Subject: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Thu 17 May 2012, 1:30 pm
Ok, i will try my best to keep my excitement in check, but this is an amazing album. As a matter of fact, I'll go as far as to say it's the best album released in years. I know it's early. I know the newness has not wore off yet, but sometimes you just know when you are listening to something special. To me, these do not sound like the typical El-P beats one might expect, but any El-P fan will recognize these as El-P beats. To me, that's the mark of a great producer. Killer Mike has taken everything he has accomplished in his unheralded yet storied career and put it into one album. Before you even place the disc in the player, you already know what kind of mission Mike is on as the rear insert states that "rap is not pop". The album is unflinching in that aspect. The album opens with Big Beast which is just an epic song for any hip hop fan. It's southern hip hop done right, and it's the hip hip that Kev, SRP, and myself have been defending for years. On JoJo's Chillin, Mike gets to flex his storytelling chops which most southern mc's are not known for. However, it's the next song where Mike puts his signature stamp on the album. Mike is fiery and political, and never is that more evident than on Reagan. He really holds nothing back, and nothing really seems to be off limits. This is the way hip hop should be. It's one of the more scathing tracks i can remember in recent history. It's one thing to be vulgar and angry, but it's something completely different when an artist can harness that anger and be articulate and passionate at the same time. Very few mc's in this lane have ever been able to toe that line. Killer Mike has done that, and he has created his masterpiece in the process.
Wayne One in a Million
Posts : 2725 Join date : 2010-10-28 Age : 39 Location : North Chesterfield, VA
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Thu 17 May 2012, 6:36 pm
Even though I know I'm going to buy this, as of this posting, I'm spinning it on Spotify and thus far it's excellent. I expect to see this on many best album of 2012 lists.
gametheory91 Hi, My Name Is!
Posts : 771 Join date : 2009-05-29 Age : 32 Location : Where trunks knock a lot and weed spark a lot, GA
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Thu 17 May 2012, 10:20 pm
This album is incredible. It gets better with each listen. This is the best Killer Mike has ever sounded and El-P kills it on the production.
Tic706 Cinco De Mayo Hater
Posts : 5489 Join date : 2010-12-29 Age : 47 Location : Soul Heaven
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Fri 18 May 2012, 10:58 am
T Myers I cosign everything you typed.
I have played RAP Music twice so far. And I must say it lives up to the hype and then some. Killer Mike is in a zone on this album. Puts me in mind of the zone he was in on his 1st album Monster.
I like how he kept it true to his southern roots but did not "try" to make a southern album. This is a str8 up hip hop album. I never got into El-P but he really impressed me on the beats. Don't really like his rapping though.
Number 1 album of the year easily. Reks at number 2 and KRS at number 3.
Lyrics= A- Production= A- Subjects= B+ Originality= B+ Entertainment= A
Its still new but I see classic written all over this one. Time will tell though.
E. Taylor What's NXET?
Posts : 2232 Join date : 2009-05-26 Age : 47 Location : Kentucky
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Fri 18 May 2012, 4:46 pm
This just seems like an odd duo and I was going to let this one pass. Never been real big on Killer Mike. But the way people are talking about it I guess I'm gonna have to pick it up and see for myself.
parker lewis E-4000, Ya Smell Me?
Posts : 4876 Join date : 2009-05-31
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Fri 18 May 2012, 5:58 pm
I wouldn't call myself an El-P fan, never really cared for much besides I'll Sleep When You're Dead (never pass up a chance to remind everyone I think that's a recent classic).
Killer Mike I've felt is solid, not amazing but brings a signature vibe when he gets on the mic.
These guys really surpassed my expectations with this album. A completely enjoyable listening experience. Just a great piece of music.
El-P's production is definitely an ode to the familiar Southern sound, but... like T already said... it's unmistakably his music. No doubt about it. And KM pretty much does it all... vivid stories, ignorant car rap, political, sentimental, braggadocio... and does it well. Like I say, he doesn't have the rapid tongue-twisting clever type delivery that I lean toward. But, this is Killer Mike's album. It will stay in rotation for quite a bit.
Wayne One in a Million
Posts : 2725 Join date : 2010-10-28 Age : 39 Location : North Chesterfield, VA
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Fri 18 May 2012, 7:35 pm
I bought this today (along with the Apollo Brown & OC album) and again, this album is excellent, about 4-4.5 stars for this one.
E. Taylor What's NXET?
Posts : 2232 Join date : 2009-05-26 Age : 47 Location : Kentucky
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sat 19 May 2012, 12:18 pm
I copped it last night FYE and i'm 3 spins in. I admit that I was wrong about doubting this one. Shit is fire! I would have never thought that Killer Mike and El-P would collaborate and put out a contender for album of the year but that's what they did. I've never heard El-P come harder than this and Killer Mike fits the beats perfectly.
I may have to revisit my Killer Mike "Monster" album. I only listened to it once and put it up.
I'm not a huge fan of El-P but because of this album I may check out "Cancer For Cure" too.
parker lewis E-4000, Ya Smell Me?
Posts : 4876 Join date : 2009-05-31
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sat 19 May 2012, 1:02 pm
C4C sounds like its going in the same direction as ISWYD. The first single Full Retard is up on Spotify & YouTube.
E. Taylor What's NXET?
Posts : 2232 Join date : 2009-05-26 Age : 47 Location : Kentucky
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sat 19 May 2012, 1:10 pm
I'm listening to Killer Mike "Monster" again for the first time since my first listen months ago. I don't know what the hell was wrong with me the first time I spun it, but this is really good. Glad I decided to spin it again because I had it in my stack to use for FYE store credit. Maybe I was just too sleepy the first time I spun it because I listen to most of my music after the wife and kids go to sleep.
Of course I've heard ADIDAS 100's of times. I really don't know how I didn't hear the dopeness of Akshon, All 4U, Home Of The Brave, Scared Straight, Creep Show, etc......
Maybe I should check out Pledge?
Tic706 Cinco De Mayo Hater
Posts : 5489 Join date : 2010-12-29 Age : 47 Location : Soul Heaven
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sat 19 May 2012, 5:42 pm
E. Taylor wrote:
I'm listening to Killer Mike "Monster" again for the first time since my first listen months ago. I don't know what the hell was wrong with me the first time I spun it, but this is really good. Glad I decided to spin it again because I had it in my stack to use for FYE store credit. Maybe I was just too sleepy the first time I spun it because I listen to most of my music after the wife and kids go to sleep.
Of course I've heard ADIDAS 100's of times. I really don't know how I didn't hear the dopeness of Akshon, All 4U, Home Of The Brave, Scared Straight, Creep Show, etc......
Maybe I should check out Pledge?
Glad to hear that. Monster rates high with me. Mike just murks that album lyrically. I highly rec you try Pledge 2 next. It has a more southern sound to it than Monster and RAP Music though. So don't expect the same kinda production. Here's some examples from the album:
Its his 3rd and may 2nd best album.
gametheory91 Hi, My Name Is!
Posts : 771 Join date : 2009-05-29 Age : 32 Location : Where trunks knock a lot and weed spark a lot, GA
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sat 19 May 2012, 6:19 pm
Pledge II and Pl3dge are fire, Taylor. Never heard the first Pledge for some reason...
Wayne One in a Million
Posts : 2725 Join date : 2010-10-28 Age : 39 Location : North Chesterfield, VA
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sat 19 May 2012, 7:33 pm
I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind is 4.5 stars, Pl3dge is 4 stars. Can't go wrong with either of those excellent albums.
Highsmith Smells Like Roses...
Posts : 3759 Join date : 2009-09-29 Age : 48 Location : DMV
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sat 19 May 2012, 11:29 pm
...Just ordered this from amazon. You all are making this one sound like a winner.
Wayne One in a Million
Posts : 2725 Join date : 2010-10-28 Age : 39 Location : North Chesterfield, VA
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sat 19 May 2012, 11:31 pm
Highsmith wrote:
...Just ordered this from amazon. You all are making this one sound like a winner.
It definitely is a winner. "Big Beast" starts this album off proper, one of the best openers I've heard in a long time.
SyRuP Sippa What's NXET?
Posts : 2445 Join date : 2011-03-01 Age : 41 Location : Bunnyhead, Texas
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Mon 21 May 2012, 4:23 pm
I will need to check this out... I skipped over Pl3dge, but Might go back and pick it up.
Wayne One in a Million
Posts : 2725 Join date : 2010-10-28 Age : 39 Location : North Chesterfield, VA
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Mon 21 May 2012, 4:58 pm
SyRuP Sippa wrote:
I will need to check this out... I skipped over Pl3dge, but Might go back and pick it up.
Oh yeah, definitely go back and pick up Pl3dge. It's worth a purchase.
Highsmith Smells Like Roses...
Posts : 3759 Join date : 2009-09-29 Age : 48 Location : DMV
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sun 03 Jun 2012, 12:17 pm
Boy Stop!!!!!.....lmao This CD is great. I will have to check out Pledge 1 & 2 now as well. This and Pl3dge were pleasant surprises. This & 4Eva N A Day are my favs from this year so far.
Wayne One in a Million
Posts : 2725 Join date : 2010-10-28 Age : 39 Location : North Chesterfield, VA
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sun 03 Jun 2012, 12:28 pm
Highsmith wrote:
Boy Stop!!!!!.....lmao This CD is great. I will have to check out Pledge 1 & 2 now as well. This and Pl3dge were pleasant surprises. This & 4Eva N A Day are my favs from this year so far.
Yes indeed, Killer Mike's new album certainly is excellent, and like I said before, I expect to see it on a lot of best albums of 2012 lists. I like Pledge 2 a lot also.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sun 11 Nov 2012, 8:12 pm
The only album from this year I can see being a classic years from now. Reminded me a bit of Ice Cube in his prime
Shaun I'm Ghetto Platinum
Posts : 10096 Join date : 2009-05-06 Age : 33 Location : Eardrum>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Quality
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sun 11 Nov 2012, 8:37 pm
Mike and Cube have similar voices. Add that to the similar subject matter and overall cadence of each....
T. Myers One Of A Kind
Posts : 10879 Join date : 2009-05-06 Age : 42
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sun 11 Nov 2012, 8:46 pm
This is Mike's Amerikkka's Most Wanted. Mike found his Bomb Squad in the form of El-P. i said this is the best album i've heard in a few years, and time has reaffirmed that for me. I have no problem giving this album 5 stars.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sun 11 Nov 2012, 9:42 pm
^^^^I agree with both of you. The subject matter on Raegan just gives me the same feeling of early Cube, Public Enemy. Not just shock value because plenty of rappers are doing that but real hardcore. He says what's really on his mind no matter who he alienates in the process. Remember Willie D's song Fuck Rodney King? Those types of raps
I read that El-P is trying to reach out to Nas for a collab album. Sounds like a weird combo but so does Killer Mike/El-P. I think it would be classic but it will never happen. Nas is too big for that.
Hopefully these underground el-p fans will start checking for more quality southern rap and vice versa.
SteveT Hi, My Name Is!
Posts : 601 Join date : 2012-08-25
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sun 11 Nov 2012, 10:01 pm
While I am not as effusive in my praise as Terrance, and I feel the 2nd half of the album (aside from the standout 1st track) is much weaker than the 2nd, this is a very good album. I give it 4 stars.
parker lewis E-4000, Ya Smell Me?
Posts : 4876 Join date : 2009-05-31
Subject: Re: Killer Mike-R.A.P. Music Sun 11 Nov 2012, 10:13 pm
I agree with 4 stars. I also agree that this is a rare and amazing opportunity for both artists to reach new audiences. They both brought their A-game, and I'm still amazed at the versatility El-P showed here.