Queens Lefrak City native Victor Santiago aka Noreaga aka N.O.R.E aka
P.A.P.I has been in the rap game for quite some time now. With hits like
SUPERTHUG and OH NO he has previously released stellar albums that has
brough him gold plaques.
With a veteran like N.O.R.E it is difficult to fit in with todays trends
in music. So N.O.R.E tries to please both older fans and trying to get
some new ones.
In 2013 he brings us his latest project Student Of The Game.
Pharrell produces and appears on the rawkus THE PROBLEM (LAWWWDDD).
N.O.R.E seems comfortable here but the track sounds a bit out of place
for both artists.
The chocolate boy wonder Pete Rock produces and appears on the dark
VITAMINS, complete with Pete's trademark "whoo" adlib in the beginning. A
track that reminds me a lot of most 90's beats coming out of New York.
Check out the video below for TADOW featuring: French Montana, 2 Chainz and Pusha T
Lil Wayne appears on the predictable SHE TRIED. This is not the first
time Wayne did a track with N.O.R.E incidentally. Predictable because
Wayne does the singing in the hook.
CAMOUFLAGE UNICORNS features a slamming drum track and some tinkly keys
that runs through the song which makes it a real pleasure to listen to.
Havoc does the hook taking a you to the days of old and Tragedy Khadafi
sparring verses with N.O.R.E over a nice beat provided by DJ Thoro and
Scram Jones.
Extra P aka Large Professor hooked up the bouncy and funky BUILD
PYRAMIDS. He also appears on this track which is different to all the
other tracks on this project. A true Queens, New York anthem right here.
FACES OF DEATH is a remake of N.O.R.E.'s BANNED FROM TV. Produced by
Jahlil Beats, the track does not come close to the original. The
original tracks producer Swizz Beats appears on here with other guests,
French Montana, Busta Rhymes and Raekwon.
With filler tracks and sub par tracks this one is a miss for N.O.R.E. This one is a disappointment.
One of the most talented artists out today has to be Kid Cudi, he can sing, dance, rap and produce.
Just before releasing this project it has been reported that Kid Cudi
left his GOOD music home. Will his sound change after this project! His
previous works has been critically acclaimed and this one has a lot to
live up to.
JUST WHAT I AM is a stroke of genius, with a magnificent soundscape
featuring regular Cudi collaborator King Chip. You will catch yourself
singing to the hook. It's that dope!
Scott Mescudi aka Kid Cudi starts of this offering with the mellow hard
beaty UNFUCKWITTABLE which makes for an intro to a dope smokable album.
Things get rough and loud on YOUNG LADY with guitars and drums. With
Father John Misty doing the hook, given it that end of the world feel.
Has a bit of rock swing to it.
Indicud makes for an easy and laidback listen which I am sure the smokers will like.
On KING WIZARD Cudi flips some rhymes over an electro beat that is not
to in your face but cool to listen to. Another catchy tune.
Another track that I caught myself humming to is the lovely IMMORTAL.
With a snippet taken from BILLY MADISON "...I'm the smartest man
alive..." Over a staccato beat and haunting strings Cudi easily slides
his vocals over this gem of a track!
SOLO DOLO, PART II features Kendrick Lamar and K.Dot spits his trademark
fire over a magnificent drum track. Very versatile this guy from
Compton.
Hit-Boy knocks the beat for RED EYE featuring the ladies of HAIM. But
then again Cudi did mention that this is like his Chronic 2001, where he
features other artists.
GIRLS is so damn amazing! Melodies galore and a triggerman vocal sample
and a subtle drum track make it a must listen. It features the original
Oakland pimp Too $hort.
Musically Indicud is a solid project that can hang with many others that
is out there in the market today and its a real pleasure to listen to.
Cudi's hooks are infectious and makes you wanna sing along.
Since their Billboard cover feature two years ago, Odd Future leader Tyler The Creator has been all over the show. Winning awards, touring worldwide and featuring on other artists projects.
The Odd Future collective is known for the off centre music and music videos. Also jumping into the crowd moshing and breaking stage equipment has made them a must see act live. Not going mainstream like other rap acts they have cut themselves a little piece into the this Hip Hop game that we all love so much.
WOLF is Tyler's much awaited third solo outing which was supposed to drop late in 2012 and now its finally here.
JAMBA featuring Hodgy Beats starts of proceedings with a brash beat and moogish baseline with Tylers off beat on beat rhyming and also complimented with his trademark baritone voice.
His voice is hella deep for a guy in his early twenties. COWBOY is another track that has a drum pattern that sounds plain off beat, but it works and with an accompanying piano stabs it makes for a fantastic audio ride into the world of Tyler.
COWBOY nicely flows into AWKWARD and you will be forgiven if you thought that it was still the same song.
DOMO 23 is my favourite on here, which incidentally is also the first single. Quirky instruments drawing an almost eerie track with a beat that slams hard. I can already see The Roots band doing this live. Tyler murders DOMO 23 to pieces. It just makes me want to act spastic like a 12 year old.
Fellow Odd Future member Frank Ocean appears on SLATER. Appearing towards the end of the track. A nice smooth track I love it.
Pharrell Williams lends his trademark vocals on IFHY. Another notable track is the rambling TRASHWANG. Upon listening to the track, it reminded me a bit of that old Wu-Tang that we all loved.
All the production on Wolf is handled by Tyler, so you can expect hard drums and eerie sounds. No trap beats on here. Not really for top 40 radio or Mtv mainstream, this album might be difficult to consume for most listeners.
Hard Hip Hop beats and eerie sounds makes this one a reasonable project for Tyler!
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