New Music : The Old Prince

Spent a couple of days in Petawawa (it's ok to laugh at the name) at a friend's house and we then drove to Borden to chill at the mall. Bought 3 albums and a movie : Common's 'Universal Mind Control (UMC)', Q-Tip's 'The Renaissance', Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (classic movie) & Shad's 'The Old Prince'. Now I gotta say I took a chance and bought Shad's album off of hearing 2-3 tracks, actually videos I saw on MuchVibe. Since it's pretty hard to find album's from Toronto artists in Montreal, I thought I would support and take a chance.

Now I never was disappointed by a Common album in the past... but UMC was a let down coz when it was said that Common was a Hip Hop sex symbol, he took it to heart and this album is a result of that (see 'Sex 4 Suga'). Q-Tip's album is pretty tight though ('Gettin' Up' is probably the feel good anthem of the year, finally a song about a positive relationship for a change). But the real surprise was Shad's album. It's the type of album the 'College Dropout' was when it first came out, a great album (lyrics, production), but simply greater because you could relate to it because it was a human being on the mic. A man that loved Jesus, sex, women, money, cars, his mom and family and was also fed up with school (not necessarily in that order). Shad has that common man appeal and is realistic in his rhymes. In a feel good way, 'The Old Prince Still Lives At Home' song is the anti-T.I. joint ('You Can Have Whatever You Like') and more relevant in these economic times, heck he even tells you he couldn't afford the whole beat! I seriously recommend it. Peace!

Check out the review on RapReviews.com, here's a snippet :

"The concept of "The Old Prince" is one that we can all relate to and understand. To sum it up, princes aren't supposed to be old because they are supposed to become kings before they become old. Applied universally, the idea is that we all want to do great things and as times passes we become impatient and begin to wonder whether our time has passed. Shad's album captures his own conflict with the idea of being an old prince."

New Music : 808s & Heartbreaks

Got that new Kanye on tuesday. Opened the package, which came with a poster of him in the extra medium suit lol, but it got deep when I turned the poster around as you see him standing next to his mother while giving her a kiss on the cheek... (moment of silence). I gotta admit I'm a bit puzzled by Kanye's new album, but I'm all ears. Been listening for 3 days now... Dude's been hurt, something fierce. I've been there at some point(s) in my life so I'm feeling what he's singing about... though in a way I kinda wish I never knew what it felt like. For sure, this Kanye album is not for everybody, because it's either you relate or you don't. Those who don't relate are either too young or the "still lucky, for the moment, people" that never had to endure a broken heart, the pain, the loss or simply that "one" (out of many) paranoid girlfriend that goes through ur call list on ur cellphone everytime u got ur back turned.

As you get deeper into this album, you realize this is also the story of a guy who from the outside seems to have it "all", but explains to us his dilemna : "my friend showed me pictures of his kids, and all I could show him was pictures of my cribs"... Luther done told us a house is not a Home.

This said, say you will tell everybody that you know how amazing this album is. This one goes out to those that have a broken heart and sends a message to the heartless. Start picking up the pieces and keep ur love locked down coz this could be the coldest winter yet. Spread the bad news but don't be paranoid it's not like Robocop is hiding under broken street lights waiting to get you like I see in my nightmares. True story, don't u dare call me Pinocchio. Welcome to Heartbreak! (well this was a failed attempt at putting all the song titles into coherent phrases... bleh)

Right now I got the first track on repeat ('Say You Will'), I'm a music fiend.

"moments passing in front of me [...] I know my destination, but I'm just not there" - Kanye West