Review #1,770: Benjamin Racks & Kell "Great Minds"

Reviewed on 3.21.2018 (Review #1,770)

In tha land of tha Great Minds, here lies FrankieThaLuckyDog, a.k.a. Frank Calhoune, a.k.a. Frank Watson, here, finna review Baton Rouge’s Benjamin Racks & Kell with they 2018 release, Great Minds, courtesy of Sick Spit Entertainment & Aviator Committee Entertainment!! I can’t wait ta listen to this CD! As much as Louisiana’s been havin’ its crash-n-burns wit me, I just wish that err-body would just go and just have a sense of urgency and just quit thinkin’ that they too broke! Like, c’mon, we gotta have meaning! We can’t be doin’ this to ourselves! Quitting, not having interest anymore, being all self-centered, ya know? Y’all can make tha initiatives, too! So, y’all gotta believe in yourself more! This iz only one world we’re in! There might not be that tomorrow! There’s music today and it will maybe not be there 2morrow! Ya neva know! We shall find out! For now, gonna get inta this and see what we finna do, as I review this live in Concrete City in Nanticoke, PA! Start Time: 5:28 PM | End Time: 7:30 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 sound like anything too mainstream for me, have auto-tune in your vocals, or talk about nothin’ but money and hoes (which I consider ‘typical’ topics), I’m not buyin’ it!

© 2018 CD Review (Review #1,770) reviewed on 3.21.2018 by FrankieThaLuckyDog.

Link To CD: https://spinrilla.com/mixtapes/benjamin-racks-great-minds

01. “2 AM”

Back on April 17, 2017, my cousin had a kid and tha premiere of this… And, ya know, I got it right on that day and I missed tha video shoot, but ya know what, definitely classic throwbackness that we gon remember because I loved when I went to Louisiana and got ta kick it wit them on June 22! You already know! Goin’ ta “2 AM!” Gotta love tha energy and Kell definitely brings it to ya! “Out [his] mind…!” Kell’s fully focused! “Tabs” ta just proven to us that it’s all about tha energy! Havin’ music play through my head since tha spring of 2000; 18 years straight! Racks!! “Racks in this biiiiitch!!” Like I was sayin’, music’s been playin’ in my head, straight, fa tha past 18 years and it’s like a party in my head all tha time! This prolly where all my energy comes from! Just luv that Benjamin Racks has that kinda energy, too, like, Benjamin Racks? OMG! Dude had tha #1 song, my favorite song of 2017, “N Due Time”! Great job, Kell! Racks! Produced by Young Hustla a.k.a. In Da Lab With Huss… My Current Rating: 5.0

02. “That Meh”

“That Meh”? “That Meh”? It prolly sounds super-catchy. I mean, look at this super-catchy room I’m in… Look at this… Can’t beat it! >>> Ya know, now that I think about it, I think of it as somethin’ bein’ an exclusive while I was in tha car with Racks, off my 2^nd Louisiana documentary! Saved this one! I feel like that beat just gets you prepared… “That Meh”; go, Racks! Super-catchy-ass hook! “That meh, that meh…” Whoo-whoo! Ten years I’ve been doin’ tha lottery ticket bag! Haven’t did it in a minute but 10 years today, ya know? Racks, ya know, ya definitely got this on lock! I’m glad you won’t give it up! I know it’s like, crying in me inside ta try and hang in there fa Louisiana, but, *sigh* it’s so rough, ya know…? Just when you get burned and shit and, you know, you don’t feel important, you suffer… Say, Benjamin Racks & Kell, ’82 / ’88 babies, that’s Doe-Doe & I! ’82 & ’88 babies! Ya know, that’s tha team, right there! Dat us!! Good job, Kell, just “shmokin’ dem marijuana.” Sometimes, you can just eat it, my boy! *Chomp* Eat it, my boy!! You already know!! Three months till my 30^th birthday; it gon be huge! Yeah, “everyday it’s [June 27],” Kell! Ya know, I’m June 21! It’s all about that timing! Kell, this fa you & Racks; you already know! Racks just gets ya locked in! My Rating: 4.9

03. “SOCIAL MEDIA..”
Can’t imagine what y’all boyz talkin’ ‘bout from what’s been controllin’ this world of ours fa tha 2010’s and beyond… “SOCIAL MEDIA..,” but, ya know, before den… I’m like an OG to tha message boards, as of November 4, 2002, when I came up with tha “FrankieThaLuckyDog” name. So, there’s ya history! >>> Ya know, just hearin’ tha beginning and how great and, like, I guess, La’Keith’s dark beat intro just makes me feel like how hard it was to setup tha shot, and I succeeded. That’s how strong this iz and strong that was to get through. Kell, “Ratchat!” Yeah, “Fuck that Snapchat!” It just sounds real tight on this kinda beat, regardless of it bein’ about “SOCIAL MEDIA..!” Definitely a tight-ass hook and now, we got Racks on tha 1^st verse, here…! Racks! How could you “lose a job?” You one of tha kings fa me, ya know?! There’s not too many that matter in this world of Louisiana rap, now-a-dayz, and you & Kell are definitely two great ones! It sound a lil’ off-beat at 1:15 wit tha “drop yo location” part, but you know what? We’re back in action… I may not get that many likes and comments and get overlooked, ya know? It’s unfortunate, but gotta stay strong & keep it goin’ in life… You already know how Kell doin’, here… Free G.O.C. Flag St.! Definitely was a great day in Louisiana on June 25, of last year, 2017! Yeah, “tha bathroom stank” when you be takin’ a shit pic!! Great job, Kell! You definitely handled it wit tha 2^nd verse, ya know? Just err-thang that be goin’ on behind eyes of “SOCIAL MEDIA..!” My Rating: 4.9

04. “Cuppidy”

Valentine’s Day? >>> Oh, “Cup-Pidy;” oh, ya know, tha “cup!” Wow, Racks, you really nuts wit dem “tabs” in you! And, ya know, Racks, as you know, June 22, when we met, remember that first night? Holy, crazy, just like this review shoot! Yeah, Kell, cool since, like, November 14, 2016, back when I added “Megan Good” & also, “Let You Get Away” (Shaun Frank & Ashe). You really layin’ it down! It’s all about bein’ turnt up! Kell, neva age, my boy!! Like, Racks iz crazy! Like, you woulda neva guessed he’d be tha most-awesome G ta be with! Glad Racks has that energy! It’s all about that energy! “A snot nose?” Crazy! It’s retawded!! Great job! Wow, “Three cups in rotation?” Racks! Lemme know when tha next party at! You already know, tha great getaway when tha time comes! Sounds like “Cup-with-E,” but, “Cup-Pidy,” ya know? Definitely pure energy at its finest! My Rating: 4.9

05. “How I Gotta B”

As I’m buggin’ out in tha live review, right now, “How I Gotta B?” “I gotta B” retawded! “I gotta” keep it goin’! I got tha power in me ta just never stop, even wit tha sun goin’ down soon! >>> Definitely sounds creepy ta go wit this mud crossing… Wow, “Incognito,” Racks “gotta B!” “You don’t like me? I don’t like you! Unlikeable!” Rackstastic! Think how I had those sayings seven, eight years ago! Wow…! Kell on tha 1^st verse, ya know, strictly holdin’ it down… He just brings tha best of tha energy and just comes through fa err-body! “Incognito…” Racks! “Can’t see you, invisible!” Great job wit tha 1^st verse, Kell, and you know, Racks? Holdin’ it down, of course! “Unlikeable!” That’s just how I feel like people treat me, these dayz! “Unfuckwitable! I can’t be stoppin’!” I almost was gonna suffer tha live review but ya know what? I struck back—look at that beautiful image in tha background (wings):

Racks on tha 2^nd verse wit a “cold shoulder,” comin’ through; definitely fa us! “Unfuckwitable!” Looks like there’s, like, wings behind me! Ain’t that trippy? “I don’t know you; you don’t know me! Incognito!” Racks definitely official wit it! Definitely a simple, catchy lil’ track. I definitely gon remember these tracks ‘cause, ya know what? This live review shoot definitely made it fuckwitable! My Rating: 4.8

06. “Fuck Dem Hoes”
I already know Kell & Racks… They know what they doin’, so ‘bout time we hop on dat “hoesline.” Tha “hoesline”: “H-O-S-E-L-I-N-E,” or “H-O-E-S-L-I-N-E;” that iz tha question! >>> I like how Kell sounds so focused in tha beginning, here! Sounds like he got tha future on lock… Just simple: “Fuck dem hoes,” as he semi-sings this! “All about [his] bankroll…” Definitely sounds catchy with tha rhythm right here, Kell! Here he comes! 1^st verse, Kell…! Gotta love what Kell brings… “Can’t get a shot of tha mango, baby!” 2^nd verse from Racks, here! “Beg a hoe like a homeless person,” Racks! That’s Racks for ya! Love Racks’ car! Ya know, red and black be rulin’ tha world! August 8, 2010, that was tha 1^st time I heard Benjamin Racks as Beast Boy. Kell with tha “new women…” Ya know, when y’all evolve ta fatherhood it’s hard. I’m stayin’ focused ‘bout my career before I make any moves, if so. I love my career; I love my life… Just gettin’ through it, ya know? Props out ta y’all… My Rating: 4.5

½time: Tha consistency—err-thang about it, just, pure! Givin’ it a 4.8, so far!! For a ½time rating? That’s wassup! Super-obsessed with pretty much tha whole entire thing, right now, and it’s only gettin’ better from here!

07. “Huh”

It actually, on my Top 568 Songs of 2017, it was actually Song #568. Racks was prolly one of tha 1^st artists that started a year-end countdown off and ended tha year-end countdown; ain’t dat great? After a lil’ miscommunication, I ain’t really play it on my playlist… Racks on tha 1^st verse, here… Yeah, Racks spittin’ facts right here, ya know? It’s all about accomplishin’ so much. Gotta do it big, Racks! Trippy-ass shit when you reviewin’ Great Minds! Kell on tha 2^nd verse, just deliverin’ it… “Time ta use [his] gift!” Always “use” it, Kell! There’s times I think  you sound like C-Loc, ya know? In a legendary-future way… That ‘82/’88 connect! Like, think: Benjamin Racks & Kell, FrankieThaLuckyDog & Doe-Doe! That’s who run it, right now! My Current Rating: 4.2

08. “Like Ya’ll”

Sounds like it gon be a catchy anthem, so I’m ready fa a club anthem, whateva “ya’ll” gon bring… >>> Hitman production… Definitely feelin’ tha catchiness Racks bringin’ to tha table on tha hook! Keepin’ tha Louisiana rap scene alive while I’m still here… Kell just delivers some regular-soundin’ rhymes, right here; not bad… Here comes Racks on tha 2^nd verse… Him and his blueness, here… “Tree upside down?” How ‘bout goin’ through dat hole, Racks? Can’t catch up wit us! We own this! My Rating: 4.4

09. “Real”

These are some short titles, here… And, it’s pretty real out here… ‘Pose ta be a nor’easter but I guess it failed… >>> AJ On Da Track…! I really like this has an in-tha-hood/gangsta-kinda sound ta it, like bein’ in Concrete City, here… I love this review! I know it was a rough start but definitely got this! Kell settin’ it off on tha 1^st verse, right here… Just “lost in tha hood.” Like song after song, after song… “Gettin’ to pop like Adderalls!” Yeah, I remember him, like, in tha studio doin’ his thang wit this song… Great job deliverin’ tha facts, Kell…! Here we go with Racks on tha 2^nd verse…! Great job, Racks… My Rating: 4.8

10. “Rich”
A money song? Uh…, I’ono… We’ll let this mushroom decide… >>> I’m feelin’ tha lil’ trippy vibe, here… Wow, Kell… Ya know, this sounds like an anthem… When he “hits tha lotto.” You know, it just doesn’t sound like tha money bullshit that I listen to on a daily basis because somethin’ ‘bout Kell and what he brings, ya know? Here he iz on tha 1^st verse, ya know, “bein’ Santa Claus,” ya know what I’m sayin’? I feel what he bringin’, “actin’ an ass;” straight up! “Colder than Alaska…” That’s tha destination soon…! Just gotta keep stayin’ confident! Be “rich” on your confidence! Great job with tha 1^st verse… This what ya gotta do on a day off—your only day off for tha week: do a live review fa Racks & Kell! “Holy ghost,” like tha shroom “ghost” on tha 2^nd verse, here…! Yeah, ya gotta take care of ya peeps, ya know? My boy, Doe-Doe, outta Baton Rouge, LA, that I mentioned earlier. Ya know, that dude, if I eat, my dawg eats! Gotta take care of ya boyz! Real shit! Still a good rating for a jrack (jammin’ track)! My Rating: 4.3

11. “Up”

Anotha short title… We’ll see what this gon be like… >>> It sounds like spooky-like with these buildings and me bein’ here by myself after sunset; trippiness… Oh, this one? Straight from listenin’ to him with him in tha car! “Tha lean and tha Xanz,” Racks! Wow! Kell fulla dat…! Racks, ya know, Kell? Perfect combination! Yup, “Floatin’ through tha city;” see, on tha 1^st verse…! Tha city…, tha abandoned city! Kell holdin’ it down wit tha “dynamite” on tha 1^st verse, here… “Stuck like tha Mannequin challenge,” here… Just love tha catchy delivery, tha catchy flow, ya know? Yup, “2:00 in tha mornin’, still goin’ up!” “Green lean!” Definitely official wit it! “Green lean?” Ya know… That’s that shit fa tha future, ya know? Gotta love my boy, Doe-Doe!! My boy, Doe-Doe, greatest dude in tha world! When I asked him, “Who’s tha best dude in tha world?,” on March 3^rd, and he said, “You, muthafucka, you!!” Classic! Racks, you definitely definin’ on tha 2^nd verse, here. You know how ta get fucked up! Keep partyin’! We got this, my dawg, my boy, my round, my broski! One of my leaders! “Top speed!” Such a great anthem from Kell & Benjamin Racks, here! You already know how they come through with such great music from Louisiana Trip #02…! My Current Rating: 4.9

12. “We Winnin’”

Exactly whatcha wanna feel like… I felt like as hard as it was to shoot this with my tripod breakin’ and droppin’ my iPod once, no less on tha six-year anniversary, it’s just, this was a challenge. I knew I won; I had so much confidence! I wanted to get this done; I didn’t wanna give up! I made it in time… >>> Definitely sounds like an anthem—a street anthem, right here… It’s all about celebratin’; just by sayin’, “We winnin’.” “We winnin’, we winnin’, we winnin’, we winnin’”—like, really, lol, that’s tha words…! What a hook! It can’t get no more simple than that! Wow… Also, check out their track, “Good Good”, ya know, Kell’s new track… “You 100% off; I ain’t talkin’ ‘bout coupons!” Crazy…! Here comes Racks on tha 2^nd verse…! He “got tha cheat codes, as if this was a game!” Lol, “Stickin’ out tha tunnel like Michael Jordan,” Racks! “NFL: No Fuckin’ Loses!” That’s Racks for ya with his acronyms! Deuces, Concrete City ‘cause, “we winnin’, we winnin’!” My Rating: 4.5

Overall: Well, Racks & Kell, they completely held tha whole entire thing down!! And, like I said, it got me through a miracle, as last week, on Saturday, on St. Patty’s Day @ 9:16 AM (Racks birthday time), I dealt with misjudgment! And, it took this CD to be a miracle ta counteract that! Props ta Racks & Kell!

Rankings:

12.       “Huh” 4.2

11.        “Rich” 4.3

10.       “Like Ya’ll” 4.4

09.       “Fuck Dem Hoes” 4.5

08.       “We Winnin’” 4.5

07.       “Real” 4.8

06.       “How I Gotta B” 4.8

05.       “SOCIAL MEDIA..” 4.9

04.       “That Meh” 4.9

03.   “Cuppidy” 4.9

02.   “Up” 4.9

01.   “2 AM” 5.0

Average CD Rating Review:

Total Score:                       56.1

Total Songs:                       / 12

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Average CD Rating:       4.7 (automatically a 5-star-rated CD)