Mac Miller ''Macadelic'' Mixtape Review/Download

This is my 2nd review of a Mac Miller release, but I just couldn't resist. Mac just dropped Macadelic, his 7th mixtape, for free. Miller has been working nonstop since he was about 15 and it's really paying off. In 2010, he sold out every show on his ''Incredibly Dope Tour''.

 Just as I expected, Miller's clever lyricism is still making me smile. His success must be making him a little cocky. On the first track he raps,''And I do it big, you a iPod Nano''. On the next one he continues showing off with ''I just sold out that Fillmore/Got a million, make a mil more/Play a number one spot on the billboard''. But he isn't just talking shit; his debut album, Blue Slide Park(which I reviewed earlier), hit number 1 on the Billboard 200.

 I was somewhat surprised to discover Miller's storytelling skill with the track Vitamins. It describes a a drug trip in its most literal interpretation and is one of the best songs on the mixtape. This mixtape might have been better than Blue Slide Park if it was released with the 2nd half removed, but they have different appeals. Blue Slide Park is much easier to listen to and fun as hell. Macadelic is longer and much slower, being comprised of more clever lines and discussion of Mac's problems throughout.  Mac's lyrical skill is at it's finest and easily kills most rappers at his level of stardom.

Following the structure of his debut, Macadelic loses it's fire as it progresses, and does it worse than Blue Slide Park. Tracks 7 & 8 are disappointing and I thought track 12, The Question, featuring Lil Wayne would be the end, but I was pleasantly surprised by Wayne's verse. It didn't exactly have Weezy's unique appeal to it, but the clever lyrics kept me interested and listening.

The rest of the mixtape is perhaps too slow for hip-hop and mostly average. Nothing memorable appears on any of the last 5 tracks or so, other than the final track, Fuck 'em All. Mostly because of the hook: ''Get ya money, fuck 'em all/Everything, could be gone tomorrow/What's if it's gone tomorrow?/Get ya money, fuck 'em all/Get ya money, fuck 'em all/Everything, could be gone tomorrow/Everything, could be gone tomorrow/So get ya money, fuck 'em all.''

With this release, Mac Miller has ensured my interest in his career. It might not be phenomenal, but it's definitely interesting and smart, which is almost a rarity at his level of success. I'll be checking every album and mixtape of Miller's, probably for years to come, and hoping for the best.




Download Free Here (320kbps)

Kid Ink "Up & Away" Review

There is not much to say about Kid Ink's debut album, Up & Away, other than that it's highly average and in no way original or interesting. This isn't the worst hip-hop record ever released, but there is really no reason to listen to it, or even acknowledge the young rapper's existence. Sure this might be enjoyable for the casual hip-hop fan, but even then I'm not sure it's worth any money. The beats aren't that bad and the opening track, admittedly is somewhat enjoyable. But by track 4, Act Like That, this album becomes irritating. I honestly can't get all the way through this release. If that voids my opinion then so be it, but I think half of a play through is all that's needed to form a realistic idea of Up & Away. I know I won't need to check out any more of Kid Ink's career.

Preview Here

Machine Gun Kelly "Half Naked & Almost Famous" EP Review/Download

Machine Gun Kelly has been gaining exposure rapidly since being approached by Sean Combs (P. Diddy/Puff Daddy) and being signed to Bad Boy Records. MGK's first EP is just what you'd expect to hear from Bad Boy in 2012; catchy hooks, average lyrics and great sounding production. Baker's nickname comes from his "rapid fire flow", but he truly has nothing on Tech N9ne or Busta in that regard. Don't get me wrong, this is a decent release, but not really worth more than a few plays as far as I'm concerned. Half Naked & Almost Famous starts off pretty well with Warning Shot. Cassie lays down a great sounding hook and MGK backs it up with speedy, aggressive verses. The rest of this short EP doesn't really lose momentum and isn't boring even after a few plays in a row. If you're a fan of this style of hip-hop, definitely grab this EP as digital download for $4.99 from the link below.





Digital Download here

Madchild "The Ep Collection" Review

Madchild, of Swollen Members, is my favorite rapper right now. Madchild's unique voice and style should draw any hip-hop fan in. If that's not enough, maybe his charisma, personal (and often comedic) lyrics and skill will. Shane Bunting isn't afraid to tell his audience about every aspect of his life. In Little Bad Wolf he discusses  his legal problems; "Yo I tried to get into the States, they weren’t having it/Going through my bag like a bunch of savages /Customs agent looking like he’s mad at me/Cause I got friends that look like Sons of Anarchy". In Drugs In My Pocket he reminds us of his battle with drug addiction; "I need some help/I've never felt this fucked/cause I had everything and then I had to self destruct."  


Maybe I'm biased, but I don't think this release has any flaws. This 17 track collection of his 4 EPs is just terrific. If you have never heard Madchild, check out Dungeon Dragon and Drugs In My Pocket. If these songs don't have you hooked, there must be something wrong. The low-point of this release is right at the end; the final two tracks. Wanted and I'm OK can't stand up to the rest of the record, but are still not bad by any means.
Madchild's debut solo album Dope Sick is currently a work in progress.


http://www.madchild57.com/

Mac Miller "Blue Slide Park" Review

I don't often read lyrics while listening to music because I expect a lot of writers in hip-hop to be sub-par, and a lot of them are, but Mac Miller truly is a lyricist. The entirety of Blue Slide Park features memorable lines and catchy hooks. Every verse is near phenomenal. From start to finish this is one of my favorite albums of the year. Party On Fifth Ave and Under The Weather are easily the highlights of the album, and even the more radio-friendly track Up All Night is great. The production is great throughout and Miller's command of the beats is simply fantastic. There really isn't a bad song to mention, although the record dies down a little towards the end. I highly recommend checking out this album, as well as the rest of Miller's material.

You can purchase Miller's debut album here: http://www.merchdirect.com/MacMiller/CDs/Blue_Slide_Park?productid=14848

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