Saturday, February 14, 2009

Review #172: Lil' Cali "Live From The Trap"

Reviewed on 2.14.2009 (Review No. 172)

FrankieThaLuckyDog here, finally gettin’ in tha mood to do lots of reviews again! I just announced yesterday tha list of CDs I’m reviewin’ for tha “Louisiana Reviewz Marathon”, so that’s watz good. And speakin’ of Louisiana, I finna do a review for Lil’ Cali’s mixtape, “Live From The Trap.” This ain’t tha only mixtape wit Lil’ Cali on it that I’m doin’ today. I might get into another one wit him on it today or tomorrow; we’ll see. I hope this iz better than that borderline-Mainstream sounding “Warning Shots” CD I reviewed from him ‘cause that wasn’t up my alley. So now, I’m gonna just get into it: My review for Lil’ Cali “Live From The Trap”: Start Time: 2:37 PM | Video Game Playing: Donkey Kong Country (for Super Nintendo)


Disclaimer: I rate each song from 1.0 – 5.0; each rating iz my own opinion! I only please myself wit my ratings! I don’t care how lyrical you are, as long as it’s jammin’ enough for me to like it! I look for beats, then vocals, and then lyrics. To determine my favorites, I will differ tha 4.0 ratings. If a song gets at least a 4.0 rating from me, I love it already. If at least a 4.6 rating, I pretty much really love it, as it’s considered mindblowin’ when I hear it! Any song can earn up to a maximum of a 5.0 rating. Anything I type before “ >>> ” iz what I’m sayin’ before I listen to tha song; anything after I type “ >>> ” iz what I think of tha song while I’m listening to it. If you sound like anything too mainstream for me or have auto-tune in your vocals, I’m not buyin’ it!


© 2009 CD Review (Review #172) reviewed on 2.14.2009 by FrankieThaLuckyDog.


01. “Intro”
What’s this RNR intro gon sound like for Lil’ Cali? >>> It’s 3:42, so iz it gonna be a song, or a long-ass intro? Sounds like a song’s gonna play wit tha beat playin’ in tha background; not bad beat by tha way. Okay, approximately at 1:02, here’s comes you rappin’. It’s soundin’ good so far, and it looks like you ain’t nothin’ to be fucked wit with what you’re spittin’. Good rappin’ on tha 1st verse; I like it. Nice “industry/in tha streets” part in tha beginning of tha 2nd verse. :tu I like tha 2nd verse also on this freestyle intro. If you keep it up like this, I’ll like this mixtape. Yes, there’s a 3rd verse! I’m glad you been a hustla in tha streets. Hope your status was real good at all times. Great “murder charges/murder tracks” part to end this joint!! My Rating: 4.2


02. “I’m All That” Feat. Lil’ Boosie
How will you do wit Boosie? I’m expectin’ a good collabo here!! >>> Only 2:48 on tha length, so let’s hear it… Neva mind, I heard it already, and it was one of my favorite jointz from tha “Warning Shots” CD. Cool, you even said, “dust me off,” on this shit. :tu Here’s what I had to say before: This sounds A LOT BETTER! Great hook, and startin’ off tha 1st verse wit you rockin’ dem “’bauds;” that’s watz good. I hear some Project Pat “Chickenhead” samples in this (wit tha “alright, alright, alright”). Catchy 1st verse on this. Boosie had a pretty good verse as well on his part. To add to this: I had feedback on tha 3rd verse to this, but on this mixtape, it’s only tha 1st 2 verses. And, in tha hook, I like tha “brand new (brand new)” part about tha money. My Current Rating: 4.4


03. “Dust My Body Off”
I KNEW this was gonna be on here, and I’m glad it iz! Just like you say, “Savage on tha beat, but lemme show you what a savage do.” You a savage on this beat, and this iz one of my opening anthems for 2009! I like in tha beginning, when you say, “You eva feel like, you fresher than some fruit, nigga.” That shit sounds tight, and I always joke around wit my mom, tellin’ her, “Are you fresher than fruit?” LOL… You ain’t fuckin’ playin’ when you keep goin’, “dust my body off…” I like when you say, “I’m flyer than a G-4.” When you say, “G-4,” it sounds like Max Minelli (how he raps). Tha 1st verse iz pretty nice, and I like how you say, “hum brah,” throughout tha hook; that’s watz good. :tu Nice on tha 2nd verse, especially givin’ Nu$$ie some props wit your lil’ version of “They Hate My.” R.I.P. Nu$$ie. Type in Youtube tha “R.I.P. Nu$$ie Video” to find tha R.I.P. video I made for him. Too bad this iz shortened ‘cause I like tha bridge wit all those “dust ya body off” parts. I hope this iz tha best song on here! My Current Rating: 4.8


04. “In My Pocket” Feat. Mouse
I guess this mixtape’s an introduction for those mainstream people who don’t know who you are. I was familiar wit this joint a while back… Matter a’fact, it was on “Pyrex Radio Vol. 5,” and this iz what I said: Of course off to a great start wit that kick-ass beat. :tu Great hook too. By that, it’s already at least a 4.0 rating. :tu I like those parts right after tha “it’s goin’ down” about tha pounds & tha smokin’. :tu Yeah that hook iz REAL HOT! I think Mouse sounds different in this or somethin’. I didn’t write much there, but there izn’t much on tha length on this mixtape for me to write extra. My Current Rating: 4.7


05. “Move Around” Feat. Mouse
A newbie for me… Let’s see how you’ll last on it! >>> Even shorter (2:24 on tha length). Sounds good, and an ID error as Mouse iz on that hook! Yes, anticipation for him bein’ on tha hook! Very 3Deepish here! :tu LOL @ tha random, “bad boy like Diddy part.” Gotta love when you spittin’ some random/good shit. :tu Feelin’ that beat, and you did yo thang on tha 1st verse! Gotta love tha Mouse hooks!!!!! Yeah, “this that real down south, here.” :tu I agree ‘cause this tha type of music I want you to make! It should’ve been longer, but I guess this mixtape was meant to fit a lot of shit on it! My Rating: 4.5


06. “Headache” Feat. Mouse
Three Mouse jointz in a row; TRIPLE tha power!!! How will this compete wit tha other ones? I have a feelin’ it’ll be a 4.6 for me ‘cause that’ll be right in between tha previous 2 jointz on here. Let’s see if I’m right, and HUGE anticipation for this! Tha title better apply to how HARD tha joint goes!!! >>> Shit, tha short length again wit 2:31 on tha length (and it’s usually less wit tha rewinding). Not bad on tha hook so far. I like how tha title was used in tha hook; didn’t expect everyone to “have a headache.” Gotta have a Cali 1st verse on anything wit Cali on it. Pretty nice 1st verse, and tha cool hook/beat from Mouse (ALWAYS doin’ tha damn thang)!! You and tha “money out tha ass;” you’re just shittin’ money, huh? LOL! You doin’ yo thang, and doin’ this 2nd verse a good job right here. :tu Nice joint right here, but not really a 4.6 rating for me. I hear a REAL GOOD intro to tha next joint! Hope “lucky” No. 7 pays off for me! Yeah, and speakin’ of “pay off,” tha host of this mixtape said, “Keep grindin’! It’ll pay off one day!” I agree wit that ‘cause these reviews (and now commercials) are DEFINITELY gonna pay off for me! I LOVE Louisiana, especially Baton Rouge, music!!!!! My Rating: 4.4


07. “Do What It Do” Feat. Slugga
I thought this looked familiar, but Nu$$ie has like tha same type of title on his “Featuring Nu$$ie” CD. Let’s hear how this collab gon go… Oh yeah, I had anticipation for it ‘cause I heard tha beat in tha end of tha last joint! >>> Short again (2:26 on tha length). Pretty good start wit you rappin’ already on tha 1st verse! :tu I like tha “born and raised on tha bottom of tha globe” part (you know I fuckin’ love Louisiana shit, and would LOVE to go there one day). Tha 1st verse was pretty good, and I like tha flowin’ on tha hook; nice. Let’s hear what this Slugga dude has to offer on tha 2nd verse… “Smellin’ like money” already (lol @ tha 1st words)! Almost has tha same voice as you, only he sounds like 1, 2 years younger. He did a great job on his verse. I like your lil’ outro on this track wit tha RNR Radio thang. I also liked that music (whateva it was) at tha end of when you were talkin’. My Rating: 4.3


08. “Where U Been”
Can tha consistency continue?? >>> 2:09 on tha length! :( Sounds like a Timbaland beat… I like how tha “I’ve been grindin’” part was slowed down for a second on this mixtape. Soundin’ pretty good so far… Pretty short verse, but now I’m hearin’ tha hook, and it sounds GREAT! :tu Good, catchy hook! Yeah Cali, I’m sure you’d FUCKIN’ LOVE havin’ a crown on yo head! Look out for it by keep on grindin’! Who knows, you might win an award wit me on my 2009 Awards (goin’ down January 2010)! Tieing it wit tha previous joint’s rating, only I like this one better! My Rating: 4.3


09. “Peep My Swag” Feat. Foxx
Keep these FLAMIN’, FIRE JOINTZ comin’!! I’m gonna eat my lunch (pizza) right now, so if I don’t type a lot, it’s ‘cause I’m focusin’ on my food, ya dig. >>> Good, it’s longer (3:17 on tha length)! Creepin’ up beat here… :tu Great lil’ hook goin’ on here (more catchiness). Yeah, “get them tissues for you,” ‘cause you tha shit. :tu Glad you start tha 1st verse off pretty quick, especially wit, “it’s Cali, baby.” Pretty nice 1st verse. I had to go into tha bathroom to clean my left hand off (‘cause I had to fix tha slices of pizza I had wit it). This was prolly tha 1st time I left my room wit a song on (while reviewin’). Which makes say that Foxx had an aight 2nd verse. You know I expect a lot better from him, as not much went on… I don’t like tha sound of tha next song comin’ up… uh oh… My Rating: 4.1


10. “Like Me”
Up, looks like this was from your “Warning Shots” CD. I didn’t give it that bad of a rating either (3.9). Let’s see what I had to say… Unknown featured singer? Pretty cool beat, and cool hook. Nice lil’ part about your “coke” and tha “kitchen.” :tu I like how at tha end of your 1st verse that when you said tha word, “blink,” you said, “blink,” again. That kinda added tha effect to make someone flinch outta nowhere, lol. You’re also on tha 2nd verse… (oh yeah, I thought there was gonna be a featured rapper for a second; my bad). I like those “kush” ad-libs. :tu Anyway, there’s no 3rd verse. Pretty catchy song right here. My Current Rating: 3.9


½time: VERY GOOD start so far (a lot better than tha start to tha “Warning Shots” CD)! I’m gonna finish eating real quick… *Continues eating at 3:28 PM* *Finishes at 3:37 PM* Okay, I’m back. I had to “dust my body off” by transferring tha crumbs (from tha slices), on my shirt, from my room to tha garbage in tha kitchen. Once I dropped tha crumbs in, I “dusted my body off,” lol.


11. “On My Shit”
That’s EXACTLY what I’m “on,” ya heard me, lol. It looks familiar, but I guess I don’t know it, so I’m gonna see what it’s like… >>> 2:14 on tha length (Valentine’s Day; today, lol). Yes, this iz DEFINITELY catchy! Yeah, you’re startin’ it off right away, and I LIKE how that “love my swagger when Lil’ Cali come on tha track” repeated twice! :tu Nice beat, as it reminds me a lil’ of Stat Quo’s “Like Dat” (tha way it feels)! Startin’ off tha 2nd verse pretty good, wit havin’ “bricks” and “pills.” :tu You such a TOUGH GUY, lol! You keep doin’ yo thang without worrying about anybody hatin’! I guess every song on this mixtape iz limited to 2 verses… My Rating: 4.4


12. “Real D-Boy (Remix)” Feat. Rick Ross & Sean Kingston
Error on tha back cover: “D Boy” should be hyphenated. Anyway, not my cup of tea here, no less it bein’ a “D-Boy” song… Here’s what I had to say in tha past about this song: Tha beat sounds not bad, but again, non-Louisianaish, and a lil’ like tha vibe of “There’s Nothin’” from Sean Kingston, along wit his hook havin’ tha same subject as tha joint he did wit Gorilla Zoe. Not bad on tha 1st verse from you. You could’ve picked a better feature person than that big teddy bear, lol. Well, I have to stop there ‘cause it looks like Rick Ross iz on tha song too. C’mon now, and I was slowly startin’ to like it better. Tha hook iz better, and good for me (love that “sellin’ nickel and dimes”). Why iz this 3:30? It could’ve stopped at 2:50 (like tha other jointz stopped sooner). Okay 3rd verse… It’s like, tha 2nd verse of yours on your “Warning Shots” CD should’ve stayed here… But a rating decrease since Ross iz on it (instead of your original 2nd verse). And I’m labelin’ that a “remix” since Ross was on it (another error). My Rating: 3.0


13. “Wet Wet”
How “wet” will this be for tha females (if I’m guessin’ right)? >>> Here we go wit tha short lengths again (2:12). Slow beat for tha females, so I’m sure I’m right. Yeah, I am right wit that smooth hook; not bad. Doesn’t sound Louisianaish, unfortunately. :( It’s pretty good (oh, and look what’s on Music Choice Electronica now: Avenue D “2d2f” (which tha “d” iz “drunk” and tha “f” iz “fuck”); goes wit this song). Wow, it ended already? I felt like I typed nothin’… When you talk about Janet and a few others on here (during tha 1st verse), it sounds very mainstreamish… I’ve heard better songs for tha females, especially tha one wit Tha Camp called “1 Rubber;” that was a REAL joint right there! My Rating: 3.7


14. “24’s” Feat. Rico & B-Real
ID error, as on “Warning Shots,” it was labeled as “Feat. B-Real.” Anyway, just hearin’ tha beat intro at tha end of “Wet Wet” gave me anticipation to see what this was! I’m glad we’re back to tha Louisiana sound!!! Here’s what I had to say: Sounds like I might’ve heard it b4, but no, it’s just that good, Baton Rouge sound. Great sounding on tha hook!! Looks like you kept it real on tha 1st verse to prevent them haterz; nice 1st verse. Tha 2nd verse sounded pretty nice too. To add to this: It sounded like there’s another ID error as some dude’s on tha 2nd verse (not B-Real). I wonder who that “20 year-old” iz? But too bad no 3rd verse on this mixtape ‘cause in tha previous review, I said, “Tha 3rd verse was equal to what I’m used to hearin’ from you.” :( My Current Rating: 4.2


15. “Here It Is”
An unexpected title… Now, I have unexpected anticipation… >>> Yeah, “fuck all that deep shit!” I like tha hook, especially since tha people asked you for shit, and you’re deliverin’ it! :tu Yeah, “that Ziggly Wiggla” (sp?) shit. :tu Tha “guns, bricks, and white chalk” shit iz tight in tha hook! :tu Not much to say, as it wasn’t that long… Just a tight joint right here. My Rating: 4.2


16. “U See Me” Feat. Savage
Was wonderin’ what you had for No. 16, and I now have HUGE ANTICIPATION!!!!! >>> Yes, longer length (3:11). I wonder how excited I’m gonna get wit this joint… Doesn’t sound like Savage produced it (not sure if he did). He’s a lil’ smooth on tha hook (and not hard). A lil’ different, but I can feel it. Startin’ off tha 1st verse wit you “shinin’ like a laser beam.” I like tha “glacier on tha rang” part on tha 2nd hook. :tu You had a great 1st verse on yo shit, Cali. Let’s hear what you got for tha 2nd verse… I’m kinda startin’ to get sick of tha “chain hang low/Jibbs” comparison, as well as tha “99 problems/Jay-Z” thing too. :td Tha 2nd verse was still good though. Let’s hear your 3rd verse… I like tha “money like leaves ‘cause I rake it…” part; you LUV yo money! :tu And, it just ended. My Rating: 4.0


17. “The Lord Understand”
God’s in tha title… No offense, but low anticipation… >>> Short (2:21 on tha length), but a good beat on this one. I like tha siren that went through a bunch of these jointz. You sound a lil’ like Max Minelli on tha flowin’ here too (like when you talked about “your cousin smokin’ crack out here”). This iz turnin’ out to be pretty good, and tha rhymes are great too. Nice 1st verse, and great hook. Hearin’ tha 2nd verse… Nice. How you “control yourself” by “drankin’ that Henny all night?” I don’t see how people control themselves by drinkin’. Don’t that make you lose control of yourself? Either way, I won’t drink anyway, so I don’t really care. My Rating: 3.9


18. “My Nigga” Feat. Reno Da Gutta
>>> Not bad start. I like tha “sellin’ $10 rocks in tha trap spot” part. I like tha video game parts (tha “playin’ Mario” and shit like that). I’m playin’ Donkey Kong right now, and I’ve been on my video game shit all my life. There’s a featured artist on this, and I think I know who it iz… Dude did a good job (iz that Reno Da Gutta?). Tha 3rd verse sounds pretty good on this shit. Damn, you love drinkin’, huh? My Rating: 3.8
^ I did an iPod check, and I’m pretty sure that’s Reno on tha feature (ID error).


19. “Still I Rise” Feat. Nicky Minaj
Oh no, this looks bad… That Nicky girl was from tha “Dedication 3” mixtape, and she did a bad job on it! >>> Only 2:37, but it’s tha “No Matter What” beat (c’mon now)… Quite odd you said, in an imitation voice of a Lil’ Cali hater, “I hit his Myspace, and he ain’t write me back.” I hit your Myspace up twice about tha “Warning Shots” review I did for you, and nothin’ happened. I remember that terrible hook… WTF wit tha auto-tone shit? I’m glad you’re doin’ tha verse, and she’s not! Good thing tha hook didn’t repeat!! You had a pretty nice 2nd verse. Even though I don’t like tha hook, and not likin’ you on this beat, I’ll give this credit ‘cause of your rappin’ on this. My Rating: 3.1


20. “Stressin’” Feat. Plies
Was called “Stressin’ Me” on tha “Warning Shots” CD… I think it’s a better title without tha “me” in it. Here’s what I had to say: BOOM! You just came outta nowhere wit that Ace Hood flow on tha 1st verse! Great attitude on your 1st verse! Really feelin’ Plies’s hook, especially wit tha “fuck around and got a hoe pregnant” part; too catchy when he says that. You have that same attitude on tha 2nd verse, which helps. I think I liked Ace Hood’s original version better, but, you did pretty nice “stressin’” out on this shit. Since that version I rated 4.0, I’m gonna rate this one a tiny bit lower. My Current Rating: 3.9


21. Bigga Rankin Outro
Ending it wit one of his outros, huh? Let’s hear it! >>> Only :48 long! LOL @ “I piss gasoline.” :rofl Ended pretty fast, and I’m glad he gave out his number. I finna call it and tell him about this review, as well as a bunch of his hosted mixtapes I did in tha past! My Rating: N/A


Overall: End Time: 4:32 PM. Well, this was definitely better than tha “Warning Shots” CD! Tha 2nd ½ was a lil’ weaker for me, but that 1st ½ was DEFINITELY HOT!! Hope you like this review (as well as Bigga Rankin). MAKE SURE YOU REPLY TO IT!


Rankings (according to my ratings):

20.       “Real D-Boy (Remix)” Feat. Rick Ross & Sean Kingston 3.0
19.       “Still I Rise” Feat. Nicky Minaj 3.1
18.       “Wet Wet” 3.7
17.       “My Nigga” Feat. Reno Da Gutta 3.8
16.       “Like Me” 3.9
15.       “Stressin’” Feat. Plies 3.9
14.       “The Lord Understand” 3.9
13.       “U See Me” Feat. Savage 4.0
12.       “Peep My Swag” Feat. Foxx 4.1
11.        “Intro” 4.2
10.       “Here It Is” 4.2
09.       “24’s” Feat. Rico & B-Real 4.2
08.       “Do What It Do” Feat. Slugga 4.3
07.       “Where U Been” 4.3
06.       “Headache” Feat. Mouse 4.4
05.       “On My Shit” 4.4
04.       “I’m All That” Feat. Lil’ Boosie 4.4
03.   “Move Around” Feat. Mouse 4.5
02.   “In My Pocket” Feat. Mouse 4.7
01.   “Dust My Body Off” 4.8

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