CooLikeDat Review: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy [Album] | Kanye West

Kanye West's fifth album entitled My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy finally released yesterday, November 23rd. The clean version released over a week ago but, the real fans have been waiting for the uncensored, unadulterated, raw music from Ye. I know so many of us were waiting for Kanye to come back with a real rap album and he final has. This is one of Kanye's finest works, if not the best.

CooLikeDat Review: Nothing | N.E.R.D.

With the opening "what I need, what I need is that girl there" of N.E.R.D's T.I. Assisted "Party People" you think Nothing is going to be nothing but a normal party filled N.E.R.D album. Well, you're partially right. Even with the hype saturated club ready anthems like "Party People", "Nothing on You", and "Hot N Fun" , Nothing stands as one of N.E.R.D.'s most politically abrasive albums yet.


Songs like "Life as a Fish" tackle the subject matter of creationism, evolution, and Genesis...something Hip Hop has yet to do to the extent of dedicating an entire song to those topics. "Its In the Air" opens with a mans random rant and disapproval of America's media core and is followed by a jazz and piano assisted metaphorical song for "fake" . Pharrell offers his vocal talents once again like he did with "Help Me", another socially topped song inspired by the likes of rock bands from the 70s and 80s. 


However, don't be scared! N.E.R.D. Still provides the unorthodox lyrics that their fans have admired since Their debut album "In Search Of". "Sacred Temple" offers a different take on attraction with lyrics like "You're my temple, get all my needs, and I come to you!".  The end of the album helps round out exactly what N.E.R.D. was trying to do with this Project. "I Wanna Jam" and "The Man" end the album with two songs of rebellion, revolution, and all out fun. Lyrics from "I wanna Jam" like "All you old school ni**az should just go fishing for pearls, I came to sweat!" could easily be the summary of the album. 


Now this album is definitely a different sound From the bass and synth pumped band of the past, but the music is nothing less than qualitative. Taking on many subject matters that mainstream music chooses to ignore, Nothing is that breath of fresh air for the mind and body. This isn't to say that you won't dig what their talking about because even though they took chances with the topics, they will more than likely make you move with whatever they're speaking of. 


Although the flow of the album could be better, Nothing stands as the soundtrack for the little boy wearing purple in a circle of people wearing white in the 70's. It is different, not bad and if you open your mind to it, you can love this album just as much as any of the others.


My favorite tracks: Sacred Temple | Party People | Its in the Air | Help Me | I've Seen The Light | I Wanna Jam | The Man 


9/10

CooLikeDat Review: Pilot Talk | Curren$y

Pilot Talk dropped today, July 13th and I've been waiting for months, literally. Ever since I saw the "Prioritize" video I was so exicted. Over all I am very proud of the outcome but, let's take a trip through the album hopefully you got it. But, if you didn't make sure you cop it and don't just get the leak its worth it. Really... Curren$y has been giving out free music for the longest time! Just give the dude your money haha... Sorry for this a lil' toasty rite now.

Jets Nigga Where Haven't We Been Yet...

The album started off in a weird way... I really didn't know what to expect with Example it was more of a fuck it I made it type of beat during the hook but, then it lowers when Curren$y starts to flow. Uncalled for pretty much. But, on this track Curren$y is basically letting everyone know to "boss up" and get to the grind. Which is always a good message! Then, he took it to Audio Dope II. If you know Curren$y you know he had a track on the Smokey Robinson Mixtape entitled Audio Dope so this is part two. He hits you with hard rhymes in a laid back way. "Kick the shyt outta beat, call in CSI." King Kong is of course a great track paying respect Denzel's famous quote in Training Day "King Kong ain't got nothin' on me." and gives it a harder edge and with this beat. I honestly thought of Donkey Kong or some type of video game with the sound samples in the background. With "Seat Change" I didn't expect Snoop to be on the album and I didn't know where he was going with that. The track has a weird sound to it with the flanger added to it. I think Wiz was supposed to be on the track due to the fact he said in the beginning "It's the Planes & the Taylor Gang." But, too bad he didn't get cleared to be on the album. Snoop's verse was whatever to me. Breakfast was a great new jazzy remix. I love the album version. If you didn't know the original track was produced by Mos Def. You already know Spitta dropped hard ass bars if you heard the track. I actually saw the new Karate Kid it was a huge disappointment because now whenever I think of Karate Kid I think of Curren$y listen to the last line and you will understand. No crane kick was performed in the new one...  (By the way that Mos Def saying "You're the best at the end.") and then the track just rides out. Honestly, before I heard this track "Roasted" I haven't been able to take Trademark seriously ever since I saw him smoke between to butter knives in Mythblazers on YouTube. But, he has the same type of personality that Curren$y has but, he's just not Spitta. Trademark has tough as tracks though. I have no idea who Young Roddy is. "Skybourne" is a kinda like "No Wheaties" well at least the features have the same flows. And it's featuring the same people Big K.R.I.T. & Smoke DZA. "The Hangover" << Not reexplaining. I really feel like I heard this track before like a leak but, I don't know. I really am not feeling Mos Def on this hook. Jay Electronica as usual crushes his verse. My favorite track by Curren$y of all time I have no idea why... his flow is just so fuckin' hard on this! The hook is tough everything about it is tough. Nebsy Phips was ment to be on this track to. Sometimes features can kill a song but, he complimented it. THEN... "CHILD COUGHPHEE" comes outta no where! Devin the Dude brings his a unique flow to the whole album. The beat is so crazy too... not one I would expect Curren$y to rap on but he did say whatever he likes he raps on. "Address" is not one of my favorite tracks but, its not a bad track @ all. I just don't think I like Curren$y on the track. It was more of Stalley's type. Ski Beatz shoulda just given it o to Stalley. Lastly, it ends off with the victory track "Life Under the Scope." Letting you guys who haven't heard the album the version of this track is different from the original track. "We belong on the top but, we ain't trippin' we get there in a minute." I felt like the album wasn't complete unless Wiz was on it because Curren$y & Wiz are like the super duo of this year. So I added... "Scaling the Building" as the last track. :) But, over all great album.

9.5/10

CooLikeDat: CooLikeDat Review: Sir Lucious Left Foot...the Son of Chico Dusty | Big Boi

Warning: this is a detailed review(lol)

The long-awaited album starts off with a very nice piano and strings intro that will have your head nodding within the first 30 seconds. Then the intro is ended with a “Damn, and that wasn’t nothin’ but the intro” by Big Boi just to let you know that for the next 14 songs, your ears will be emerged in “ear-gasms”.

The album takes a turn for a faster pace with the welcoming back sounds of “Daddy Fat Stacks”.  The heavy bass beat will make you fall in love if not the lyrics as Big Boi speaks : “Kept my sights of the prize wide open worldwide like the thighs of a hooker spread, told the girl bye”. The very country sounds of “Turns Me On” takes you to a more Idlewild feel as the sultry sounds of Sleepy Brown and Joi feel your speakers. At the end of that song you listen to a more contemporary collaboration between Big Boi and Vonnegutt called “Follow Us”. The hook is of very alternative sounding as it matches with the vibe of the beat.  The album then detours to the familiar sounds of Big Boi’s current hit single “Shutterbug”.  Appropriately dubbed as a “club banger”, “Shutterbug” offers bass worthy of the attention of Heaven and will keep you hype throughout the whole song.

After your ears are refreshed by that song, you take a journey towards a very dirty south sounding record. “General Patton” gives you not only a great  beat but great lyrics as Big Boi lets us know what’s what and who’s who: “We come in peace but some of y’all n**gaz come in greed/gluttons f**kin up the game like ice, heroin, or speed”. From the intensity of “General Patton” your heart rate can catch a small break with “Tangerine”. Once again the bass fills this song, but with a feature from T.I. and a buzz-worthy and club-worthy topic, this song sets itself apart from the rest of the album: “She said her name was Tangerine, damn the American dream/ she all about her f**kin cream, shake it like a tambourine”.

The next three songs (“You Aint no DJ”, “Hustle Blood” and “Be Still”) only add to the greatest of the album. “You Ain’t no DJ” features Yelawolf and calls out all fake DJ’s,  “Hustle Blood” which features Jamie Foxx sheds light on the age old story of women falling for a guy with a hustle bone, and “Be Still” featuring Janelle Monae on a subtle track sings to the truth of love: “Be still young heart, never will you fall apart”.

After those three songs we then get into one of my favorite songs on the album, “For Yo Sorrows”. The beat is nothing less than perfect with a great heavy bass, funkadelic strings, and a nice hi-hat for speed. The hook will make you listen twice to make sure you heard what you thought you heard the first time,  but just for reassurance the hook sings “For those who think life isn’t fair ‘cuz I blow my smoke in the air/as if no one is standing there, then ill roll one tonight for your sorrows” . With features from Too $hort, the infamous George Clinton, and Sam Chris, “For Yo Sorrows” solidifies a spot in the top listens of the album.

“Night Night” featuring B.o.B. and Joi has a speedy beat along with a great flow from Big Boi and great voice offerings from both Joi and B.o.B. The next song “Shine Blockas” featuring Gucci Mane automatically gives a southern feel with a sample and a typical bass line. As the album begins to end with two songs left, one of the songs “The Train pt. 2” offers a very effectual sound from Sam Chris on the hook. The sound is definitely refreshing and a great way to wind down the album. “Back up Plan” is a song for everyone, and a great way to end the album as Big Boi offers a great variety of lyrics all spread out through 2 verses.  

Overall, I thought this collection of songs was one for the ages. Although the album has been awaited for a longer period of time than hoped for, it was worth every single hour, day and month of waiting. For all Outkast fans expecting to hear a continuation of the “ATLiens” Big Boi or even the “Speakerboxx” Big Boi, you might want to put that aside for this album. Big Boi is still lyrically potent and honest as he was back then, and is going to be, however the production styles are somewhat different and mainly a lot more contemporary. It is safe to say that “Sir Lucious Left Foot…the Son of Chico Dusty” is a more refined Big Boi that anyone can enjoy if they open their ears  to bass charged beats, favorable lyricism, genuine southern hospitality  and an overall entertaining album. 

9.5/10 

CooLikeDat Review: Thank Me Later | Drake

Aubrey Drake Graham's debut album Thank Me Later hit shelves almost two weeks ago, June 15th. Many people do not know that Drake's 2009 mixtape entitled So Far Gone was a mixtape. But, it had the notoriety of a full length album. I actually caught onto the whole Drake wave late because so many of what me and a couple friends, "The Weezy Riders (People that listened nothing but, Wayne)" were like Drake is amazing. I listened to So Far Gone after all the hype of the "Ransom" release. The first track where I noticed Drake was a special artist was "Say What's Real." I never thought anyone could crush a beat like that. When Kanye dropped the original track on 808's I never thought someone could tear that beat to shreds. Honestly, that song hit so many spots. I felt like I knew Drake. Not many artists let you into their life like that in such a vivid way. But, enough about So Far Gone. Thank Me Later was a great album. I actually listened to the leak two weeks early and decided to buy the actually album on June 17th. I encourage everyone to get the album instead of leaking it. The album version of "Fireworks" is different from the leaked version of it. Drake is an ultra talented artist. Drake is carrying YM on his back while Wayne is locked up. He paints such a vivid picture into his life and how people think he changed up and dealing with the problem. But, you can thank him later.

My favorite tracks are
Fireworks (Official Album Version) | Karaoke | Show Me A Good Time | Up All Night | Light Up | Miss Me | Fancy | Thank Me Now

8.8 / 10

CooLikeDat Review: Tacklebox (Mixtape) | The Cool Kids

The Cool Kids dropped their fifth, and most recent mixtape entitled Tacklebox. This is surely not my favorite mixtape from them.. I know it's got a couple of tracks that are bumpin'. But, I think I was listening to it the wrong way. Chuck said stop bumping it on laptops but, my laptop is connected to my stereo. Also, I uploaded the tracks onto my phone memory card and I have some pretty nice noise canceling Beats by Dre Coby headphones.
         There old stuff was doper. Gone Fishing might be my favorite mixtape that's out from them. I know Chuck isn't a "real" but, his rhymes slipped on this one. The beats were pretty dull nothing ear catching except for Fishing Lessons & Gettin' Flicked. I used to love The Cool Kids because their beats were so ill. But, it seems honestly that Chiddy Bang is now my favorite new school hip hop group right now.  Mikey was hilarious as usual. A whole bunch of dope lines. A lot of hype on this one but, it's probably gonna grow on me.
          By the way Tennille did this tape some justice. I wouldn't have any other singer on this & Boldy James killed his verses on "Gettin' Flicked" which I figured out from Mikey is straight up G.


"I make that thing drop like the socks when they lose the elastic." - Mikey Rocks



Favorite Songs: Fishing Lessons, Great Outdoors, Good Afternoon, Parking Lot, Summer Nights, Gettin' Flicked

7/10

CooLikeDat Review: The Choice Is Yours | Don Cannon

Tha fuck? I found this posted all over @illroots. After the Cav's lost their shot at a ring this year LeBron decided to become a free agent. This mixtape is dedicated to LeBron. Every verse on this tape is dedicated to bringing LeBron to their city. Why? One thing I must address is Brisco! Where the hell has he been?

Uncle Murda - Brooklyn, Nets / New York, Knicks (You already know!)
Brisco - Miami, Heat
Chip Tha Ripper - Cleveland, Cavilers (He isn't going back Chip)
Mikey Rocks - Chicago, Bulls (Disrespected New York... Negative Points! Hilarious verses though.)
Jadakiss - New York, Knicks (You ALREADY KNOW!)
Nipsey Hu$$le -  Los Angeles, Lakers (LA would be unstoppable if LeBron was on the Lakers)
Atlanta, Hawks - Don Cannon (I don't think he counts)

My favorite track on this mixtape is "I'm The Man." Why did they dedicated three tracks to LeBron?! I understand one track but, not a whole mini-mixtape. But, in the end I think that New York is the best choice! From what I know right now ESPN reported that Chicago is the front-runner in LeBron's choices. But, Jada really brought out the fact that New York would be the best choice. "Billboards life sized, Jersey sales through the roof, sneakers likewise." Its the truth though. But, even better if he signed with the Brooklyn, Nets it. Fresh team... Fresh Jerseys.

6.5/10

CooLikeDat Review: The Great Adventures of Bobby Ray | B.o.B

“Don’t Let Me Fall”- Good lyrics, great message. 4/5

“Nothin’ On You (feat. Bruno Mars)”- As we all know by now, this song is definitely gold. The hook is amazing as well as meaningful and the beat is very universal. 5/5

“Past My Shades (Feat. Lupe Fiasco)”- One of my favorite songs on the album. The music is absolutely great, up-tempo and has lots of character. This also goes for the verses put in by both Lupe Fiasco and Bobby Ray. 5/5

“Airplanes (Feat. Haley Williams)”- Although this song is seen as mellow and on the more sad side, it is a very commendable effort. Haley Williams contributes her amazing voice and does not fail us at all. The hook singing “Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky were shooting stars? I could really use a wish right now” is so relatable to any person. 5/5

“Bet I (Feat. Playboy Tre and T.I.)”- The beat for this song is one of my favorite on the album. I wish I could say the same thing for the lyrics and the hook. Lyrically, this is not B.o.B’s best. T.I . lends a great flow to this song and at the same time I didn’t really care for Playboy Tre’s verse. 3/5

“Ghost in the Machine”- Although a very melancholy record “Ghost in the Machine” gives us lyrics as real as it gets. With his singing/crooning voice, B.o.B expresses feelings that most of us are probably not too hasty to admit we have, all in all this is very a relative song. 4/5

“The Kids (Feat. Janelle Monae)- Listening to the feel of this song and listening to the lyrics are two different things. To me the music and lyrics did not match each other. While a rather positive and happy vibe contributes to the beat, the lyrics are someone on the depressing side(“The kids don’t stand a chance.”) With this I also have to say that this is one of the most honest songs on the album and for that I love it, especially with lyrics like this: “Always in detention for the lack of my attention, you can call it deficit, really I just didn’t listen.” 4/5

“Magic (Feat. Rivers Cuomo)- One of the more happier songs on the album, it was an pretty moderate song. Not the best, but not the worst. Depending on the mood you’re in, you might love it and you might not. Fun song, took me back to my childhood. 4/5

“Fame”-Not one of the most memorable songs on the album. At the same time it has the one of the best hooks, it was pretty old school. 3/5

“Lovelier than You”- Pretty different track from the rest of the album, but considering it is B.o.B, I guess its not. I feel like this is more of a reprise of “Nothin on You”. 4/5

“5th Dimension (Feat. Ricco Barrino)”-Beat is good to me and I find myself liking the sounds of Ricco Barrino more than the verses on the song. B.o.B gives good lyrics, this is one of my favorites.4/5

“Airplanes Part II (Feat. Eminem and Haley Williams)”- Somewhat different from Part 1 in terms of music, “Airplanes Part II” delivers the same quality as the first. Not to mention Eminem is nothing less than great. 5/5

As you can see I absolutely loved this album, with the exception of a few songs it was flawless lol. 2 thumbs up for Bobby Ray!

Rating: 9/10

CooLikeDat Review: Don't Mention It | Pac Div

Pac Div released their third online mixtape today. I almost forgot it dropped but, I caught it a couple of hours after I got home from school. The tape is pretty dope, I kinda like it better than Wiz Khalifa's Kush x Orange Juice because they didn't have the same reoccurring track coming with a different beat. Pac Div isn't liked for their lyrical content but, for the fact they can make you laugh. At the same time they can have tracks like "Overcome" on the mixtape where they let us about their come up and their hardships. Maybe it's just me but everytime "Here We Go" it doesn't play. I think I need to download it again. Also, respect to Pill goin' in on "Birds." I'm waiting from something from him.

Favorite Tracks: "It's On"| "Birds (feat. Pill)" | "Brocolli"| "On Off Switch (feat. TY$)" | "Don't Forget The Swishers (feat. Dom Kennedy, cARTer & Chip Tha Ripper"


Rating 7.8/10

CooLikeDat Review: Kush x Orange Juice | Wiz Khalifa

Last week Wiz Khalifa released his highly anticipated mixtape entitled Kush x Orange Juice. When I say highly anticipated I mean
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED.
That is all you saw on Twitter. Trending Topic? Really? Who is Wiz Khalifa for people to be creating that much hype. Hmmm.... I guess everyone relates to that ignorant shyt. "I fuck bxtches. I get money. I smoke weed." Yeah that type of stuff is fun and all but, the topics get too repetitive. Mayb I was looking for some insight on his old life and him comin' up. Wiz Khalifa also is not much of a lyricist but, I believe specifically through lyrics he is in the bottom 5 out of all the XXL 10 Freshman for '10.

Favorite Tracks:
"Mezmorized" | "We're Done" featuring Demi Lovato | "In the Cut" | "Glass House" featuring Curren$y and Big Kritt

Overall it was alright but, the great thing about it is it came just in time for 420! Tomorrow, I definitely plan on using it. Happy Holidays everyone!

6.8/ 10

CooLikeDat Review: Music For The Bitches | Film Skool Rejekts

It’s Saturday night and I’m up browsing the online music archives like I always am. Then I head to Cash and Caviar and what do I see? Really different looking artwork with “Music for the Bitches” on the front. If the title of the mixtape didn’t catch my attention the name of the group sure did: Film Skool Rejekts. So I download, and start listening. The mixtape starts off with a subtle ballad-like piece called “Love Means Everything”…and is then interrupted by the angry sounds of “Chris Brown.” Now I’m pretty skeptical, but then it proceeds to take my ears to the old school sounds of “What Are You Afraid Of?” Lyrics like “I put her on the Pharcyde while she passin’ me” kept me tentative to the song. Now its “Synthetic Substitution” and this song makes me declare myself a fan. So far this album is one of the most honest and anger felt mixtapes I’ve heard in a very long time. Now some might ask “how is good if it’s so angry” and I say the honesty is astounding and its all things that we’ve felt before, we were just probably too scared to say them. Songs like “Ava Carter” tells the truth about what really happens when you put your time and money into “fixing” a person or “making them better.” “Leave Me Alone” tells the story of a stalker female with the lyrical content and then…it proceeds (with caution) to one of the highlights of the mixtape: “Saturday Night Dicksucker.” Now don’t be fooled, the title of the song is raunchy but if you listen close there is a message…other than that of sexual innuendos. “Thing for Me” is a great song that expresses someone wanting you, but Film Skool Rejekts makes it ten times better by using the lyrics of one of the best and the flow of one of the better. All of the songs are simply great and to hear them you will simply have to download the mixtape. “Music for the Bitches” brings out unforgivable honesty and recognizable lyricism. Although it is essentially angry and primarily focuses on the sour side of relationships with females it is worth the download(besides it is called “Music for the Bitches” right?).

Download/Listen Here 

*Btw I am not an advocate for domestic violence by listening to the songs "Chris Brown" or "Synthetic Substitution"...it's still wrong no matter who you are. Thank you. That is all. =)*

CooLikeDat Review: Til' The Casket Drops | Clipse 7/10

1. Freedom (Produced By Sean C & LV)
2. Popular Demand (Popeyes) feat. Cam’ron (Produced By The Neptunes)
3. Kinda Like a Big Deal feat. Kanye West (Produced By DJ Khalil)
4. Showin’ Out feat. Yo Gotti Produced By The Neptunes)
5. I’m Good feat. Pharrell (Produced By The Neptunes)
6. There Was A Murder (Produced By DJ Khalil)
7. Door Man (Produced By The Neptunes)
8. Never Will It Stop feat. Ab-Liva (Produced By Sean C & LV)
9. All Eyes On Me feat. Keri Hilson (Produced By The Neptunes)
10. Counseling (Produced By The Neptunes)
11. Champion (Produced By The Neptunes)
12. Footsteps (Produced By DJ Khalil)
13. Life Change (Produced By The Neptunes)
14. I’m Good feat. Rick Ross (Remix) (Produced By The Neptunes)

The fact that 90% of these tracks were leaked didn't help this at all I expected a lot more. Hell Hath No Fury was much better. This album lacked so much the first song was like please I hope the second song picks up and I heard the second song and I heard the third song. This went on until the 6th song and the 6th song was crap. The only good songs were the ones that were leaked. I don't know what happened I expected better.

CooLikeDat Review: LRG Presents: The Professional Leisure Tour | Kidz In the Hall 7.9/10

Download It

Dropped December 8th, 2009. I heard a couple of the tracks that were leaked from this mixtape. Kidz in the Hall are so dope not because they are cool in general its because Naledge has the lyrics and Double O has the beats. Its a great mix.

Favorites: Grizzly Man, Flickin', Blade Brown

Btw I'm making the reviews out of 10 because its to hard out of 5.

CooLikeDat Review: The First Flight Diggy 3.4/5

I have to say this mixtape was not as bad as I thought it would be. It's lyrically a 6/10 but Diggy has a flow for real. Some of the lyrics got repetitive. He really does have potential. There was not one beat on this mixtape that was bad. This was a pretty good mixtape for me not worth downloading because I find his voice annoying but, if you lookin' for some new music I guess here...Or Chip.

CooLikeDat Review: Attention Deficit Wale 4.2/5

Wale's Debut Album Attention Deficit 11/10/09

01. Triumph
02. Mamma Told Me
03. Mirrors (featuring Bun B)
04. Pretty Girls (featuring Gucci Mane & Weensey (of Backyard Band))
05. World Tour (featuring. Jazmine Sullivan)
06. Let It Loose (Inhibitions) (featuring. Pharrell Williams)
07. 90210
08. Shades (featuring Chrisette Michele)
09. Chillin’ (featuring Lady Gaga)
10. TV In The Radio (featuring K’Naan)
11. Contemplate
12. Diary (featuring Marsha Ambrosius)
13. Beautiful Bliss (featuring Melanie Fiona & J.Cole)
14. Prescription
(iTunes Bonus Tracks)
15. Center of Attention (Artistic Integrity 2)
16. My Sweety
17. Be Right

Favorites: Beautiful Bliss, 90210 & Mirrors
Not Favorites:


The Washington D.C. born rapper finally after much anticipation released his first studio album. I was so busy in the last two weeks due to my schoolwork I never got a chance to listen to it but this album. Finally today since I wasn't doing anything I decided to listen to it. It is amazing this is the one of the only albums this year that I could listen straight through. It is much better than KiD CuDi's Man on the Moon: End of the Day due to its more advanced lyrical content. KiD CuDi had a more abstract album but the Wale had a straight hip hop album. The album was something I'd expect from Lupe it rivals The Cool for Lupe but a little less dark. Great album I encourage EVERYONE to buy it or if you're to cheap download it!