Review #364: Lil' Cali "Bad Brakes"

Reviewed on 12.15.2009 (Review #364)



Aye, what up? This ya boy FrankieThaLuckyDog here in tha radio station office (right next ta where I broadcast my Tha Louisiana Pit radio show) and since I got a lil’ unda three hours ‘til my next final, I gon do a review. This review iz again fa Lil’ Cali but without Mouse on every song, lol. I previously reviewed tha Just Because: The Mixtape mixtape and it was REAL HOT!!! How will Bad Brakes turn out ta be? We got a WHOPPIN’ 31 jointz here so it DEFINITELY gon be a full plate here!! And speakin’ of “here,” here goes my review fa Lil’ Cali Bad Brakes, lol! Start Time: 3:33 PM | End Time: 5:13 PM

Quick Note: I rate each song from 1.0 – 5.0. Each rating iz my own opinion!! I only please myself with 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) so 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.

© 2009 CD Review by FrankieThaLuckyDog. Other than tha main artist or affiliated people with tha main artist, this review iz to not be used in anyone else’s words!

01. Lil’ Cali Speaks

Speakin’ fa tha intro I see… Lookin’ forward ta seein’ what you got on this mixtape, Cali! >>> Shit yea! We gon DO IT BIG “fa 2010!!” Nice job speakin’ tha intro, my boy!! My Rating: N/A


02. “Bad Brakes Intro”
Ooh, anotha type of intro here, only it’s a song! DEFINITELY lookin’ forward ta you rippin’ up tha intro, ya dig!! >>> Sounds like an East Coast type of beat… Pretty good fa you on this intro here; I like your flow! Tha 1^st verse was pretty good and you’re now doin’ tha damn thang here on tha 2^nd verse! LOL @ tha “ma’fuckin’ Frisbee” part! My Rating: 3.8

03. “Angels Freestyle”

I don’t know what title this was recently so I guess I gon have ta hear it in your perspective right now. >>> I was right a lil’ bit that it’s not a recent beat. This iz 90’s New York Rap shit in tha beat here that I hear so many times. It sounds like you’re just feelin’ cool here wit dis Rap shit to tha fullest; nice 1^st verse and tha bullet shit at around tha :50 mark was just RAW!!! That’s cool dat you “spittin’ this shit off tha top of tha dome!” :tu My Rating: 3.9

04. “Forever” Feat. Wissel & Chosen

I knew I heard tha Drake song towards tha end of your freestyle bein’ mixed in. If Wissel & Chosen are on this wit you, then this DEFINITELY gon be tha shit!! >>> LOL @ Lil’ Wayne in tha background of tha intro… Glad you’re on tha 1^st verse, Cali! Tha flow iz catchy here ta deliver catchy rhymes! DEFINITELY was a NICE verse!! I like tha endin’ a whole lot: “I entertain niggaz… BET!” :tu Yea, it’s dat boy Wissel on tha 2^nd verse!! Rhymes are good but tha voice iz gr8! Cali had a betta verse though! Here’s tha 3^rd verse, comin’ through tight, from Chosen!! REAL GLAD I’m hearin’ him so many times within tha amount of CDs I check out!! LMAO @ tha “now dat’s foul… like passin’ gas in tha hall” part!!! :rofl :tu My dawg DEFINITELY doin’ it LARGE fa Louisiana!!! My Rating: 4.4

05. “Gotta Get It”

I wonder what we got here… >>> Cool beat here and tha sample sounds cool when it says tha title. I luv when you say your name! Instead of “Lil’ Cali,” it sounds like “Li’ Cali” (without tha “l” in “Lil’”)! That’s how I say your name thanx ta dat, lol. Onto tha 1^st verse: It sounds like you got an advantage wit supplyin’ fa yourself; you seem ta always be pleased! LOL @ tha “wake up” for tha 2^nd verse ta start (includin’ tha yawn); good shit here! My Rating: 4.1

06. “Fresh” Feat. Carter Boy & Chosen

SHIT YEA!!! This DEFINITELY gon be da shit!!! >>> I like tha beat here; definitely catchy! Carter Boy iz on tha 1^st verse and he DEFINITELY sounds catchy wit his flow! Cool rhymes here fa err-body ta enjoy! I also like tha double “Subway” definition within tha verse; REAL tight here!! Tha hook sounds like it would be tha title track fa this mixtape; why iz it called “Fresh?” Anyway, my boy Chosen iz on tha 2^nd verse and he goin’ fa it all!! DEFINITELY focused fa “tha plate” and err-thang in his way, ya dig!! Tha 3^rd verse iz from Cali and it sounds like you’re talkin’ about my boy BluBlack or somethin’? You said, “rememba BluBlack,” I think? Either way, I liked tha 1^st part where you said, “knock a nigga blue black!” :tu That was a cool way ta use BluBlack’s name in a verse. Nice job wit this shit right chea!! My Rating: 4.5

07. “Mans World Freestyle”

I don’t know what this’ll sound like… It’s just you so let’s see what’s up. >>> Ugh, 50 in tha beginning… He’s so LOLish now! Glad you’re on tha 1^st verse here ‘cause you’re doin’ tha damn thang wit tha rappin’ here; GR8 flow and rhymes!! Too bad it was extremely short! My Rating: 4.2

08. “I’m Good” Feat. One-i & Carter Boy

I don’t think I know this one; this should be anticipatin’ ta hear!! >>> Soundin’ like random rappin’ from you in tha beginning of tha 1^st verse; a lil’ odd on tha beat. An okay job from you on tha 1^st verse and now, One-i’s on tha 2^nd verse! He spittin’ some good shit fa tha streetz here!! Good job wit this shit here! How odd that there’s no hook; it’s just consistent verses like a collaborated freestyle! Tha 3^rd verse from Carter Boy has a lotta “up” lyrics; good shit! You KNOW we gon continue ta climb wit these mixtapes!! My Rating: 4.0

09. Cali Speaks

A lil’ “break” here (lol); let’s see… >>> You’re “penless” from now on as you’re NOT writin’ your lyrics down!! I don’t know how people do it… It’s an EXTREME talent ESPECIALLY if you tell tha truth in tha “off tha dome” shit you be spittin’!! My Rating: N/A

10. “Bedrock” Feat. Chosen

Looks like a title for tha females! I liked your “Baseball Sex” (rendition of “Birthday Sex” by Jeremih) so this should be cool from you… AND CHOSEN’s ON IT!!!!! >>> Iz this tha new Young Money beat ‘cause I rememba tha “Bedrock” title/theme? I rememba Lloyd sayin’ somethin’ about tha Flintstones, lol. Must be… Tha 1^st verse from you sounds gr8 ESPECIALLY on tha flow!! :tu So FUCKIN’ GLAD Chosen’s already up on tha hook; gotta luv tha “Flintstone pebbles” shit! :tu And speakin’ of my boy, here he iz on tha 2^nd verse!! Catchy shit here, “shinin’” to tha fullest on this joint right here!! My Rating: 4.3

11. “Got Me Hooked” Feat. Carter Boy

Looks like a title that would go wit Mariah Carey’s “Obsessed;” let’s see what you got! >>> I think this iz a jacked beat from recently ‘cause that’s what it sounds like… Kinda unexpected wit tha singin’ on tha hook but since you got 31 jointz on here, you know there’s some versatile shit on here. Afta tha hook, you’re on tha 1^st verse here and it’s DEFINITELY dedicated to tha females here, ya dig! It was a good verse fa what it was… Iz dat Carter Boy on tha hook? I guess it’s a lil’ different from what I’ve heard in tha past… I mean, wit all these jointz I’m hearin’, you know I gon hear somethin’ different eventually. And speakin’ of which, he ain’t on tha 2^nd verse; you are! And wow, tha beat sounded REAL HOT around tha 1:45 mark!! :tu Tha 2^nd verse was good fa you once again. My Rating: 3.7

12. “Hussle Way” Feat. One-i

I like this title ‘cause it has “hussle” instead of “hustle;” lookin’ forward ta hearin’!!! >>> Huh? Very weird beat start ‘cause it sounds real quiet… Okay, it picked up at :12 in and more on tha mainstream Rap/R&B style here. I thought you just had an intro but it’s tha start to tha 1^st verse. I like all tha “…like _____” parts; reminds me of Wayne! :tu DEFINITELY a GR8 verse from you and One-i has tha hook this time; sounds MUCH betta!! Glad he held it down fa all da ma’fuckaz in tha hood, ya dig!! You’re fillin’ up tha verses, Cali, as you’re on tha 2^nd verse too! Glad you’re “rollin’” thanx to dat “pill” you’re takin’! Pretty good song here although tha beat could’ve been a lil’ betta since tha lyrics went hard! My Rating: 4.1

13. “Rodeo” Feat. Chosen

LOL, ANOTHA Chosen collaboration!!! And based off this title, it looks like this beat gon be tha Juvenile one from years ago? Let’s see if I’m right… >>> LOL, I got a beat guess correct finally!! LOL, it’s cool ta hear you on this one! It sounds like you REALLY in luv here since you’re startin’ off tha 1^st verse wit lurin’ tha gurl inta a conversation! LOL, tha hook iz plain though wit no one on it but tha sample. Let’s see how dis boy Chosen does on tha 2^nd verse… Yea, he DEFINITELY inta this gurl just like you, Cali! Anotha GR8 verse on this joint right here! Ooh, there’s some talkin’ right afta his verse! Tha voice sounds like it a lil’ screwed and a lil’ ova 30 seconds remainin’, tha beat changed to tha “Throw It In The Bag” beat, lol! And a female hopped on it; lol @ tha REAL early change within tha same song! Oh, she cut it off? LOL/SMH… My Rating: 3.9

14. “Throw It In The Bag” Feat. Na’Tee

Ooh, it’s Na’Tee; didn’t recognize her! But now, I get ta hear her and I KNOW this shit gon go thru tha roof hopefully!!! >>> This tha remix beat (I rememba on a past review [Wayne’s No Ceilings] that it was listed as a remix). Ooh, here she iz on tha 1^st verse and it sounds REAL GOOD wit tha rappin’! She knows how ta handle songs wit all these GR8 topics she raps about from shoppin’ ta dro ta relationships ta err-thang!! :tu GR8 job from her on tha 1^st verse and Cali, as much as you LUVED ta have tha verses from your featured artists, she took tha verses away from you, lol!! :rofl REAL GLAD she spit anotha verse here as it’s doin’ tha damn thang!! Keepin’ this shit up to tha fullest; GR8 flow!! LOL, I thought we were Caliless but here you are right on tha 3^rd verse! I didn’t even realize there was anotha minute left of this song; glad you fit inta it!! Pretty good verse but Na’Tee did it 2x BIG wit her two verses!! My Rating: 4.2

15. “Never Goin’ Back” Feat. Willie World

Looks like a sad song… I don’t know how I’ll feel so lemme check it out! >>> Tha beat iz back on its New York shit here… Glad it ain’t depressin’; sounds like you grew from your past! I feel tha same way; look how BIG I am respected wit Louisiana people!! And two years ago, I had nobody and now, I got buku people in Louisiana respectin’ what I do!! ;) Tha verse was good fa tha song and tha hook iz pretty good at tha same time too! Ooh, tha Willie World dude on tha feature sounds cool on his verse! Sounds like dat voice would go hard on a gangsta/club beat!! Good shit that was combined wit your verse, Cali! My Rating: 3.9

½time: Lookin’ like a GR8 CD, my boy!! Keep up tha gr8 work ‘cause you holdin’ down these tracks no matter if they all jacked beats or not! MAJOR PROPS on tha featured artists too!!! Tha average CD rating iz currently at a 4.1!

16. “Sky High” Feat. Carter Boy

It looks like it follows as a sequel to tha last song? Who knows, so let’s see… >>> Yea, this kinda different… Tha beat sounds more positive and more on tha New York side again. I like tha beginning wit “play like cellos” and “shake like jello!” Tha 1^st verse (or should I say ½ verse) sounded good fa what it was. Tha 2^nd ½ of tha 1^st verse from you sounds like you battled a lot on your Rap journey; good expressive attitude! Tha 2^nd verse from Carter Boy and he soundin’ like he got a Wayne flow here. LOL @ tha “your new single had all tha DJs laughin’” part! :rofl My Rating: 3.6

17. Ego Interlude

I know dis a Beyonce title so let’s see what you did wit it as far as an “interlude…” >>> You on your R&B side here. I would rate it but since it’s just a lil’ sample, I’ll just wait ‘til it comes up! My Rating: N/A

EDIT: It wasn’t comin’ up next but I’ll just leave it as a N/A rating ‘cause it wasn’t exactly a song or a freestyle.

18. “Feelin’ It”

Tell me we’re gonna hear Jigga… >>> LOL, anotha correct guess here. You must be in LUV when you gon spit on this shit here, lol! Pretty good hood lyrics in tha 1^st verse; you got tha hood on lock, Cali! Tha 2^nd verse has more hood shit when it comes to tha exact content of tha lyrics; you know what you’re spittin’! My Rating: 3.8

19. “Maybach Musik” Feat. One-i

And I know what this Ross beat iz… I know I correctly guessed tha beat but hopefully y’all make this an interestin’ version! >>> Tha intro may’ve been cool but this iz Part 2’s beat… Ugh, tha T-Pain hook; yuck!! :td Prolly could’ve gotten an instrumental without him on tha hook! Looks like you want err-thang in tha 1^st verse although not too long ago, it felt like you had err-thang on lock? Anyway, let’s see if One-i can pick up tha pace… It was good fa what it was. I liked your verse betta though, Cali. It was cool that tha two of y’all collaborated though. My Rating: 3.3

20. “Anything” (Da Gremlins Feat. Wissel)

Regardless of what beat this iz, we got tha WHOLE Gremlins on here so this should DEFINITELY be watz up!!! >>> Sounded like I heard Wissel in tha beginning? And speakin’ of Jay-Z, ugh, anotha beat of his (I should’ve known based off this title). Iz Wissel a part of Da Gremlins? I’ll put him in tha ID just in case he ain’t a part of Da Gremlins ‘cause I know Da Gremlins as Lil’ Cali, One-i, Chosen, Carter Boy, Slugga & G-Ryde. I hear him on tha 1^st verse and he sounds cool fa his slower flow. I wish it was a different beat so I’ll just have ta deal wit it… Cool shit he spit right here! Speakin’ of Gremlins, here’s Carter Boy on tha 2^nd verse, spittin’ some interestin’ lyrics here. Tha “eatin’” part sounded interestin’ fa this verse and he keeps mixin’ different topics fa tha streetz; thumbs up here! Sounds like either Cali or One-i gon be on tha 3^rd verse? I like how they said, “bruh,” before tha verse started! Ooh, dat’s my boy One-i; thumbs up!! I like his “shit right” part too, lol! He spittin’ more information fat ha rappers out there, ya dig! I can TELL it’s my boy Chosen on tha upcomin’ 4^th verse… YEA!!! :tu Glad he appeared in here too!! He’s got some motivational shit here fa when moments come in life; good shit! This tha 1^st time we’re Caliless, lol!! My Rating: 4.3

21. Cali Speaks

You gon speak afta a song you were not on? >>> Glad you introduced your group Da Gremlins from tha last song! So now dat you said “Wissel & Na’Tee,” are they a part of Da Gremlins? Did G-Ryde & Slugga fall off or somethin’? I had luv fa all dem… My Rating: N/A

22. “OK Freestyle”

LOL @ this! I can imagine what tha beat iz… >>> Not too familiar wit it but I think you’re continuin’ wit this New York Rap shit. I really liked tha “lunatic like Nelly/jam like jelly” part a WHOLE LOT!! :tu Sounds like a Weezy style of rappin’ wit tha REAL GR8 flow here; you did tha damn thang here!! A lotta “OJ” parts towards tha near-end, lol! My Rating: 4.4

23. “Loose As A Goose” Feat. Carter Boy

:rofl LOL!! :rofl I didn’t know they had released an instrumental fa this but then again, most album cuts have tha instrumentals leaked online. I should look forward ta this, ya dig!! >>> LOL, wit those few songs dat had tha hooks and all dat kept, I felt that this one should’ve kept tha Boosie intro ‘cause he sounds funny wit his luvable title, lol!! Tha hook sounds catchy this time wit Carter Boy on it! Nice job wit this shit includin’ tha flow!! Tha 1^st verse iz from you, Cali, and it sounds like you followin’ tha flow a lil’ bit here! You spittin’ some good lyrics; on tha hood side here! I really liked tha “green like a pickle” part, lol! My Rating: 4.2

24. “Goin’ Dummy” Feat. Max Minelli

LOL!! Where did this one come outta?!? Outta all tha songs on this mixtape goin’ fa tha New York Rap type shit, this one DEFINITELY iz ‘bout dat Louisiana shit!! If it has Max on it, it HAS ta be original!!! >>> Tha beat start sounds cool; I can guess right that this iz a Vybe beat! Will it be…? I didn’t hear a tag but it sounds like it fa a start! You made tha intro sound catchy, Cali! Tha 1^st verse also sounded pretty catchy from you on it, spittin’ some cool shit. Max sounded cool and catchy on tha hook; nice job gettin’ tha hook up from him!! Your 2^nd verse iz soundin’ betta than tha 1^st verse already; you got tha catchiness on lock!! You ended tha 2^nd verse good wit tha “I’m a beast, go get tha leash” line! And as good as Max iz on tha hook, I thought he was gon have a verse. Nope, it’s you instead on tha 3^rd verse… You’re still soundin’ catchy wit your lyrics! My Rating: 4.3

25. “Uhh Ohh Freestyle”

LOL, this beat too? You KNOW you just luv your Louisiana beats at tha same time!! ;) >>> You DEFINITELY spittin’ “crack” here; lol @ you automatically havin’ Shonta scream, “Shonta on tha track!!” That was a cool plan, ya dig! You’re DEFINITELY tha BIG focus here wit how you want err-body ta have “all eyes on you,” ya heard me! Even ended it GR8 wit tha “nigga a str8 dog…” line! :tu My Rating: 4.2

26. “Retarted” (Da Gremlins)

Oh wow, this should DEFINITELY be anticipatin’ too!!! I predict a jacked beat though fa some reason… >>> Nearly sounds like tha beat Yung Yola had fa his “I Be (All Day)” beat but I think this iz slightly different… Iz it still “Shonta on tha track?” If so, it’s DEFINITELY watz good!! I actually do think it’s Shonta ‘cause of how tha beat sounds at times!! Tha hook was DEFINITELY watz good and I’m REAL GLAD it’s an original beat (in my case)!! I hear my boy Chosen on tha 1^st verse, REALLY doin’ tha damn thang here!! I bet tha rest of Da Gremlins gon really do tha damn thang here!! I don’t know exactly who’s on tha 2^nd verse (they’re on tha hook a lil’ bit also too) but they did a cool job on this shit right chea! Gr8 job wit this REAL GR8 joint dat sounded like “Uh Oh” wit tha vocal style!! If it’s not tha “Uh Oh” beat, it might be T-Lo’s “All Day” beat? I don’t know but it sounded nearly like a jacked Louisiana beat towards tha end. My Rating: 4.5

27. Cali Speaks

Again, we were Caliless and here you are speakin’ again, lol! Let’s see what you got ta say! >>> Yea, you speakin’ some good shit; fuck tha hate! My Rating: N/A

28. “I Don’t Luv ‘Em” (3D Na’Tee)

Ooh, a lil’ Na’Tee bonus!! Let’s see what she has prepared here!!! >>> LOL, tha beat start here iz cool to tha fullest, lol! Tha beat style nearly sounds familiar (can’t exactly rememba what it would sound like). Her flow iz DEFINITELY watz good here and her rhymes cross LOTS of barriers here!! LOL @ tha “sick of T-Pain” voice line and then tha “fuego” part from his “Can’t Believe It” song, lol! Tha 2^nd verse iz here and it sounds like she won’t deal wit assholes; good shit!! Looks like she’ll top tha rankings, ya dig!! This could be a first ta where a female defeats all tha males on a CD (even though it wasn’t a compilation CD)!! Nice job on tha 2^nd verse once again!! Cool shit from tha 3^rd verse too, bein’ yourself to tha fullest!! My Rating: 4.6

29. Cali Speaks

LMAO, you ALWAYS speak when a song that’s not yours surpasses, lol! >>> Props on tha shout outs within tha 19 seconds! Oh shit, “Ric Flair” iz next? LOL, it took a WHOPPIN’ 30 songs fa a non-1^st listen song ta appear; that’s like a record!! My Rating: N/A

30. “Ric Flair” Feat. Young Dro & Mouse

Here we go!! You KNOW this iz tha shit right here but it doesn’t even surpass tha Na’Tee song, lol!! But, it’s DEFINITELY a banga right here to tha fullest, ya dig!! Here’s what I said about it, only re-reviewin’ it last night: Mouse beat here and it sounds pretty anticipatin’; he even “wahhhhh”in’ in tha beginning. He doin’ his thang on tha hook; one of tha BIGGEST/BEAT beasts on tha hooks!!! You’re on tha 1^st verse here, Cali, and I like how your voice iz slightly different from otha mixtapes. Plus, your music sounds pretty GOOD once again compared to all those odd female songs in tha past!! Nice job on tha 1^st verse, Cali; tore it up!! Here comes Young Dro on tha 2^nd verse here, soundin’ good on this too. He luvs his “ruby red polo,” lol! Catchy flow on his verse which makes it pretty consistent for this song. Let’s see what we got for tha 3^rd verse… It a Mouse verse and he always sounds great on tha mic! LOL @ tha “well, FUCK IT!!” part at 3:24! :rofl Nice job on tha verse, Mouse. Cali, you had tha best verse on this song. My Current Rating: 4.4

31. Cali Speaks

Speakin’ fa tha outro here! Let’s hear your last words before I go do my next final! >>> Yea, it’s sad that “this iz tha end.” I enjoyed doin’ this review at my college (it bein’ tha 1^st)! :tu Props on givin’ me your e-mail via this outro! I’ma make sure I e-mail you wit my thingz I’ll have fa you in tha future, ya heard me! My Rating: N/A

Overall: Nice job right here, Cali!! You DEFINITELY did a gr8 job rappin’ on buku jointz right here!! I wish you tha best luck and I gon head on out!! Props on keepin’ tha average CD rating up and neutral, ya dig!!

Rankings (according to my ratings):

24.       “Maybach Musik” Feat. One-i 3.3

23.       “Sky High” Feat. Carter Boy 3.6

22.       “Got Me Hooked” Feat. Carter Boy 3.7

21.       “Feelin’ It” 3.8

20.       “Bad Brakes Intro” 3.8

19.       “Angels Freestyle” 3.9

18.       “Never Goin’ Back” Feat. Willie World 3.9

17.       “Rodeo” Feat. Chosen 3.9

16.       “I’m Good” Feat. One-i & Carter Boy 4.0

15.       “Hussle Way” Feat. One-i 4.1

14.       “Gotta Get It” 4.1

13.       “Mans World Freestyle” 4.2

12.       “Uhh Ohh Freestyle” 4.2

11.        “Loose As A Goose” Feat. Carter Boy 4.2

10.       “Throw It In The Bag” Feat. Na’Tee 4.2

09.       “Bedrock” Feat. Chosen 4.3

08.       “Goin’ Dummy” Feat. Max Minelli 4.3

07.       “Bedrock” Feat. Chosen 4.3

06.       “OK Freestyle” 4.4

05.       “Forever” Feat. Wissel & Chosen 4.4

04.       “Ric Flair” Feat. Young Dro & Mouse 4.4

03.   “Fresh” Feat. Carter Boy & Chosen 4.5

02.   “Retarted” (Da Gremlins) 4.5

01.   “I Don’t Luv ‘Em” (3D Na’Tee) 4.6

Average CD Review:

Total Score:              98.6

Total Songs:              / 24

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Average CD Rating:       4.1