[Review] B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray

Artist: B.o.B
Album: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Release Date: April 27th 2010
Production: T.I. (exec producer), Jim Jonsin, Bobby Ray, Crada, Alex Da Kid, DJ Frank E, A.D. & Kutta, Dr Luke, Lil' C, The Smeezingtons, JackPot, Free School, Ensayne Wayne & Polow Da Don.
Guests: Bruno Mars, Lupe Fiasco, Hayley Williams (of Paramore), T.I., Janelle Monae, Rivers Cuomo (of Weezer), Ricco Barrino & Eminem.

Anybody who may have been following T.I. on Twitter (http://twitter.com/Tip) may have realised that he only has one subject on his mind. It isnt his recent spellin jail, or the fact he has Twitpic'd several pictures recently of his new Ferrari, or even his own project due to be released at the back end of 2010, but actually the man who has the weight of Grand Hustle Records on his shoulders.

When I first became aware of B.o.B's music, it was straight off the back of a mixtape he had released, probably around two years ago now. The song 'Haterz' was a light buzz with Hip Hop radio stations across the US, but it did not really create a splash. I probably just thought that B.o.B was the latest rapper out of the 'A' trying to be the next big thing. The sound of his music back then was something far from what we have come to hear on the new album, and maybe these early mixtapes was just B.o.B testing the water.

'Haterz' was a typical rap song about what 233,783 rappers have rapped about on their own albums, and I remember playing it once on the last station I was on, and then forgetting that I had it on the system in the studio. I still wonder if they still have it on the computer, and if anybody has come across it and had a listen, or it is long gone. If it is still there, now that B.o.B is now in the mainstream circus of 2010, it may just pop up when DJs search for him!

When 'Nothin' On You' began making it big in the UK, I was beginning to wonder if Bobby had a future in the mainstream world of Hip Hop - alongside the Flo Rida's, 50 Cents, Eminems, Jay-Z's, and Ludacris's. I certainly knew that if he was, he would have to come with something a lot better than 'Haterz', or anything else he had on those mixtapes. OK, he could ride with T.I. for a while, and benifit from having a big artist feed you publicity and money, like Tony Yayo has made a career of doing, but it is difficult to overcome the 'favourite child' of a record label. Bobby Ray had to come with something different. And he has.

In a way, the new album feels a lot like Kid Cudi's album which dropped last year, in terms of the fact that both artists are trying to deliver a new sounding Hip Hop. They are distancing themselves from the bling, hoes, cars and 'Hi Im a rapper that is rich from his record label advance, although I used to be poor, and I go clubbing and Im a pimp that gets shot at a lot' type of image. In a way, B.o.B is mixing several genres of music together to create a sound that even the Indie kids can listen to.

'Nothin On You' is massive, without a doubt, and this is the type of sound carried out across the CD. As a listener, I can tell that each song is written from the heart and is filled with emotion. This song goes against everything Hip Hop has stood for in the past, as it promises loyalty towards a woman, despite the rapper being center of attention in the Urban music scene, and facing many distractions. The same can be said for 'Lovelier Than You', which for me is one of my favoute tracks on the album, simply due to the fact you can feel the emotion seep from the melody.

B.o.B did not go crazy with his budget for the album, and did not go about getting the top music producers in the world to send him beats. Like Lil' Wayne did on Tha Carter III, and Kid Cudi is doing, he is experimenting with different sounds, different styles and different methods of rapping/singing on each song - and it seems to be working.

I was just as suprised as the next fan, when I saw the tracklist for this album and saw that Eminem was a guest. Apparently, even B.o.B was not aware that this move had been lined up until the last minute. The song 'Airplanes pt. II' talks about the 'what if' side of each of the rapper's lives, and how easy it could have been not to have achieved what they have done. While B.o.B talks about getting noticed in Atlanta by chance, to having a multi platinum selling album, Eminem talks about luck, and how life has been a series of 'chances' that have come together to give him the unlikely career that he has had, and how it could easily have been different. With Hayley Williams from the rock band, Paramore singing the hook, I can guarentee with all I have, this song will be a hit on both sides of the Atlantic - trust me, the label knew this one would be a money spinner.

'Magic' was also a track which has had several plays on my iPod, featuring the lead singer from Weezer - the song is more of a rock/Indie song than Hip Hop. I expect this to be single number 3, if 'Lovelier Than You' doesn't drop before it. 'Past My Shades' is also a potential hit, featuring Lupe Fiasco.

So in my eyes, the album is almost perfect, and certainly went beyond my expectations - dont be tempted to purchase the bonus tracks from iTunes (if they do not come complete with your copy of the CD), no matter how big you see the name of the producer. 'Higher' was not the track I was expecting from Polow Da Don, who we all know, is the kids favourite music producer these days (rightly so), but this track feels like 'B.o.B stole the beat from Polow's Recycling Bin rather than the 'Club Banger Vault' which Id imagine is securly passworded.

Overall, this is a great buy, and not just for the rap music fans - but for the general music fans. Certainly one of the top albums of 2010 so far...

9/10

[Review] Eminem - Relapse: Refill

Artist: Eminem
Album: Relapse: Refill
Release Date: 21st December 2009
Guests: Dr Dre, 50 Cent, Drake, Kanye West & Lil' Wayne.
Producers: Dr Dre, Eminem, & Boi-1da

No matter where MTV rank him in a list of the greatest rappers at current, or where Hip Hip fans place him on the blogs, Eminem is the best rapper alive today in 2009. This is a statement that I can back up with facts, statistic and reason that will also be backed up by millions more that will back the next rapper. Fact.

So when Eminem released his fifth studio album following the 2005 greatest hits collection, it seemed that the world had gone 'Slim shady' crazy again. He may be one of the most controversial musicians of the modern era, but it soon became obvious that when Relapse dropped in the summer, how much this man had actually been missed - the only other artists that could hideaway for four or five years with so much demand for a return, are probably dead and in the music hall of fame. Its a fact, that the backwards 'E' logo, carries with it more than just a white man who grew up in the slums of Detroit, trying to make it big in a game that traditionally didn't play by his rules. From being a Hip Hop misfit, to felling over 80 million records world wide, it is clear to see why Eminem has touched so many hearts.

As I write this, and listening to the second edition of Relapse, I have just finished reading a story about how Scottish singer, Susan Boyle has outsold the first edition of Relapse, which meant she is now the best selling artist of 2009. I am happy for her, but not only that, but I am happy that Eminem is a markstone for who you need to outsell to be number 1. Not even Bono's U2, or another post retirement Jay-Z effort could come close to Eminem's album sales. So maybe MTV should go away, anylise the people who work for them, have then checked out by mental health experts, and then come back and revise another top 10 list of the greatest rappers of the current time, because their last effort was an insult not only to Eminem, but to Hip Hop, and the music industry as a whole. Rant ended.

So what did I make of the first installment of Relapse? I did not think it was a classic, and certainly not top of the list of past Eminem albums. If I were to rank previous material from Mr Mathers, my all time favourite would be none other than his 2002 album 'The Eminem Show', purely on the lyrical depth that he went into, followed closely by his 8 Mile soundtrack album, then 2000's 'The Marshall Mathers LP', 'Relapse', 'The Slim Shady LP' and finally 'Encore' from 2004. That does not go to say that that I found Encore disappointing, just that it didn;t contain as much excellence as the rest.

The album goes deep into Eminem's troubled private life, mainly his drug problems. The album mixes fiction with personal health issues, and a little bit of exaggeration. Not only is Eminem helping resolve his own problems by extracting it from himself via the use of music, he is also helping others around the world to, from album to album, dealing with depression, drug problems, family problems to issues of fame, Eminem offers an insight into not only how he swerved to avoid them, but added a touch of light hearted comedy to the remedy. Sure when he talked about killing Kim, he was only venting his anger and frustration of a troubled marriage through the power of creativity in his music, but as a society, we knew Eminem was never a mennace with a chain saw - only a fool would believe that.

Relapse itself pokes fun at the media's perception of himself, hence the use of interludes on the album which create little sketches around his rehabilitation program. Songs such as 'Medicine Ball', and 'Must Be The Ganja' all look back at drugs, and are explicit warning messages to others. The album itself told a story, that you would only understand if you listened to the tracks in the order on the disc. From being in rehab, to getting cured, from being high, to being depressed, which songs such as 'Old Time's Sake' and 'Beautiful' portray perfectly.

The album may only have produced three distinguished singles, 'Crack A Bottle' with Dr Dre and 50 Cent, which was the first of two 'cartoon' songs by the famous Aftermath trio, 'We Made It' which was a traditional Eminem single, like the days of 'The Real Slim Shady' and 'My Name Is', and finally 'Beautiful', which acted as the aftermath of when a high fades. All in all, the album was cleverly constructed with time and precision. My only disappointment was that I thought Dr Dre had too much production on the album, and I thought his work was quite a long way from his best. I was have felt easier if Eminem had produced more, but with only one track not produced by Dre, I got the feeling that maybe he was not giving Em his best work - a hint that he is keeping some of the good old Dr Dre beats for another up and coming major album... I am actually hinting at Detox!

So overall, I was satisfied in the summer of 2009 when this album dropped, it sold well and fans seemed to enjoy it, so what do I make of the re-packaged version? Is it just a late rally for more sales before Christmas? Or was Eminem so desperate for his fans to hear all of his work that otherwise, may have just been scrapped? Well I will hide no fact that Aftermath records are in serious trouble. They owe parent company,Interscope millions, and it is becoming an issue, especially in the current climate. That is why some of the less selling artists on the label have gone - why spend thousands putting beats together for a B list rapper to rap over, then another million or so on promotion and shooting videos, when the only reason that artist gets 'some' sales is because he has been mentored by Eminem? So for that reason Obie Trice left the label. Stat Quo left the label. Bobby Creekwater left the label, and I have a feeling Ca$his wont be getting royalty cheques from Mr Iovine for too much longer either. As much as I like these artists as a Hip Hop fan and writer, they are not the way forward for a label like Shady Aftermath. That is why in 2009, Dr Dre knew that only the big hitters could come out. Eminem had to put something out there, whether it meant eating less takeaways and getting back into shape and getting back into the game, whethe rit meant 50 Cent had to his the streets with another CD, and of course, whether it meant the biggest myth on the planet since the creation, 'Detox' would come out, then it had to be done. Believe me, Detox will be out soon, it is happening and it has to - Aftermath depends on it.

So Eminem had 'good' sales from Relapse, but they wern't his highest, and maybe the label could have wished for more. Afterall, I remember Eminem saying he would record 30 songs before selecting the best for a CD, the rest hidden away in Jimmy's lost files, never to be heard by the public - so for Eminem to be doing this, you know times must be deperate, and 50 Cent's album sales wont be turning those frowns upside down.

Refill kicks off witha song that only came about by accident. 50 Cent revealed that Eminem had recorded a verse Drake's song, only to next year that Kanye West and Lil' Wayne were also on the finished version of the song. The song is a battle of the lyricists as Drake and Eminem seem to go head to head, the latter victorious in my opinion, with Lil' Wayne and Kanye off form. 'Hell Breaks Loose' is next, and as I suspected, Dr Dre was the producer of this, and the rest of the songs after this on the CD. Theese songs are basically a carry on from what has already been heard on the album, so that is the sort of thing that you should expect.

'Elevator' is by far my favourite of the new tracks on the CD. The song talks about his vision of his career before he met Dre in the mid-late 90's. It talks about how he never expected to sell records, as well as a reminise of the late Proof. Not only does the song then talk about how he can now afford an elevator in his mansion from the success of his record sales, but it also is a metaphor for the direction that his career has taken.

The best beat on the album goes to 'Taking My Ball', which gamers may find familiar from the recent DJ Hero game that was released a few weeks back for Playstation 3 and XBox 360. I get the impression that the chorus may be talking about the fact that although he has become so well respected in the industry, that he has been feared, and nobody will 'take his ball', meaning go against him. Maybe Susan Boyle will play with him (and I meant that as a personal joke).

'Music Box' dark and mysterious song which is hard to understand the meaning of. It talks about being drunk, high and this is reflected in the sureal lyrics. Finally, another Dr Dre beat, which you can tell because he has almost used the same beat that he gave Mary J Blige on 'Family Affair' in a song called 'Drop The Bomb On Em'. The song talks about not his MC career in total, in a battle rap format against a fictiocious character and situation. Hip Hop fans might jump to the conclusion that the fact a current rappers name was mentioned that he is taking shots. I doubt it, but make your own mind up. Em raps: "Boy I told ya boy, Im a soldier boy, Im DeShaun/holding in this b****, Im the proof boy, you're a fraud." Whatever this is about, Im sure this is not an attack on Soulja Boy!

To some this album up, I am unsure whether fans should by this repackaged CD if you already have the first edition of the album. Since Rihanna, Chris Brown, 50 Cent and Lady Gaga have all brought out delux editions of their albums with either new tracks or bonus DVDs or whatever, it will not make this a best seller of 2009. In fact, Em stated that this was to keep fans in the frame of things while Relapse 2 is in the pipeline. But overall, I am a Relapse fan, but if you are such a fan that you would buy the album again for seven extra tracks... then its up to you. Lets see what Santa brings eh?!

9/10

[Reaction] Ja Rule & DMX end their beef

When two Hip Hop rivals decide to end a feud, the moment becomes captured, and is remembered for a long time. When Jay-Z and Nas ended their feud, many people whitnessed a moment of Hip Hop history which they would never have thought they would have seen. With Nas seeming to be the harder of the two rappers, following diss records such as 'Ether', it was Jay-Z that signed Nas to Def Jam, leading many people to perceive that Jay had come out on top, which I strongly disagree. But not all feuding is kept on the records, as Ja will tell you.

Ja Rule has been no stranger to a little bit of beefing. In the early 2000's, he was engaged in a bitter feud with is local rival, and upcoming MC, 50 Cent, and despite Ja seeming to brush this off at first, as being a jealous 'kid' from the area trying to catch a little fame, we all know how much further 50 would go ahead, and despite fake police papers leaked onto the internet trying to label 50 a snitch, many people will look at this feud as the downfall in Ja Rule's career.

So where did the Ja Rule/DMX feud come from? To me, this seems to stem from jealousy. DMX thought that Ja was using the same style of rapping, as DMX was once embraced as the 'rough voice' rapper until Ja started having number 1 records.

So despite DMX firing a couple of diss records towards the Queens rapper, it seemed pretty much dead in the street, until 'The Chicago Incident', which is still a mystery to everyone, with only little facts to enlighten us to what actually occured at the airport when the two entourages met, apart from DMX claiming he saved Ja's life.

The beef was apparently squashed back in 2006, when mutual friend, Irv Gotti arranged a meeting between the two rappers in a jail, where DMX was currently serving time (DMX has had so many felonies, that it is actually impossible for me to find out what he was doing time for in this instance), however, DMX said he would only end the beef if he could 'have five minutes alone in a cell with Ja' so he could 'sort it out like grown men'.

And after the tension had died down, a track was leaked onto the internet from Ja Rule (later included in the leaked album, 'The Mirror', which I reviewed a few weeks back) called 'Judas'. Ja raps:

"Dear Judas what's the deal homie?
How you feeling theese days n***a,
I'm little lonely, no D, no Y, no E, no Kiss, no Styles, no Ruff, no Rydas, doubble lost findes,
We grown men n***a, I tried to put it behind us, but n***as always restate weakness and kindness, so it gets to violence..."

Ironically, the song also takes subliminal shots towards former label mate, and collaborator, Ashanti, with whom Ja performed with last night at the same awards show that he ended the feud with DMX. Eminem was also expected to appear, which would have added another twist in the night, as Ja and Em had a famous feud when Ja Rule dissed the Detroit MC in retaliation associating himself and for signing his enemy 50 Cent, to his Shady Aftermath label. Eminem and DMX had collaborated with another Shady Aftermath artist at the time, Obie Trice, and made a diss record titled 'Go To Sleep', to which DMX had said:

" Easy going with the same one that started the fight,
He be knowing how dog get, when dog gone bite,
Tried to show him the dog shit, it's dog for life."

So with the DMX/Ja Rule beef now put to sleep, and a 'ceasefire' between Ja and Eminem - it just leaves a couple of more questions. Will this lead to Ja calling it quits and squashing the beef with 50? And speaking of 50, was this a publicity stunt, similar to that when 50 and The Game had apparently ended their beef infront of the cameras, only for it to continue rumbling on? I think the answer to both of these questions is 'no'.

DMX has been in enough trouble, and has said in the past, that he wants to sort himself out, and I cant see personal issues such as this stand in his way. And finally, Ja Rule and 50 Cent have been sworn enemies for pretty much their careers - it was Ja Rule that accused 50 Cent of snitching and sending his man to jail, and is believed that the man who infamously shot 50 Cent nine times, was an associate of Murder Inc and Ja Rule, and lets not forget the incident where Ja Rule's entourage stormed a recording studio where 50 was, leading to him getting stabbed by a Ja Rule associate, Black Child. This kind of beef is perminant, and will never be resolved.

But in the mean time, it has gone quiet, and I think the two have decided there was better things to do than diss each other - focus on their own.