What a honor, I can do the first review of “Tha Blaqprint“?! Lol, why not… When I looked in my mailbox this morning I saw a mail of this company who does the promotion for “Tha Blaqprint”, I opened and what was inside? A sampler of “Tha Blaqprint” mixed by DJ Premier, it was clearly saying I couldn’t post it on my blog. I had DJ Premier exclusives before, but I would never expect a sampler, that being said, I’ll do my best to write a good review (I’m just a random boy with a bad education of a non english country who loves hip hop, I even didn’t live it):
Blaq Poet is not satisfied with the current direction of hip-hop. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Poet is preparing the release of a new album to bring listeners back to the hardcore, gritty, New York boom-bap sound for which he’s known and loved. Giving a glimpse into the Queensbridge state of mind that influences his sound, Poet says, “QB is like everything you heard. It’s home to those who live there, and it’s definitely not home to people who don’t.” Following the critical success of his debut solo LP “Rewind: Deja Screw” in 2006, Poet has been busy in the lab perfecting “Tha Blaqprint” and the new album is finally ready for the masses.
Creating unadulterated, authentic, New York boom bap requires the right touch, and to ensure “Tha Blaqprint” would have the proper musical aesthetic Blaq Poet joined forces with
legendary producer, long-time collaborator, and friend DJ Premier. Not only is DJ Premier releasing the album on his own Year Round Records, he also crafted beats for all but two of the album’s tracks, including the album’s lead single “Ain’t Nuttin’ Changed.” Elsewhere the album features production from producer-extraordinaire Easy Mo Bee (The Notorious B.I.G., GZA, 2Pac) and Gemcrates, a young producer on the rise. In a time when albums lack musical consistency and emcees and producers rarely find themselves in the studio together, Poet’s true-school formula shines bright on his new LP.
Poet, a native of the Queensbridge projects, first made a name for himself in 1987, with the release of “Beat You Down,” a scathing song attacking KRS-One at the height of the battle between Queens and The Bronx. Later, honoring a dead friend, he formed the hardcore rap group Screwball, comprised of other QB rhymers Hostyle, Solo, and Poet’s cousin KL. After the release of three successful albums as a part of Screwball that included production from hip-hop luminaries such as Pete Rock, Marley Marl, and DJ Premier, Poet released his solo LP “Rewind: Deja Screw”, to high acclaim. Staying busy in-between albums, Poet’s unique brand of rhyming has graced numerous projects, including the landmark KRS-One and Marley Marl song “The Victory”.
1) I-Gettin (Prod. by DJ Premier)
This must be the hardest hardcore introduction ever in hip hop history, seriously. It’s a track when you play the album in your system you know exactly what you’re fucking with. You’ll think ‘this is serious man, need to turn this volume up’! For the people who saw him live on his recent tour will remember this track, it’s also the first track he plays as introduction for his live performance.
2) U Phucc’D Up (Feat. KL) (Prod. by Easy Mo Bee)
Featuring the late KL (R.I.P.), it’s not a hardcore beat but the verses are still raw. He’s more like a silence killer on this track. If you bought “God vs Tha Devil” mixtape by DJ Premier you know what the deal is. It’s a cool track, but I’ve got the feeling it will loose attention between the high standard of the next tracks.
3) Ain’t Nuttin’ Changed (Prod. by DJ Premier)
This is the leading single for “Tha Blaqprint”, here you can see the clip. This track is actually art, I remember how I was recording LiveFromHQ last year at six in the morning. I was half asleep and suddenly something got my attention, I was like daaaaaamn!! In the clip you can see whole Year Round Records posse like Nick Javas, Khaleel, NYGz and Blaq Poet. Loved the clip! And when the sample was found you could only love it more, he combined three fucking samples at once and you know when Premo does that what do you get? A classic act with Akon on the hook…
4) What’s The Deal? (Prod. by DJ Premier)
I’ve heard this track first in 2006, I think it was released on one of DJ Premier’s mixtapes. Most of you already heard the track I think. It’s a track with a hard kick combined with a piano sample who always makes your head go nodding.
5) Legendary Pt. 1 (Feat. Nick Javas & NYGz) (Prod. by DJ Premier)
This track is only released on vinyl before, as a B Side of a NYGz single. First time we heard Nick Javas on a Premo beat, part two is actually in the making. Representing Year Round with that hardcore boom bap sound, don’t miss it!!
6) Hood Crazy (Prod. by DJ Premier)
Released on a mixtape in 2007, but I think he had it on his myspace first. It’s a track with an upcoming sample, there should be more tracks out there like this!! Poet rips it apart…
7) Voices (Prod. by DJ Premier)
Available on “No Talent Required” mixtape, released in 2006. I personally love this track, the track keeps you fascinated from begin till end. It’s an ode to hip hop today, and Poet has it right! Premier comes with a dark beat on this one. How can you not love this?
8) Hate (Feat. N.O.R.E.) (Prod. by DJ Premier)
One of the six new recorded tracks for the album, featuring the more famous (and Queensbridge homie) Noreaga of Capone-N-Noreaga. Aired recently on the radio and posted first on this blog. Love the sample, for real, love it!! Raw and hard to the bone, now with Noreaga!! PHAT PHAT PREMO SOUND.
9) Sichuwayshunz (Prod. by Gemcrates)
Wow!! This track really blew me away, Gemcrates is holding it down between DJ Premier and Easy Mo Bee. It really surprised me. After hearing the raw version of Poet’s story through the album you can hear his emotional version about his look on the different situations right here, the beat just makes it perfect. Nice piano loop, well done Gemcrates!!
10) Stretch Marks And Cigarette Burns (Feat. Panchi & Imani Montana) (Prod. by DJ Premier)
I think a lot of people are waiting on this one, my first feeling about the beat was: G-Funk flavor with DJ Premier formula haha. Blaq Poet is telling his story about the women, the beat just fills it perfect in. You can perfectly lay back on this beat and chill the fuck out. I would buy the album only for this track.
11) S.O.S. (Prod. by DJ Premier)
Leaked in 2006 also, don’t remember what mixtape. Poet spitting raw on a beat that keeps me reminding of an older movie soundtrack.
12) Let The Guns Blow (Prod. by DJ Premier)
100% Blaq Poet, this track was once aired on LiveFromHQ. It’s an underground track where Poet tells you how to act in the hood and nothing can be saved. Don’t fuck with him!
13) Don’t Give A Fucc (Prod. by DJ Premier)
This beat is from the Hooked OST, but Poet re-used it to give it an extra flavor. It’s a hectic track, you get the feeling he get chased. How many tracks you get the feeling he is actually live in the situation? In 2007 first leaked, you can also hear it on a DJ Premier mixtape.
14) Rap Addiction (Feat. Lil’ Fame & Shabeeno) (Prod. by DJ Premier)
Classic in the making? YES!! One of the most hyped songs on the album, and I didn’t see a person who disliked it when it got leaked earlier this year on my blog… This track just tells you you don’t have to worry about hip hop, as long as Premo makes beats it will always be save…
15) Never Goodbye (Tribute to KL) (Prod. by DJ Premier)
What a sad beat, another example DJ Premier can just deliver anything you want for your rhyme. A very personal track by Blaq Poet for KL (R.I.P.), with DJ Premier scratching a female artist on the hook. Blaq Poet touches you right in the heart with this one.
This could be the album of the year people, and this is only a pre album… One for the books. It’s a prove that age ain’t nuttin’ but a # for Blaq Poet, it doesn’t matter how old you are. If you want an hip hop album that is full of raw rhymes and hard beats just buy it. If you want an album with club bangers and people who hang their chain low, don’t buy it. (Your chain could break). Simple as that. You want another reason why you should buy this album? I’ll give you one: you waited three years on it… Why did you waited three years on it? Because you knew how dope it will sound.
Album will release on 29th of june on Year Round Records via Fat Beats on CD and double vinyl. Their will also be an instrumental release, date unknown. Watch out for the “Ain’t Nuttin’ Changed” remix with MC Eight and Young Maylay dropping next month. Peace!!
