Title: The Art of Storytelling
Artiste: Slick Rick
Genre: Hip-hop
Familiarity: Zero
Note: And so we make the ill-advised descent once again into the murky world of hip-hop. One thing that really bugs me about h-h albums is that they always seem to have so mnay tracks! I mean, look at this one: over twenty. I know some are short, one-minute-or-less “skits”, but still. Oh well, here we go again.
1. Jail skit: Okay that was fun. Liked the idea of a police guard walking past jails where three different guys were trying out their rapping skills. Clever.
2. Kill niggaz: Enjoyed that too. I like the way he raps but also sings.
3. Street talkin': Piano is great in this and I like the idea of trying to get his life back on track after being in jail
4. Me and Nas bring it to your hardest: Like this too. It's all kind of laidback musically and not too much raw anger in your face. Very impressed by this.
5. I own America, Part 1: This is great fun and has a really infectious beat. The police sirens are ****ing hilarious.
6. Bugsy Radio skit (1): Meh.
7. Who rotten 'em: Love this. Rap music to fall asleep to?
8. 2 way street: This is brilliant too. Are there any bad tracks on this album?
9. King piece in the chess game: Another great track. I love the way he just puts his message across calmly without roaring, using too much of the f-bomb and generally is very easy to listen to.
10. Trapped in me: And another great trick, great chorus, again low-key but powerful
11. Impress the kid: Great bass on this, love the keys too.
12. Q-Tip and Peter Gunz skit: Again, meh, but it's only seconds after all.
13. I run this: This is great fun.
14. Frozen: Another great track
15. Why why why: Like the singing on this one.
16. Adults only: Bit too crude but done well.
17. Memories: Another great track
18. Unify: And another
19. Bugsy Radio skit: Another meh
20. I own America part 2: Really sweet melody. Funky and groovy!
21. CEO outro: Nothing to rate here: four seconds.
End result: I was not looking forward to listening to this, but amazingly I think I finally found a hip-hop album I have no problems at all with and love just about every track. As I think I said before, Micco is becoming my go-to guy for this kind of music, so thanks to you man and the impossible has happened.
So, Love or Hate? If you'd put some money down with Paddy Power you could have got great odds on this never happening, but it's not my fault you're not rich now. This is, wait for it, a
True Love!