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Tuesday, December 2, 2014
We have all heard the phrase, "levels to this," right? Insert the ILLUMINATI REJECT project to that sentence and walk away. This project is probably one the strongest ones to meet our review gauntlet.
OVERALL RATING: 
For everyone who thinks lyricism is dead and that creativity in hip hop is no longer existent, we should play them some Nino Bless. We have all heard the phrase, "levels to this," right? Insert the ILLUMINATI REJECT project to that sentence and walk away. This project is probably one the strongest ones to meet our review gauntlet yet.
Admittedly, at first listen, it seemed that the project was going to have an average rating, but as the review process continued, we found gems in bar after bar mixed with some quality production to present something rap fans will definitely appreciate from both sides of the proverbial lyricism fence.
From the first half of the project, tracks like The Rise, Turn Around and Bamboozled provide the perfect example of his ability to not only rap, but DELIVER his words with exact precision.
Our playlist vote went to Silver Bullet feat. Cambatta. This is one of the most versatile tracks on the project, and it's lyrically bananas! With more of a southern sounding production, its combination is a lethal dose of music.
It's hard to truly criticize this project. The only real weak points to the album were some minor mix issues, like dropping the high hats in This Song Might Get Me Killed, and a lack of some breakdowns in the beat for Bamboozled. Additionally This Song Might Get Me Killed was a very long song. If they made a shorter version balancing verses and vocals, it might make some serious waves.
Overall, this project is one of the strongest examples of how to create your own genuine sound and creative brand through music. Everything from lyrics, production to the delivery and mix was on point. We would recommend this anyone enjoys rap music, period. You can download it free on DatPiff.com on the link below and see one of his videos off this project below.
MIXTAPE DOWNOAD LINK:
http://www.datpiff.com/Nino-Bless-Illuminati-Reject-mixtape.642635.html
Twitter @NinoBless
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Monday, January 28, 2013
We at BootSlap are advocates for Indies with QUALITY MUSIC; so we base our reviews on 4 key components. This system of rating provides us a standard of quality that is not simply left to the bias of the writer or reader.
An overview of the BootSlap Rating System
In every masterpiece, there are various components that make up that work of art in a way that exemplifies it as genius. Whether it is the stanzas in a poem, the movements in a symphony or the components of a Hip Hop record; there are pieces to that work that come together and make it QUALITY MUSIC. We at BootSlap are advocates for Indies with QUALITY MUSIC; so we base our reviews on 4 key components. This system of rating provides us a standard of quality that is not simply left to the bias of the writer or reader.
IN OTHER WORDS...
The lyrics in music may be as elementary as Kermit the frog with a twist of tight jeans and pocket protectors; but the production is phenomenal, the mix is phenomenal, and the overall delivery of the artist projected well. They may get a good rating.
On the other hand; the lyrics may be completely flawless, but the delivery might sound more like a Gregorian chant, and the production is completely mixed like an old school cassette tape playing on a dusty boombox with one speaker working. That might not get a great rating. Just a simple thought to ponder when you make music.
WHAT WE'RE BASICALLY SAYING IS…
We are eliminating the opinion and trying to observe MUSIC for exactly what it is… MUSIC! So, I guess you want to know the formula, huh?
THE OFFICIAL BOOTSLAP REVIEW SYSTEM
They look something like this
(halves look like this…
)
AND BELOW IS HOW WE BREAK IT OUT ON THE SCALE
- 4.5 BOOTS: Repeat Alert!!!!
- 4 BOOTS: Pretty Damn Good!!!!
- 3.5 BOOTS: This gets a #salute
- 2.5 BOOTS: It's good, but might need some work
- 2 BOOTS: Definitely needs some work, but it has potential
- 1.5 BOOTS: It's OK…. (yea, how that sounded in your head)
- 1 BOOT: Not really a strong point, huh?
- HALF A BOOT: C'Mon Son…. (insert Ed Lover pic here)
Like we said earlier… there are COMPONENTS to every masterpiece, so this is how we ask ourselves how to rate projects:
LYRICS: Are you on topic, do you articulate well and are you creative with the way you put those words together? Lyricism is the key here, but making sense matters JUST AS MUCH here. What story are you telling me? Do I get it?
PRODUCTION: Is the production well composed, constructed and mixed? Does it tell its own story and carry its weight on the project? Is it even original??????? (We have to ask these days….)
MIX: Does everything sound clean? Are the frequencies balanced correctly across the record? Does this sound like a QUALITY MIX? Every type of music and genre has its own way to mix and blend frequencies; does the mix match your song?
OVERALL: This is done by simply taking the 3 components above; Lyrics, Production and Mix, and calculating the average between them. This then equals the overall rating of the project. Rounding in any way is up to the discretion of the writer. Think of it as a MINUS or PLUS on a test (i.e. c-, b+, etc etc blah blah blah)
THIS IS HOW WE COME UP WITH OUR RATING OF PROJECTS. LIKE IT OR HATE IT, THIS IS WHAT KEEPS US HONEST AND KEEPS ARTISTS GROWING. THERE IS NO PROGRESS FOR THE INDIE ARTIST IF THEY CANNOT SET NEW STANDARDS ONCE THEY MEET THE OLD ONES.
SINCERELY,
THE BOOTSLAP TEAM
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Tuesday, April 10, 2012
From "Bump This" to "Bail My Mind," this mixtape motivates a person to put up the house and cards for the game, so to speak. The feelings of nostalgia quickly rush to any listener that remembers the golden age NYS mind state sound of Nas.
Artist(s): Annex
Mixtape: Plan 4 Success Mixtape (2011)
This mixtape is definitely REFRESHING! It seems like this year's been one with long intros, and this album is definitely no exception (oh lord, sigh); but then the beat drops in and ears go completely at ease again. From the beginning of that drop, it was apparent that this review would be a good one.
From "Bump This" to "Bail My Mind," this mixtape motivates a person to put up the house and cards for the game, so to speak. The feelings of nostalgia quickly rush to any listener that remembers the golden age NYS mind state sound of Nas.
Annex exhibits a strong control over his flow and delivery, and he seems to know what beats fit him best throughout the mixtape. Some of his delivery is reminiscent of AZ, and while that's a compliment, this will be the main challenge for Annex. Stepping away from that sound and creating more of his own will be critical for his growth as an artist.
There are definitely "album fillers" in this mixtape, but not enough to bring the ratings down. Tracks like "Shit Happens" which didn't have the strength of his initial tracks; and "Lights On, Lights Off" seemed to be an attempt at appealing to clubs and a larger demographic. This just seemed a bit out of place on this album, or wasn't the best selection for this particular project.
Overall, the tracks and beat selection were on point with him as an artist, so it's clear the producer had a good feel for the artist and his angle of delivery. This chemistry is so critical, and they pulled it off very well. This is definitely a project you can listen to straight through.
Lyrically speaking, Annex brought his A-Game. His ability to change his pitch and direction will determine his ability to make himself distinct from other artists that are probably influences of his musical preference, but with his talent, there's no doubt he can pull it off.
If you love Hip Hop, you will want to listen to this album. He's got some relevant tracks and shows a great promise. As we looked forward to this album, we continue to look forward to MORE of Annex in the coming months here at BSR. He's definitely become one of our most notable on talent alone.
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Thursday, October 14, 2010
From the "burbs" to the "blocks," Asher Roth has undoubtedly been getting some good exposure into the game from various media and releases.
ALBUM NAME: Seared Foie Gras with Quince and Cranberry
From the "burbs" to the "blocks," Asher Roth has undoubtedly been getting some good exposure into the game from various media and releases. His style is original and his insistence on having his own sound is definitely apparent in this last mixtape release he completed with DJ Wreckineyez.
He begins the album with "a quick life lesson" in Muddy Swim Trunks, and introduces us once again to the goofy, yet non-psychotic white emcee who loves Hip Hop. The beat produced by Madlib is a definite mellow feel, and Asher's lyrics definitely blend well with the drops. While this is not the most impressive track on the album, it is definitely one that sets the listener up in the mood that they will probably need to endure for 17 more tracks.
Now, to be totally transparent, I will preface that Asher's lyrical ability is unquestionable, and his choice of production in some cases was great - but the fact of the matter is that this was not really that impressive of a mixtape. There were only a few great tracks out of the 18 that existed on the album. Among these tracks was Con-Fid-Ence, produced by Kanye West; which definitely had a great momentum and delivery to it.
Oddly enough, the 4 tracks following were much better in quality, sound and delivery than the previous tracks on the album. With I'm Eddy, and its great swing to the beat, and Just Blaze's heat on the Rick Smits, this portion of the album between track 9 and 13 is definitely top quality heat.
Unfortunately, the album declines again like a old school storybook, and while the overall album and quality was what you would expect out of such a great artist; it left a taste for wanting something more vibrant. I'm looking forward to hearing a step up on the next project for Asher and his camp.
