Broadjam Artist: MES
Song: NAPPYHEAD
Reviewer: Calico King
Positive Comments: I am a hip hop head, and I dig artists from all geographical spots, and multiple subgenres. I think this cut has an interesting vocalist an aggressive, hyper-masculine vocal tone that screams authenticity. The instrumental is certainly current with what’s coming out right now, and has all the hall marks of a good hip hop beat. It’s also got a good length, so points for the overall arrangement. I like that the artist goes in, does his thing then steps out–so overall the artist has a good understanding of what needs to be on a commercially viable hip hop record, which is indicative of a very attentive and aware artist. Would like to hear more.
Constructive Comments: I understand that the rapper is being real, and I’m not doubting any of his street credibility, but I felt the song needed stronger lyrics, more originality, and should consider putting more effort and thought in to the rhyme scheme. I understand that gangster rap isn a’t concerned with being ultra lyrical, but there are always more creative ways than repeating “N*****” as an end rhyme more than 4-8 times. If I thought this artist didn’t have it in him to be more dynamic, and more original, I wouldn’t be as hard on the lyrics but he shows more ability at the start of the second verse when he drops a couple bars with multi-syllabic end rhymes. I think the rhymes in this cut are way too elementary, way too redundant, and it takes away from the track. It makes the artist seem lazy, and ultimately undercuts the quality of the track. With gangster rap, for it to reach a broad level where it’s going to make money past regional, you can’t rely on some basic, clich, braggadocio and expect the listener to relate or even vibe with it. If all you’re going to say in the song is how hard you are, how soft everyone else is, how much money/women/dope you work with, you have to bump up the creativity. Employ narratives, employ more imagery. If you’re trying to show how much of a savage you are, step up the metaphors, step up the allusions–literally show us all this gangster stuff rather than tell us, and in hip hop, the greatest gangster rappers of all time, from Scarface to Project Pat to Master P, they conveyed their gangster passes by doing anything and everything minus relying on a handful of weak self aggrandizing lyrics. Plus, with such a commercial beat and a marketable voie rgister, if you actually made the song about something or more unique, you could have something that was for sure marketable.