Lil' Wayne feat. Cory Gunz - 6'7" (Produced By Bangledesh)

"Just Think A 2010 Version Of A Milli...But On Steroids"

The mere fact the Lil' Wayne machine has been trying to convince me the first glimpse at Lil' Wayne's next LP, Tha Carter IV was gonna be "A Milli" on HGH, I was immediately skeptical. Industry Rule #4080. But when I heard talk of Young Money/Cash Money's latest signee, Cory Gunz being involved peaked my interest. Especially seeing as how young Gunz "renegaded" Weezy on his own shit last time out, so much so the "Powers That Be" decided to strip Cor's vocals from the track and abandon the initial approach they had for the record.



Well yesterday the semi anticipated single hit the internets & after listening to it a buncha times, the "A Milli" comparisons are apt, right down to the hyperactive, sample driven production by Bangladesh (who's apparently squashed his beef with Cash Money over unpaid Tha Carter III royalties). This being Wayne first official single post Rikers vacation, the talk is some of the lyrics were actually penned while Wayne was behind bars and for those looking to see some signs that the "Martian" has fell off, you won't find em here. Although Wayne's verses on 6'7" lack the manic focus shown on "A Milli", Wayne is still one of the best at effortlessly making scatological randomness sound like the gospel. Peep...

"Real nigga all day and tomorrow
But these muthafuckas talking crazy like they jaw broke
Glass half empty, half full, I’ll spill ya
Try me and run into a wall, outfielder
You know I’ma ball ’til they turn off the field lights
The fruits of my labor, I enjoy ‘em while they still ripe
Bitch, stop playing, I do it like a king do
If these niggas animals, then I’ma have a mink soon"

But the real gem on this track is Cory Gunz, who after the debacle with "A Milli" is back for redemption and proves last time wasn't a fluke as he outshines his host one mo' gin...

"Word to my mama, I’m out of my lima bean
Don’t wanna see what that drama mean, get some Dramamine
Llama scream, hotter than summer sun on a Ghana queen
Now all I want is hits, bitch, Wayne signed a fiend
I played the side for you niggas that’s tryna front and see
Son of Gunz, Son of Sam, you niggas the son of me"

Tha Carter IV campaign has begun & I'm onboard.

Well played Mr. Carter.

Sanga Turnt Rappa?

So you're a 21 year old Pop star with the world at his feet but it all gets taken away after you lay the smackdown on your Pop Diva girlfriend. Now, you're a blog pariah and radio has all but ignored your last album. Many say your career is over. How do you go about repairing your fractured reputation?

Do what Chris Brown did. Become a rapper & make a mixtape.

I mean, where else is beating a woman down not only acceptable but worthy of a pat on the back? R. Kelly's legacy was only strengthened by his penchant for urinating on teenage girls. Mystikal raped a woman and the fans are awaiting his new single with baited breath.

But I digress. Back to the mixtape.

Chris Brown has flirted with rap before on songs like David Banner's Get Like Me and a few mixtape joints in the past but this is the first time he's really stepped out in full on rapper mode. And he's not by himself. L.A.'s Tyga (a.k.a. the only cat on Young Money besides Drake & Nicki who had a career going before they signed with Wayne) steps in to co-captain this effort and if I had to take a guess, I'd say he played a heavy hand in the writing/structuring of CB's rhymes. The two's verses are damn near interchangeable. Surprisingly, Chris can actually flow, even though his punches sometimes leave much to be desired (i.e: "Just keep your eyes on, got a whole buncha niggas behind me wearin' red, Verizon". Ugh!). Tyga is obviously very comfortable rapping and his verses tend to ground the mixtape somewhat. I don't know what an entire mixtape of Chris Brown rapping would sound like but the duo function best when Tyga is on the rhymes & Chris slips back into "Sanga" mode on the bridges & hooks. Don't get it twisted. Even though this tape is billed as Brown's "Rap Debut", it's still very R&B at spots. The songs deal with some standard teeny bopper topics (i.e. falling in love, dealing with an ex, etc.), the sorta stuff you'd find on Bow Wow & Omarion's Face Off album, except it's good and there's an adult edge that makes it listenable for the 25 & over crowd. The production (handled by newbies KMack & Jahlil Beatz) is official and there is a real good vibe between the two artists which makes the tape flow much more organically then the aforementioned Face Off. Standouts include "Dueces", "Movin 2 Fast", "No Bullshit" & "Number One". My only issue is the amount of unnecessary cussing. There should definitely be an NC-17 rating on the cover because "Young" Chris & Tyga Tyga have a severe case of the potty mouth.

Is this tape indicative of the direction Chris Brown needs to take to get his career back on track? In a way, yes it is. I think Graffiti failed to present Brown in the "Adult" image he's so desperately seeking to attain and this tape does a better job at realistically "growing him up" and tactfully touches the issues he had with his ex without being overly dramatic or heavy handed.

Plus, Tyga gets some mainstream exposure (away from Young Money) that gives him an opportunity to show his talent to the masses. I expect to hear alot from this kid in the near future (If Wayne is smart...and that's still up for debate).

But I smoke a ton of weed so I could be completely wrong. Why don't you give it a listen and tell me how far off I am...

Tyga & Chris Brown - Fan of a Fan (Hosted by DJ Ill Will & DJ Rockstar)




Bonus: The two joints that initially got my attention from this mixtape didn't even make the final cut but I tacked them onto the end of Fan Of A Fan just for good measure (not to mention the fact that I kinda, sorta liked both of them). I threw up the links along with the accompanying videos for your viewing pleasure...



Holla @ Me




G Shit

Jae Millz feat. Meek Mill - Go Fast (Prod by Jahlil Beats)

Off of the latest in Millz' The Flood mixtape series, The Flood Never Ended. He may not get the same shine as some of his more well known Young Money counterparts but Jae Millz hit the mixtape scene with a vengeance ever since the Young Money CEO started his bid earlier this year. There was definitely a period in his career when although he was still releasing music, Millz was sounding less then inspired, but every project he's released in 2010, including Dead Presidents & the two Virgo mixtapes, has gotten progressively better then the last. After all the fuss over his comments about the XXL Freshman list, Millz sounds like he's intent on making some of his detractors eat their words. This Jahlil Beats produced banger (this guy > Lex Luger) is Millz right in pocket, spitting that Harlem shit with the same arrogant swagger that's kept him in the game for the past 10 years... "I'm on my New York shit B, word son A nigga hotter then me? I ain't heard one..." Philly spitter, Meek Mill continues to impress with a rapid fire flow that at times is reminiscent of both Peedie Crakk & Lil' Wayne. Still not sure of his range beyond the braggadocious fare that has become his default but as far as just straight snapping on a hot instrumental, Meek always brings the energy with his bars. Definitely one of the up & comers to keep an eye on. As far as Jae Millz goes, he's never been the most intricate lyricist but at this point in the game, there's a veteran's confidence in how he puts his words together. He keeps his 16's simple enough for the casual listener but with just the right amount of wit & attitude to satisfy the heads who first heard him on the battle circuit. Hopefully his hustle will get him enough momentum to get an album greenlit cause after Drake, Nicki Minaj & Tyga, who else on Young Money is marketable enough to sell records?