CJ Fly - Thee Way Eye See It

Released: October 5, 2013

For the past 2-3 months, I've realized how frequent I've been reviewing old stuff, whether it's Slum Village's Fantastic, Vol. 2 or a Tribe album. The reason being that I was eager to review those albums and I didn't really come up with much to review this Summer (well, Drake & Travi$ Scott were in mind, but if anything, I need to save that for later on). Anyway, since it's the start of the new annual, it's time to get into some recent material. And by recent, I don't mean recent as in this year of 2 weeks ago. Nope, let's rewind back to 2013.

When it came to Pro Era, I always said Dessy Hinds was my favourite out of the group, and thought he had potential. Well, it's been 6 months since I've reviewed Joey Bada$$ and said that, and Dessy has yet to release a freaking project, and instead of going to start of the group mixtapes, I decided to move to CJ Fly, who is probably the best behind Capital STEEZ, and making a breakthrough on Joey's mixtape with his unique style, was nominated for this year's XXL Freshman (unfortunately, like Mick Jenkins and a few, he didn't make it, leading XXL to make what everyone called one of the worst Freshman lists).
I came across the 22-year old Brooklyn rapper on an Alchemist mixtape. Yes, surprisingly, it wasn't 1999. It was on the bonus disc of The Alchemist's The Cutting Room Floor 3, on a song called "CBS". As a matter of fact, it was also where I came across Dessy and Nyck Caution, and was more aware of Pro Era. After, I began to be interested in the PE discography, mostly Joey where I found him again on "Hardknock" and "Don't Front", and started listening to his music via YouTube.

Anyway, CJ, after the release of Joey Bada$$' Summer Knights, released his debut project, Thee Way Eye See It, in October 2013 on Pro Era/Cinematic. The mixtape, which was downloaded over 45k times on DatPiff, featured 18 tracks, with features from Joey himself, Ab-Soul, Dessy Hinds, T'nah Apex & even Phife Dawg (of A Tribe Called Quest), with production from BrandUn DeShay, Statik Selektah, Cookin Soul, Chuck Strangers and more. The tape managed to get a lot of praise and recognition, leading CJ to some minor success, but having yet to release another tape.

Honestly, there's not much to say, whether it's that it was classify as one of 2013's best mixtapes... wait, let's see... *5 minutes later*... nope, not even! It's another underrated project I gotta get on with, as it's not as recognized as tapes like Owl Pharaoh & Acid Rap is. So, let's check it out, and see what CJ did on this, and why the hell he hasn't released another project yet.

1. FLintroCK
So the mixtape starts, and to begin, CJ takes no delay in rapping something a little quick, and actually kills this shit. Damn! The beat from Cy Fyre even makes it up more as CJ spits. A good opening and I realty liked it.

2. Tug-At-War
This is something laidback and so freaking chill! Esta provides a funky and jingly beat, while CJ raps about life the way he sees it, and how things are like from his perspective. I really liked this, and with the beat being funky, CJ's lyrical flow and content were on point, impressing me with his verses as he tells interesting stories. Great song.

3. Ernee (Feat. Dirty Sanchez)
Pro Era member Dirty Sanchez is the first guest on the tape, and with CJ, actually does well and interested me more than CJ did. Here, as the track opens up with a Biggie soundbite, the song focuses on their lives in Brooklyn and trying to make it out the hood with a name, and they actually pull it off, explaining their early stages and how survival isn't easy. It's an interesting song, which have CJ & Dirty at their most reminiscent, giving advice to people not from Brooklyn, to say what it's like. With a sombre ass beat, this was pretty good and is one of the standouts.

4. Day zZz's
Statik Selektah produces one of the most laidback beats. And behind "Carry On", this remains my favourite beat from him, as the drums and sample on the song is just amazing. CJ focuses on how his days go, and what he has got up to before in his lifetime, showing off his fantastic storytelling skills over a sleepy instrumental. Honestly, this is just so wavey and chill, to the point that I can play this everyday with no problems at all.

5. Loco Motives
Oooh, this is actually pretty good. The first half starts with a smooth interlude called "Head In The Clouds", which features a trumpet sample, but when the beat comes on, it's just sick. CJ does a quick verse over the chill instrumental, and it is what I love about this particular track. But after some time of a instrumental break and CJ doing the chorus, the beat switches up to the normal "Loco Motives", which actually departs from the normal boom-bap vibe, and goes to something more modern (with a sombre sample), and it's doesn't fail to impress me. And his flow picks up to be very fast and on point. If anything, I nearly thought I was gonna like "Head In The Clouds" more, but the latter actually proves to be very impressive as heck. A standout on the album!

6. Eyetalian Frenchip
A play on "Italian"/"eye/I" and "french"/"friendship", CJ tells a love story about him being stuck between two woman. The first verse focuses on an Italian girl he met called Bella, and how they became good friends, with a motive to take her out. However, the next focuses on the French girl named Eda, but actually is a double meaning, using her as a gun metaphor, telling all the things she/it will do for him. As CJ tells the story, he realizes how he's in trouble, not knowing who to choose. This is another performance from CJ as he tells his interesting stories, and honestly, right now, choosing between "Day zZz's" and this, this one is amazing, showing him at his finest.

7. Q&A
Nope, this ain't a skit that has CJ on YouTube responding to questions. Nah, as a matter of fact, this is the smoothest on the album, as CJ slows it down, honestly sounding like an outtake from a Chris Brown jam (not modern Chris, I mean 16-year old/Exclusive era), as he even does a take at actually singing (he has been doing that for the past songs, but not like this). But actually, this ends up becoming a great track, as I overlook everything I said.

8. Crew's Cunt Troll
Here, the first half kinda put me to sleep. It's bad enough that the beat is WAY TOO laidback, but with the storytelling, it's just boring. But the second part was impressive, with a more polished beat for him to show off his lyricism. Overall, it's just a decent song.

9. Side (Feat. Buckshot)
Now, this one's about to get all dusty as hell, especially if a hip-hop legend is present. On this standout, which is probably the darkest on the tape, CJ gets Buckshot but unfortunately, Buck doesn't get a verse on this, and leaves CJ to be on his own as he does the hook. That's sad, and I really expected him to come on and renegade this album. But oh well, that doesn't mean it's not good. I really love this song!

10. Left Get
This is alright. The storytelling is on point, and that beat is just too much. But at the end, not much stood out to me.

11. Too Paid
Chuck Strangers finally gets a beat on the tape, and he actually does a good job, making a chill boom-bap instrumental for everyone to vibe to. The content is on point, and CJ's flow is very intact and refreshing than ever. This is something I can bump my head to, and CJ comes with some fire lyrics, focusing on making it out the hood, whether it involves selling drugs or rapping, and honestly, it ends up being very decent.

12. Sadderdaze (Feat. Ab-Soul)
Soulo is the next guest, who actually makes the most out of this, over a brandUn DeShay instrumental. The song is good, giving a laidback and sombre vibe, and CJ & Ab proves to be really intact and their flows mesh together really well (although CJ suited on here a little better than Ab). It's a pretty amazing song, and one of my favourites.

13. Still The Motto
Cookin Soul cooks up a nice jazzy beat, for CJ to spit on, and it's a great way to show his amazing wordplay. CJ doesn't disappoint or bores me, at all, kicking from where we left off with "Hardknock", and giving out the smooth 90s showtime vibe, while Cookin Soul comes with the heat.

14. Sup Preme (Feat. Joey Bada$$)
Joey finally comes on for this standout, and has the best verse on this, while CJ comes with his sing-songy flow. Unfortunately, this ends up being way too short, feeling like an interlude. This is my favourite on this album though.

15. Seek Well (Feat. A La $ole & Phife Dawg)
Yes, ladies & gentlemen, A La $ole, an underrated Pro Era member comes on, but the legendary Phife Dawg is present as well. And it is the one from A Tribe Called Quest. On this track, it's a little more funky and the most nostalgic feeling track on the album, where it's more of a get-down song having CJ, $ole and Phife talking about their experiences with a girl. CJ starts off good, with $ole doing well, but sounds unexpectedly young than he looks. But Phife once again comes with the heat as if he's still in his prime, proving he still has it at 43, being a proud father and sports fan. This is probably the best on the album.

16. Outro-wed (Feat. Erick 'Arc' Elliot)
The album (kinda) concludes with a track, which has CJ at his finest, and a guy called Arc comes and actually does well, impressing me, considering that I haven't even heard of him. But however, the second part is a hidden track called "Feel Soul Good", which is more better than the previous, due to the chill instrumental and CJ's monotone flow. At the end, however, it's nothing of a standout.

17. Thee Heist (Feat. Dessy Hinds, Chelsea Reject & T'nah Apex)
Honestly was expecting this to be a big posse cut, but I like it, and like "Seek Well" it's really soulful and smooth as hell. Once again, Dessy is just amazing. I understand he doesn't have the recognition to drop something yet, but I wish he did tho. Chelsea Reject comes on with a sick verse, that had me bumping my head. T'nah comes, with her sing-rapping, and is pretty good. But however, BOOM! CJ comes in, and renegades this whole track with another one. before ending the whole track unexpectedly. Another epic track.

18. The Error
Another good song, which was previously a throwaway when CJ announced the mixtape. And once again, Cookin Soul is on the boards, making another smooth ass track. But hearing how good the track is, it comes out a little short and very quick. But iStillLoveIt tho!

And the movie is over... and you know what? Thee Way Eye See It is just... decent. Yeah, I said it. Just decent. It's nothing like 1999 or Summer Knights, but I didn't feel it. As I wrote this, I felt sleepy, OK. Nothing interested me as much. I mean, I wasn't bumping my head to this like I would with other albums. While there were good songs for me to vibe to, the whole feeling was a little boring. CJ couldn't switch up that much, and the 90s vibe was way too much on this. The production was alright. Cookin Soul was fire on "The Error" and "Still The Motto", with Carnage doing well with "Loco Motives" and "Sup Preme". The features are on point, with people like Joey doing well on "Sup Preme" and Dessy, Chelsea & T'nah doing an epic collab on "Thee Heist". But when it's all over, it ends up becoming a decent but a little forgettable tape. And I now understand why this is never mentioned as one of the best mixtapes of 2013. I mean, Acid Rap is a classic, Owl Pharoah is a full-length album banger, and Summer Knights is amazing. I don't recommend a purchase, if I'm honest. Listen to the 5 songs (and the honourable mentions), and see if it'll inspire you to actually listen to the whole thing. The(e) way I see it is different from how people see the mixtape. Many think it's good. I think it's shaky and mediocre. Now let's just wait for Kirk Knight's Late Knight Special, and seeing with "Extortion" and "Knight Time" (and features from Joey, Mick Jenkins and TheMIND), I can tell it'll be better than this.

The Furious 5ive
Seek Well
Eyetalian Frenchip
Sup Preme
Day zZz's
Thee Heist

Honourable Mentions
Side
Ernee
Loco Motives

The Retrospective: Little Brother - The Minstrel Show

Released: September 13, 2005

September 13 is known as a great day, but very unfortunate for hip-hop. While the release of Notorious BIG's Ready to Die in 1994 is a special thing, considering that it remains a classic, it was also the death of the legendary 2Pac in 1996. But with RTD celebrating its 21st anniversary in heaven, and people reminiscing over 2Pac's death 19 years later, one of the slept on anniversary moments in hip-hop has gotta be a certain album, released 10 years ago today. That album was Little Brother's The Minstrel Show.

But let's rewind back for a sec. After releasing their debut album, The Listening, which took the Blog World by storm during its release, the group took a two-year period to do their own thing before their next album dropped. Phonte went ahead and formed The Foreign Exchange with Dutch producer Nicolay, and released Connected, while Rapper Big Pooh released Sleepers. 9th Wonder, although, got some recognition, and managed to get a beat with Jay Z ("Threat"), releasing his compilation The Dream Merchant, Vol. 1 in 2005. Finally, they managed to release their second album. But there was a little change...

Released on the 9th anniversary of Pac's death, the 11th anniversary of Ready to Die, The Minstrel Show was the group's second album, released in 2005 on Atlantic (ABB Records for vinyl). After being independent on ABB, they signed a deal with Atlantic, therefore making a lot of anticipation from fans who already loved The Listening. With a name like The Minstrel Show, you could easily tell what the album was gonna focus on, with a reference to the American show(s) of the same name, in the 19th century, where whites performed in blackface (and, after the Civil War, blacks); and also followed the concept of that too, with a modernized twist, on a fictional network channel called UBN (U Black N****s Network), a parody of UPN that satirizes stereotypical programs and commercials. The album features 17 tracks, with guest appearances from Darien Brockington, Elzhi, Joe Scudda and Chaundon, and while 9th Wonder nearly entirely produced the album (maybe 85%), the 15% of it featured production from Justus League member Khrysis, Nicolay & Piano Reeves.

The Minstrel Show unexpected sparked controversy during its anticipation for his release. August 16, 2005 was the date The Source's Editor in Chief, Joshua Ratcliffe announced his retirement due to Benzino changing his album rating to a 4/5, mainly because Young Jeezy had the same rating. The original rating was 4.5 and while Benzino had no problem, he still decided to do it and after refusal to change it back, Ratcliffe decided to step down. What was the nail in the coffin during the controversy, however, was when BET refused to play the video for the album's first single "Lovin' It" due to it being "too intelligent" for the audience (which still makes me wonder why the hell BET still exists. 106 & Park hasn't been the same, and the only good thing is the Hip-Hop Awards, with their cyphers), causing an uproar. This wasn't the first time, as they also refused to play a De La Soul video, due to a "lack of relevancy" to their audience. Through the controversy though, it did get praise, with many rating it 4 and a half stars (RapReviews even gave it a full house).

But anyway, 10 years ago today, The Minstrel Show was released. And while the release of Biggie's album and the death of Pac was influential in many ways, this album normally never gets the recognition it deserves. So, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, let's start the show...

1. Welcome to the Minstrel Show
A rap album intro, which kinda differs from normal album openings. With the concept being a minstrel show, YahZarah, with the soulful production from 9th Wonder, creates an actual/conceptual theme song for the album and actually succeeds in making it good as it properly sets the mood for the project, unlike most rap album intros. Chris Hardwick, on the other hand, does a voiceover, introducing the group aka Little Brother. But anyway, let's get into it.

2. Beautiful Morning
So now, the show starts as Phonte & Big Pooh reintroduce themselves with their rhymes and content, while 9th creates a rise-and-shine/cheery instrumental for them to show off their rhyming skills, and I love it. This is where 9th improves on his banging beats, than having sleepy and laidback samples to keep up, and what made me more impressed in the skills of Little Brother. I managed to feel Phonte's verse a lot more than Pooh's, although Pooh started

3. The Becoming
At the end of "Beautiful Morning", Phonte stops the instrumental prematurely to do a solo on a different beat. And the way 9th flips the Rufus/Chaka Khan sample is just awesome, and hearing Phonte telling his story, and how the group was created, is just freaking engaging as hell. Anyway, on to the next track...

4. Not Enough (Feat. Darien Brockington)
I actually used to just love this song. It was something I could listen to, and vibe to, while Phonte & Pooh rap about the hard work they put in their music. Not saying that I don't like it now, but I'd bump my head to it a lot. Now, I can just listen to it a little bit regularly now. I still love it tho!

5. Cheatin
Phonte brings out his Percy Miracles alias (adding Mr. Diggs, a parody of Ron Isley's Mr. Biggs), spoofing the over-dramatic R&B heartbreak radio singles being made in the time whether it was R. Kelly or Trey Songz. It's a song that you can laugh at, considering how accurate it is. But it's best that you take this as an interlude.

6. Hiding Place (Feat. Elzhi)
Elzhi of Slum Village comes on next, and goes back-and-forth with Phonte after Pooh's verse. And speaking of Pooh's verse, what the hell was this: "Poo(h) be spreading out like a body of cancer", I get the punchline, but I'm still not sure whether he's talking about himself or actual poo. Anyway, that ain't the highlight on the song. Elzhi freaking kills this track, and Phonte is just amazing with his bars. What even makes this song better is the fact that J Dilla could've been on this track, hence why Pooh said "me & Dilla go hard", and I can imagine how sick this track could've been. Unfortunately, for reasons that we know now, that didn't happen. But damn, this song just goes hard, MY LORD!

7. Slow It Down (Feat. Darien Brockington)
Not really a standout on this album, but when playing the album from start to finish, I actually don't mind leaving this on instead of skipping it.

8. Say It Again
On this song, which I nearly thought sampled a Jackson 5 track, Phonte & Pooh once again, reminisces about them being signed and getting critical recognition. This here is a really good song. It's one to vibe out to and just bump to, with Pooh doing punchlines and Phonte talks about doing what he wants to. And the beat is just on point!

9. 5th & Fashion (Skit)
Just a funny skit...

10. Lovin' It (Feat. Joe Scudda)
The album's first single, which was pretty much the first Little Brother song I've heard. After hearing about BET refusing to play this song, I just decided to listen and it freaking BLEW ME AWAY! I straight away recognized the instrumental as I previously heard Mack Maine and Jay Rock on it many times before. Anyway, both Phonte & Pooh both do well on this, and I really liked Pooh on this one, while 'Te did a really great job. Joe Scudda, on the other hand, does alright, but for me, it's easier to recite his verse. But, 10 years later, it still bugs me and everyone why the hell BET had to not play it, and considering that they'd rather frequently play the trending music than some lyrical music (I don't mind trending music whether it's Fetty Wap or Travi$ Scott. Problem is how BET just wants to dumb the black youth down) is just off the wall to me. This is just a freaking classic!

11. Diary of a Mad Black Daddy (Skit)
This skit is a little more funnier than the other, just saying.

12. All For You (Feat. Darien Brockington)
Little Brother creates their most personal track ever on this album, while 9th carries one of his best instrumentals on the album. While The Listening's "Away From Me" is on a level close to this, this is just too much, and I really love this song. With the song being dedicated to the two's fathers, Pooh starts this off pretty well, and I really loved listening to his. But like "Away From Me", Phonte does another standout verse, which focuses on how 'Te saw his dad's absence from a different perspective when he was young, and now, being older, understanding how parenting and fatherhood was like, and why his father wasn't around when he was younger, seeing that it affected him now that he's a father. And while on the other 2 tracks where I didn't care much for Darien Brockington, he actually does well on this track, and he really impressed me with the singing more than before. This one still rocks today, and LB does a fantastic job at this song.

13. Watch Me
On this standout, Khrysis takes over the boards, and provides a fire beat for 'Te & Pooh to spit on. I always though Khrysis was more or less like a carbon copy of 9th. But it was around this period that I saw how he differs from 9th in so many ways, and he does a really good job on the boards. I guess he does come with the heat. Anyway, 'Te & Pooh both do their thing and it really is impressive to hear, while the banging MJ-sampled beat is present. But the standout is where DJ Jazzy Jeff comes through with the scratching, and he kills it. I always get hyped when I hear that. Overall, this is one of my favourite songs on this album, and Khrysis kills it on the boards.

14. Sincerely Yours
Rapper Big Pooh doesn't get the recognition he deserves, considering that people get more interested in 'Te's work, seeing that he started The Foreign Exchange a year before the album's release. Many people including myself would take Phonte over Big Pooh, Here, after a skit on "Watch Me" that sees 2 friends have a talk about how they think Pooh is the wackest of the trio, he takes a solo shot and he murks it. I really like this one out of the two. The song had a sombre vibe, and Pooh tells his story better, talking about being the youngest of the group, and being more underrated than 'Te. This is just great.

15. Still Lives Through
The song originally meant to conclude the whole "minstrel show" by having Pooh & 'Te reminisce about their new found success, and how they are still gonna keep making music (well, that statement only lasted 5 years, considering that they broke up in 2010). Pooh started this off really well, showing off his rhyming skills, while Phonte focuses on how they're not mainstream but still wanting to keep it moving. It's really interesting, and at times when I really feel good, I be always loving the "God Lives Through" (A Tribe Called Quest) vocal sample, and it can get me hyped a lot. This song is such a good song, and is probably the most energetic track on the album!

16. Minstrel Show Closing Theme
So the album aka the show ends. The consistency of the concept is just real, and this ending shows it. Normally, people make very different endings, and don't use the same instrumental for a theme song. But this theme is consistent as FU... excuse my French. But damn!

17. We Got Now (Feat. Chaundon)
As the show ends with its credits (if this was shown in visual form), the audience gives an encore, leading the group to do one last number, a collab with Chaundon, who did well in his verse. The three both do their own thing and it's kinda sad that Chaundon didn't blow up, considering most of his verses was taking aim at wack rappers, and he's been acting like he already made it, While in general, some of his verses make me cringe (even getting me to say "you're not even relevant"), this is one where I pretty much enjoy, the other being "Boondock Saints". While 'Te & Pooh were good, I like Chaun on this. A great conclusion.

The following tracks are those that were recorded during The Minstrel Show studio sessions, but never made it to the final tracklist. However, they were b-sides to the album singles, and also were performed on their live album, The Commercial Free EP:

Hold On
This song was the b-side to "Lovin' It", and it doesn't fail to impress me. This one bangs out hard as hell. 9th flips a really interesting sample and it makes this song really hot. Once again, this follows them focusing on people's thoughts on them and their "new-found success" just like a few songs on The Minstrel Show. Big Pooh does well with his verse, but as usual, Phonte steals the shine with a hot verse full of interesting lines. Honestly, I wish this was on the actual album instead of going into a live album (The Commercial Free EP), because this one actually fitted the vibe that Little Brother were trying to create on the album. It's that great.

The Olio (Feat. L.E.G.A.C.Y)
Now this one is pretty good. L.E.G.A.C.Y appears on this and does a fire verse that kinda reminds me of "Boondock Saints" as he talks about rumors, and spits some fire lines. 'Te continues with your usual verse from him, but Pooh does another one as he kills his verse. Again, this one should've been on this album, and judging from how it ended, I can tell this was the ending track, and it would've been a better conclusion than "We Got Now" honestly. If anything, why didn't they put this on their mixtape (Separate But Equal)? Maybe if they re-recorded it or used the live version, that'd be more appreciative cos the live version is way better, and gives a more comfortable vibe. This song is fire!

Damn, someone slap me. It's seriously been 10 years since this album came out... Adonbilivit. But seriously, The Minstrel Show is probably my favourite albums of all-time. Through my favourite albums like The Infamous and good kid, m.A.A.d city, which I still enjoy, this one just takes it all. Both Phonte & Big Pooh reintroduce themselves to the public with improved rhymes, refreshing beats from Mr. Douthit aka 9th Wonder, and more guest appearances than The Listening. Phonte interests me more, Pooh has improved his flow, and 9th gets a lot more mature and not too laidback with his beats. 'Te easily has the best verse on the album with "All For You" as 9th provides such a sombre instrumental that sounds better than nearly every instrumental on the album, And not to mention that the features are straight to the point and aren't wasting anyone's time. Elzhi kills his verse on "Hiding Place", Joe Scudda was alright with his verse on "Lovin' It", but weirdly is the most memorable for me other than Pooh, and Chaundon did his thing on "We Got Now". Unfortunately, he didn't do much with his recognition and now I kinda know him as the "talented guy who take shots at wack rappers" (reminds me of an early Hopsin, but better). With all the features, production and content on this album. Overall, it's amazing. Buy this, listen to it, stream it, do whatever! I really love this album. It's a personal favourite and it's sad how 10 years later, it's such an underrated piece of work. This should be recognized more by hip-hop pioneers. If Pete Rock & ?uestlove recognized The Listening, they probably should've recognized this cos this is miles ahead of that album. A slept on classic!

Recommended Tracks
Lovin' It
All For You
Hiding Place
Watch Me
Sincerely Yours
Still Lives Through
We Got Now
The Olio

I pretty much recommend everything. Every track on there is a standout. Hell, even the two b-sides are fire that they're on the list!

A Year On in L.I.F.E

So, today marks the 1st anniversary of my blog. The blog that you guys are reading. The blog full of album reviews, the blog that I've been promoting on Instagram many times. The blog that normally has a fortnight schedule, and finally the blog created by a 13 year old. That 13 year old was me. Last year, my mum came up with an idea for me to start doing music reviews. I quickly thought it was a good idea, and got with it straight away. During a week at my annual youth camp in Wales (August 2014), I got to writing which did cause me to not go outside and pay attention too much (and that's a regret I should never forget).

But I emailed two of the reviews, which would be Mobb Deep's The Infamous and The Pharcyde's Labcabincalifornia, and my mum liked it. Unfortunately though, I could only post one, and stay to a fortnight schedule. I managed to get used to it and I kept going. At the same time though, I had Saturday Maths tuition, which made things a little boring for me, as I felt uncomfortable, but I still got reviews out on time, and it made me happy. I started to promote it on Instagram, and obviously I didn't get much likes, meaning less attention, but you gotta start from somewhere though. Many of my friends checked it out, and they kinda liked it and such. Some were surprised that I wasn't one to copy & paste.

It was close to the new year, that I wanted to review newer stuff, and do trilogy reviews and such. My first review where I reviewed more than 1 project was Good Sense by Young Roddy, and my first where I reviewed 3 projects in 1 was the recent of Jhenè Aiko's discography (Sailing Soul(s), Sail Out & Souled Out). Not only that, I came out my fortnight schedule to do a New Year's review on a G-Unit mixtape (50 Cent is the Future), and did some other stuff. I do remember there was a time where I ended up deleting a certain review to review To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar on the same month it came out (I reviewed it a week after the release). It was a Chiddy Bang review, and I deleted it so that I could get out Joey Bada$$' one, and Kendrick's one after (I have plans on putting that out soon).

But this one year has been hot. I've gone through ideas to kick into the schedule and it made this blog really good. I love the fact that I've been reviewing old and new albums, and know when to try something new. And while I've reviewed 2 R&B artists though (Jhenè Aiko and Craig David), I still have yet to pick up a British rap album (I need to get to that soon).

I just wanna thank everybody for reading my blog during this one year. It's been an honour for that, and while no comments has gone on this website, I've gotten positive feedback from school friends and also on Instagram. I'm not gonna let this take over my academic studies, but I'm still gonna do a lot during this annual, including more newer artists, and more triple reviews, even more than 3 albums.. Look out for the next review on September 13. It's a 10th anniversary review of a personal favourite. I got a lot more albums to listen to for everyone... Thank you!

Signing Off,

Owen