'Ma Money EP' - Dap-C & Lil' Wayne (EP review)

Now this is a strange one; Newcastle’s Dap-C and New Orleans’ Lil’ Wayne on a track together. Lil’ Wayne isn’t usually to my taste and the jury’s out on Dap-C but this release may change my mind.

‘Ma Money’, produced by The Elementz, is a good track. I even prefer Lil’ Wayne’s verse over Dap-C’s, in fact Wayne’s is just straight fire whereas Dap’s is a bit shouty and high pitched. The production is on a big dirty south tip and it stands up to some of the biggest tracks outta the south.

‘Ma Money part 2’, produced by Quincey Tones, is even better, it features Royce da 5’9 and a song-long guitar solo; the instrumental is entirely different and it suits Dap-C, Lil’ Wayne and Royce a whole lot better. ‘Ma Money part 3’consists of a brassy production and a handful of UK MC’s and it’s not as good as the other two parts. The ‘Nasty Boi Remix’ has a nice rock edge to it – worth checking.

‘Bang Bang Bang’ isn’t bad but it’s nothing special and it’s made worse by the presence of Geejay. ‘I’m Still Here’, the US MC heavy track, is OK too but it doesn’t really compare to an actual American track – it comes off a bit weak.

‘Ma Money’ parts 1 and 2 are really worth a listen, get your hands on this to hear those tracks and who knows, some of the others may take your fancy too. Dap-C gets respect for linking with one of the hottest artists in the Hip Hop world. UK/US link-ups are still thin on the ground and they’re certainly a way to make some fresh and diverse Hip Hop so right now, I can’t hate.

'I Came To Represent' - Geejay (album review)

Hip Hop’s Sunderland spokesperson Geejay steps up and informs us ‘I Came To Represent’. He’s a young hope but his debut album boasts collaborations with Raekwon and Canibus. Past the Skrilla artwork and the big name guests what’s the CD actually like?

Actually, and maybe unsurprisingly it’s not that good. The synthy production aspires to bark with the big dogs yet yaps weakly in comparison to similar attempts on the scene right now. Some tracks display potential but don't achieve their aims.

The lyrics are basic; Geejay employs rhyme schemes circa 1980 (which were fine back then, but things have moved on), relies too heavily on drawing out words to fulfil his syllables per line quota and leaves sentences hanging at the end of each line for rhymes sake (‘Plaguing me much//More than I thought it…). The crude and immature concepts exhibit a lack of life experience and teen years spent idolising US rappers. ‘Heart Attacks’ attempts to readdress the balance but comes across a little too clichéd.

‘I Came To Represent’ is Geejay’s version of every formulaic rap LP ever made and unfortunately, it falls short even of the middle mark. Some strict self editing and serious writing graft might see him return stronger but for now it’s pretty feeble. Let's hope that Sony development deal does just that.

Reviews Coming Up @ Certified Banger

Yo! My postie has been a busy man over the last week or so (and so has my virtual postie) and I've got millions of CD's and tracks and things to review. Let me give you a list so you know what to look forward to:

Sway - 'The Signature LP'

Skreintax - 'Scene Stealers'

Illustrate - 'The Stuff'

Rhyme Asylum - 'State of Lunacy'

TB - 'The Beast From The East'

M9 - '144,000'

Chronic Redeye - 'Knowledge is King'

Geejay - 'I Came To Represent'

Dap-C - 'Street Karma'

Pyroradio.com Presents 'Top Selectors'

Occupy Your Mind Records Presents 'Grime'

Evil Ed & Conspicuous - 'The Get Together'

Jazz T - 'All City Kings'

Wordsmith - 'They Don't Seem To Care' EP

The Mantis Chapter - 'Graveyard Poets' EP

So check back regularly, add me to your reader feeder or whatever to find out what's going to be worth listening to out of this little lot!

'Music Game' ft. Blak Twang & Geejay - Dap C (single review)

He's a humble 'un that Dap-C. Not only did he let Reain and Stylah go first on 'Heaven' he's also let Blak Twang rap up front on 'Music Game'. Kindness or business savvy? Possibly the latter seeing as Blak Twang is one of the most prolific names in the UK Rap scene at this moment in time.

The concept of 'Music Game' is simple and it works well. Each MC chats about everyday employment whilst trying to succeed in the entertainment business. The accompanying video portrays Blak Twang as a painter and decorator, Dap-C as a barman down his local and Geejay as a park gardener giving a real insight into the poorly financed world of UK Rap. I've spoken to big name UK MC's who are still having to work their day jobs whilst at night they write, rap and record - far from the world of your 50 Cents, Akons and Kanye Wests. They also pick up on the theme of music-making as therapy and a deterent from a life of crime.

The sample used as a chipmunk chorus is perfect; " I got a little job, don't make much money" and if anyone can tell me where the sample comes from I'll be happy to hear, it's really bugging me! 'Music Game' has a nice throwback-ish, non-synthetic sound, the beat is steady and not crowdy rowdy and the bassline is just the sort I like.

'Music Game' is a semi-sun soaked track showcasing three MC's with different voices and interesting things to say. It's great light entertainment and deserves to be recognised as a good piece of Hip Hop. Fans should also heed the message - if we don't support the scene financially these MC's may be forced to step down - look what happened to Blade.