ALBUM REVIEW: Page Kennedy Shows Promise & Rookie Mistakes On “Torn Pages”
Originally posted on HipHopDX 3/29/2017
Rating: 3.3/5
Page Kennedy has had an interesting and fruitful career arc over the years. From reoccurring characters in Emmy Award-winning shows like Weeds and Desperate Housewives, roles in movies such as S.W.A.T. and Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood to social media success with Vine and YouTube: Page has in nearly every form of media and entertainment. Now it’s time for music. The Detroit native makes his foray into rap with his debut album, Torn Pages. Despite an earnest effort, there isn’t a consistent theme throughout the album which ultimately reveals itself to be a collection of random tracks.
The LP opens with “Reintroduction” as Page takes this time to introduce the listener to him as a rapper. Over a militant production, Page uses the intro as his origin story with rapid-fire precision (“That’s right I’m a shitty rapper because I don’t talk about poppin’, turnin’ up, or fuckin’ models,” he quips).
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ALBUM REVIEW: Devin The Dude’s “Acoustic Levitation” Soothes The Tension In Today’s Hip Hop
Originally posted on HipHopDX 3/26/2017
Rating: 3.7/5
After a nearly four-year hiatus, Devin The Dude reintroduces his syrupy, southern drawl and epigrammatic narration to today’s Hip Hop scene with Acoustic Levitation. The modern day Godfather of today’s stoner rap generation, Devin continues to display his longevity and ability to transcend generations for the past 19 years. Acoustic Levitation borrows from its clinical definition as it takes you through a 14-track journey that uses melody to suspend you in the moment.
The album opens with “Can I”, a melodramatic soundbed complete with crisp, live instrumentation as Devin wax poetics to the woman who has caught his attention. The beauty in Devin’s lyrical ability comes in his effortless storytelling and melodic tone. He hits home with relatable topics and lines such as, “No promises, I’ma just do my best/previous I was devious, wasn’t true I guess,” as the hook carries you through the thoughts of a man who wants to devote himself to his woman.
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INTERVIEW: Fashawn Announces New Album, “Manna”
Originally posted on HipHopDX 3/24/2017
Fresno MC and Mass Appeal artist Fashawn stopped by #DXLive to give us the exclusive on his forthcoming effort. “It’s about to drop on y’all, probably April 29th, the day of Grizzly Fest. Y’all the first people I’m telling this to,” says Fashawn. “It’s called Manna. That’s where the beauty comes from. I had to figure out a title that really encompassed [how I feel],” Fashawn explains to the #DXLive cast as HipHopDX Editor-In-Chief Trent Clark pointed out the parallel to the Bible where manna was “coming down from the sky.”
Fashawn also discusses the confusion between mixtapes and albums. “It’s a project. I don’t even know anymore [if there’s a difference between albums and mixtapes], the lines are so blurred. I just call them projects. The Fresno MC also goes into detail about what we can expect from Manna, “It’s just me,” Fashawn exclaims when asked about features. “I got love for everybody in Hip Hop but a lot of cats just didn’t make the cut. I still got time to work on the project so I’m still laying the finishing touches on it [so] you never know. I got a few people in mind so hopefully if their schedules permit it [and] if they got enough love for the kid they can [send their verses in].”
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