St Germain - Tolérance EP EP review
French electronic producer and arranger St Germain had heavily delved into techno and dance music back in 1992 when his Tolérance EP was released. This was before St Germain mastered the 'French Touch' on his EPs French Traxx EP and Motherland EP in 1993. Here this EP showcases a totally different side of St Germain as he uses much faster uptempo dance influenced sounds in his techno songs. Songs such as French, IL, and 111 are a case in point. Yet somehow his Tolérance EP remained very much overlooked and overshadowed by many. St Germain - Tolérance EP was released as a 12” vinyl single on the F Communications label in 1992.
The song French starts off with an airy futuristic space synths which give the song a climax over a techno influenced instrumental soundscape. You can feel the intensity rising and buildup as the synths play different musical notes at the 0:12 mark. A drum kit starts playing around the 1:14 mark. This song shows a much deeper side of St Germain. Now you can hear some electronic chords start playing at the 2:47 which give the song more intensity and more of a buildup.
The song IL is driven by a pair of shakers which pan from left to right on the speakers. This is one of the percussion based techno songs off the EP. Around the 0:58 mark is where a looped vocal sample is added and synths are added. Those pairs of shakers are what make this song stand out particularly. However the vocal sample is difficult to decipher or hear because of the layers of instrumentation overlap the vocal sample. Not too many people will be able to hear the vocal sample used in this song.
5/5*****!!
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St Germain - Mezzotinto EP EP review
The Mezzotinto EP was released at a time when St Germain was heavily into using deep house music in his releases. Deep house sound would be his signature sound and trademark as would use this style of music heavily until 2000. That is why you can hear the deep house sound all over the place. He was already one of the the leading French masters to have established the 'French Touch' style by using a mix of deep house, jazz, & lounge music, sampling, and arranging instruments to have them playing from side to side.
Dub Experience uses a lot of dubs and filters. Not so much amplifiers. Dub Experience was way ahead of its time when it was released. The sound is smooth. In fact Dub Experience is one of his smoother sounding songs with a reggae vibe despite being a deep house song. Dub Experience samples The Royals with Roy Cousins - Free Speech And Movement.
The Black Man uses cut-off synths with a delay feature and shakers. Those shakers give the song a distorted sound and feeling. That is where the choppy feeling comes from. You can tell he was influenced by the sounds of deep house sound when this song was being recorded and produced. The Black Man samples a vocal sample from the voice of Lightin' Hopkins. The song also samples the 1993 song Kim Cummings - Your Attitude (Mental Instrum Remix).
My Mama Said... uses a large barrage of drums and electronic instrumentation. The song has a lively presence and a Blues vibe. You will really love it.
4/5****
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Henry & The Kasuals – Forever / Funny Funny Funny (DJ copy) single review
Henry & The Kasuals – Forever / Funny Funny Funny (DJ copy) is another one of those soul singles from San Antonio, Texas that got very much overshadowed and overlooked. Not many outside of San Antonio, Texas know about this single. You can hear the sound of Tejano soul all over this single with horns ensembles over drum kits and guitars over slow to mid tempo beats.
Henry & The Kasuals – Forever / Funny Funny Funny was issued as a 45” vinyl single on the Cobra label. There was never a 12” inch pressed up for this release. Now some versions of this single have 3 songs with the third song being Only One.
Forever is one of those heartbreaking love songs. The woman breaks the man’s heart and the man plays the role of a fool. The woman takes his love for granted. This song is perfect for anyone who is going through a tough time or a breakup in their relationship. The song follows a 50s style beat at a mid tempo pace. Forever is on the A Side. Forever is one of those West Side oldies.
Now at the beginning of this song, you are greeted by a loud barrage of horns which is actually a horns ensemble. A loud horns ensemble is always a great way to start off a song with especially during the beginning. The loud horns ensemble is what makes this song stand out.
She can break his heart forever. He can play the part of acting a fool just to be with her. She can torment him and take his love for granted. Although she already takes his love for granted. If he could be with her, he will be her slave for the rest of his life. That is what he wants and that is his desire.
Clearly he loves her in so many ways that she is currently unaware of. Being with her is what gives him thrills. No matter what she says or does, he will always be a fool for him.
The man tells the woman these words during the beginning of this song. “Darling forever, forever. You can break my heart forever if you want to. I'll play the part of a fool just to be with you forever. You can torment me. Take my love for granted. But I'll always be just a fool. If I could be with you, I'll be your slave for the rest of my days.”
He explains how thrilled he is to be with her by telling her these following words.: Just to be with you thrills me through and through.
Lyrics to the song explain in clear detail on how much the man loves the woman.
Darling forever, forever
You can break my heart
Forever, if you want to
I'll play the part
Of a fool
Just to be with you
Forever
Darling forever, forever
You can torment me
Take my love for granted
But I'll always be
Just a fool (just a fool)
If I, if I, could be with you
I'll be your slave
For the rest of, of my days
Love you more in so, so many ways
Just to be with you
Thrills me through and through
And darling forever, forever
You can torment me
Take my love for granted
But I'll always be
Just a fool
If I, if I could be with you
Darling forever, forever
No matter what you say or do
I'll always, I'll always
Funny Funny Funny is backed by an electric piano which alongside a slow 50s style beat. Here the electric piano sounds very much similar to a harmonic organ. The electric piano is provides this song with harmonics. That is why this sounds as if it were laced with a harmonic organ. Of course those harmonics follow alongside the slow 50s style beat.
However the beats and tempo are much slower on this song than on Forever. Forever is on the B side. The beats are played at a much slower pace than Forever at a notable rate.
Funny Funny Funny deals with a couples maturity. The song explains those funny things a couple used to do and say. However those things are not funny anymore as the couple in this particular song are growing up and having to face maturity. Things are changing for them. The following happens.: Inevitably a change is going to come for the both of them.
The couple show signs of maturity and awareness during the song. They grow up to realize those funny things they used to do and say are not funny anymore.
These lyrics what gives this song an edge of maturity and awareness. “Those are those we used to do and say/They’re not anymore/We’re growing up/There’s a change for you and me/We’re growing up“
Only One is a Chicano soul song which is one of the more acoustic based singles on this single. This song uses a more Mexican sound by going a mid tempo pace similar to how 60's Chicano soul songs did. Only One is one of those West Side oldies.
Not many people know this or are aware, but Only One is a cover of Freddy Fender - Only One. Henry did a good job covering this Freddy Fender song. Only this cover song is a Chicano soul version of Only One. Both versions are good either way. Quite romantic too.
5/5*****!!
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Nicknack – Beat Drop single review
Nicknack – Beat Drop is a hip hop influenced electronic single laced with phat heavy beats and funky bass. The single uses a mixture of Latin, hip hop, and electronic over fashionable breaks. Instrumentals are included as well. Unfortunately Beat Drop is one of Nicknack’s more obscure releases which is hard to find because the vinyl record pressed up in limited numbers and is now out of print. Because the record is now out, this single is now sort of a collectable item. However Beat Drop is a must have for DJ’s to use as a scratch tool and a record to have in your music collection.
Aqui En La Playa uses a Latin flavor with eccentric percussion and low volume acoustics. Now the acoustics are delayed guitar strums from a light Spanish guitar which get cut off short. The light Spanish guitar played in flamenco style gives the song a lighthearted feel despite having an upbeat tempo. Nevertheless Aqui En La Playa is quite soothing. Aqui En La Playa is a Spanish term and translates in English as “Here on the beach”.
Sugar Shack is a drum driven song backed by a funky electric guitar. The song uses live instrumentation instead of the typical processed electronic instruction from a keyboard synthesizer used in electronic music. That is why the drums are lively. Sugar Shack has a free-spirited vibe and sound.
Beat Drop uses funky hip hop laced breaks over turntablism and breakbeats. The song uses an electronic instrumental laced with phat heavy bass. The phat heavy bass gives this song an edge of funk. Those vocal samples came from Bavu Blakes. This song is just as free-spirited as Sugar Shack is. The song is laced with many breakbeats, samples, and noises.
Turntable Treats is a perfect song to use as a scratch tool for DJ’s as the song is laced with many breakbeats and samples. Perfect for a scratch session. Nicknack does no wrong when it comes to production as he is a wonderful producer.
5/5*****!!
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Nicknack – Mustard Seed single review
Nicknack – Mustard Seed is one of the best singles from the Austin electronic scene. The single uses a downtempo electronic trip hop sound mixed with jazz that is totally down to Earth. Electronic meets jazz on this single. Mustard Seed covers Freddie Hubbard’s masterpieces. All of the songs use drums and bass which makes this single considerably smooth and relaxing which is why the single has a relaxing mellow vibe. All of the songs included on this single are considered to be highlight tracks to the point where no song is worth skipping. Mustard Seed, In Hind Sight, and Salt Of The Earth are some of the highlights.
D Madness plays bass on half of this single while Brannen Temple plays the drums on half of this single. Ephraim Owens plays those trumpet solos. You can’t go wrong with D Madness playing bass, Brannen Temple playing the drums, and flugelhornist Ephraim Owens performing his trumpet solos.
Mustard Seed is a fantastic jazzy cover of Freddie Hubbard - Little Flower with live instrumentation from Nicknack, D Madness, Brennan Temple, and Ephraim Owens. D Madness plays bass while Ephraim Owens performs a wonderful trumpet solo. Brannen Temple plays the drums. You can never go wrong with D Madness playing bass and Ephraim Owens playing the trumpet. Mustard Seed is driven and backed by several layers of instrumentation. Mustard Seed samples Freddie Hubbard - Little Flower and Pépé Braddock - Deep Burnt.
Nice, soothing, romantic, and breathtaking are a few words to describe this song. Sadly Mustard Seed is a forgotten classic that many people slept on which is sad because this song is truly a masterpiece. Mustard Seed was used on his 2003 album Improving Silence.
Turntable Treats is a perfect song to use as a scratch tool for DJ’s as the song is laced with many breakbeats and samples. Perfect for a scratch session. Nicknack does no wrong when it comes to production as he is a wonderful producer.
Salt Of The Earth is a hip hop influenced jazz song which relies heavily on the sample of Hubert Laws - Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again. D Madness plays bass while Brannen Temple plays the drums.
In Hind Sight is a relaxing jazz song backed by a piano and bass. Beautiful and amazing are a couple of words to describe the song. D Madness plays bass and Ephraim Owens performs his trumpet solo on the song In Hind Sight. You can’t go wrong with D Madness playing bass. D Madness has made a name for himself in the Austin music scene since he is a musician. In Hind Sight covers and samples Freddie Hubbard - Love and Gladys Knight - The Way We Were. The vocal sample came from Gladys Knight - The Way We Were.
5/5*****!!
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Nicknack – Nobody Else single review
Nicknack – Nobody Else is one of many electronic singles from the Austin electronic scene that got very much overlooked. Electronic meets jazz and soul on this single. Nicknack himself handles everything from scratching songs to mixing, mastering, and artwork. Most of the songs are played at a time signature of 7|8 time. This single was released as a digital download on his bandcamp page in 320kbps MP3 format and FLAC format in 2011.
The sounds of Jazz meet Motown-era soul, psychedelic funk, and electronic on the song Nobody Else. The song uses soulful vocal samples, lively drums, and funky heavy bass. Think of this song as a drums and bass song. The song has a warm feeling. Nobody Else is played in G Major and in 9B Camelot form at a tempo of 105 BPM. The song is played in 8|8 time.
Sevens is a psychedelic funk song backed by thick instrumentation and is driven heavily by beats. The song is played in 7|8 time. The sounds of psychedelic funk meet Motown-era soul and electronic. You can definitely hear the Motown-era soul sound on this song.
Life In The Speaker is a downtempo electronic instrumental produced by Nicknack himself. He puts in a spin of turnablism into this song. The song is played entirely at a time signature of 7|8 time. Very little to no distortion effects were used.
5/5*****!!
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Sweet-P - Deep In The Game album review
Sweet-P - Deep In The Game is one of the most lyrical and hardcore rap album from San Antonio, Texas that sadly got under promoted and overlooked. Not too many people outside of San Antonio know about this album. The subject matter on this album deals with topics such as jealousy, hustling, money, drug dealing, emotions, romance, and gangsterism. However that is not too surprising since this a gangsta rap album. Endo and Big Tiny produced his album as they did all of his albums.
This album included classics such as You Can't Slang Here 2000, Trying To Get Paid, Coming Down, Knee Deep (Slow Jam), and Represent. You have the envious song Jealousy which deals with jealousy and envy. Romantic and emotionally passionate songs such as the slow jam Knee Deep (Slow Jam), the passionate romantic song Kissing & Huggen, and the sultry ballad Coming Down. You also have the more hardcore lyrical songs such as Deep In The Game, War, Watch Out, Prepare, If You Know, Fucked Up and Represent.
Sweet-P put a gangsta rap spin on the Rose Royce classic Love Don’t Live Here Anymore and turned that into You Can't Slang Here 2000. You Can't Slang Here is about how Sweet-P will murder outside dealers and hustlers who attempt to control the drug trade on his street. Endo, Big Tiny, and Ricé produced the song. LAMM on Burnet! What ya’ll know about that?
If you’re not from this hood or from this street, you can’t slang here anymore. You can’t sell your dope here anymore. You can’t sell your drugs here anymore. If you’re not from street, you can’t hang here anymore.
These fools try to come into Sweet-P’s hood and short stop (short change) the drug trade in his neighborhood. If they keep on doing that then they will surely get murdered. Sweet-P won’t let that happen. He could understand if these hunters and dealers were paying rent to one of his dope houses. But they haven’t paid him any money.
Sweet-P is that player slanging dope on Burnet Road in Lockwood Park. He controls Burnet Street. He don’t give a damn about these haters. Task Force won’t get away with his cash because he won’t let that happen either.
You could hear many cars driving down Burnet Road with the windows down bumpin this song from 1997 to 2002. Specifically around 1997-2000 to be exact. DJ Rico used to play this on 96.1 FM back in the day.
Sweet-P explains how he is deep in the game as a hustler and drug dealer on Deep In Tha Game. The song features heavyweight, lyricist, and local rapper Pork C. Endo and Big Tiny produced the song Deep In Tha Game sometime in 2000. Sweet-P raps in a rapid fast style like Twista on this song.
Sweet-P is deep in the game. Selling cocaine and running these streets. The laws (police) are on his back because they know he is selling crack. He shows no shame in doing illegal activities or committing crimes.
SAPD (San Antonio Police Department) raided his spot the other day. He had no clue on what to do. So Sweet-P calls up his homeboy. They end up discussing things off the phone though. So he gets front some drug products by his homeboy.
Trying To Get Paid is all about making that money. The song explains and explores how hustlers make their money. Getting money is the main goal. Sweet P was all about getting that money as the title of this song indicates.
Knee Deep (Slow Jam) is a slow jam as the song title indicates obviously. This song is one of the more romantic and passionate love songs off the album. The song uses a slow tempo over lovely lyrics.
Sweet-P represents the East Side of San Antonio to the fullest on the song Represent. He shows East Side pride here. This is one of the more hardcore lyrical songs. He represents the East Side of San Antonio the same way as he did on You Can't Slang Here 2000. 210 all day every day.
4/5****
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Down and Dirty Click - Only Gangsta album review
Down and Dirty Click - Only Gangsta is an album that has a mixture of gangsta rap and gumbo funk. Think gangster funk of the 90s. All 11 songs were mastered by Ricé, Skip Wayne, Sir Knox, and Mike B out of Houston, Texas. However Ricé only did a couple of songs as there were other producers involved with the production for this album. Rice produced the songs Only Gangsta and Run But Can`t Hide. Mike B produced 2 songs and Skip Wayne (then known as 17 Freeze) produced 3 songs.
Down and Dirty Click - Only Gangsta was an album that was released on San Antonio, Texas label Commerce Street Records in 1999 on CD format. Sean Tompkins was the man responsible for releasing the album on his label. The album wasn’t doing very good or selling well as that album had a limited run of 3,000 units. That’s why this album is so hard to find anywhere. Limited distribution and legal drama is what hampered this album from reaching full potential.
Now the graphic design and artwork was done by Pen N Pixel. Sean did all his covers through the services of Pen N Pixel back then. The record wasn’t finished at the time. The artwork was done before their album was finished. Sean designed covers for the whole year at one time. So he would have 5 covers for inserts even before any of the albums were recorded.
What is interesting about the DDC album is the story behind this album.
Down and Dirty Click was a rap group from Wheatley Courts in San Antonio, Texas interested in recording 2 rap albums for the Commerce Street Records label. They chose to get signed to Commerce Street Records.
Recording process for the Down and Dirty Click - Only Gangsta album lasted 2 years from 1996-1998. Down and Dirty Click already had buzz going as they were getting radio play due to a radio single called Only Gangsta which was the same name as the working title for their album. Down and Dirty Click already had a buzz in San Antonio as a group.
The studio Sean Tompkins was using for the recording the Down and Dirty Click - Only Gangsta album was a hole in the wall place. The owner and engineer had also booked some sessions with another local rap group during that time. Once Down and Dirty Click were done recording at the studio, an unknown local group were booked for a studio session afterwards.
One night the other rap group robbed and killed the engineer in death by stabbing. The engineer was stabbed to death by one of the group members. That local rap group stole a bunch a bunch of material including 9 songs for the Down and Dirty Click - Only Gangsta album. That album was not finished at that time as only 9 songs were recorded. These 9 songs were put onto a handful of ADAT tapes. Members of that other rap group got caught by police for the murder of the engineer.
Now the album was supposed to be released by Commerce Street Records in August 1998. However that did not happen because San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) held the DAT tapes for their album as evidence in a capital murder case of the engineer. The masters from Ricé’s studio were also were held as evidence for at least a year.
A capital murder case was filed against Down and Dirty Click for the murder of time engineer sometime in October 1998. However Down and Dirty Click was found innocent in a year after in 1999. Their DAT tapes being held as evidence is what prevented their album from being released. That was until 1999 when SAPD returned the DATs over to Sean Tompkins and Ricé after the case was over.
After the case was over, Sean had someone mix and digitally master their album. Ricé was only involved with mastering a small portion of their songs. Skip Wayne and Mike B were the ones mixed the rest of their songs. A total of 11 songs were used on the finished version and retail edition of the album. The album was eventually released in 1999. That is why the album was only pressed up in a limited run and did not sell very well. Their DAT tapes being held as evidence is what hampered the success of their album.
All three members split up in 1999 and Sean Tompkins has not heard from them since. No second album was ever recorded. Now all 3 members are serving life sentences in prison for their crimes they have committed outside of recording songs.
Here are the reasons why Ricé was not as hands on with this Commerce Street Records album as he was with their other albums and why he produced a couple of songs for Down and Dirty Click.
Ricé was working at the studio during that time while being an in-house producer for BLVD Records, Youngsta Records, and Commerce Street Records. He was producing a couple of songs for Down and Dirty Click at that time.
However Ricé only produced a couple of songs for Down and Dirty Click. This is because he thought when the engineer got killed by the other rap group, he started thinking it could happen to him. So he basically quit doing music production in 1999. The murder incident caused Ricé to retire from music. That is the reason why Ricé was not hands on with this Commerce Street Records album. Although he continued doing production for Commerce Street Records, Lil Sin, PKO, and other San Antonio artists again in 2000 until retiring in 2006.
Plus he was producing for other artists at the time such as Nino, Lil Sin, PFK, Dyce, Mr. Marlin, Southern Kumphert, S.M.P., King 13, Ant Loc, PFG, and Deant-G. So he could be as hands on producing this album.
Only Gangsta was the underground single that gave Down and Dirty Click a buzz in San Antonio, Texas. In fact, Sean Tompkins helped Only Gangsta get some radio play. Him promoting this song is what gave Down and Dirty Click a buzz in San Antonio. Only Gangsta was the buzz single. The song was recorded in 1997 and used on the Runnin’ Blind compilation. Only Gangsta was produced by Ricé. Ricé was the one who played the funky guitar. Stephanie Pint Gispson is the female who is singing.
The DAT tape for Only Gangsta was used as evidence in a capital murder case. San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) held the single DAT tape as evidence for a year until they returned the DAT tapes for the album to Sean Tompkins and Ricé.
Only Gangsta tells us that we aren’t the only people caught up in this life of crime. We aren’t the only ones trying to have fun under the sun. Tomorrow is not promised. What little time we have is borrowed and compromised.
It’s hard to shake off the stress in your brain. It is hard living in these streets of despair. Scrubs and haters know nothing about coming up in the game of life. Players be tripping off the same old thing by talking about what they did. Then they are suddenly on the run. It really don’t make no sense. Is it over a trick or robbery that players be tripping off the same old thing. It’s really a shame that buster and haters don’t know the game. The game is life or death in these streets. Dealing with misery, pain, and death. Those are the ugly sides of the grime realities of street life.
Run But Can`t Hide is one of the two songs Ricé produced for the DDC album. This song was recorded and produced in 1997 at Music Box Studios when it was located at Pinn Road in Southwest San Antonio. Ricé had his hands on this one here. However he was producing for other artists at the time.
Not many people know this but the song Run But Can`t Hide is one of their more rarer songs that people outside of San Antonio don’t know much about.
SCG - 3 Shotz is suspense filled gangsta rap track that is filled with street drama. The sound effects are perfect as they fit in appropriately with the mood and vibe. SCG is part of Lil Sin’s SoufField click and Santee’s PRC label.
SCG is trapped in the game. He is pulling that strap and is not holding back, loc. He don’t give a fuck about the laws. Fuck them haters. Haters tried to kill him. SCG represents the SCG Click from the South Side of San Antonio. He has ties with the East Side though.
Fuck them haters. Haters tried to kill him. He caught someone slipping. Another murder and another homicide is in progress. He don’t a fuck about another person’s death. That .9 millimeter shows no love as he pulls the hammer back. The sets doesn’t have any love for fakers. Better watch out.
Now 3 Shotz was recorded a studio on Nolan Street which was a bail bonds office and not at Ricé’s Music Box Studios. Jason Collins was supposed to be on SCG, Sir Knox, and Lady Pimp. However Jason Collins locked up. So the engineer and producer had to scrap the verse he laid. Lady Pimp got Jason’s verse and spot instead. SCG and Sir Knox did most of the rapping anyway.
*Down and Dirty Click is also known as Down Dirty Click, Down and Dirty Clique, and Down Dirty Clique.
*All 3 members split up in 1999.
*All 3 members are currently serving life sentences in prison.
5/5*****!!
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The Underground Committee - The Prophecy album review
The Underground Committee - The Prophecy is a tight ass album with off da hook lyrics. This is rap music at a new level as each song uses a different style. No one was coming tighter from the South Side of San Antonio than The Underground Committee besides Brown Tribe, Tribe 46, Gino D, and MC Falcon. True Down South rap fans will enjoy this album as these 11 solo artists united to record every song with a different style prepared with distinctive lyrics and unique styles of flowing. The whole album was produced by Lower Than Underground Productions. DJ's Spanx and Apollo did a bulk of the production. Southern Kumphert produced some songs too.
The purpose of this album was mainly to target local mainstream radio stations because The Underground Committee felt local radio stations were not as real as they claimed to be. So that is why 4 tracks on the album are edited for radio play. Songs from this album were played in constant rotation on 91.7 KRTU. Specifically on Sunday nights at 10:00 PM. The Underground Committee made some noise in San Antonio with this album back in the day.
The album was a great success in the underground scene across San Antonio. The album sold successfully at clubs and carshows in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. 10,000 flyers and posters of the album were distributed and passed out.
"Coming from the South Side of San Antonio" is more than a mere quote from another underground rap group, but is now some sort of chant that is faith fully recited by many in the streets of San Antonio. It is also were Last Hour Records was founded.
World Wide Ride is notable because it follows a slow tempo and slow beat. World Wide Ride samples Teena Marie - Ooh La La La. The song reminisces on those times cruising down Ansley Street and SW Military Drive. The song is alright but not great.
Southern Kumphert produced the song Holocaust which uses a crazy hyphy and dreamy vibe. That is why you can hear Southern Kumphert’s work and sound all over this song. It was his decision to use a dreamy sound. The talent on Holocaust is most undeniably undisputed.
High Risk is known for its brooding chords and notes. Notice how dark the bass lines get. This song uses a Twista style of rapping a at a rapid pace.
4/5****!
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