Review #1,514: YB "Self Investment (Hosted by $hop With Ken)"

Reviewed on 8.01.2016 (Review #1,514)

Feelin’ kinda outta it, after workin’ 4 AM – 2 PM & then, 7:40 PM – 12:18 AM, yesterday. It’s almost like this day off of mine flies by… But, guess I gon have ta enjoy it with reviewz? Got YB up now with Self Investment (Hosted by $hop With Ken), courtesy of Self Investment Inc.! Lookin’ forward ta hearin’! Almost thought it was an older release but it’s a new one! Start Time: 3:46 PM | End Time: 5:04 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!

© 2016 CD Review (Review #1,514) reviewed on 8.01.2016 by FrankieThaLuckyDog.

Link To CD: http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/40375/yb-self-investment.html

01. Intro ($hop With Ken Speaks)

Let’s hear it! >>> Wouldn’t’ve guessed it was your voice, at first, but it sounds nice with this intro beat… My Rating: N/A

02. “Lord I Just Wanna Know”

I’m also kinda outta it with my mood, right now, but I think this gon be on some next-level shit! $hop With Ken production… >>> Yeah, definitely pure; I can’t wait ta hear this whole entire CD!! Feelin’ tha different-than-usual voice, here, comin’ through wit tha catchy hook ova this Baton Rouge-soundin’ beat! Pure vibes at its finest! Good shit on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through wit that shit to get through life… As much as I love workin’, it’s really ruinin’ my happiness. Like, do I need to work 49 hours a week, six dayz a week? I have almost no time fa nothin’!! Tha 2^nd verse sounds nice, here, just like tha 1^st verse! That’s right: “Gotta eat, too!” I just helped a Baton Rouge rapper out a lil’ over a week ago! It’s like, if I’m eatin’, they eatin’! Cold ending? No extra hook? Nice, tho! My Rating: 4.4

03. “Dem Hands” feat. Scotty Cain, $hop With Ken & Lil’ Juan

Yeah! $hop With Ken & Nunu James on tha beat! >>> Yeah! We got a club vs. street-type banga, here; good hook! Definitely feelin’ tha energetic vibe in tha beat, here; gotta luv it!! Nice job wit tha hook, Y-Bizzle! Got tha 1^st verse goin’ on, here, comin’ through wit dat hot shit! Nice 1^st ½ of tha 1^st verse from Scotty and now, Ken on tha 2^nd ½ of tha 1^st verse; definitely nice! Gotta luv when he raps!! Can’t wait fa that day when “lean” enters my life! Weed definitely took over in a nice way! I look at music differently! Keepin’ it goin’ wit tha 2^nd verse, here, as you’re comin’ through wit dat energy! I almost thought this was gon be a song about money, money, money, but it’s all about layin’ down “dem hands!” Continuin’ wit tha 3^rd verse from Juan, here, spittin’ consistent rhymes at its finest! Nice beat outro, here; not a cold-cold ending, lol! My Rating: 4.7

04. “Wake Up, Po Up”

Ken on da beat, again! >>> “Oh!” I’m feelin’ excited fa this start, here; can’t wait ta hear! Really slow delivery on tha 1^st verse, here; kinda sounds like today’s rappers with that slow flow… Now that tha beat kicked in, it sounds betta wit you comin’ through wit your slizzard-type rhymes; good shit! Tha hook sounds nice; gotta “pass out” wit dat feelin’! I ain’t get ta dat feelin’ wit tha “drank,” yet, but I’ve definitely gotten to it wit weed, geeb (gravity bong) hits & edibles! Tha feelin’ feels like it neva ends! Keepin’ it goin’ wit tha 2^nd verse and yeah, “You betta not spill it;” dumb shit! “Shit’s so purple, looks like Barney took a piss in my cup!” Gotta luv what you came up with there, YB!! Much faster with tha flow on tha 3^rd verse, here; what a flow-changin’ song right chea!! Kinda diggin’ how you surprise me wit tha pace of tha flows on tha verses! “Whoooooooooo!! Drug life!!” Nice ending!! My Rating: 4.6

05. “When I Was Down” feat. Vintage Rippah & Li’ Rob

Keepin’ tha Ken productions goin’ (bet he produced tha whole entire CD)! >>> Sounds like it gon be an excitin’ joint based off tha beginning beat… Hearin’ tha hook and it’s pretty catchy wit this beat! “I get drugged down”? You already know! My #01 addiction? Working!! Who works 14.91 inconsistent hours in a day, without knowin’?! Me! Crazy shit! Got tha 1^st verse, here, soundin’ nice on this catchy joint… Tha 2^nd verse’s soundin’ nice, too; definitely feelin’ this voice fa this drugged-type shit!
”Xan barz got me up, actin’.” It’s like, who would’ve thought coffee would keep me active at work? Also, when I go to New York? Great! Tha 3^rd verse’s even betta; diggin’ this fast-paced rappin’! Definitely southern at its finest, here! Luv tha rhymin’ letters! Tha “B.o.B.” shit with “Grand Hustle” and all those letters definitely nice!! My Rating: 4.3

06. Skit 1 (Durty South E Speaks)

Even this skit’s produced by Ken, too! >>> Nice lil’ background music with this on-tha-air-like broadcast! Yeah, this shit’s definitely nice! “Steaming hot bowel movement;” holy!! “We got ammunition fa yo ass and yo asshole!” LOL! Gotta luv it! I talk like that, too; instant shit!! My Rating: N/A

07. “Run Up A Check”

Kentacular! >>> “Forever Young!” F.Y.N.I.C.! I don’t really go for these kinda songs, so we’ll see how this goes… I’m really likin’ tha beat intro and how you’re comin’ through on tha intro… Yeah, tha hook’s kinda ehh, but I’m feelin’ it! It’s sad how I’m like this with my job! I neva felt like I was working for a “check,” but it seems like I’m addicted ta takin’ care of my job! It’s like, they don’t give me hours ‘cause of a “check!” They give me hours ‘cause we’re short-handed! With that bein’ said, it sounds like a lotta yada-yada, random-like rappin’ on tha 1^st verse, here; I’ve heard betta… Shit, a ton of rappin’ on tha 2^nd verse, here… It’s like, what’s goin’ on, lol? My Rating: 4.0

08. “Birthplace”

I remember this one! Kentastic!! Reviewed tha previous CD, Dedication Of Honor, last year, on July 29; this falls on August 1, 2016! Here goes that previous review:

“Really hot beat intro, despite bein’ very influenced by DJ Mustard (e.g., “Left, Right” by YG)… Wow, this really sounds like that song and “Thinkin’ With My Dick” (Kevin Gates & Juicy J) on tha hook, but it’s original production from Ken! Really diggin’ tha hook and this sounds catchy, just like a great 1^st single from this CD! Hearin’ tha 1^st verse from you and it’s consistent with how you do it on tha beat! I can tolerate this “ass-shakin’” anthem and even tha money shit on tha hook! Damn @ tha 2^nd verse; you don’t stop!! Just really diggin’ this anthem!! Nice job wit that bridge, or 3^rd verse—whateva you wanna call it! Got a lot ta offer, here! And, nice beat outro ta end it off! Could possibly be somethin’ I consider for an add on my playlist? I’ono… We’ll see what mood I’m in, despite me fallin’ off from Louisiana, lately…”

This missed bein’ an add with me, last year. That’s prolly ‘cause I was too focused on lil’ girls at my job with “starting breaks,” avoiding a bunch of Louisiana artists, buyin’ co-workers cars & all that bullshit, smh! Louisiana’ll always be in tha veins!!! My Current Rating: 4.8

09. “Reppin’ Like You Steppin’” feat. Scotty Cain, Lee Banks & Li’ Rob

“Steppin’” down from Ken’s production with a Vintage Rippah one, here… >>> Not diggin’ tha beat tag outta nowhere, but it’s a nice lil’ beat fa this… This sounds like some nice lil’ undaground shit fa Baton Rouge, here… I’m feelin’ how you’re comin’ through on tha hook wit that dumb shit—dat street shit! Here you are on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through wit consistent rhymin’!! Definitely some nice shit; really feelin’ tha flow of rhymin’ way more than “Run Up A Check”! Holy, crazy beat sounds before tha 2^nd hook!! Very consistent; marry tha beat!! Tha 2^nd verse iz comin’ from Scotty Cain, here, comin’ through wit dat consistent rappin’ fa tha Rouge; definitely nice ova this beat! Great shit from Lee Banks on tha 3^rd verse, here, comin’ through wit dat G-shit at its finest!! Definitely feelin’ him to tha max when tha beat goes nuts, before tha verse ends!! Here comes a 4^th verse, here, from Rob, comin’ through wit some paranoid-type shit. “Stayin’ in tha house;” I used ta be like dat but now, I need ta get out! It’s almost like why these reviewz are delayed a lil’… Either way, definitely some dumb shit to tha max, here!! My Rating: 4.6

10. “Broski’s” feat. Tazz

First time seein’ this as a title, includin’ with an apostrophe. I usually don’t spell plural forms of words with apostrophes, but I’ll let this one slide, for now… Ken on da beat! >>> Really slow start, but I’m really feelin’ tha bass in this beat, this time! Really lovin’ hoooooooooow yoooooooooou delivvvvvvvvvvver tha hook, especially that title! Yeah, definitely diggin’ this title/tha word, “Broski!” Definitely an excellent hook; you easily pass any test!! Here you are on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through wit some nice shit, wit patnaz always holdin’ it down fa each other… Unfortunately, I don’t believe in any of dat ‘cause no1 really has my back like I have others’… It’ll prolly be like that till tha day I die, but I learned one thing: I tried ta make money off this music shit but instead, I gon be payin’ my favorite artists, instead! I feel like they deserve rewards! Not just awards, but rewards! Thought I would feel tha Tazz dude a lil’ more on tha 2^nd verse, here, but he reminds me way too much of Ty Dolla $ign with how he sounds/delivers/sings his rhymes… Either way, can’t complain about this joint, overall… Kinda sucks how this gon rank way behind a bunch of jointz on here… Kinda long, overall? Ain’t thank it was gon be 4:53! My Rating: 4.3

11. “Dirty Dinero”

Lots of jointz on this tape!! Ken got anotha one!! >>> What can I say, so far…? Hmm… It sounds like you got tha energy on this one; definitely nice wit how you comin’ wit it! Definitely diggin’ this catchy hook! It may be about money but this heavy bass and how you say tha title’s definitely catchin’ on wit me! Lots of random rappin’ on tha 2^nd verse, here, like tha “Run Up A Check” joint… My Rating: 4.1

½time: This tape’s definitely got a ton of heat on it, just like I expected!! Tha beats are pure; tha rhymes are definitely nice; tha collabz are definitely sick!! What more can I say?! A 4.4-rated CD, so far; gotta luv it!! Keep this shit goin’!! Anotha 12 jointz!!

12. “Yungin Fasho” feat. $hop With Ken

Can’t wait ta hear, as always! Kentastic!! >>> A Ken intro/straight to tha 1^st verse, here; gotta luv it! Tha beat’s pretty nice and yeah, gotta luv Ken’s “diamonds in [his] teeth!” I used his teeth—well, anyone’s—as an expression to describe how I feel about when people hate/get jealous of me at my job! Tha hook sounds nice from YB; good shit! Keepin’ it goin’ wit tha 2^nd verse, here… Ehh, kinda random like tha last song’s rhymin’; I expected betta… Ken gets tha crown on this one; definitely nice, especially comin’ through on tha 1^st and not 2^nd verse… A beat outro, here, as well as a siren…; nice! My Rating: 4.0

13. Skit 2 (Durty South E Speaks)

Anotha Ken production! Anotha skit!! >>> A fast beat start before tha radio announcement comes through… Damn! A 4:02-length skit? Still, it sounds nice ta hear… Beat kinda sounds like a Jeezy-type beat in tha background; nice… I’ont get how dudes, like one of my boyz, can just make out wit one chick from NY that he neva met, but people won’t buy my CD on tha spot? I’ont get it? “Smells like asshole;” of course, who don’t like tha smell of shit? I do!! My pre-weed since 13!! Wonder what was reversed? I can check it, but I’ont feel like checkin’ it, at tha moment… My Rating: N/A

14. “1 Call Away” feat. Aerie

I have a feelin’ this gon be my least-favorite track on here… Was thinkin’ it was gon be a Charlie Puth remake, but there’s Ken on tha beat, so there could be a chance… >>> Beat’s real hot, here, with these sounds outta nowhere… Hearin’ you on tha 1^st verse and it’s semi-random with tha rappin’, but it sounds good ta hear! I’ono if I can feel this hook, but it’s not bad; kinda sounds like a random chick… Almost thought it was Dat Boy A’s chick… Aerie even has a verse on tha 2^nd verse, here, comin’ through, just keepin’ tha vibe goin’… I prolly would’ve rather her just be on tha hook and you have anotha verse, Y-Bizzle; kinda draggin’… My Rating: 3.8

15. “Flexico City”

! ! ! ! ! K E N ! ! ! ! ! >>> A shorter joint, here, with 2:39 on tha length! Tha beat sounds pretty nice and you’re comin’ through wit some nice shit on tha 1^st verse! You’ll go down in history as one of my younginz! I’m five years older than you and I’ve been followin’ you since day 1; that ain’t gon change! Tha hook sounds pretty nice and regular for a hook about gunz. I honestly thought it was gon be about flexin’ err-where, lol… Beat kinda went in tha background and there was only one verse… I’m likin’ how this was set up, altogether; nice! My Rating: 4.0

16. “Fugazi” feat. Razy Ray

More Ken heat!! >>> This sounds like a catchy one; think you got a winna, here! Definitely diggin’ tha hook, as well as tha how you deliver it! Nice, deep-soundin’ southern beat!! Nice job wit tha 1^st verse, here, Bizzle! Now, we got a new dude, here (Razy Ray), comin’ through, feelin’ like tha next fresh boy out there… We’ll have to see how his career gon go; this a nice start, tho! My Rating: 4.2

17. “What’s Your Purpose”
No features and produced by Prince GT… >>> Beat sounds like a regular southern-type beat, here… Tha hook ain’t too bad; I’m kinda diggin’ this title and how this sounds… Let’s see how we gon do on tha verses… Here’s tha 1^st verse and one of those sound effects once tha verse started sounded familiar… Wow, this was a short joint; not bad… My Rating: 3.9

18. “Go Hard”

Continuin’!! Back to dem Ken onez!! >>> Sounds like a catchy joint, here, with this beat from Ken! Nice beginning, here! I’m diggin’ this hook; you definitely sound like a nice influence ta make artists “go hard!” Good shit; definitely diggin’ tha hook, Bizzle! Tha 1^st verse sounds nice, here, as you’re consistently deliverin’ some rhymes, here; good shit! And now, you got tha fast rappin’ goin’ on with tha 2^nd verse; I’ono, but I’ll give it credit, this time! My Rating: 4.3

19. “We Good”

Kentacular!! >>> Kinda sounds interesting with this beat start, here; let’s see what gon come outta this one… Tha rhymes from you on tha 1^st verse sounds nice; feelin’ tha real-life-type shit on this kinda beat… Tha hook ain’t too bad, here… Yeah, fuck tha “labels;” gotta get it out tha mud! Tha 2^nd verse’s soundin’ nice, too; gotta keep it real! My Rating: 4.1

20. “Mind Games” feat. Blue Black

Tha other “Blue Black”, here (not “BluBlack” from Gardere, I don’t think), with Ken on tha beat… >>> Kinda sounds like some older music in tha beginning; how will y’all do? A decent hook, here, with a decent beat… I’m surprised that I like tha “1 Call Away” betta than this, so far… Hearin’ you on tha 1^st verse and I’m diggin’ all your rhymes, here; gotta lay it down! Hearin’ this 2^nd verse from this Blue Black dude and it doesn’t even sound like either Blue Black? Maybe it’s ‘cause I ain’t hear that Blue Black dude in a long while… I’ll consider Blue Black tha same dude as that Lit BlueBlack dude I heard, back five years ago, or so… It was a decent verse, though I feel bored… My Rating: 3.7

21. “RN$” feat. Que Tha Truth

I think he “Tha”, like me, not “The”. But, Kenville!! >>> Beat sounds nice and chill, here… Hearin’ tha 1^st verse and here you are, spittin’ some rhymes, soundin’ a lil’ random wit tha flow of tha rhymes… Tha hook’s simple and plain; decent… Hearin’ Tha Truth on tha 2^nd verse, here, comin’ through wit a nice-soundin’ voice on this one; good shit, so far… Yeah, gotta rock dem “Polo boxers;” hate when rappers be on dat Wal-Mart-type Hanes, Fruit of the Loom, regular-store-sellin’ boxers; fuck dat! I only fuck wit celebrities!! Nice verse, overall; good, chill shit… My Rating: 3.9

22. “Murder 187” feat. Doonie

I’m pretty sure I know this one, right before I got my job… *Checks…* Yeah, I was right. What I said, previously:

“Pretty nice; I saw a pic of Doonie & Ken in tha studio, recently. Anyway, I’m diggin’ tha hook; good shit from YB on tha 1^st verse, comin’ through consistently about this “187”-type shit. Now, let’s hear tha 2^nd verse from Doonie, here… Sounds pretty nice, so far… I know he branchin’ his reputation wit dat Heartfelt CD, but this sounds like Doonie deep in dat undaground, tha way I first heard about him over [eight] years ago—it was [eight] years on February 23!”

Dumb shit!! My Current Rating: 4.5

23. Outro (YB Speaks)

No producer this time, lol? Let’s hear what you got ta say for tha ending… >>> Still keep fa’gettin’ this only your “2^nd solo project;” feels like you dropped so many! What about a shout out ta me? Can’t fa’get about me! Either way, nice way ta end this fa a “Self Investment!” My Rating: N/A

Overall: Tha 1^st ½ of this was pretty dope, as I was lovin’ each and every track. Tha 2^nd ½ of it started to get a lil’ decent and had a bunch of shit that sounded random ta hear, on tha flows and shit. However, this definitely turned out ta be consistent and some great shit ta enjoy! Nice job, YB! Classic dude! Keep shittin’ on ‘em!!

Rankings:

19.       “Mind Games” feat. Blue Black 3.7

18.       “1 Call Away” feat. Aerie 3.8

17.       “What’s Your Purpose” 3.9

16.       “RN$” feat. Que Tha Truth 3.9

15.       “Run Up A Check” 4.0

14.       “Flexico City” 4.0

13.       “Yungin Fasho” feat. $hop With Ken 4.0

12.       “We Good” 4.1

11.        “Dirty Dinero” 4.1

10.       “Fugazi” feat. Razy Ray 4.2

09.       “When I Was Down” feat. Vintage Rippah & Li’ Rob 4.3

08.       “Go Hard” 4.3

07.       “Broski’s” feat. Tazz 4.3

06.       “Lord I Just Wanna Know” 4.4

05.       “Murder 187” feat. Doonie 4.5

04.       “Reppin’ Like You Steppin’” feat. Scotty Cain, Lee Banks & Li’ Rob 4.6

03.   “Wake Up, Po Up” 4.6

02.   “Dem Hands” feat. Scotty Cain, $hop With Ken & Lil’ Juan 4.7

01.   “Birthplace” 4.8

Average CD Rating Review:

Total Score:                      80.2

Total Songs:                      / 19

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Average CD Rating:       4.2

And, once again, “Birthplace” takes tha lead, on this review that’s over eight pages long!! YB!!!