So here's the basics: The Black Keys are this Blues/Rock duo from Ohio and Dame Dash somehow got a multitude of big names to go in over their instrumentals for this project, BlakRoc. I'm talking big guns. From Mos Def to Raekwon to Jim Jones. I've been heard from numerous credible sources that this is the album of the year. So I popped it in recently and:
Coochie (featuring Ludacris & 'Ol Dirty Bastard)
'Ol Dirty and Luda sound ridiculous together over this beat. Nothing magnificent lyrically but both verses are solid. NSFW. That might be the reason why if you bought this album from itunes you have no idea what I'm talking about right now because this wasn't on the itunes version.
Vista (featuring Mos Def)
Pretty typically dope appearance here by Mos Def. Nothing too out of the ordinary. This instrumental though, work of gods. Matches perfectly with the theme of the song.
Hard Times (featuring Noe)
This was where I jumped out of my seat, stumbled over to the stereo where my ipod was plugged in and checked the tracklist. No, it's not Jay Z. Apparently they couldn't get him, so they just grabbed the next best thing... an impersonator named NOE. If I could get past the fact that this dude could probably pass as Jay if an MF Doom situation were to occur, I could probably give this track a proper review.
Dollaz & Sense (Pharoahe Monch & RZA)
Not one of my favorite tracks instrumental-wise but both RZA and Mr. Monch killed their verses, so I wasn't mad.
Why Can't I Forget Him (featuring Nicole Wray)
This one is one an R&B steez which really isn't my thing, but I can respect it. If they would have had one of those emcees come in and spit right after her first verse, could have been dope.
Stay Off The Fuckin' Flowers (featuring Raekwon)
RAE! Glad they gave him his own full track because he slays this beat and drags it around on the back of his chariot on some Achilles shit. Had to replay this one a couple times.
Ain't Nothin' Like You (Hoochie Coo) (featuring Jim Jones & Mos Def)
I know what you're thinking, right? Mos Def and Jim Jones, WTF? Well, Mos just does the chorus and Ballin'-Boy does handles both verses. Not too bad but I probably won't listen to it again because of the under-par hook by Mos Def and the unimpressive verses by Jim despite the Black Keys instrumental making him sound better than usual.
Hope You're Happy (featuring Billy Danze, Q-Tip, & Nicole Wray)
The guitar riff on this one is beyond ill so I feel like what they did with this track overall could have been better but for what it's worth it's not a bad track. Billy Danze's verse is hard as usual and Q-Tip is crazy-smooth over this beat.
Tellin' Me Things (featuring RZA)
RZA's flow on this track is a little too awkward and clunky for my liking but fans that are used to that from him will probably dig this. Dope hook.
What You Do To Me (Billy Danze, Jim Jones, & Nicole Wray)
Favorite track. Dope, head-banging instrumental, appropriate sample, Billy Danze gully as always, hell I'll even give it to Jimmy for a dope verse on this one. MUST LISTEN.
Done Did It (NOE & Nicole Wray)
Jigga Man 2.0 shows up on this one too, and not too badly I might add. Another dope guitar riff makes this one worth another listen.
That's it. Album of the year? In my eyes, no. Dope? Most definitely. It's one of, if not the, best Rap/Rock collaboration album I've ever heard.
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