SP-1200 beats. New Breed never fails to disappoint when it comes to jazz hop. I-Cue is known for using jazz hop on many of his instrumental songs whether it be singles or EPs. I-Cue released this EP as a 12” vinyl on the New Breed label in 1996.
Maxin' And Relaxin' uses thick snares and kicks for the percussion set. A mixture of jazz and hip hop is used hence the looped trumpet sample, thick snares, kicks, and low upright bass. The looped trumpet sample, low upright bass, cymbal kit, and thick snares are what represent the jazz portion of Maxin' And Relaxin’.
Ill Style is another fine example of jazz hop where jazz and hip hop are blended in together as one big musical incorporation. I-Cue used SP-1200 beats Ill Style. The whole song is an instrumental with a hip hop-tinged drum set. The beats are considered by jazz hop heads to be truly timeless. There is some real dopeness here on this song. Ill Style samples breakbeats from Carlos Bess - Funky Drummer breakbeat series.
Ready To Flip uses medium bass from upright bass strings over a jazz sample. Piano samples can be heard throughout various parts of this I-Cue song. The song uses thick beats and bass.
4/5****!!
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Cherokee Tribe - Cherokee Stomp Dance album review
The Cherokee Stomp Dance album was an album composed by the Cherokee Tribe of Oklahoma State in 1993. Cherokee Stomp Dance was released as a cassette on Litefoot’s Red Vinyl Records label from Oklahoma. Cherokee Stomp Dance is a collection of songs, chants, hymns, rhythms, tribal dances, and percussion ensembles performed by the Cherokee Tribe. Native American music at its finest. Native American Indian music is quite soothing and soulful.
The catalog code for the cassette is RVR 0968. If your copy of this cassette does not have the following catalog code, then your copy is probably a bootleg, a misprint, or counterfeit. There is a high possibility your copy is a bootleg if the catalog code for the cassette does not appear as RVR 0968.
On the J-card of the cassette inlay is a message from Tommy Wildcat stating the following:
“This tape is dedicated to our Cherokee people who recognize the need to teach and enlighten our children with tradition so that our ways remain alive and are never forgotten. - Tommy Wildcat”
5/5*****!!
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K-Stony Jamm - Motown/K-Jamm single review
K-Stony Jamm - Motown/K-Jamm is a long forgotten classic but short K-Stone vinyl single from 1988. K-Stone came hard with his raps back in the 80s and 90s. K-Stone must have been highly influenced by LL Cool J when he recorded this whole single. The single has an East Coast rap feel and vibe. You will love the old school beats and vinyl cuts.
Motown is a song which pays homage and tribute to Motown Records legends. K-Stone pays homage and tribute to successful singers/groups from Detroit such as Smokey Robinson, The Miracles, Diana Ross, The Supremes, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Anita Baker, and The Whiners. Now all of those mentioned are great singers. But the most successful rappers in Detroit are K-Stone, Awesome Dre, and Smiley. K-Stone must have been influenced by LL Cool J when he recorded the song Motown. This was an anthem dedicated to everyone who was reppin' the city.
Never underestimate K-Stone when he takes a stand with a microphone in his hand. He is getting bread on the table. He is raising hell with his lyrics. Detroit is the place he calls his home. Here comes K-Stone!
He is cooling out downtown with babes on his jock. The money is his. He had a recording contract back in the late 80s with Ren-Sin City Records. That is what the lyrics “The money is mine/All I did was sign my name on the dotted line” All you punk DJ’s keep your mouth shut. K-Stone was made to rap and never sing.
K-Jamm is a lyrical jam K-Stone wrote himself in 1988. K-Stone was highly influenced by LL Cool J when he recorded this song. The song uses a hodgepodge of various samples.
4/5****!
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Smiley – Keepin' It Clean EP review
Smiley – Keepin' It Clean is an EP where Detroit female rapper Smiley keeps things clean. This is good for the kids. So no worries parents. There are only clean lyrics on this EP. The EP has that old school Detroit hip hop/rap sound. There are 4 songs on this EP. Keepin' It Clean was released on cassette by Bryant Records in 1990. Smiley was Detroit’s first female rapper to make a national impact for the city. Not too many people know about her. She was the first female rapper from Detroit to receive a gold plaque.
Keepin' It Clean was written by Smiley and produced by Duncan Hines in 1989. The song samples The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back.
Smiley stays away from the rumors. She is not easily skeezed as she is the greatest female emcee from Detroit. The majority rules and she rules the majority. Never git punched out or blasted by a female. She is living kind of dandy. She is constantly on the go as she is on the road often. Smiley is a self-employed MC. She gets paid by the way she dances and raps. She is keeping hers raps clean. That is what she means by keeping it clean.
Smiley had a degree in mass communication by age 19. By then she was an independent woman. She had no excuses for anything. So she supports herself. She is in it and down with it for the profit.
Inside My Thoughts has that old school Detroit hip hop with the electro synths, bass, and thin beats. Smiley shares with us what’s on her mind during the song Inside My Thoughts. Inside My Thoughts was was written by Smiley and produced by Duncan Hines in 1989.
Smiley is at the age where she wants to go further. Her ability to flow makes her wonder. Is she musically demented? What is the reason for her musical existence? She applies herself in her writing skills. It’s poetic language far beyond the known level. She speaks her mind and delivers her thoughts in her songs.
Take a dictionary and explore for some words. A couple of sheets of paper and a ballpoint pen. She begins to unravel her thoughts. Negative things are what she blacks out of her mind. Smiley is destined to be better for longevity.
Peanuts is a song that can only be found on this cassette and nowhere else. The song was never issued on CD or vinyl. This song is not any of her other albums.
5/5*****!!
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KSJ – Hard To Stop EP review
KSJ – Hard To Stop is a four track EP not too long of a single. The beats are fresh and the lyrics are dope. However the single is nothing too special being that everything is short. Hard To Stop is a single that got overlooked in the beginning stages of Detroit hip hop/rap being that this single was released on vinyl in 1989. KSJ is none other than the K-Sone who dropped the underground classic 601 album on Bryant Records. Yes, the same K-Stone from Detroit, Michigan.
KSJ explains why he’s so hard to stop lyrically on Hard To Stop. Never underestimate K-Stone when he takes a stand with a microphone in his hand. He is getting bread on the table. He is raising hell with his lyrics on this song of his.
Bass Head is an ode to bass music hence the heavy bass. Bass Head is similar to those 80s anti-drug songs you would hear in rap, eletronic, dance, and pop. A lot of anti-drug songs came out back then. Bass is not something you sniff, shoot, or roll. Addiction is fine as long as you’re not on the drugs. KSJ has an addiction the bass sound that comes from subwoofers. It’s like a massage when the beats collide. It’s a smooth jam. So turn up the sound!
Hala-Hala has those boomin’ old school beats that hip hop heads will truly enjoy. It’s a super dope jam. So turn up the speakers and listen!
3/5***
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Gino Washington – Doing The Pop Corn single review
Gino Washington – Doing The Pop Corn is a soulful record that is a long forgotten classic with the many soul singles already out there. This rare vintage soul record is perfect for the dance floor. Doing The Pop Corn is an upbeat soul song considered to be a dance floor shaker. A touch of funk is used on Doing The Pop Corn hence the guitars and horn selection. Doing The Pop Corn is similar to his other song Do You Have That Soul due to the upbeat nature and tempo. What Can A Man Do is a sad mournful love song about what can a man do to please his woman. What can a man do when love walks away?
5/5*****!
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Krushin MC's – Coming Down Hard single review
Krushin MC's – Coming Down Hard is a product of early Lansing hip hop and rap. Which in turn predates Simken Heights, Cap One, True Hustlers, Brainwater, and Bad Mind. Coming Down Hard was released as a vinyl single on Icon Records and Macola in 1986.
Coming Down Hard is a snare ridden song with laced with electro synths and old school beats. A couple of looped samples are used on this song. Coming Down Hard is an example of electro rap from the 80s. Jam It Slow has some nice beats. The song uses an incorporated mixture of electronic music and rap. Jam It Slow is similar to a King Sun song since it was released in the 80s.
4/5****
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