Posted 25 May 2010 - 03:15 PM
Nas and Damian Marley -- Distant Relatives
I just copied and pasted my review from amazon.com.
Nice and very impressive release from both artists, whom i consider accomplished. Production is classy, seasoned and mature, lyrics are dope but damian marley dominates throughout the album, are you kidding me? it actually sounds more like "Distant Relatives; Damian Marley featuring Nas" seriously, Nas was almost obscure most of the time, you cannot readily tell that there is a huge hiphop presence on the album. The beats come with huge reggae influence, not a surprise since most is made by damian himself, nice to listen to but nas the rapper did not pull his weight at all. It was more like Nas was passing by every song and decided to drop a verse, on the verses themselves, he sounds like he wasnt exactly sure how to broach the subject of Africa's different tribulations and trials. He still sounds like some guy reading a story about Africa and decides to tell it. He does ok, but his influence on the album is not felt as it should have been. By the way, what the hell is Lil wayne doing on this album?? his stake on publicity? this is completely ridiculous, lil wayne completely pulls down the album's worth. You tell us Africans about leaving the hood, staying faithful to your wife, disarmament and staying away from drugs and you feature Lil wayne? way to go Nas(cos i'm sure it wasn't damian's idea). But before i entirely castigate t
he album, i enjoyed it, much because of damian's impeccable artistry, Nas is ok but is easily out-shined.
Talib Kweli and Hi Tek's Rev per mInute
Album is dope but Hi- tek's production gets boring after a while, what a waste of Talib Kweli's blazing lyrics. How the hell do you use the same kicks from song 1 almost to the last song???? what producer does that?? after each track i kept waiting for Hi-Tek to come with a new concept on the next beat, nope, the same damn kicks, cmon.
album is nice, still playing it, Talib kills every track, beats are ok, but with Hi-Tek's status? i expect better. Sometimes i kept wishing talib could do the same with producers like Notzz, DJ khalil, Boi 1da, Kanye West, better still, BLACK MILK!!, that dude gat skills. this is why i dont always like this One producer one emcee thing, it kills creativity and variety, most of the time, it doesnt work, unless ur dre, timbo or Premo.