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  • March11th

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    “Battle of the Sexes” Report Card

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    battle of the sexes

    Battle of the Sexes was heavily promoted when Ludacris released his sixth album, “Theater of the Mind” in 2008. Now, two years later, the album has finally seen the light of day. The album was originally intended as a duet album between Ludacris and Shawnna, which was suppose to be setting up her next album. However, due to some unknown reason and Shawnna leaving DTP for Nappy Boy Entertainment towards the end of 2009, Ludacris stripped the album of Shawnna and replaced her verses with guest verses. Shawnna did make the album, however most of her verses were removed. On songs where Shawnna recorded the chorus she was listed for additional vocals.

    “How Low” was the perfect lead off single for the album as it flows into the next track “My Chick Bad” featuring Nicki Minaj. This song was a great pairing and Nicki held her own as she was trading lyrical verses with Luda. Chris Lova Lova must’ve liked this track so much that he reached out to Diamond, former member of Crime Mob, Trina and Eve (where have you been) for the remix.

    Evidently, Luda thought the album needed some male substance as he has Trey Songz (Sex Room), Lil Scrappy (Everybody Drunk), Flo Rida (I Know You Got a Man), Ne-Yo (Tell Me a Secret) and Gucci Mane (Party No Mo’). Now honestly, there were many flaws with the male cast. Lil Scrappy verse on “Everybody Drunk” should’ve been left on the cutting room floor as Shawnna verse on the original was far more superior, and this what caused this track to be one of the weakest ones. “I Know You Got a Man” shouldn’t made the final cut. And Gucci Mane didn’t serve a purpose as he made a cameo on the hook.

    One of the strongest tracks of the album would be “B.O.T.S. Radio” featuring Shawnna and I-20. This is a great track as The Runners production and the skill level. Each subject matter was perfectly addressed with no stones unturned. The gem of the album would be “Can’t Live With You” featuring Monica. If anyone has ever had a love/hate relationship, then you would relate. Luda expresses his feelings on this one: Just when I think its cool, you back startin sh*t/Findin the smallest things to start an argument/ Goin through my phone, know you shouldn’t took it for/ Hope your stupid ass found what your lookin for.

    With a little over an hour of listening time, the end of the album came all of the sudden. This was somewhat odd to me because I’m used to funny skits throughout Luda albums or maybe a funny outro track or something. Instead the last few tracks of the album are remixes of previous tracks on the cd. Was this a way to fill the cd up………?

    Grade: B-

    Kevin Petway
    The Waterboy

    &

    David Watson
    Captain Of The Debate Team

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  • September10th

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    Report Card: The Blueprint 3

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    The Blueprint 3

    “We talking bout real shit or we talk bout rhymes?!?” The question can be taken many ways, and answered even more. Like wise the opinion of Blueprint 3 is sure to vary vastly. All I have to say is it must be hard being Jay-Z, having to compete with yourself and all…


    The third installment of The Blueprint opens up with the synth-lace Kanye track “What Are We Talking About.” Jay releases the real, addressing Hip Hop nay-sayers that often say we keep talking about crack: “I ain’t talking about profit, I’m talking about pain/I’m talking dispair/I’m talking about shame.” In beautiful the horn driven No I.D composition “Thank You“, HOV spits one the hardest verses to appear on BP3. S DOT proclaimed he was going to lyrically assassinate the onslaught but instead thanks the would-be warriors for killing themselves:


    “Not only did they brick, they put a building up as well/then ran a plane into that building and when that building fell/ran to the crash site, with no masks, then inhaled/toxin’s deep inside they lungs, until both of them was failed/blew a cloud out like an L to a jar and took a smell/cause they heard second hand smoke kills/niggas thought they were ILL found out that they were ewl/and its like you know exactly how I want you to feel.”


    After the singles, with an ode to the Big Apple in “Empire State Of Mind” (where was Nas) a long awaited collabo between Hov and the lovely Miss Alicia Keys keeps the magic going. “As Real As It Gets” produced by The Inkredibles and featuring Young Jeezy is a solid record. However, it embodied a Young Jeezy record, and did not sound like a Jay-Z record; this happens again with the poppy “Forever Young” that features the lastest G.O.O.D music signee Mr. Hudson. As we go “On To The Next One” Swizz Beatz combines Lil Webbie’s “Wipe Me Down” and T.I.’s “Swing Yo Rag” then remixes it to create a club track for HOV….as you can tell this is another track I didn’t care for. However, I can already tell when it comes on in the club, its going to be my cut…HA!


    After hitting the club with Swiss, Hov swings by the dump and picks up a garbage ass track from Timbaland. “Off That” that which features Drake is the worst song on the album, legend or not, the track sucked. Thankfully, Jay heads back to the crib with a Kanye and No I.D. beauty in “A Star Is Born.” The song features ROC Nation’s first signee J. Cole which arguable steals Jay’s shine (a la Eminem on “Renegade“).


    After disappointing the world with “Off That” Timbo redeemed himself with the bass heavy “Venus vs. Mars.” Your favorite underdog and G.O.O.D music artist Kid Cudi raps the hook on “Already Home” as Jay-Z (visits Dallas, ALLLLREADY?) addresses the “young in’s” by stating “I’m in the Hall (of Fame) already/on the wall already/I’m a work of art, I’m a Warhal already/On another level on another plane already/H.O.V I got my own lane already.”


    Originally set to drop on 808’s & Heartbreaks “Hate” is the first time we see Jay and Ye go back and forth on some Styles/Jada which is clearly ILL! Then you have “Reminder” the other Timbaland track…which I am still up in the air about but is infectious. Followed by the Pharrell assisted “So Ambitions” which again addresses the haters proclaiming their hate provides the motivation make it.


    If Blueprint 3 was compared to a previous S DOT effort it would have to “Kingdom Come.” However, not in a bad way, (I liked that album,) but by it showing Jay’s maturity and growth from the street hustler we was first introduced to in 96′. Other than being sprinkled with some wack tracks and not having a Just Blaze cut, Blueprint 3 was a success that closed the door of the a legendary trilogy.




    GRADE: B





    J. Manning
    Superintendent

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  • May19th

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    Report Card: Back On My B.S.

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    busta-rhymes-back-on-my-bs

    After the lackluster album The Big Bang, the hip-hop nation wants to know if its time for Bus-a-Bus to gracefully bow out the game. Due to his release from Aftermath, dealing with numerous delays and title changes (Before Hell Freezes Over, Back on My Bullshit, Blessed and B.O.M.B.) and signing with Universal/Motown, Busta Rhymes is out to prove that he has something left in the tank.


    The album starts off with the opera-opener “Wheel of Fortune” as Busta invites the world into what has been missing for a long time from him as the track is followed by old school drop beats. The trend of old school drops are also in “Give Em What They Askin For” and “I’m a Go and Get My…”

    He does some recruit for guest appearances as Lil Wayne and Jadakiss bless their verses on “Respect My Conglomerate“. (FYI: Lil Wayne does have the best verse on this track) ;T-Pain leans his auto-tune vocals on “Hustler’s Anthem ‘09“; Flipmode Movement on “We Want In” with Ron Brownz and finally Jelly Roll on the seduction track “Sugar” The album does have some of its hurdles as he attempts to experiment with the Estelle featured track “World Go Round” and pitiful Neptune produced track” Kill ‘Em”.

    One of the best tracks of the album is “Decisions” featuring an All-star cast of Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Common. On the opening bars, Bus-a-bus laced us with this lyrics: Let me talk to you, when it feels like the sun ain’t shining bright enough /It’s like the devil’s trying to work to give ???? /And though I’m blessed, I still gotta handle of things I go through /It’s good to have a friend, with another perspective to show you.


    This album will have its usual Busta Rhymes moments with high energy tracks and it is a step away from The Big Bang. He does, however, tries to travel back in time to become his old self but at some points of the album his fails to do that. This album is also a featured album and it could have became a compilation album and we should have had more Busta Rhymes only tracks.


    Grade: C


    Kevin Petway
    The WaterBoy

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  • May19th

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    Report Card: Relapse Album Review

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    eminem_relapse-lg1

    It has been five years since the release of Encore and many hip-hop fans have wondered if Slim Shady has it anymore. Through the turmoil from his battle of drug addictions, the 2nd divorce from his ex-wife, Kim, to the death of his best friend, Proof; he has survived it all to release his comeback album Relapse.


    The album starts off with “3 a.m.” as Eminem immediately goes into his murderous flows and wordplay through the song, which will make the audience take a second list and a fresh breathe of air to recapture on the essence of the old Slim Shady.  “Insane” portrays many encounters of being sexually abused by his stepfather. He also take shots at Mariah Carey (or Cannon) on “Bagpipes from Baghdad“. The attack on other celebrities doesn’t end there as he blatantly assaults Lindsay Lohan and his favorite target of all-time, Brittany Spears on “Same Song and Dance” and the late Christopher Reeves on “Medicine Ball“.


    There are some tracks where Eminem should have been sent back to rehab on with such titles as “Old Time’s Sake“, “Must Be the Ganja” and “Crack the Bottle“.  However, Marshall does rebound with the reflecting track “Deja’ Vu” where Eminem retraces his life as he was addicted to prescribed pills. And finally, the tear-jerking and only Eminem produced track “Beautiful“.  On this particular track, he wonders if he could trade shoes with anyone; also he lays one of the eye opener lines in the entire album Nobody asked for life to deal us with these bullshit hands we’re dealt/ we gotta take these cards ourselves and flip ‘em don’t expect no help/ now I could have either just sat on my ass and pissed and moaned/ or take this situation in which I’m placed in and get up on my own.


    From the beginning to the end, Eminem has re-established to the world that he has never left. He has supplied us with Slim Shady of old with his comical style, murderous lyrics, massive wordplay, and his tear jerking tracks all into one album.  If the entire album was balanced, this would have become a classic. However, this is one comeback album that should be purchased, lookout world, Shady’s back!!!!!


    Grade: C –

    Kevin Petway
    The Water Boy
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  • April21st

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    Report Card: Deep Than Rap

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    Rick Ross - Deeper Than Rap: School Of ILL


    As one of the most anticipated albums of the 2009, Rick Ross finally drops Deeper than Rap, after a few delays, many conversations questioning his past and street cred, and not to mention the heated beef with hip-hop’s most notorious tyrant, 50 cent.

    The album starts off with the mellow production from J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Maybach Music 2, which features stellar performances from Kanye West, T-Pain, Lil Wayne and even Rick Ross himself.  The flow of the album continues with Yacht Club. The Boss states in order to join this type of life, you really need to have your stock up.  On Usual Suspects, he trade verses with Nas, showing how “nasty” he is with one of the legends in the game.

    Even though he is not one of the greatest lyricist in the game, he does show growth on Rich Off Cocaine.  As he displays having the Scarface-type success, he does, however, have an epiphany at the end of the song and his best lyrics of the entire album:

    “Vacation to Haiti/It nearly broke my heart/Seein’ kids starve I thought about my Audemar/Sellin dope ain’t right/I put it on my life/Chickens put me in position to donate the rice”

    During the course of the album, he does take shots at the G-Unit general on such songs as Valley of Death (You never was a G nigga, Unit means together), In Cold Blood, and last but not least, the song that started it all, Mafia Music.

    The album does have some songs that interrupt the flow like The-Dream featured track “All I Really Want” is more of The-Dream track instead of Rick Ross.

    However, Rick Ross has once again delivered another pleasing release. He may not be known for his lyrics, he does know who to put together fan pleasing album, which he has a variety of singles he can choose from and can be carried over into the summer.  This album is by far, one of the best albums out so far this year.

    Grade: B

    Kevin Petway
    The WaterBoy

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  • April8th

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    Report Card: The Last Kiss

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    jadakiss-the-last-kiss-school-of-ill

    Ever since he dropped his debut album Kiss the Game Goodbye in 2001, Jadakiss has struggled to deliver a classic album. With more than ten years under his belt, over 2 million records sold, and a five year hiatus, the “best five dead or alive” was planning on delivering a classic with his Roc-A-Fella debut and much anticipated album, The Last Kiss.

    Mr. J-A-D-A opens the album with the head nodding Pain and Torture as he navigates his lyrics over Buckwild’s production. Jada manages to link up Young Jeezy and switches to south paw on the Fiend produced track “Something Else”.  It seems like Jada wants us to think, as he does a 2009 version “Why” entitled “What If” featuring Nas. Mr. Kiss tThe Game Goodby put a lot of things in prospective on this track  saying …

    “what if Shyne beat the case and Diddy did a dime flat/ What if Nelson Mandela could get his time back/ what if Malcolm was silent and Martin was violent/ What if you can really sneak an oozi on an island/….What if Manhattan was hit by Hurricane Katrina/ What if a black man was the one control of FEMA?”

    The Neptunes have always had problems with producing the right track for Jada. However, they manage to get it right on the third try as Jada’s rapsy voice turns sultry, marinating over the smooth synthesizer laced track “Rockin’ with the Best”. (FYI: Jada, this should be a single).

    The album still has more high points as he tries to go for mainstream with “By My Side” with Ne-Yo in command with the hook. In “Letter to B.I.G” he illustrates the current state of Hip-Hop as he claims many of today’s rappers are more commercial and have weak hearts.  Jada also displays his personal side with the Mr. Divine produced “Things I’ve Been Through”. He takes the audience through his musical journey over the melodic looped track with the late, Luther Vandross is on the hook.

    However, Jadakiss has stumbled with some low points of the album.  The Swizz Beatz produced “Who’s Real” sounds like Swizzy used the same sounds from Beyonce’s “Get Me Bodied”. “One More Step” is a nicely produced track, however, with Styles P., the song sounds like both artists are off track and are never were able to get back on. Finally, “Grind Hard”  should have been deleted from the song list, even with Mary J. Blige assistance, doesn’t help the track from drowning.

    If Jadakiss is looking for his mainstream album, this one is not it. It is a good record, with many street records. There are one, maybe two records for the radio, but not enough for the mainstream success that I believe he is looking for. However, I do believe Jada is still one of the best five dead or alive.

    Grade C

    Kevin Petway
    The Water Boy

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  • March26th

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    Report Card: Slim Thug

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    slim-thug-boss-of-all-bosses-cover-school-of-illEver since his debut album, Already Platinum, we, as hip-hip fans wondered if Slim Thug will drop another album. After numerous delays, the dissolved relationship with Interscope Records to signing with E-1 Entertainment (formerly Koch Records), Slim Thug finally drops his anticipated sophomore album Boss of All Bosses.


    Slim Thug captures the audience with the title track, “Boss of All Bosses“, with the help Mr. Lee, who produced majority of the album, as the bell chimes in the background his voice commands your attention as to say Thuga ain’t to go anywhere anytime soon. On the following track “I’m Back” with the help of Devin the Dude, Slim addresses some of the issues that he dealt with during his tenure at Interscope: “I drop Already Platinum but it only sold gold/ and niggaz looking at me like I sold my soul/ Cuz I’m rapping with P and not Mr. Lee/ But when you’re on your grind sometimes you can’t see.”


    Unfortunately, the album has its slow points “My Bitch“, which uses the sample of “Faded Pictures“, was not a good fit for the album and makes you want to listen to the original instead. Thugga also feel short with “Associates” where he addresses the issue of fake friends but Z-Ro singing on the hook made the song more depressing. The Boss of All Bosses made a valid point with this release and has passed the class with only a few bad marks.



    Slim Thug – I Run

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    Grade: C

    Kevin Pentway
    The Water Boy

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  • March24th

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    Report Card: In A Perfect World…

    Posted in: Report Card

    Keri Hilson: In A Perfect World - School Of ILLIn today’s music world, it is a tough transition for songwriters to step out of the shadow of the artists that they have produced hits and transition into stars themselves. As we all know, only a hand full of artists have made that transition successfully. Keri Hilson In A Perfect World wants to prove in her own right, that she can become a superstar in her long awaited debut.

    Ms. Keri manages to write majority of the album herself. One of the strongest points on the album include Timbaland’s protege’ Danja produced “Tell Him the Truth“. Ms. Keri opens up her heart and feelings on the ballad. However, don’t think that Keri is a good girl throughout the album, as she displays her bad girl side and wants revenge on “How Does it Feel.” & Ms Keri Baby is patiently waiting  for Mr. Right on “Where Did He Go.” Some other standouts on the album include “Knock You Down“, “Make Love” as well as the radio smash “Turnin Me On.”

    However, the album does suffer its weakest points as well. It has its fair share of fillers. “Return the Favor” with Timbaland is a great example of why mp3 and CD player come with a forward and or skip button.

    Overall, I believe Keri proved  that she belongs next to other fellow female counterparts & S.O.I hopes she to garners the same respect of other songwriters turned singers such as NeYo & The Dream.

    GRADE: B -


    Kevin Pentway
    The Water Boy

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  • February25th

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    Report Card: Joe Buddens: Padded Room

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    In case you didn’t know Mighty Mouse a.k.a Joey Buddens has dropped his latest album “Padded Room“; The album features production by various producers including The Klasix, Blastah Beatz, Dub B, Versatile, Dilemma, MoSS and KidSource. So Make sure you go out and support, its on sale! You can afford $7.99 even during a recession Buy Here!!!



    Since his 2003 self-titled debut, Joe Budden has been on a run in the hip hop community with his singles “Pump It Up” and “Fire” as well as colloborations with many artists. It seem like he was ready for a follow-up until his CD, The Growth, was shelved by Def Jam and eventually released from the label. With this release, Padded Room, it seems like Joe had a lot on his chest.


    Joe does play to his strengths on the album. The album opener “Now I Lay” reintroduces the world on who he is and where he left off. Budden upheld his own ground on the Fyu-Chur produced track ”The Future”, trading verses with former nemesis, The Game. It would not be hip hop without any beef address on an album, which he shows his love/hate for Mobb Deep’s own Prodigy on “Blood on the Wall”. He does break down his own trials in the melodic “I Couldn’t Help It”, where we find Budden confessing about how he wasn’t thinking of children with his baby mama but only a fat ass to having a secret love affair with a rapper’s wife in Las Vegas.


    Buddens ends the album with an ode to DMX “Pray for Me” which he has the conversation with God over a carjacking. As God, voice by Michael “Black Mic” Williams, try to inform Budden about the life that he had and he could do better; Budden, otherwise, calling God’s bluff by stating: You make mistakes like me, as far as I can see/I think it’s a mockery when rich niggas win the lottery.


    The disturbed mind of Joe Budden dropped some lyrical jewels on Padded Room. However, the beat selection doesn’t quite equal up to what Budden is saying. The 80s-inspired rock tracks like “Don’t Make Me” and “Adrenaline” doesn’t match with the overall feel of the album. This is one album might become a sleeper unless you are a true fan of Hip Hop.

    Grade B

    K. Pentway
    The Water Boy

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  • December10th

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    Report Card: Common: Universal Mind Control

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    Chicago’s conscious underground rapper turned movie star rapper, Common, returns with his attempt to enslave our ears in “Universal Mind Control”. This the rappers eighth album is a change in stride from the norm, going away from the soul beats to a more techno/electro-funk feel with the help of Neptunes and Mr. DJ  (of Outkast fame).

    The album starts in a good place with the title track and a killer rhyme pattern. Then continues with “Punch Drunk Love” featuring Kanye West were Common spits sensual seduction using original metaphors like, “check my dictionary that ass is so defined”. On “Announcement” again we hear him link up with Pha-Real to give us a dose of great wordplay, but leaves you feeling disappointed. Com goes hard saying “I still love her she be needing the dick/ when it comes to hip-hop its just me and my bitch” ahhh huhh! I used to love her got us to this and then later he disappoints in the same song with the line “Broads ask are you a philosopher yeah yeah I philosophy on top of ya”. Not his best in the least and the album continues to fall short at times. It is saved however wit tracks like “Make My Day” and “What A World” where he uses a Furious Five old school flow over the bouncy dance track, which actually works and is a fun song to listen to.


    Overall not what you expect from a Common album (Electric Circus), however it takes him into a new direction adding a new sound for the more then ten year vet. But Common’s insight and deep reflection on the world is missed on this album. There are times where we see glimpse’s but then he turns away. It seems Hollywood has captured the once underground legends attention and focus. So time pass out my grade for this project, all things considered it being only a ten track album half are good but the other half are not. The briefness makes you remember the bad tracks more…..so I give it a a reluctant C- Class dismissed!!! I still love ya Com!

    Grade: C -

    DEAN ROBINSON
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