Yeah, I Know. A cover only a record exec can love.
So, a little background before we get started. I don't mind brag rap, but the thing about it all is it is very rare to find an album where the songs don't sound the same...with that said, when I first heard the main single off this with Chris Brown entitled "Show Me", I knew I had to hear this. Now granted, I am a Chris Brown fan (Not of the person, but his music does have quite a few songs in which I constantly press repeat), but I was intruiged by this song, which in turn made me curious about this album...Will it surprise me? Let's find out together!
So, here we are with the opening track, and what an opening track this is. The hook is amazingly catchy, the beat is so beautifully done and this whole song reminds me of "Good Morning" from Chamillionaire. I know I walked into this album with low expectations, but if the rest of this album is like this, this might be the first good album of the year.
Best Line: Yeah I know you missed me, Made it out the city, Now the rest is all history.
#2: The Movement
Now, here is an interesting case Ladies and Gentlemen: The instrumental to this track sounds epic in a way that it feels any rapper can get on the track and kill it, and to his credit, Ink has a lot of wordplay in here that I wouldn't have caught if I hadn't looked up the lyrics...it's just nothing special for me though. From a listening perspective, the track just flies by too fast, and it doesn't stick with me. I'll give a B+ for effort, but that's about it.
#3: Show Me (Ft. Chris Brown)
This song is catchy as all hell, and there is a reason this is the main single. The beat does more with the sampling then back in 2011 when Jason Derulo did "Don't Wanna Go Home", by making it more subdued and simply giving us a beat to jam with and NOT beating it over our heads. Chris does a great job on the hook, and Kid Ink is really starting to ease in my ears as an MC, at least when it comes to his style of music, which is what a good musician should do when it comes to trying to define who they are and not trying to experiment with other things. I will say this much though, the problem with this track is that now that this is the main single on radio, now we need to find a follow up hit to keep Kid Ink in the spotlight, assuming of course he deserves it. After all, the album is still young
#4: Iz U Down (Ft. Tyga)
Actually, scratch that statement, I do believe we found our new follow up single. The beat accomplishes what the others have which is make a beat that is easy for the performer, or in this case performers, to rap to and something that we can jam to...but there is something else this song makes simple, and forgive my language: This is music to Fuck To. This is Brag Rap at it's finest, in the sense that not only is it going for the usual "I'm Stealing Yo' Gurl" stint, but, and this is where I love it, this song makes me gain an ego. What Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty" does for pop, this song does for Hip Hop, and the best part is that both artists play off each other so well, that actually speaking, this would be the song I would want to listen to live, because it would be killing the crowds.
#5: We Just Came to Party
Welp, Here Comes the Pain. This is a decent song, and the beat reminds me of 90's Hip Hop with a portion of what we got on Kendrick Lamar's last album, but this song is not even decent brag rap. Brag rap is supposed to make us at least feel confident, and not make us fall asleep during the track. Sorry Ink, Strike One.
#6: Main Chick (Ft. Chris Brown)
This song might even be better then "Show Me" was, because this is an intensity that can actually match the beat and the subject. While "Show Me" was the party anthem, this is the anthem for the player who knows what he wants and whether he wins or loses he is playing the game for a reason, which once again means that Chris Brown is amazing at the hook based on this alone. I will also say one last note: The little that CB does on this track is MUCH over what he does in his own track where he claims "Them Ho's Ain't Loyal".
Best Line: Just Cause' I poured you a drink, don't let it go to your head.
#7: No Option (Ft. King Los)
Once again, this is brag rap at it's FINEST. The beat is nice and deep with bass in the right parts, and both performers on the verse bring an intensity that keep your attention no matter what they say. This is not a club banger, this is a song you bump in the car when you are drunk at 12:30 at night trying to show off your bass speakers. This needs to be on rap stations ASAP.
Best Line(s): King Los' Verse absolutely KILLS it. No disrespect to Ink, but the song goes into full speed when he steps up. (You look like Kris Kross with a bag of hash, because you must be high with your backwards ass)
#8: Murda (Ft. Pusha T)
So, minor fact, I am not a fan of Pusha from my minor experience of him ("Runaway" from Kanye West), but I am willing to give this the benefit of the doubt...oh how I was wrong. The beat does nothing for the track in possibly the worse I have heard all album, Ink seems to phone it in here, and while Pusha seems to show some sort of effort, it is just not enough to save this abortion. NEXT.
#9: Rollin'
Special Note: I instantly think of "Fancy" from Iggy Azalea in the beginning of the song. With that said, This is a nice chill song after that last track. Nothing special, but it is nice to listen to me, and for some reason here reminds me of Nelly's early 2000's stuff, don't ask me why. So, besides one bad track, a mediocre track, and a forgetful track, we have reached song #10....
#10: Tattoo of My Name
...and I will admit, for a song with this kind of...well subject, this is one of the best love songs that I have heard because I know people who actually talk like this and say lines like this to girls because both know that a Tattoo'd Name is the end game if the relationship goes bad, but that is what makes this so great! Finally, I can relate to something I know very little about (It kinda makes sense if you think about it). The beat is hauntingly beautiful, and the hook is very hypnotizing, and once again: Music to Fuck To. Also minor points that he sounds like Kanye West in his verses in this song, so that is a plus. Overall, this is a great song that should be getting attention.
#11: Miracles (Ft. Elle Varner and MGK)
Ugh. Ink, we were doing so well, what happened bro? The beat sounds like a reject from a B.o.B. project, the rhymes sound like they want to sound deep, but come off like someone who doesn't know what they are talking about (even though by your verses you do, and even have some bright spots in the song), and for the love of god your hook sounds so, So, SOOOO Uninteresting. Ink, keep to what you do best, not whatever this is.
#12: I Don't Care (Ft. Maejor Ali)
I want to like this song so badly: The beat is beautiful, the rhymes actually match the mood, and the chorus is straight to the point....but there is something about it that screams "Skip" to me, even though clearly this song has more effort seemingly then "Miracles" or "Murda" combined. I'll put it in the middle.
#13: More Than a King
Final Track, Here We Go! Well, a beautiful intro, that is for sure...Ok, I am done.
Once again, we come across a good beat, an intense Ink flow, and everything adding up, so I shouldn't be too negative. The thing is, as a closer, I am disappointed in how this ended. You have what seems to be an amazing album to bump, and this song is not as epic as it could be. It's a good song, but as a closer it just destroys what the album was building up to.
Best Track: As controversial as this is, I have to give it to "Main Chick" with Chris Brown.
Worst Track: Murda, hands down. Miracles at least had one positive to it, Murda is just horrible though.
Overall: A 7/10. I would suggest this album to anyone who is a fan of the genre, and for anyone who needs some new drinking music.
Ok, Music Gods.....What's Next?
Oh this is going to be SO much fun...
Until next time, remember guys, music is only as good as you make it.
