It's true, every MC has a story. Let's be honest, sometimes the story is boring and sometimes the story captures the world...think 50 Cent being shot 9 times ect ect. You know how that story went. But in 2007 the story needs to be real and not real in the hip hop sort of real but in the vein of real life real; something that people can relate to.
Shout to Lil Skrilla with his ear to the street, making it happen, doing what he do. "The Ricky Ruckus Story" let you hear a little of where he's from and where he's coming from. Hook wise, "Need Me" is infectious and the energy on this track is savage like. Is the booth still smoking? "Fucked Up" is that rewind material. Hots slides thru to drop bars and cats where trading punch lines like it was 1995 on the purple tape. This that flip a pack music man. I think "2 Gunz Blazing" has potential but that beat wasn't working for me. That shit might need a remix. Again, I wasn't a fan of the beat used for "Most Hated" but that flow is something serious. You can hear the hunger and you can also hear the MIC skills. "Stronger" was a dope mixtape flip. One listen and you will say.."damn, dude was rhyming his ass off". I wish I could say the same for "Crank Dat AOG". I applaud the effort and the rapid flow is dope but this joint didn't move me. I understand about being well rounded and Ricky def made this shit his own but it reeks of gimmick to me. "Pin Cushion" got that ill word play tho, I can't front on that.
MIC skills alone, along with Ricky Ruckus' delivery is three tapes easy. I do think he has some things to work on tho. Beat wise shit was cool, it didn't really get diverse till the middle of the CD as far as different sounds. I don't think he has a signature sound yet either or hasn't found the right producer to vibe with yet to accomplish that. Content is pretty similar throughout, he doesn't really get too introspective at all like I was expecting but he has his moments. I'd def like to hear some concept records, some story telling and some challenged flows. Like I said before tho the skills are there as well as the hunger so as cliche'd as it sounds it really only might be a matter of time. (10/11/07)
