Rap Reviews

Ti esrever dna ti pilf nwod gnaht ym tup i. The first single from Missy Elliott's 2002 album Under Construction. The track has Missy throw shade at the mistreatment of artists in the music industry whilst flexing both her ability to rap and simultaneously  be a symbol for sex. Not only is this track remembered for it's reversed lyrics but also for popularising the term 'badonkadonk'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A track released for the stoner comedy flick 'How High' that Meth and Red star in, 'Part II' is a merry affair not concerned with artistic pursuit, quite like the movie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poached? Soft boiled? Scrambled? Sunny side up? Over easy? This track by underground NYC MC kingpin Wiki, produced by Madlib, has little to do with eggs. Tune in as we attempt to poach and unscramble its meaning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The humble N95. A class of a face mask that become an essential accessory since 2020. What metaphor is Kendrick attempting to draw here? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe listening to this episode will help you form a thesis. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hop across the pond to East London and an MC that has been a part of the grime scene since the beginning. In this track, Ghetts and friends implore people not to fall victim to following blindly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An OG of the Soundcloud Rap migrogenre, Playboi Carti's lyrics don't offer us the usual rich tapestry of lyrics to annotate. Tune in as we stumble through the mumble rap. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

T and Ye. The powerhouse collaborators need no intro. In this track off his newly released fourth album, Pusha T reflects on his current position in rap's hierarchy in a typically boastful but amusing fashion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mr. Baklava comes under the microscope this week as we look at his petty breakup song 'Baby Blue'. Featuring a verse from none other than Chance the Rapper, the duo rap about the stage of a breakup marked by revenge and ill-wishes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is "that thing"? Is it sex? Is it power? Is it money? Is it an extraterrestrial entity from a 1982 John Carpenter film? Listen in and make up your own mind. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our 50th episode, we decided to wind the clock back into hip hop's ancestral history and look at a much beloved track by one of the forefather's of MC'ing. If you want to know where rap's conscious messaging became more widely known, look no further than Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dispenser of lyrical viagra, Lil Kim's style is no doubt an influence on modern hip hops themes of sexual liberation and promiscuity. We take a look at a track off her first album which talks all things quintessential 90's rap - murder, power, wealth, sex. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MC, actor, DJ, fool actor. Luda can do it all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big L was known for his freestyle ability and technical prowess. Sadly, he was taken from us too early and never reached the soaring heights of the hip hop world that his talent would have no doubt taken him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rap Reviews team comes back after a covid filled Christmas to look naughties hip hop juggernaught Lil Wayne aka Weezy. 6 foot 7 foot referring to the size of his prison cell in Rikers Island, this is the first single dropped by Weezy after his release from this notorious New York prison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whilst not the most vocabulary dense of comparable rappers, the energy and style that DMX brought with his rhymes is what has earned him accolades during his life and what will be remembered. 'Party Up' is a diss track which is arguably pointed at an individual, but the majority of the Rap Reviews panel believes this is a broader diss of traits displayed by too many of X's peers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to gritty New York gangsta rap, it would be remiss not to mention this track, album and artist in shining examples of the genre and the geography. Shook Ones Pt. 2 paints the grim reality of life in Queensbridge and serves as a warning to anyone thinking of crossing Prodigy and Havoc. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To conclude our focus on Odd Future alumni, we go to one of the most beloved and enigmatic artists of the 2010's, Frank Ocean. In 'Pink Matter', Frank explores the early stages of acknowledging his sexuality and embracing it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing on with our recent dive into the world of Odd Future, we look at another integral member of the collective - Syd. Whilst you might be more inclined to label her music as closer to R&B than hip hop, the themes she explores in 'All About Me' and the rest of her debut album Fin are ones that are universally seen in hip hop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We make no attempt to hide what fanboys we are of Earl Sweatshirt. One of the most hyped rappers of the 2010's and rightly so. We look at 'Hive' off Earl's debut album which was recorded following his return to LA after being sent to boarding school in Samoa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 4 months in lockdown, we're back and hungry to talk all things rap. We return to the studio to examine a track by arguably the most influential alternative hip hop artist's of the 2010's. 'Massa' is off Tyler's most recent LP Call Me If You Get Lost and has him reflecting on his personal and artistic journey so far. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to the genre of hip hop, it would be remiss not to include Slick Rick on the list of pivotal figures. Iconic in style and inspirational in his output. His 1988 track 'Children's Story' warns of the perils of taking the wrong path in life and concludes with a fate sadly all to common to this day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We finally delve into the world of one of hip hop's greatest mind's, one Kendrick Lamar Duckworth. 'm.A.A.d City', m.A.A.d being an acronym for my angels on angel dust, sees Kendrick reminisce on some transformative moments in his youth growing up in South Central.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

it's about time we delved into one of the most prominent and influential figures in modern hip hop history. A track off Ye's critically revered fifth album 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy', 'Gorgeous' is an eloquent commentary of injustice that plagues the US. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A track named in honour of the location of the Bell Foundry, a now condemned artist collab space. The opening track of Peggy's album 'Veteran' sees the rapper taking a swipe at mainstream rap, or maybe a more directed swipe at Drake - listen to the episode and be the judge yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We stay in Brooklyn this week and look at the area's Drill scene's vanguard - Schmurda. Recently released from the slammer for weapons possession and conspiracy to murder, 'Hot N***a' is the track that shot Bobby to fame. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We dive into Brooklyn king Jay Z's supposed final album 'The Black Album' and look at the track 'Lucifer' this week. As the name suggests, this track is heavy with theological references. We go through the journey of Jay Z exploring and trying to make sense of his friend Bobalob's death. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second instalment of this two part series looking at a relatively pacified rap feud between Noname and J Cole, we look at Noname's response to J Cole's 'Snow on tha Bluff'. Was it a coincidence that episode 33 of Rap Reviews is 'Song 33'? Absolutely, but we will take all the congratulations we can for showing some semblance of a well organised podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to beasts of language, Aesop should be formally awarded the crown from Shakespeare. This week we look at one of Aesop's less lengthy, less lyrically dense pieces and still struggle at times to wrap our heads around one of hip hop's greatest underground stars. The bloke is undeniably a scholar of the genre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a Rap Reviews first, we try our hand at a serial. 'Snow on tha Bluff' represents part one in a two-part series looking at a rap beef between modern hip hop royalty J Cole and the critically acclaimed Noname. This track was released by Cole following a tweet that Noname put out in the wake of the BLM protests. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A happy new year to you listeners. Waking up to the news that MF DOOM had passed back in October 2020 was a devastating way to kick the new year off. It is only right that we delve Metal Face Doom and pay him the respect he deserves. RIP to one of the greatest to ever don the mic in his right hand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join a very hungover Rap Reviews team as we try and make sense of this Dilla produced track by an esteemed 90's outfit. #nocontextcandaceowens See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How many dudes you know roll like this? How many other New Zealand Hip Hop artists can you name? Not many, if any. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The year is 1991 and Gangsta Rap is the flavour of the moment. Materialism, vanity and a glorification of the gangster life are what hip hop's most prominent voices are talking about. Enter Geto Boys and the track we're annotating this week, which in contrast speaks of themes like paranoia, depression and the dark reality of the gangster life. Listeners be warned, the Rap Reviews panel goes off topic frequently in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We delve into the enigmatic Brooklyn MC Leikeli47 this week with a guaranteed mood-enhancer of a track, 'Money'. Hear us squabble over the meaning of 'layin' in the cut' and 'frame' as we attempt to annotate her lyrics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The revolution is coming and RTJ seem like the most appropriate group to sing the celebratory songs when it triumphs. Join us as we break down 'Ooo La La' off the group's 2020 LP 'RTJ4'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we take a look at a track from Injury Reserve's self-titled debut album. On 'Gravy n' Biscuits' we hear Richie with a T launch an attack on an internet troll, a keyboard warrior if you will, which may be broader criticism for all the trolls out there. RIP Stepa J. Groggs See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rap Reviews team is back for Season 3! We're recording in a new location and in the new normal world that 2020 has thrust us into, but still committed to helping you (and us) better understand hip hop lyrics. This episode we dive into a track from Doja Cat's second album 'Hot Pink'. In 'Rules', Doja gives some simple instructions to follow for aspiring suitors. Glad to have you back listeners. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, this is the second OutKast track we've looked at. No, we can't promise we won't do any more.

This week we look into simpatico MC Danny Brown. Smokin & Drinkin is a track about partying as the title suggests. Brown rattles off all the substances he's consuming in order to unlock party mode. Xannies were probably the most referenced drug of rappers in the 2010's, and considering this track came out in 2013, it does not surprise us that Brown was ahead of the curve in his recreational use (or abuse) of this benzo.

Off a highly revered record, by two of the finest contributors to hip hop in recent times, this episode we look at the short but oh-so-sweet 'Scarface'. This track has Gibbs reminiscing on his early drug dealing days in his hometown of Gary, Indiana. This was one of the first tracks that Rap Reviews recorded, please excuse any reference to other unreleased material or dated news.

Ice Cube, a champion of West Coast Gangsta Rap, dials back on the more violent elements of his usual gangster rhetoric and instead reminisces on a day filled with small wins amounting to a joyous day. The track's length is 4 minutes and 20 seconds, so it is no coincidence that we release this track on the hallowed April 20, 2020. Based off clues given in the lyrics, blogger Donovan Strain postulates that the only day that the events described by Cube could occur is January 20, 1992. Find the reasoning here: https://murkavenue.tumblr.com/post/16553509655/i-found-ice-cubes-good-day

Joey teams up with prominent South Central LA MC Schoolboy to discuss what the Rap Reviews panel sees the topic of continued inequalities faced by the two rapper's communities and the more discreet message of unity. We also make brief analysis of the business model of a successful organised crime contingent, the Bikies.

Welcome back to Season 2 of Rap Reviews. Covid-19 isolation has freed up some time for us to finally get around to editing episodes recorded over the past few years. In this episode, we look at Mercury Prize nominated Slowthai's second track off his well received first album 'Nothing Great About Britain'. This track details the MC's frustrations towards gatekeepers of the establishment (the doormen) and a failing relationship with a seemingly well-to-do lady.

Taken from the first part of the three part album TA13OO, Black Balloons delves right into Curry's introspective rhymes seen throughout this record. The sombre lyrics on this track are juxtaposed by the boppy boom-bap beats.

The multi-talented, triple threat Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino released this track as part of his debut album 'Camp'. In 'Bonfire', Childish attempts a new take on braggadocio style rap and discusses personal topics like rejection of racial cultural conformity and the shunning he receives as a result.

We dive into the wild and unpredicatable world of Soundcloud Rap, scraping the bottom of the barrel with this particular track. Love it or hate it, Gucci Gang is just one of many songs of take the mainstream music charts by storm. Join us as we attempt to find substance in this lyrically shallow track.

Old Ray been put in charge of the description, not really his thing. Anyway, this is a song. Kieren will most likely fix this. Tell your friends.

Vince recounts his childhood years, observing his dad dealing drugs to addicts showing up to his house and the police attention it brings. 'Screen Door' does not play into the glorified gangster life like West Coast Hip Hip of yesteryear, instead opting for an honest recollection.

Who you tryin' ta mess with ese? Don't you know I'm loco? This week we get crazy  with Californian Latino hip hop group, Cypress Hill and their 1993 hit single, Insane in the Brain.

RIP Mac Miller. In this episode we talk about the awesome Mac Miller and his track 'Gees' featuring Schoolboy Q. 

Eminem reminds his critics and the world that he is, well, the greatest and he doesn't hold back on the braggadocio in this track. In the unnanounced, suprise LP 'Kamikaze', Eminem takes shot an array of musicians and targets the likes of Die Antwoord and Ja Rule in 'Greatest'.