Ticklah – Polydemic album review
Ticklah – Polydemic is one of the most abstract Afrobeat dub reggae albums in the history of reggae music. Polydemic is Afrobeat dub reggae with a touch of funk and a jazzy edge. Ticklah produces and arranges some awesome music. You have your jazz oriented songs such as Buttermilk and Cooly Wages. You also have your dub reggae songs such as Ticklah's Swing, Space Root, and Pain Of Loving You. Some of the songs on this album were used on the television show Breaking Bad.
Buttermilk is a solid Ticklah groove where the sounds of smooth bossanova jazz meet dub reggae with a touch of funk. Not too brokenbeat either. A selection of guitars, horns, and keyboards add to the funkiness and solid groove of the song.
Ticklah's Swing uses dub reggae sounds such as a smoky organ and deep bass. The song will take you into a deep trance. So expect to hear some peaceful laid back vibes. Some of you may remember hearing Ticklah's Swing on the television show Breaking Bad. That is because the song Ticklah's Swing was used on the Breaking Bad soundtrack.
Toe Foo has a groovy 70s funk sound with a barrage of tambourines and one mean jazzy saxophone which explains the sense of liveness. Space Root is ridden with heavy low bass and dub reggae riddims over a set of phasers.
5/5*****!!
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Aphex Twin – Syro album review
Aphex Twin – Syro is one of those albums that keeps getting better and better as you listen to it. Syro manages to sound both familiar or retro and incredibly futuristic at the same time. So you know this album has aged well. Every single track is perfectly mixed and accurately synchronized. The timbre of his music leaves much to be desired.
minipops 67 [120.2][source field mix] is an electronic gem you do not want to miss out on listening to. The song has that retro electro edge. The song manages to sound both familiar or retro and incredibly futuristic at the same time. The timbre of his music leaves much to be desired.
ZOoMIxMAx frod5 is the hidden track on the Syro album which has a suspenseful haunting vibe over soft electronic beats. The track grows more and more suspenseful with a sense of uncertainty as you listen to it. The way Aphex Twin laid down the instrumentation is what made the song suspenseful, frightening, brooding, and foreboding.
u473t8+e [141.98] (piezoluminescence mix) is a mixture of retro electro music and breakbeat IDM in one setting. A mixture of turntables are blended in with the synths.
5/5*****!!
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Lil Ken - Str8 Out The Stable album review
Lil Ken - Str8 Out The Stable has some of the best freestyles and lyrical flows San Antonio rap has to offer. Str8 Out The Stable is the epitome of Southern rap in the early 2000s. Highlights on the album are Best Of Both Worlds, I Get High, Dead Wrong, and Yellow Bone Hoes. Now Lil Ken was in his prime when his debut album dropped because 3rd Degree Entertainment was already becoming a mainstay in Texas rap by that point. Str8 Out The Stable is considered to be a 210 classic! This album solidified his status in San Antonio rap history. Lil Ken is also Famous of Chamillitary Ent.
Best Of Both Worlds has some of the best punch lines and flows San Antonio rap has to offer. Lil Ken and Lil E step up to the plate to offer their best flows and cadence. Lil Ken wrecks the flows while Lil E is on the hooks while staying on beat. As usual Lil Ken wrecked that hoe.
Best Of Both Worlds has some sick ass punch lines too. Lil Ken uses is know for using some sick ass punch lines. Here are some examples below.
“Ya’ll niggaz got more problems than a college math book.”
“The train’s off the tracks/Starch in my slacks/Watching MTV Raps”
“I started rapping/My pockets started busting out the seams”.
Lil Ken proved haters wrong on I Get High as he did not fall off. The song serves as a bragging rights sort of track. Lil Ken is the best and that is no joke. Yes, Lil Ken put 210 on the map with this song.
Lil Ken stay doing what he is used to by not going out of the way to do anything unordinary. Lil Ken stays in his lane basically. “When I’m on the mic/It’s crucial/They say they love me/The feeling’s never mutual/I stay to what I’m used to/Pimpin’ pens and dropping tops”
The bragging rights are evident in his lyrics.
“I’m the throwdest and I’ll prove it”
“210’s most hated/I’m very underrated/We da best/I ain’t jokin’/If I had clippers you couldn’t fade it”
“When I’m on the mic/It’s crucial/They say they love me/The feeling’s never mutual”
20's on the Lac is a David Banner-esque styled rap track where Southern rap meets screw music. Lil Ken takes the limelight on the song as a solo artist. The song is know for using a catchy chorus which goes “20's on the Lac go 'round and 'round”. One of the most memorable verses of the song is “20's on the Lac go 'round and 'round/Damn Gucci lens/pop trunk on 410/You know who it be Lil Ken”.
5/5*****!
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3rd Degree - Grills, Skills and Purple Spills album review
Grills, Skills and Purple Spills marked the remarkable comeback and return of the 3rd Degree clique after the success of their 2002 album 3rd Coast From The Sun. 3rd Degree - Grills, Skills and Purple Spills showcased the best out of the 3rd Degree Entertainment roster back in 2002. The album showcased the best of their lyrical ability, hard punchlines, skills, and flows which their artists had to offer. Liveola and Lil Ken were raw with those hard ass punch lines! Liveola was breakin mics. So was Mark G. Liveola, Lil Ken, and 50/50 Twin killed and wrecked that hoe on the Grills, Skills & Purple Spills album. 3rd Degree - Grills, Skills and Purple Spills is still some of the hardest and best shit ever.
This album set the blueprint and formula for San Antonio rap back in the early 2000s by featuring rappers from different cities in Texas. The album had rappers from San Antonio, Houston, and Austin. This is something in that had never been done before in San Antonio rap prior to Big Ballin or Urban City.
3rd Degree - Grills, Skills and Purple Spills is one of those impossible to find albums which are difficult to obtain as the album was solely sold in San Antonio, Texas. That is because this album was pressed up as a limited edition album originally. This album was solely sold at Urban City at Ingram Park Mall and Windsor Park Mall. And also Hogwild Records and Tha Stash Spot. This album was sold straight out of the trunk and at the malls in San Antonio, Texas. Now this album was repressed around 2005 but not as a limited edition.
Liveola, Lil Ken, and 50/50 Twin killed and wrecked that hoe on San Antone On Tha Map. Lil Ken definitely wrecked that hoe on this track. Liveola and Lil Ken’s verses were definitely some of the most hardest, aggressive, and versatile verses on San Antone On Tha Map. One thing is for sure is that Lil Ken has got bars for days and is the coldest. Classic shit from San Antonio.
Now not many people know this but Percy Faith - Early in the Morning and Noreaga (N.O.R.E.) - Come Thru are the samples that was used in San Antone On Tha Map.
Lil Ken started off the song with his verse with his lyrics which went as follows, “San Antone on tha map/No need for introduction/Trunk open and it sound like a live percussion/I ain’t hard to miss when I pull up on glass/Spokes sticking out like retards in an honors class”
San Antone on tha map
No need for introduction
Trunk open and it sound like a live percussion
I ain’t hard to miss when I pull up on glass
Spokes sticking out like retards in an honors class
Lil Ken showcases his humorous side with these lyrics such as “Not boasting but hoes lick my piece like stamps/Got yellow the same color as SpongeBob SquarePants”, “Spokes sticking out like retards in a honors class”, and "Mouth piece the reason why gals spread legs like Jordan symbols".
Kyle Lee comes down and does his thing with own lyrics. Here is how he starts off his verse, “I can't deny/Im’ma ride out the south/Glidin on 19’s on a candy red gloss/I feel like a boss when I hog the lane/From SA-Town to Maine Im’ma do my thang/I’m untamed”
I can't deny
Im’ma ride out the south
Glidin on 19’s on a candy red gloss
I feel like a boss when I hog the lane
From SA-Town to Maine Im’ma do my thang
Papa Smurf had some of the coldest lyrics on the song which are, “Don’t hate my trunk shake a vertebrae/And my rims still spinnin when I hit the brakes/Papa Smurf I’m too cold” Classic shit from 3rd Degree.
Liveola was ahead of his time with his unorthodox punch lines. “Jordan scared to shoot dice cause he heard I break mics” You might remember the lyrics “Jordan scared to shoot dice cause he heard I break mics” which came from “Jordan scared to shoot dice cause he heard I break mics/Is everybody aight?”
Represent has eerie 90s gangsta rap sound and G-Funk vibe due to having the eerie G-Funk whines and G-Funk synths. So listen to the smooth Southern shit this song has to offer. Liveola and Kyle Lee wrecked that hoe. Liveola was bout it, bout it. Liveola and Kyle Lee represented San Antonio, Texas throughout the whole song. Liveola went crazy with it on this one here.
One of the hardest lyrics to the song were Liveola’s lyrics in a one-liner which went, “Not even Quentin Tarantino couldn’t play this role”
You’re lying to yourself if you think Liveola is wack and doesn’t wreck. So you best back back or prepare for impact. It’s fight or flight. Liveola explains this in lyrics to his verse, “If you say Liveola don’t wreck, you’re lying to yourself/You better get about 50 feet because I’m bad for your health”
5/5*****!
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M. Cally - Bedroom Legend album review
M. Cally - Bedroom Legend is a legendary R&B/Soul album from San Antonio, Texas that has been sorely overlooked and has gone under-appreciated. Not too many people know about this album. Bedroom Legend
showcases and exemplifies M Cally singing the best within in his vocal range on both the low scale and high scale to the best of his ability.
Dramafied is one of the more calming sultry songs off the album. He hits those harmonies, riffs, and runs perfectly. The synths and chords make this song relaxing and harmonious. On Dramafied Marques wants a perfect day with his lady. He wants a perfect day with arguing on the phone or any other drama. This lady is dramafied and uptight. He tells her clearly that she does not need to be so dramafied.
Marques wants a perfect day. He tells his lady, “Let’s make today a good day. No arguing on the phone. No heresay. Just me and you chilling like we used to. Go out and hit the scene. And do what we wanna do.”
Nobody said he saw her ex at the club. He was never cheating on her as he doesn’t have another lover. He didn’t give her his number. He said to her, “Baby, let’s chill. No social networking. I only want to be with you. And the only networking is his body working on you.” Wine is what he brought over to her house. He tells her, “I belong to you, baby. You ain’t gotta be so dramafied.”
She does not need to trip or go there with him. He tells her clearly that she does not need to be so dramafied. Marques will do anything for her. He just wants her to get back to the passionate loving. He just wants her to go back to the passionate love they use to share and have. She still turns him on.
Kitchen 2 Bedroom is a 112 type of song that is similar to 112 - Anywhere. The song showcases and exemplifies about having sexual intercourse anywhere from the kitchen, the bathroom, all the way to the bedroom. Pretty much anywhere in the house.
Til Morning showcases and exemplifies M Cally singing the best within in his vocal range on both the low scale and high scale. M Cally wants his girl by his side. Begging is something he does not want to resort to. He asks her to lay her sexy body next to him. His intentions are to make her feel good. Tonight and forever will always be about her.
M Cally breaks us off something proper with the song Mr. Break U Off with his lovely vocal range and singing. M Cally breaks her off something at the same old town in the same old place. In the same old Mercedes Bens with a drink is how he greets her.
4/5****!
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Lil Ken - Back II The Stable album review
Lil Ken - Back II The Stable was Lil Ken’s comeback album which served as a follow-up to Str8 Out The Stable. Lil Ken - Back II The Stable has some of the best freestyles and lyrical flows San Antonio rap has to offer. SA-Town’s Mouthpiece never fails to disappoint audiences. Now Lil Ken was in his prime when his sophomore album dropped because 3rd Degree Entertainment was already a mainstay in Texas rap by that point. This album solidified his status in San Antonio rap history even further with an increased presence. As usual Lil Ken wrecked that hoe. Back II The Stable is considered to be a 210 classic! Back II The Stable is the epitome of Southern rap in the 2000s. (At least for Texas.)
However Lil Ken felt his sophomore album did not get the right push due to label issues with 3rd Degree Entertainment. Somehow and for some reason(s) 3rd Degree Entertainment decided to not promote the Back II The Stable album as heavily as they did with the Str8 Out The Stable album. Sadly the album did not reach full potential as he anticipated due to a lack of promotion. However this album was constantly promoted at Disc N Tapes Solutions as that is the business service which 3rd Degree Entertainment used to press up their albums on CDs. People remember seeing this album advertisement on display at when they went there to press up their CDs.
Best Of Both Worlds has some of the best punch lines and flows San Antonio rap has to offer. Lil Ken and Lil E step up to the plate to offer their best flows and cadence. Lil Ken wrecks the flows while Lil E is on the hooks while staying on beat. As usual Lil Ken wrecked that hoe. That shit was banging as he laced the dope ass freestyle.
Best Of Both Worlds has some sick ass punch lines too. Lil Ken uses is know for using some sick ass punch lines. Here are some examples below.
“Ya’ll niggaz got more problems than a college math book.”
“The train’s off the tracks/Starch in my slacks/Watching MTV Raps”
“I started rapping/My pockets started busting out the seams”.
SA Towns Mouthpiece is one of the best lyrical freestyles on the album. That shit was banging as he laced the dope ass freestyle. SA-Town’s Mouthpiece never fails to disappoint audiences. Diplomats - My Love was the sample used in SA Towns Mouthpiece.
The song starts off with the lyrics, “It’s Lil Ken from the Nawf/So much ice look like people skiing in my mouth/I kick em to the floor” That is the icy cold punchline he uses for his lyrical delivery on the song which was a genius way to start everything off with.
Freestyle Off Da Mind is another one of his hardest freestyles. Lil Ken was knockin’ down the Alamo with this one.
What Happened is one of the stranger freestyles which sampled Erykah Badu - Danger. Lil Ken does not usually sample neo-soul songs in his freestyles. That is why What Happened is one of his stranger freestyles. Nevertheless this is a classic down South freestyle.
5/5*****!
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3rd Degree - Crunch Time album review
3rd Degree - Crunch Time had some of the rawest and most raunchiest lyrical freestyles for San Antonio in 2003. So stand up, San Antonio! It’s crunch time! Liveola had them punchlines which he was known for. Mark G had his hardcore versatile lyrics. Lil Ken went hard on this album too. The End Of The Show was Lil Ken’s diss to Lil Sho of Da Freestyle Kingz. Lil Ken uses a sick flow throughout the song. Liveola gets a lot of stress off his mind and vents his frustration in raps on the song Addressing The Nation.
5/5*****!
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Liveola - Programed To Wreck album review
Liveola killed that hoe on his debut album called Liveola - Programed To Wreck back in 2003. Liveola verses were definitely some of the most hardest, aggressive, and versatile verses in San Antonio rap at the time. He was the hardest rapper outta San Antonio at the time and was ahead of his time with his unorthodox punch lines. Liveola was breakin mics with those hard ass punch lines. The album showcases the best of his ability, hard punchlines, skills, and flow.
Still Holdin was another on Liveola’s hardest tracks which featured label mate Lil Mike, Lil Tay, and Smackola. Lil Mike said his most memorable lyrics that people had overlooked and slept on which were, "You feel Lil Mike like a priest with 4 hands"
Who’s This! is one of the best tracks off the album which is a Paul Wall and Liveola duo. H-Town’s best and SA-Town’s best were wreckin this track. Who’s This! heavily relies on sampling Timbaland and Magoo - Indian Flute which is also where the beats came from. Liveola proclaims himself to be the best president on the track.
North Side Live is one of best live freestyles off his debut album. He did go live like UNLV and Mr. Joshay. Now this Liveola freestyle heavily relies on a single dark major piano key which is constantly used throughout his verses. You know what they say in San Antonio. It cost an arm and a leg for a Liveola feature! Liveola was ahead of his time with his unorthodox punch lines.
Some of the most memorable lyrics to this freestyle are as follows.
“Slap a nigga with braids and gave his ass a fro”
“We ride on chrome and pack 2 chucks off”
“It cost an arm and a leg for a Liveola feature!”
5/5*****!
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The Luke Cage Project – The Luke Cage Project EP EP review
The Luke Cage Project – The Luke Cage Project EP is one of the most overlooked EPs in NYC garage and in the history of NYC garage. The Luke Cage Project is considered to be a strong EP from Andre Prioleau which he served as the executive producer for. Nu Horizon has that NYC deep house flavour which has a deep jazzy sound. Jazz meets NYC deep house on the song Nu Horizon. Those horn stabs are what make Nu Horizons particularly jazzy. The Bar has a hazy upbeat lounge vibe with such dissonance used. The song has some beautiful garage vibes.
4/5****!
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Lil Sin - No Apologies album review
Lil Sin’s No Apologies album is the most highly demanded San Antonio rap album of 2021. Lil Sin made his comeback to rap again in 2021. His album is what’s trending in San Antonio rap these days. His album is blazing on these streets and online. Well entirely online since No Apologies is a digital album.
He hits everyone with his raw versatile hardcore lyrics with a no holds barred attitude. Lil Sin’s voice pierces into your soul as you can feel every emotion in his lyrics. This album showcases and exemplifies some of the best work Lil Sin has done with his songs. Lil Sin came back to represent (rep) his city. So stand up, 210! Donnie Singleton produced the entire album. Donnie Singleton and Lil Sin both put their feet in recording this album. Undoubtedly Donnie Singleton and Lil Sin shocked the world and put San Antonio back on the map with this album. Lil Sin is still here with no apologies.
The recording process of the No Apologies album took 3 years which lasted from 2018 to 2021. The album was originally scheduled to be released in 2018. However the album not released in 2018 and was constantly pushed back due to production issues with mixing and mastering. Disagreements on mixing and mastering is what lead the album to be pushed back several times and remain unreleased. The album was eventually released to all streaming platforms on May 5, 2021.
Only 300 copies of the No Apologies album were pressed in CD format. That is because No Apologies is specifically a digital album which is available to stream on Spotify, Amazon, Tidal, and other streaming platforms. No Apologies is available on all streaming services.
No Apologies was and is Lil Sin’s favorite album which is a personal favorite of his. He really hasn’t dropped an album in (almost) over 20 years if you don’t count My Secret, Livin N Sin, Fallen Star, Greatest Flames, or his Young Namar albums which were sold out of the trunk.
The title track No Apologies is a no holds barred style raw hardcore lyrical rap song where Lil Sin does not hold back. Lil Sin is sorry for nothing. He does not apologize for nothing. So no apologies! No Apologies is aimed at all whack rappers, critics, and haters. Why do people take music so personal? No Apologies shows the mean side of Ronnie Warner Jr. also.
Lil Sin is sorry for nothing. He does not apologize for nothing. So there will be no apologies coming from him. Do not expect any apologies to come from him. He says this in the chorus, “No apologies!/I’m not sorry for nothing”
The Hard Way with Jimi Starr was the last song recorded for the No Apologies album. Nobody does production work like Donnie Singleton does. Lil Sin aka Young Namar is always putting in work.
Stress deals with keeping it pushing and never throwing in the towel even when you got knocked down a few times. Your legacy and name shall live on. It’s a blessing to still get love from your city and fans across the world.
5/5*****!
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Lil Ken - Once Again It’s On album review
Lil Ken - Once Again It’s On is a one of the rarest albums from 3rd Degree Entertainment which dropped in 2004. However the album is long gone but not forgotten. Not even Lil Ken has a copy. Of course this album did not get the right push due to label issues with 3rd Degree Entertainment. For some reason(s) 3rd Degree Entertainment decided to not promote as Once Again It’s On heavily as they did with the Str8 Out The Stable album and the Back II The Stable album. Not many people remember the Once Again It’s On album.
4/5****!
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Public Offenders - Traveling Bandits : The Lost Tracks EP review
Public Offenders - Traveling Bandits : The Lost Tracks is considered to be a lost EP rather than a lost album due to such shortness. The EP was released on their SoundCloud page in the middle of 2018. Traveling Bandits : The Lost Tracks is The Roots & Erykah Badu with a little Lauryn Hill flavor. Taking the road less traveled makes for a better story. Enjoy the views as you discover “The Lost Tracks”. Madd Creole of ATV Recordz produced these tracks.
Can U X-Plain has an angelic R&B/Soul vibe which meets politically charged rap. The song gets truly deep at times. The song takes issues such as greed, war, betrayal, and poverty. Finer Things is one of their quite less hardcore tracks that has a laid back mellow soul vibe. Do2Us deals with police brutality towards African Americans in the United States. The song also tackles the issue of police terrorism.
4/5****!
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Public Offenders - The Day of Truth album review
Public Offenders - The Day of Truth was the debut album from Austin rap group Public Offenders that was released in 2003 which had such powerful words and lyrics ahead of their time and ahead of the time this album was released. Public Offenders does not intend to "offend" the public - only those that do not accept the truth. The album seeks out for change and social justice.
The Day of Truth was recorded and produced by producer Madd Creole of ATV Recordz. He was responsible for producing a bulk of the album. Madd Creole coincidently had the Public Offenders debut album released on his record label called ATV Recordz in 2003.
Outlets such as the Austin Chronicle have helped put Public Offenders on the map and so did this album. Madd Creole describes Public Offenders as, “They are like The Roots, Erykah Badu, and Common with a little Lauryn Hill flavor.” Madd Creole also calls Public Offenders - The Day of Truth a great album.
As the title track of the Public Offenders debut album, The Day of Truth is a great description of where they felt they fit in the hip hop game and their dedication toward keeping the balance between the underground sound vs commercial sound at the time this song was being recorded. The power in their words prove to be ahead of their time.
Can U X-Plain has an angelic R&B/Soul vibe which meets politically charged rap. The song gets truly deep at times. The song takes issues such as greed, war, betrayal, and poverty. Public Offenders describes the song as an oldie but goodie.
Lock Us Up is one of the politically charged tracks which takes a look at the incarceration rates of African American in the United States and the school-to-prison pipeline system which set up by design to fail students enrolled in school.
Phenomenal Venom is one of their most lyrical tracks off their debut album.
5/5*****!
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