Review #101: Famous Stranger "Guns & Guitars (Strings & Straps)"

Reviewed on 7.15.2008 (Review No. 101)

Watz good it’s ya boy Frankie here and I’m doin’ another review. Right now I have somethin’ I’m very anticipated for. I got this dude reppin’ New Orleans right here. My ma’fuckin’ dawg Famous Stranger!! I got his “Guns & Guitars (Strings & Straps)” mixtape I’m gonna peep out and review (I like that title and combination of tha title by tha way). Now of course before I do tha review, I gotta give ya’ll a history on how I know who Famous Stranger iz. Famous Stranger iz tha very first artist I heard on Crescent City Radio that I had neva heard before (which makes him tha breakthrough underground artist from Crescent City Radio in my opinion). About close to a month ago, I heard this song on Alex McConduit’s show, “The Hip-Hop Spot with Alex McConduit”, called “So Crazy”. Because I heard Alex McConduit talk about tha “Renegade” song by Jay-Z & Eminem a few times, everytime I heard tha intro to “So Crazy”, I thought it was “Renegade”. Now when I listen to Alex McConduit’s shows, I listen to tha whole show in its entirety (including all songs unless they’re way too mainstream like one time I heard Chris Brown & T-Pain “Kiss Kiss”). I then asked Alex what tha song was (‘cause I ripped it) and he told me it was Famous Stranger “So Crazy”. He gave me a Myspace link, http://www.myspace.com/nvsent , but it was wrong. I asked someone on tha area where this Famous Stranger mixtape iz posted. I asked someone what his Myspace was and someone gave me http://www.myspace.com/nvsyf . I clicked it and added Famous Stranger (as well as adding to my top friends). Anyway, I added “So Crazy” to my playlist on July 4, 2008. It recently has been gettin’ a ton of spins (mainly since I bought a $3 scratch-off lottery ticket book (which iz 100 tickets; it co$t me $300 and I only won $169) and it reminds me of that and scratchin’ lottery tickets). I also added “The YFL” too (it’s sometimes rare that I add 2 songs by tha same artist within a few weeks) thanx to Alex McConduit & 3^rd Shift playin’ it last week. I’m glad I got to know Famous Stranger and I’m even MORE GLAD that he wrote me a Myspace message today. That really got me in tha mood EXTREMELY to do this review (this iz tha surprise I promised). Here goes my review for Famous Stranger “Guns & Guitars (Strings & Straps)”. Oh yeah as for tha ratings, I give between 1.0 and 5.0. If I rate somethin’ at least a 4.0, that means I love it already. Anything over 4.0 iz to determine what iz more of my favorite. I rarely give out a 5.0 rating. Start Time: 4:09 PM | Video Game Playing: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest (for Super Nintendo) (on my computer)

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!

© 2008 CD Review (Review #101) reviewed on 7.15.2008 by FrankieThaLuckyDog.

01. “Famous Stranger”
Perfect way to start. A self titled song (unless this iz an intro or somethin’). You know I have lots of anticipation for you dawg. Let’s hear what happens when I press play!!! I’m SO EXCITED to get into this mixtape!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! >>> A VERY GOOD intro wit that beat! Even more anticipation! It would’ve been REAL HOT if you would’ve spit on this beat. That beat was SICK. I’m glad you made an intro outta it. My Rating: N/A

02. “Take Da World”

You DESERVE to “take da world” by storm! High anticipation for this. This’ll be tha 3^rd song I heard from you! >>> Another VERY TIGHT beat and I hear your voice. That voice = future $ucce$$!! Feelin’ tha lyrics and tha flow also (I like that “fish” line in tha hook). Tight shit. I’m REAL GLAD I found this mixtape on Dat Piff!! My Rating: 4.3

03. “Rollin’ Hard” Feat. Kyd Wonder

This will prolly “roll hard” so I definitely have a LOT of anticipation for it!! >>> Beat intro iz REAL TIGHT once again! Tha hook iz tight and I just LOVE tha feel of it. Wow Famous Stranger you’re spittin’ some HOT SHIT on tha 1^st verse!! Yeah “money will be better for you.” I prolly will give you some (or somethin’) in tha future. You know I got yo back dawg. Tha 2^nd verse sounded like Jody Breeze and it was good. I hear you on tha 3^rd verse. I just LOVE hearin’ you rappin’. I see there’s 25 jointz on this mixtape. I’m glad there’s a WHOLE LOT of Famous Stranger for me to hear!! My Rating: 4.5

04. “Money Cry”

What could this exactly be about? I’m curious on hearin’… I can’t picture anything. >>> Okay I hear tha hook. Tha money iz considered a female gender and you’re gonna save her. I like that. Good shit. Good thing this ain’t disappointing! Yeah I agree: you’re “tha bomb like suicide.” Definitely a good joint right here. Somebody else would’ve prolly made it disappointing. My Rating: 3.8

05. “Fortune”

This title iz now gonna remind me of your next mixtape comin’ out, “Gamblin’ With Fortune & Fame”. I like that title a lot ‘cause of mainly tha “gamblin’” part (since I have been buying lottery tickets for 10 years now—since I was 10). Let’s hear this one. I’m glad you have a LOT OF HOT PRODUCTION behind you!! Hope this has hot shit too! >>> Oh it’s just a skit. Good for a check-in tho so I’m glad for that. My Rating: N/A

06. “On The Dresser”

I already really like tha title and I’m dying to know how you made it into a song!! >>> I was just about to say… THIS SOUNDS LIKE A JACKED BEAT… BUT IT’S NOT!! Another Crescent City Radio song!! I think Crescent City Radio (or 3^rd Shift played this). I’m gonna do some research on this after it ends. Towards around 2:18 where you’re talkin’ about “my dad at work while I’m smokin’ tha purp and I’m finishin’ tha album,” I like that line and I like all tha lines mentioning tha title. :tu My Rating: 4.1

EDIT: Okay I did my research and I did it pretty quick. I guess this iz what 3^rd Shift was talkin’ about when he does his beats. He gives ‘em out to a bunch of artists and whateva artist makes tha best version outta tha beat, he puts it on his mixtape. He did that wit your “The YFL” joint. That joint made him change directions in how his next project iz gonna be. So yeah, I heard this on Crescent City Radio last week as it was Oba Rowland “My Niggaz”. No offense but I liked that song better. This was still real good tho. I’m real glad it’s in a different direction than tha Oba Rowland song. That’s when I REALLY like when tha same beat iz used! Good beat!

07. “Mind Jungle”

Another real good title. You DEFINITELY know how to come up wit titles!! Really lookin’ forward as usual!! >>> It gives me a “this sounds interesting! I gotta keep hearing!” feel (like wit when I heard “So Crazy”). It sounded like Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley after tha 1^st verse. I like when you say “ya dig.” You said it twice in here so far. Yeah I think tha Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley parts (I’m guessin’ that’s tha hook?) sound a lil’ weird but this iz good. If I was to hear this somewhere (like on Crescent City Radio for example), I’d prolly like it more. I’m definitely addin’ this whole mixtape to my iPod. You’re tha shit!! My Rating: 4.0

08. “Riding Up Da Road”

Another very good title for me. I really like songs about bein’ in tha car ridin’, songs about blowin’ dro and songs about bein’ gangsta (including lines about havin’ tha chopper, etc. etc.) so this should be a good one!! >>> Too bad it’s only 2 minutes, 53 seconds. Should’ve been like 2 minutes longer but I’ll prolly give it a good review. Of course I love when I hear you rap so as soon as tha hook just kicked in, tha beat sounds tight and you doin’ yo thang. :tu Sounds like there iz an ID error as there’s no one listed as a featured artist. That dude on tha 1^st verse said “Jimmy Lee”. Iz that his name? Either way, his part was good. Hope you’re on tha 2^nd verse! … … Yes you are!! I like how you used tha “n” word twice in a row when you said “I’m dat nigga, nigga.” Of course this joint sounded great. I loved tha hook tha best outta this song. Good job. My Rating: 4.4

09. “Elevadors”

I guess that’s how you spell tha word “elevators” huh? It’s all good. I won’t consider it an error. If it said “Eelvadors” instead, then that would be an error. But curious to know what this gon sound like. >>> Sounds like some old school Weezy on tha 1^st verse. This sounds not bad. Tha beat iz pretty good even tho that flute iz kinda odd but it’s all good. I guess you were younger when you recorded this due to it sounds different. My Rating: 3.5

10. “And I Love You”

Dedicated to tha females I’m guessin’… Let’s see if it can be better than No. 9… >>> Only 1 minute, 25 seconds… Good I hear your voice again!! Great beat and I do like that sample in tha background sayin’ tha title! I can’t get enough of sayin’ “I LOVE WHEN YOU RAP!!” It’s true! I liked tha fading out at tha end. No. 9  should’ve been this short, lol. My Rating: 4.2

11. “Da City (Dust Money)”

High anticipation on this. You mentioned “dust money” in one of tha previous songs so I’m gonna wanna hear this!! >>> A HOT intro!! Tha hook sounds pretty tight and your rappin’ always grabs my attention so I can’t stop payin’ attention. Just really feelin’ that beat. My Rating: 4.0

12. “Slum Village”

What could this exactly be about? >>> A short one goin’ at 2 minutes, 4 seconds long. Tha 1^st thing that came to my mind about this song before I played it was thinkin’ about tha rappers Slum Village but NO it’s JACKPOT on tha title ‘cause it’s about tha traphouse!!! Sounds great. Too bad it’s VERY short (especially since it was rewinded back). Good shit tho. We’re at tha ½ point of this mixtape now! My Rating: 4.2

½time: DEFINITELY a VERY GOOD mixtape from you dawg! I just CANNOT get enough of when I hear you talk or rap. You are tha shit fo’real and I really hope all your wishes come true!

13. “Dark Sunshine”

Hope this iz a “dark” track!! >>> That whispering in tha beginning about tha gun part sounded like this would be a “dark” track. Now I’m hearin’ tha hook and yeah, I’m feelin’ tha “dark sunshine” of you. I like how you mentioned a part of tha mixtape name in tha hook. :tu Some good shit right here and I’m definitely feelin’ anything you do. :tu Good shit right here once again. My Rating: 4.1

14. “Big Homie”

That’s what I am to you (I’m your “big homie”) and that’s what you are to me (you’re my “big homie”). I have lots of anticipation for this, I HOPE it’s a song and I HOPE it sounds REAL GOOD!! >>> It’s not a song (I just had a feeling when I wrote “I HOPE it’s a song”). But yeah, real good phone call and you gotta “keep them triggers out your face.” People shouldn’t hate on you or stop you from doin’ anything. Fuck tha haterz. You got MAJOR SUPPORT right here from ya boy Frankie!! My Rating: N/A

15. “Quarters, Ounces & Halfs”

I guess you forgot tha comma after “quarters” but who cares about that right now ‘cause this iz a drug song so I’m DYING to hear it!!! BETTER be like 4 minutes long, have a TIGHT beat and LOTS of rappin’ (wit some talkin’) from you!!!!! >>> YES it’s 3 minutes, 47 seconds (that’s real good). Glad you gave “tha money real clean” and that you “gave it a bath.” Definitely feelin’ that beat as it sounds good and consistant. Love your rappin’ again as you have yourself a real good 1^st verse. :tu When it comes to this rappin’ shit, you’re DEFINITELY “untamed on a rider’s bike.” That’s comin’ straight from me. :tu I’m glad you doin’ good wit yo hustle game. Tha only hustle I do iz I mainly buy (and find) scratch-off lottery tickets and I’m pretty lucky wit ‘em. My Rating: 4.4

16. “Hustle Wit Dat”

And speaking of a “hustle”, we got it in No. 16’s title! Good consistantness about hustlin’ back 2 back wit No. 15 & No. 16! And I always have faith in any No. 16 song so I HOPE your’s iz REALLY GOOD!! >>> A small one @ 1 minute, 40 seconds on tha length (watch it be real good). I love tha hook as it captured me when you said “I got my money / I got my weed / I’m on them pills.” :tu Once again (wit this bein’ a short joint), I really love tha hook and it was great. It was just too short. My Rating: 4.4

17. “Get Up Out My Way”

Yeah I agree. This iz strictly for them bitch-asses that are in your way. Famous Stranger iz tha MA’FUCKIN’ SHIT!! He ain’t gon be in ANYONE’s way!! Lemme hear what you got to say about this! >>> I guess this iz dedicated to people who are always on you. Yeah I feel that you need to relax here and there. It’s jammin’ and (of course) your rappin’ iz keepin’ me in-tune! I’m really likin’ tha vibe of this joint as it sounds like somethin’ that would be on Lil’ Wayne’s “500 Degreez” CD so I’m glad I’m gettin’ my 2002 vibe on! Good shit! My Rating: 4.3

18. “1 Zone”

Could imagine what this iz about… Hope it’s another song refering to some sort of drug (as tha last 3 were)! >>> Sounds like we slowed it down. Really like how things slowed down at tha beginning! Yeah you’re “a stranger feelin’ famous.” You’re tha shit, ya dig. It sounds like it’s another song referin’ to a drug ‘cause you’re “in a zone.” Good shit. I like tha 2^nd verse too (as you were mentionin’ somethin’ about blunts). I really like this slow jam or yours and your slow rappin’ on this. Definitely great shit right here. My Rating: 4.2

19. “Price Tag”

Like tha title and havin’ anticipation on it. :tu >>> Oh YES 5 minutes flat!! That’s tha length and I’m glad we have somethin’ long, ya dig! Good hook and I like that tha “kush in ya face.” Yeah great hook and I’m real glad I’m hearin’ you rappin’! A good line iz “treat ‘em all like dice. Give ‘em a pill and roll ‘em;” consistentness!! My Rating: 4.5

20. “Liquor Split”

If that’s “split” in tha title, then I’ll be really anticipated (just ‘cause of how it sounds wit “liquor”). If it’s just “spilt”, then you got an error. Aight lemme just get into this joint! >>> Ooh another long one (it’s just 7 seconds shorter than tha last joint). Tha intro building up in tha background sounds hot! You sound younger again and that hook iz tight. I’m glad you’re “in your mode!” Iz there featured artists missing in tha ID? I hear someone on tha hook and on tha 2^nd hook. Tha 2^nd hook sounds tight. I’m glad you’re wearin’ “girbauds” (as you said it on tha 3^rd verse). I’m currently rockin’ blue girbaud shorts wit red straps & white letters. It sounds like a mainstream/club banger even tho I like your voice on other tracks. My Rating: 4.4

21. “Got It Made”

>>> Yeah I hear tha “Can’t Tell Me Nothin’” beat so it’s a jacked beat but of course it’s you so I know you gon do yo thang on it. For some reason I feel like I remember hearin’ this on Alex McConduit’s show one time. I can’t tell. Glad that you were “raised by tha high rollers.” Speaking of that line, my Uncle Willy influenced me to get into scratch-off lottery tickets back in about 1998 (as I was 10). Three years later, 2001, a $2 scratch-off lottery ticket called “High Roller” came out. I bought one on March 26, 2001 @ 2:45 PM and I won $200 on it! I was only 12 and it was a VERY GREAT moment of my life! I matched tha $ucce$$ on August 28, 2007 @ 12:35 PM when I found a $200 winning scratch-off. I was REAL HAPPY and just recently, June 23, 2008, I bought a $20 scratch-off and won $500 on it!! Yeah I’m a “high roller” myself and once it’s June 21, 2009, I’ll be hittin’ tha ca$ino$ (since I’ll be 21). And yeah, “you can neva live like a famous stranger.” I agree wit that one. There’s only one Famous Stranger in tha world, who mainly does tha damn thing. That’s you. My Rating: 4.1

22. “Vision Out”

Iz your “vision out” ‘cause of tha kush? I wanna hear and I wanna know if I guessed right! >>> A REAL down south feel on this joint. Sounds like some relaxin’ Devin The Dude joint. Yeah, I agree wit you. You’re not just “crazy,” but you’re “so crazy” (ESPECIALLY when it comes to tha songs)!! This was definitely a nice slow jam (or in your case, a “nice jam to smoke to while chillin’ out”). I definitely liked it. My Rating: 4.2

23. “Crack Enough”

Looks good so I’m anticipated on hearing!! >>> Pretty good start. I’m glad you have “money for dinner.” :tu You sound like you had Lil’ Wayne influenced in you ‘cause this sounds like a Lil’ Wayne type of song. I’m slowly tryin’ to get into it more. I mean, what you’re spittin’ iz definitely tight. Maybe that beat could’ve been a lil’ different. Maybe that would’ve caught some more of my attention but we’ll see if I can grow in tha future on me. My Rating: 3.7

24. “Back Street Carleon”

What could this be? Nice title. >>> It’s a 1 minute flat interlude. Ooh… Another great phone call. I think I liked tha other phone call better tho but good thing for another interlude/skit. My Rating: N/A

25. “Took Da World”

Okay good title again mainly ‘cause on Track No. 2, you decided to “take da world.” Now, at tha end of tha mixtape, you’re proved that you “took da world.” We’ll see which one iz better! >>> Feelin’ that beat intro a lot!! Really like that hook a lot about tha weed and poppin’ a pill. Once again, you got a REAL GOOD voice when it comes to rappin’!! I know it was a lil’ short, but this could be my favorite joint. I just checked what I rated 4.5 and I believe I should rate this a lil’ higher than that to make this my favorite joint. Here ya go: My Rating: 4.6

Overall: End Time: 6:10 PM. I’m glad I took 2 hours and 1 minute to review this for you. Once again, I’m SO GLAD you took tha time out to write me a Myspace message. I was real glad to receive it from you today and I DEFINITELY got yo back. I’m gonna feature this mixtape as a part of my “CDs/Mixtapes To Go Cop” section on Youtube on my “Favorite Rap and R&B Songs of July 2008” video that I’m gonna make prolly July 31^st. “So Crazy” has a real good chance at bein’ my “Song Of Tha Month” and “The YFL” will also be featured on there. I told this one dude who I’m REAL COOL wit in New Orleans (Jimmy The DJ) and I told him to check out your music. Who knows… you might be featured on his next mixtape, “Gangsta Gumbo Vol. 3” (he just put out “Gangsta Gumbo Vol. 2” a lil’ over 2 weeks ago). I’m REAL GLAD I got to hear you on Alex McConduit’s shows. That goes to show you that Crescent City Radio iz a GREAT place to get your music played (Big Money Matt played my “Who I Am” joint July 1^st). I asked Alex if you have been to any of tha shows and I think he said “naw not yet,” so I hope one day you get to go there. This mixtape was DEFINITELY on some tight shit! Most of tha beats were REAL HOT and I just can’t get enough of your rappin’ and everything you tell tha world. Keep doin’ yo thang dawg and I hope you really like this review! Really lookin’ forward to your response!

Rankings (according to ratings):

21.       “Elevadors” 3.5

20.       “Crack Enough” 3.7

19.       “Money Cry” 3.8

18.       “Da City (Dust Money)” 4.0

17.       “Mind Jungle” 4.0

16.       “Dark Sunshine” 4.1

15.       “Got It Made” 4.1

14.       “On The Dresser” 4.1

13.       “1 Zone” 4.2

12.       “Slum Village” 4.2

11.        “And I Love You” 4.2

10.       “Vision Out” 4.2

09.       “Get Up Out My Way” 4.3

08.       “Take Da World” 4.3

07.       “Liquor Split” 4.4

06.       “Quarters, Ounces & Halfs” 4.4

05.       “Hustle Wit Dat” 4.4

04.       “Riding Up Da Road” 4.4

03.   “Price Tag” 4.5

02.   “Rollin’ Hard” Feat. Kyd Wonder 4.5

01.   “Took Da World” 4.6

Close competition but yeah, DEFINITELY lovin’ tha jointz! “Took Da World” and “Rollin’ Hard” Feat. Kyd Wonder came REAL close to determine which one was my favorite!