CunninLinguists - Hard As They Come ft. Freddie Gibbs

Download: CunninLinguists - Hard As They Come ft. Freddie Gibbs

After the brilliant single that was Star Shines Brightest, Hard As They Come is a little disappointing. Kno did a good job on the production side - especially the sampled chorus - but the beat seems too mellow and ambient for the sinister nature of the verses. Natti, Gibbs and Kno each personify an aspect associated with desperation, lack of control and ultimately death. Alcohol, Cocaine & HIV.

In the case of both Natti's and Gibbs' verses, drug metaphors have been done to death and played out at this point in time. Both verses are solid and technically proficient but they fail to add a new spin to an already overused concept. I thought Kno's idea of personifying HIV was something a bit different and from a writing standpoint his verse was fantastic. Unfortunately his delivery was lacking, as usual. Both Kno and Natti failed to convey the grim nature of their verses with their blaze' delivery. All that said, the track is still far from a failure, it's just not up to the high standard we've come to expect from the group.

Lyrics

Rating: 7.5/10

Previously: CunninLinguists - Star Shines Brightest

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New: Tonedeff - Bang

Download: Tonedeff - Bang

It turns out that UFC fighter Chris Camozzi is a Tonedeff fan and has asked him to create the walk out song for his fight at UFC 127. This has what you'd expect for a walkout track; a fairly aggressive chorus, some in your face double time, some fighting metaphors and wordplay, some....Oh, wait...did i mention the incredible fighting metaphors and wordplay?

It’s unanimous, I consider decisions a loss,
Cause son, I’m a closer, coming to finish the job
Snakey slick talkers get unhinged at the jaw
Brother, you’d think they’re confessing sins to the father the way that they kissin this cross

The beat lets the track down though. It's a sparse, distorted-bass heavy beat but the bass doesn't pack enough punch for my liking. Also, the bass effect added to Tonedeffs voice works really well but it needed to be placed on the intro and outro because in comparison they sound really weak and half-hearted, compromising the tracks energy.

Lyrics

Rating: 7.5/10

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Track Review: CunninLynguists - Star Shines Brightest ft. Rick Warren [Perfect Score]

The first single has finally been released for one of my most anticipated projects this year, CunninLynguists Oneirology. These guys are probably the second most consistent group in Hip-Hop (The Roots take that title) and have yet to dissapoint with a single one of their albums (I count Strange journey Vol. 2 as a compilation). Not satisfied with such a great track record though they've now come out with what is possibly their best single to date. 

Star Shines Brightest has to be up there as one of the best beats Kno has ever produced, it's amazing. Deacon and Natti both put forward great verses and continue to school rappers in how to combine content and technical skills without sacrificing one for the other.

'Against all odds and against the grain
sun becomes shelter in the midst of rain
in monsoon proportions them moments of importance
when victory’s in vain it’s the same the blood coursin
of course when selfishness inside provides poison
apply it to your life and let it sink in like ointment
poised when them black clouds come ‘round don’t back down
let haters be theme music playin’ in the background '

Rick Warren does a nice job with the chorus. At first it felt as though the chorus lacked the 'oomph' that the beat required but on subsequent listens the more laid-back delivery has really grown on me.

Quite simply, the track is brilliant. Between this, new Lupe and new Pharoahe, March is shaping up to be one of the best months Hip-Hop's ever had.

Rating : 10/10

Lyrics

Recommended Listening: If you enjoyed this i strongly suggest you check out their classic album, 'A Piece of Strange'. Oneirology is coming out on the 22nd of March.


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