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Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon Album Review
Creative Debut Or A Flop?
“You’ll either hate my album or love it.” Those were Scott Mescudi’s own words during an interview I had read a while back. That may well be the best way to put this album from a listener’s perspective. Well, Last week, Cudi finally released his debut album entitled “Man On The Moon: End of Day.”
First off, let me start by saying that Kid Cudi’s “Man on the Moon” is not a standard “Hip-Hop” album by traditional means. If you’re going into this album expecting hard hitting beats and rhymes, this album will most likely not be your cup of tea. One could even argue that his two current singles “Day and Night” and “Make Her Say” don’t really blend with the rest of the album. This album entails a crossover sound of Alternative mixed with Hip-Hop. In fact, a few tracks don’t even have beats, just melodies. The only guest appearances include Common (as the album’s narrator) and Cudi’s fellow Cleveland MC and friend, Chip The Ripper. As a G.O.O.D. music label fan and supporter who has listened to Cudi mixtapes (before he blew up) such as “A kid Named Cudi” for example, I was a bit surprised. The majority of his mixtapes had a more Hip-Hop-ish sound to them. This album? Different for the most part. However, that’s not a bad thing.
I think Cudi was going for a unique sound and it seems to work on this album. I see this album as a “Graduation” X “808’s and Heartbreaks” type sound. I think the fact that his first album is a creative project is a good thing. It’s a good introduction to Cudi too the masses. My beef with this album is that’s its not something you will always want to listen too. At times, it’s even a bit depressing as Cudi explains past childhood memories, anxieties, and other sad shit. The tracks that I was really feeling most include:
My World, Day ‘N Night, Sky Might Fall, Alive, Cudi Zone, Make Her Say, Pursuit of Happiness, and Hyyer feat. Chip The Ripper.
That being said, I rate this album a solid 4/5. Regardless of my rating, let me mention that I do believe Kid Cudi will be a superstar as he has a unique and catchy sound that will allow him to branch out with different artist’s across genre’s. Give the record a spin and let me know what YOU think… (vote on our poll on the LEFT SIDEBAR)
Jay-Z – Blueprint 3 Album Review
Jay-Z proves that age has not slowed him down at all, but instead delivers a very complete album with the same Jiggaman swag, the Hovi flow, grown man subject matters, and of course that production we’ve grown accustomed to hearing on Jay tracks. A breath of fresh air for hip hop, as Jay-Z once again raises the bar for what an album should be in an era of artists concentrated on their singles and ringtones only.
1. What We Talkin Bout:
The album starts out with a “first things first” type of intro, similar to kingdom come. A narrative of the recent criticisms Jay-Z has received. Jay gives you a list of things he has brushed on in his career, and will continue to talk about. Of course he had to address some of the specific criticism he has received in his good ol fashioned half a bar per artist approach. “…talkin bout gossip, I ain’t talkin bout Game, i ain’t talkin bout Jimmy, I ain’t talkin bout Dame” which is of course a direct reference to the recent attacks from The Game, and his on going feud with Jim Jones and Dame Dash. Then he makes some more direct references to Dame Dash and Jaz O’s complaints about Jay-z’s alleged lack of loyalty and shady business tactics “… lets talk about facts, Dame made millions even Jaz made some scraps, he coulda made more but he ain’t signed his contract” He also later makes reference to former friend Dehaven’s attacks and claims that Jay-Z left him high and dry after all their work together in the streets, with “as far as streetwise, we was dealin crack, thats how the game goes i aint owe nobody jack. Grown men want me to sit them on my lap, but i ain’t got a beard and santa clause ain’t black.” Overall Jay-z stepped away from his usual subliminal approach to beef, so this made for a bold intro to the album.
2.Thank You
Hovi jumps on a jazzy beat that sounds reminiscent of the reasonable doubt era. Jay again tries something different with the flow on this one as he gives a sarcastic thank you to the haters for all the attention, while at the same time counts his blessings for his success. Jay comes with some slick metaphors on this one “who woulda thought makin birds my break for the winter, i’d be fly all summer might i say…” and “i put eightballs on corners without using pool sticks”
3.DOA (Death Of Auto-Tune)
This song has already caused much controversy with artists claiming foul play for being called out. Jay doesn’t take any direct shots at anyone but goes with the “if the shoe fits” method. “This ain’t politically correct, this might offend my political connects” Jay says, as he predicts the type of problems this song was gonna create. The irony about this song is it was made to be opposite the radio friendly formula, but got plenty of radio spins. Jay’s on point in this one with the commentary of the current state of hip hop “i know we facin a recession but the music ya’ll makin gonna make it the great depression.” He even introduced a new “Ah” ad-lib which he uses multiple times throughout the album.
4. Run This Town feat Rihanna, Kanye West
The best part about Jay-z’s flow is that he switches it up on damn near every song. On this one he uses a distinct flow and sticks with it, that rides perfect with the beat that Kanye West and NO I.D. definitely delivered on. The Second single for the album is definitely a formula for success with features from Rihanna and Kanye West in which Kanye West seems to shine on with his verse right from the beginning “It’s funny how you can go from being Joe Blow, to everybody on your dick no homo” and lines like “what you think i rap for? to push a fuckin rav4?” Kanye definitely stole the spotlight on this hot track.
5. Empire State of Mind feat Alicia Keys
Jay-Z’s ode to New York, as he makes references to all things New York over a hard hitting track produced by Al Shux and Alicia Keys spilling her soul on the hook. Jay pays homage to New York figures and names specific streets as he shares his experiences. “I made the Yankee hat more famous than the yankee cane” shows you Jay-Z really does run this town. Although non New Yorkers may not get all his references, if you’re from New York you’ll definitely feel this track.
6. Real As It Gets feat Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy sums up the feeling of this track and the rest of the album “This is big boy music it should make you wanna grow up” Hov didn’t go for radio friendly, or for the clubs for a majority of the tracks. This track being one of those considered a anthem, where you can picture people singing along with the hook claiming “as real as it gets.”
6. On to the Next One (prod by Swizz Beatz)
Jay went for the big hitters for the production as usual, and Swizzy delivers with this one, giving him a somewhat bouncy somewhat dark sample beat. Jay talks about how he is constantly moving forward in hip hop, “Hov on that new shit, niggas like how come? niggas want my old shit, by old album” as people jump from trend to trend or try to recreate what is hot right now. He again takes shots at the auto tune, and references his move from Cristal Champagne and throwback jerseys to other drinks and styles. You start to recognize Jigga’s influence on the game.
7. Off That feat Drake (prod by Timbaland)
Timbaland delivers the club ready back drop for Jay-Z to continue telling people all the styles, and trends that are now expired. Drake helps out on the hook, but fans complain that he should have had a verse. It does seem like a bit of a tease. Jay-Z doesn’t stick to just trends that are old, he also mentions Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh. “This ain’t black vs white my nigga we off that, please tell Bill O’Reilly to fall back, tell Rush Limbaugh to get off my balls its 2010 not 1864″
8. A Star Is Born feat J-Cole
Jay-Z passes the torch on this track as he gives props to all the new talents that arose in hip hop during his career. “Wayne did a milli, 50 did a milli, Ye too, but what Em did was silly, the white boy blossomed, after Dre endorsed him, his flow on renegade, fuckin awesome, applaud him” Jay names all the big names in hip hop that did it and are still doin it. Definitely one of the strongest points of the album. J Cole even delivers well on his debut verse. Could this be the new age coming of age?
9. Venus vs Mars (prod by Timbaland)
Lyrically this song is ridiculous, with constant metaphors and compare/contrast between Hov and a female, showing why opposites attract and even gives it a twist on the last verse showing how things can fall apart. With slick lines like “Hov’s a blackberry bold, shorty is a sidekick, she used to have a man, i used to have a side chick” and “shorty like pac, me – big poppa, screamin ‘hit em up’ i’m screamin ‘who shot ya’” and “i’m a apple which means i’m a mac, she’s a PC she lives in my lap” This song is full of clever lines, but the hook is a lil too simple. Timbaland also delivers a pretty monotonous beat which is catchy but considering Timbo is one of the top producers in the game, you would expect more for this album.
10. Already Home feat Kid Cudi
The beat is definitely hot, and Kid Cudi gives us a catchy hook. Another hot album cut in which Jay talks about the criticism he has received, assuring he’s not going anywhere. “really the fact is, we not in the same bracket, not in the same league, don’t shoot at the same baskets, don’t pay the same taxes, hang with the same bitches, so how am i in the way? what is it i’m missin?” again the feature from the buzzed about rapper cudi is only on the hook which may disappoint some.
11. Hate feat Kanye West
Jay and Kanye go back and forth with great chemistry addressing the haters and again Kanye comes strong on his feature lyrically, spitting bars like “kiss girls like katy perry, i am never sprung but i spring-her, jerry, don’t try this at home, results may vary, king like T.I. but in the Chi, Larry (hoover)” Although the beat is a little bit different than what we would come to expect for a Jay-Z/Kanye collab. Definitely sounds like something that would be on the 808’s and Heartbreak album. All in all, this song may be one of those hate it or love it songs.
12. Reminder
Timbaland contributes to the album again, but sad to say, this may be one of the weaker points of the album. A disappointing beat with an even more disappointing hook as Jay gives us a reminder about his accomplishments in the game. Jay doesn’t fail to deliver with a potent flow with lines like “do what i’ve done without cryin in the environment in which i did it in without dyin my nigga, then rap like i rap without lyin and tying both together like i am my nigga, to writin 16’s in between runnin 16 businesses, all the while showin all these kids what the business is”…
13. So Ambitious feat Pharrell
Pharrell delivers his typical style beat, which actually works with the mood of the album as opposed to Timbo’s offerings. A soulful track, but pharrell’s playfulness on the hook doesn’t really fit. Jay plays around again with the flow but another weak point on the album.
14. Forever Young feat Mr Hudson
Hov ends the album on a good note, with this 80’s sample, and Mr Hudson makes a great appearance on the hook. Jay-Z show’s although he is getting older he is forever young as his legend and name will live forever. A definite feel good track
Overall, The first half of this album was stronger than the second half, but that doesn’t mean the second half was weak. Minus a couple songs this album would have been 100%. The Production from Kanye West and NO I.D. was on POINT… and the collaborations although some were a tease, were still sufficient considering some of his albums have had little to no features. Not to mention it was a good look for the newcomers. Great single selection, good club tracks, great production, great flow, good features, few album fillers, pretty complete very near perfect album.
I say 4.5/5
not perfect, but still Certified Fire!
Let me know what ya’ll rate it, and why
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