Review #1,470: Level & Mookie Blakk "Now Or Never"

Reviewed on 6.29.2015 (Review #1,470)

Keepin’ my reviewz goin’, despite prolly gettin’ no feedback at all, smh, here’s Level & Mookie Blakk Now Or Never, released last year on Mayham Entertainment. Luv how Mookie’s name’s spelled wrong. It’s “Blakk,” not “Black!” Of course, I refuse to spend a penny on somethin’ like this that was not even sent to me on time, so it’s mine for nothin’!! Start Time: 11:30 AM | End Time: 12:37 PM

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 use tha word “swag” frequently, have auto-tune in your vocals, or talk about nothin’ but money and hoes (which I consider ‘typical’ topics), I’m not buyin’ it!

© 2015 CD Review (Review #1,470) reviewed on 6.29.2015 by FrankieThaLuckyDog.

Link To CD: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/now-or-never/id894548668

01. “Now Or Never”

>>> Sounds real nice ta hear with my girl on my screen! Perfect combination; hot beat! Great intro from Level, here… Diggin’ tha hook, minus tha “money” obsession! Even though it goes in one ear and out tha other, I still appreciate this energetic music at all times! Nice 2^nd ½ of tha hook with tha title repeatin’! Here goes Level on tha 1^st verse and thinkin’ about “1987,” I think to myself, “Wow, who would’ve thought I’d be at least five years older than almost all my co-workers?” Damn, where’d tha time go? And, comin’ up from tha grave, here’s Mookie Blakk on tha 2^nd verse. Like, you neva hear from this dude, anymore, like, why? Sounds pretty nice and Louisianaful on tha verse; gotta still dig it… My Rating: 4.5

02. “Swag Right”
>>> E…W…E…Q…R…E…D…O…N…T…H…E…T…R…A…C…K… You already know that I can’t leave feedback on tha production, so lemme just rate tha track, itself… Despite this stupid title, I definitely am diggin’ tha hook! Always delivered in a catchy way by you, Level! Here goes Level on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through wit some consistent shit; definitely a club banga at its finest! No wonder why I can always work six dayz a week and 10-hour dayz!! Too bad tha hook has “stacks” in it; let’s see how many songs’ll have a money reference on this CD, smh… Next up, we got Mookie on tha 2^nd verse, still chasin’ dem “women,” huh? Seems like he’s so old, for some reason, only ‘cause you don’t hear from him, anymore… If I can guess or remember, he 37 by now? Like, WTF? He was, like, 30 when I first talked to him! Now, I’m almost 30! Well, I got three more years! But, it was still a nice verse ta hear… My Rating: 4.7

03. “Gun Range” feat. Mista Cain
>>> Really likin’ this beat start a whole lot; very anticipatin’! Here we go, EQ! Definitely a nice 1^st verse at its finest!! Luvin’ all this shit with tha “gun” references, except how Level mentioned, “I got buku money;” WHY?!? But, this definitely intense; really luvin’ it! “I’m 25…;” really? It’s still 2012/2013, here? Tha hook sounds pretty nice, too; intensity at its finest!! Keepin’ it goin’ wit Mookie on tha 2^nd verse, comin’ through wit a catchy flow and how he always lays it down on tha track! And now, here comes Cain on tha 3^rd verse… Definitely diggin’ tha fast flow, at first, and we got tha gunz on lock… Still can’t picture anyone havin’ one, like, why? Nice “iron” part around 3:24! My Current Rating: 4.8

EDIT: Wow, reviewed it last year…

04. “Ball Like A Dog”

>>> Sounds like a nice, Louisiana-soundin’ song, here; can’t complain… Gotta luv how Mookie still “got dem Watsons!” Hearin’ him on tha 1^st verse wit mo pill-poppin’ shit and it sounds nice. However, why M.I.A. from my life? These people just vanished outta my life without tellin’ me! It’s like, W.H.Y.?!? No Facebook, no Twitter, etc.; why? Now, we got Level on tha 2^nd verse; let’s see if he can avoid tha word “money…” A lil’ cocky on tha rhymes, here; God forbid he don’t have a “bitch,” smh! Oh no, I hear somethin’ “broke,” and somethin’ “tha bank;” boo! My Current Rating: 4.2

EDIT: Wow, this too…

05. “I Know Right” feat. Mouse

Lookin’ forward ta this one! >>> So far, it sounds good; can’t complain with this one, either… Tha hook sounds simple, but can catch onto ya… Hearin’ Level on tha—fuck, he said, “You ain’t got no money!” Why can’t “money” be equivalent to someone else’s dick? Like, we should just make every fuckin’ artist gay for throwin’ that bullshit out there to tha watered-down music world!! But, it was an okay 1^st verse from Level, regardless. And now, we got Mouse on tha 2^nd verse, here, comin’ through wit catchiness; gotta luv his voice!! He got dat consistency on lock; luv tha beat and him together!! Luv how Mouse checks in in tha background of tha hook! “I know… I know… I know… I know…;” dumb shit!! Here comes Mookie on tha 3^rd verse, comin’ through wit his catchy voice, too; luv all tha catchiness!! My Rating: 4.7

06. “Dead & Gone” feat. Malachi

>>> Malachi groanin’ in tha intro, here… Hearin’ tha hook from Level and it sounds nice with this beat. See, now, a song like this doesn’t need a “money” reference! If it’s not “money,” it’s “hoes,” smh; good grief! Level comin’ through on tha 1^st verse with some regular-soundin’ rhymes ‘cause of this sad topic about dyin’. Did he say, “That’s why I bank a lot;” money reference? Damn… damn…! No homo!! Hearin’ Mookie on tha 2^nd verse and it sux to lose their “child,” especially when they’re “20!” My mom lost her son, my brother, at just 25, not even two months ago! He “made it to see 25,” but just only 25 and 12 dayz. :( But, nice lil’ heartfelt verse right there, Mookie. And now, an outro, sendin’ an R.I.P. shout out. Oh yeah, forgot about Malachi for a sec, holdin’ down a lil’ bit of tha outro… My Rating: 4.3

07. “Throw It Up” feat. Q-Red
>>> Sounds anticipatin’ like B-Real in tha beginning, but no!! If it’s not B-Real, it’s gotta be someone else! Q-Red; ewe!! Not even listed on tha feature… He’s on tha hook and all I have to say iz, Ang… *goes to Ang’s Facebook…* “Can we start breaks?!? Who’s first on break?!?” ROFL!!! I gotta tolerate that shit tomorrow, ROFL!! Gonna have to put Q-Red in my head at 8:59:00 ‘cause Ang’ll ask at 8:59:51 & 8:59:57, like, seconds before 9!! B-Real couldn’t handle that when I’d tell him I’d call him at tha exact time I’d say! It’s like, damn, no one in Baton Rouge can take business seriously, it seems like? :( That’s all I gotta say!! And, here we go with Level on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through wit catchy shit! Definitely diggin’ tha rhymes and catchy flow, here! Did I not hear a money reference? We got Mookie on tha 2^nd verse and it’s nice… However, I hear him goin’ on and on about “money,” at one point! Oh, what Ang iz to breaks iz what I am to “money” in rhymes!! My Rating: 4.6

08. “Let It Rain” feat. April Reign

>>> Sounds familiar? Either way, way too slow for this CD! What a way to kill tha vibe! An okay 1^st verse from Level, here, but on tha boring side… Hearin’ Mookie on tha 2^nd verse, as well as tha hook and it ain’t bad… Damn, “my money come in access;” gay! A lil’ bridge/verse from April near tha end, here; an okay part but fuck, she even ruined tha ending! Like, “Moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy;” why?!? Gonna just say, fuck this! My Rating: 2.7

09. “Buy Me A Drank” feat. April Reign
My Current Rating: 4.4

½time: So far, pretty nice, except tha “Let It Rain” song; luvin’ tha club bangaz, of course! Can’t deny err-thang goin’ on, here; always keep it hyped up! For now, tha CD rating’s at a 4.3; let’s keep tha collaboration project between Level & Mookie Blakk goin’!

10. “Do It”
>>> Sounds like a nice, uptempo club beat, includin’ tha hook; nice. Here comes Mookie on tha 1^st verse and damn, here comes tha “money” shit ta start tha verse off; y…a…w…n… Here comes Level on tha 2^nd verse and let’s see how many bars it takes for him to say somethin’ about “money…” Well, only three, smh! He sounds great on this, but that’s all I gotta say. Likin’ tha “-ank” shit ta end some of tha lines; good shit! We got a 3^rd verse from Mookie, here, comin’ through wit a nice “party;” can’t complain… And, Level comin’ through on tha 2^nd ½ of tha 3^rd verse wit dem “loratabs & Xanabarz!” My Rating: 4.2

11. “Showing Luv” feat. Box
Box not listed on tha track… My Current Rating: 3.9

12. “Brown & White 2014” feat. Big Poppa

Let’s see tha 2014 version, like a 3^rd part… >>> Already in one ear and out tha otha, since Q-Red produced it… Zero memories with me, now, smh. But, nice hook wit Mookie on tha hook; nice lil’ resurrection in a long-lost Louisiana world! It sux ‘cause I now have a record label behind me with multiple articles out there, and no one fucks wit me, anymore! It’s like, y’all losses! Got a wild Mookie on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through wit consistency ta hold tha club down! While I refuse to comment on tha production, I have to say, no wonder where I get my energy from, at work. It’s almost like I take Q-Red in me, while working, but get rid of all his ignoring, BPM-hating baggage he brings, and just have a good time at work, ya dig? At 2:03, a loooooooooooong, niiiiiiiiiice screeeeeeech from Big Poppa? But wait, we got Level on tha 2^nd verse, here; leggo! Let’s see how long ‘til he talks about “money!” Ooh, heard “loratabs, Xanabarz” before a “money” reference! I think he went a verse without mentionin’ “money;” wow!! Got tha biggest Poppa on tha 3^rd verse, lol; he sounded nice on this shit. He no longer sounds below average, like some of tha times back in tha day. Nice lil’ “gumbo” line, too; gotta keep tha Louisiana energy comin’ along! My Rating: 4.6

13. “Something They Can Feel”
>>> Sounds like a lil’ video game in tha background of this beat? Pretty anticipatin’; thanx, G-Motive! Mookie on tha hook and yeah, “Let’s give ‘em somethin’ they can feel!!” A catchy hook with tha cool look, too; good shit! I continue ta look cool amongst my peers; always feelin’ like a celebrity! Nice, catchy 1^st verse from Mookie, here; gotta feel tha rhymes! Still, I don’t expect my phone to ring by him anytime soon… It’s like, turn M.I.A. into I.M.H.E.R.E.! Level on tha 2^nd verse, here, and blah, blah, blah! Cocky rhymes at their finest, smh… I guess this what makes tha club go ‘round? Nice “This ain’t no X-Box, this ain’t no PS3” shit; feelin’ that shit! However, here Level goes with tha “If you ain’t got no money” shit; well, where’s mine? Neva got a penny from you with business, Level! I literally feel like a piece of shit and that’s why people don’t see me doin’ things, these dayz! Y’all be self-centered? Well, guess what, I am, now! No one can handle it; it’s scary!! My Rating: 4.3

14. “I Thought You Knew”
>>> A Q-Red beat; why can’t he be a better person? With this Racked-Up Ready tribute video I got comin’ up, I wonder if he’ll even watch tha video? Prolly not! I’ll just go back to my six dayz a week with my job! But, tha hook sounds nice; feelin’ tha sample… Hearin’ Level on tha 1^st verse and it’s catchy; always gotta rep strong fa tha Rouge! Mookie on tha 2^nd verse, here, and females “wearin’” males’ “clothes,” lol? You already know that you gotta have a lil’ transgender/acting in you, right? A regular-soundin’ verse, but please, puke when you say, “Money,” Mookie! It’s gay! Let males wear female clothes like Young Thug!! My Rating: 4.4

15. “Put It On Ya”
>>> Really hot beat start, here! Tha hook sounds pretty catchy, here; good shit, Mookie! And, here comes Mookie on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through nicely on tha track! Ahh, “money in my pocket;” damn, you Mookie!! Am I gonna earn “money” from you soon? I prolly am better off pickin’ up extra hours at my job? That’s easy “money” that I’d PULL TEETH FOR with anyone from Louisiana, smh! But, here goes Mookie on tha 2^nd verse, too, comin’ through wit more catchy rhymes… I still don’t get how you guys can release this music and not even send it to me. It’s like, why even record anything? It’s just goin’ to WASTE!! W.A.S.T.E.!!!!! Now, we finally got Level on tha 3^rd verse and it’s soundin’ good. A reference to “BluBlack,” here, or was Level meaning “blue black?” Either way, I know they’ve collaborated before, but I’ono if Level would show him luv outside of a conversation ‘cause Blu’s underrated! My Rating: 4.3

16. “Jump On It”
>>> More Q-Red beats with somethin’ that sounds like a female sample from tha ‘90s or somethin’, like a party R&B record… Either way, an okay hook. Hearin’ Mookie on tha 1^st verse and it sounds decent. It’s almost like we keep gettin’ a large amount of quantity with music, these dayz. Like, why does every CD have to have, like, 18 songs on it? Like, what’s with all tha Level CDs gettin’ out there that I neva hear? Too much quantity over quality? Like, a good portion of tha quality in tha music’s here, but not to last a legacy, due to I don’t get to enjoy it while it’s out! SMH! Now, we got Level on tha 2^nd verse, comin’ through wit a nice sex scene! Imagine a dude hittin’ on Level, lol? Like, Level, how would you react? How would you react to an autistic person approachin’ you? Hmm… Will that eva happen? Will Level have an autistic kid? An okay verse; can’t complain… My Rating: 4.0

17. “Something Safe To Play With”
>>> A knock at tha do’…; an EQ beat… Catchy hook from Mookie, here; kinda reminds me of my ’08 excitement for Louisiana music, lol. Hearin’ Mookie on tha 1^st verse and he’s got shit on lock; nice job, minus tha “Ben Franklins!” Too many beat tag noises? Kinda gay, like a dude hittin’ on anotha dude, right? Hearin’ more of tha hook and it’s now soundin’ like Mookie’s obsessin’ “money” even more; gross!! Here comes Level on tha 2^nd verse, soundin’ good, as always! Then again, “nothin’ but 25;” it’s 2012/2013 again? Enough wit tha “money” shit, Level!! My Rating: 4.1

18. “Throw Up My Pocket”
>>> Anotha beat provided by EQ Tha Misfit, here… Sounds like a club banga fa Mookie, here, like a snake windin’… Nice 2^nd ½ of tha hook wit tha title part and tha “drop it down low;” good shit, Mookie! Damn, why all tha beat sounds again, throughout tha whole entire song? Stupid idea!! Mookie on tha 1^st verse and it’s soundin’ nice, of course; can’t complain, here… Hearin’ Level on tha 2^nd verse and it sounds nice, too; I’m likin’ tha “Foxy Brown” reference, too. I also like how Level said, “Fasho,” on tha start to tha 13^th bar, lol. My Rating: 4.3

19. “5-Star Cypher” feat. Box, Racked-Up Ready & Max Minelli
Endin’ it with an almost-nine-minute joint, here… >>> Beat’s aight ta rap on, here… Here’s Level on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through wit dat energy! “I’m tryna get some money. My money good…;” yeah, yeah, yeah… “I’m just playin’, mane;” heard tha laughter in your voice, lol. Guess this tha way of rappin’ off tha top of your head? No wonder why there’s so many “money” references, smh! I’ve gotten a lot betta with freestylin’ now, eva since workin’, goin’ through shit & gettin’ high, and I have ta say, I can even try and avoid any “money” references as much as I can! Try it! Like, numbers are better, such as 36,000 seconds in 10 hours, or 5 81334 00501 0 for a .99 coffee coupon’s barcode, Level!! Think! Now, we got Mookie on tha 2^nd verse, comin’ through wit some catchy rhymes; feelin’ his random rappin’… Damn, Mookie, at 3:12, “Fuck till I’m exhausted;” came outta nowhere, lol! Lots of Mookie rappin’, here; nice! Time fa “B-O-X” on tha 3^rd verse, here… Just an okay verse fa me, but nothin’ ta complain about. Just like he said, “Tha verses are basic;” exactly what I said! Now, we got “Young Ready,” as he says, on tha 4^th verse, here… Feelin’ his gangsta shit, here… No bullshit rhymes on this verse, here; feelin’ what he got goin’ on, here. LOL @ “I like bitches who suck and fuck;” lol @ tha “suck and fuck!” And now, Max on tha 5^th verse ta rap it up! Regular rappin’, here; nothin’ really ta say… And, like Level said, “I’m tha best;” he was, on this! My Rating: 4.0

Overall: This CD was strongest during tha beginning and then, got a lil’ on a decent level. There were still quite a bit of bangerz, though. I have to give Level his props for always havin’ energy, non-stop! Got two more reviewz of him to do, so I gon appreciate more energy comin’ outta his August 28, 1987-ass, lol! But yeah, nice team project and, as always, great production! Keep tha energy goin’ fa life!!

Rankings:

19.       “Let It Rain” feat. April Reign 2.7

18.       “Showing Luv” feat. Box 3.9

17.       “5-Star Cypher” feat. Box, Racked-Up Ready & Max Minelli 4.0

16.       “Jump On It” 4.0

15.       “Something Safe To Play With” 4.1

14.       “Do It” 4.2

13.       “Ball Like A Dog” 4.2

12.       “Throw Up My Pocket” 4.3

11.        “Dead & Gone” feat. Malachi 4.3

10.       “Put It On Ya” 4.3

09.       “Something They Can Feel” 4.3

08.       “Buy Me A Drank” feat. April Reign 4.4

07.       “I Thought You Knew” 4.4

06.       “Now Or Never” 4.5

05.       “Brown & White 2014” feat. Big Poppa 4.6

04.       “Throw It Up” feat. Q-Red 4.6

03.    “Swag Right” 4.7

02.    “I Know Right” feat. Mouse 4.7

01.    “Gun Range” feat. Mista Cain 4.8

Average CD Rating Review:

Total Score:                      81.0

Total Songs:                      / 19

-----------------------------------

Average CD Rating:       4.3