This was is for you, Apollo Kid! TV nerds unite! BTW, I am liking that FlashForward show. From a fellow LOST fan.
So, I am not one to post a review of every album that comes out. There are too many albums released each day and most have no more than 2-3 dope tracks on it. I know this is the same rhetoric you hear from everybody, so I’ll stop my rant right there.
However, 88-keys’ album is impressive & stays true and simple to the album’s concept – the “rise and fall” of a man b/c of a woman’s seductive (w)hole (big pun intended). This is not an Nas album where you need to transcribe each lyric. Rather the words fit the style of a Tribe or Kanye song and they do not sound contrived or too forced to the beat/topic. The beats, however, I think should inspire newer beatmakers to handle a chopped sample better and keep your head noddin’ (pause). Surprisingly in this day and age of rappin’ hustlers and over-the-top personalities, 88-Keys actually plays a backrole on the album and shuffles between the roles of Mixtape DJ, MC, and Producer. He lets the beats, cameos, and storyline play central character to the album. Joints to check for: the released single “Stay Up!”, “Nice Guys Finish Last”, and “Last Call”. Download Link and Tracklisting are after the jump. Also, No from Blind I (what up, homie!) did an interview with 88-keys when he was in town for PST. (When I am going to get my chance, Sake?). You should check it out. Haven’t been this impressed with a real album (not mixtape) since Blu & Exile’s album.
For anyone that downloaded the Glow In The Dark Mixtape last year, you know this song already. One of the standouts on that mixtape, I have been eagerly waiting for the full length version of this song for awhile. Please download and move to your “Hot Ish” Ipod playlist. 88 Keys’ album, Death of Adam, coming soon… Thanks to Blind I and H.E.R for the links and image.