Review #1,475: YB "Dedication Of Honor"

Reviewed on 7.29.2015 (Review #1,475)

Been havin’ too many dayz at work and am in need of relaxing when I get off, so I haven’t had much of a chance to pop up and do some thangz… But, despite a really hectic day at work (had to babysit and be tha mother to, like, every-fuckin’-one!!), I just so happen to have tha opportunity to review! Sponsored by Forever Young Entertainment (F.Y.N.I.C.), here goes my review for YB Dedication Of Honor, produced by $hop With Ken! I have to point out that, what an unlucky day to release a CD! Just looked on LiveMixtapes and it says it came out May 10, 2015; damn! That was tha day my brother died! Worst day!! Aside from that, I wish I was fulla dat shit right now, especially with this stressful day! However, Pennsylvania sucks, iz fulla unpromising people and I won’t be able to holla at tha plug till I prolly go to NY, but at least it’s in a few dayz! Start Time: 6:57 PM | End Time: 7:48 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 #1,475) reviewed on 7.29.2015 by FrankieThaLuckyDog.

Link To CD: http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34119/yb-dedication-of-honor.html

01. “$elfmade”

>>> Sounds nice with tha beginning/hook and you reppin’ “Baton Rouge, Louisiana;” great production fa tha sizzouth! Comin’ through on tha 1^st verse pretty nicely with tha consistent, F.Y.N.I.C.-type rhymes! Keepin’ it goin’ wit tha 2^nd verse and it sounds pretty consistent, as well! Just gotta luv tha quality and how consistent you keep it with deliverin’ street rhymes from dat Boot! My Rating: 4.5

02. “Jumpin’ Back” feat. KB

Almost thought that was you on tha feature and I even accidentally wrote your name on tha feature, at first! >>> More nice, quality production here… Hearin’ tha hook from you and it’s pretty nice; keep firin’ at ‘em! A nice 1^st verse, here, but blah, blah, blah-like with tha “bitch”-related shit. It’s like, less shit about “fuckin’ a bitch” from you sounds great. Either way, that’s way betta than that “money, money, money” bullshit err-body be on! Thank God we’re two songs in, so far, and not one “money” bullshit line! Keepin’ it goin’ wit tha 2^nd verse, here, from this KB dude and he sounds great, just like how you come through wit it! Diggin’ his dark, street-soundin’ shit he providin’! My Rating: 4.3

03. “Birthplace”
Likin’ tha title; hope it pays off! >>> 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! Uh, damn, 45 seconds of silence at tha end? Random… At least it’s shorter, I guess, lol? 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… My Rating: 4.8

04. “Raised In The Ghetto”

Le’hear it! >>> Much slower and laidback from tha last song… Hearin’ tha beat and it’s real nice; sounds like somethin’ from tha ‘90s that you’d get fulla dat shit to! Oh, weed, can you just appear, already?! Sounds like between tha nice hook and tha verses, everything blends consistently fa tha hood… Odd that I’m playin’ Cruis’n USA fa Nintendo 64 on my computer while reviewin’ this ‘cause it kinda reminds me of that with this beat, but also, feels like I could play some Tony Hawk Pro Skater! Ahh, Wednesday’s tha flashback day, lol? My Rating: 4.3

05. “Hit It Once, Hit It Twice”

>>> Really diggin’ tha Louisiana sound on tha beat, here! Definitely sounds like that great, intense style! Hearin’ tha hook and wow, looks like tha female songs are catchin’ on tha most fa me on this CD, despite my criticism, earlier? Catchy hook ova this beat! Hearin’ tha 1^st verse and I just dig how you consistently rap ova tha beat, as always! Wow @ only one verse; great fa quickly providin’ your consistency on tha tracks! My Rating: 4.4

06. “Get It How You Live” feat. T.Y. (of Jetlife) & Vintage Rippah

>>> Beat’s pretty nice, here, and you sound pretty nice on tha 1^st verse… Hearin’ tha hook and it’s kinda a turn-off with this voice-effect shit… Hearin’ tha 2^nd verse from this Jet Life general and it sounds like I’m likin’ this beat much betta, now; diggin’ tha eerie sounds! As for tha verse, it ain’t too bad… Almost expected a terrible 3^rd verse when I heard a screech before tha verse, but it’s not as bad as I expected… Well, maybe, at 3:13, it sounds gay with tha voice-effect shit… Hmm, ‘cause of so much voice shit, this gon have to fail to get at least a 4.0 rating from me. I almost let it slide, but tha 3^rd verse irritated me, a lil’. Excellent bass part at tha end! Can just picture my brain goin’ loco while fulla a geeb!! My Rating: 3.7

07. “Loyal Fee”
>>> This time, with this slow tempo, I’m not anticipatin’ tha “bad bitch” dedication, here… Tha 1^st verse’s aight; not bad… Hearin’ tha hook and it’s okay, but I’m feelin’ kinda jealous and shit, here, with tha content. Like, this one of those kinda songs that has me like, “Does everyone have ta have a ‘bad bitch’?” Bad enough that this one girl that I consider a girlfriend told me this morning that she “hung out till 4:00 AM with one of [her] friends…” Like, what?!? I been tryna hang out witchu fa months, even when I helped her out and my birthday passed! When I’m off, she ain’t wanna hang out! She go in at 8 when I’m off; 7 when she hang out till 4 AM? Gay!! Venomous girlz, ya know?! But, tha rest of this was ehh…; it was tolerable fa me… My Rating: 3.7

08. “Whip It Like Mitch”
>>> Beat sounds like a Migos-like tempo with how those beats kick… Kinda sounds like a random song on tha 1^st verse… Hearin’ tha hook and it’s really random fa me; of course, a “tryna get rich” reference… And, only one verse here. For tha feedback I provided, looks like this iz just decent. My Rating: 3.2

½time: Started off excellent and then, kinda got decent. Either way, definitely feelin’ these beats, tracks and content for tha most part! Gotta luv when you be droppin’ dat music wit Ken, YB! Current CD rating’s at a 4.1! Let’s keep it goin’!

09. “Shout Out To My Plug” feat. Kenn Sonnier

Speakin’ of “plug”—oh, you’re gettin’ me jealous!! Could this be an excellent way to start tha 2^nd ½ off? >>> Definitely diggin’ this; excellent hook that has me jealous in an anticipatin’ way fa my upcomin’ NY trip!! I might be doin’ a double NY trip in one day/night on Friday!! It’s like tha “weed” escape land!! Great job wit tha 1^st verse, too; you got shit on lock! Didn’t really catch tha feature, since this went by so quickly! Only one verse, but it was worth it! My Rating: 4.6

10. “Traffic” feat. Ju$Dillon

I believe JusDillon’s name’s “Ju$ Dillon”? Various things come up in Google, but I might just go with “Ju$Dillon”? >>> Nice beat, here; excellent hook! Diggin’ tha whole “traffic in front of my house” shit on tha hook! Sounds real great ta hear, here; anticipation’s rising!! Hearin’ tha 1^st verse and it’s fast rhymin’ with that great, drug-type shit!! Really feelin’ that 2^nd verse; must be Dillon? Soundin’ like an excellent joint, altogether! Short and sweet fa three minutes!! My Rating: 4.6

11. “R.I.P. Who Next” feat. $hop With Ken

Ooh @ tha feature! >>> Nice beat with a 225, street-type vibe! Hearin’ tha 1^st verse and that Ken? Surprise appearance on tha 1^st verse; feelin’ how he comin’ through wit dat street shit! Nice lil’ hook from you, too, with how someone gon die “next!” However, every death’ll be like, “Whateva,” and, “Okay,” only ‘cause nothin’ will compare to me losin’ my brother two months ago! Shit’s too real; can’t compare!! As far as tha 2^nd verse goes, it sounded pretty consistent! Ken did his thang on tha 1^st verse and you continued right behind him! My Rating: 4.4

12. “Fuck Ah Nigga” feat. Scotty Cain

>>> Nice beat, here, and tha hook sounds pretty nice ta hear… Hearin’ tha 1^st verse and it’s pretty nice! Then again, am I expectin’ only one verse again, lol? Regardless, this sounds great ta hear fa tha streetz and fa tha clubz, mixed together. My Rating: 4.2

13. “Lowkey” feat. Que Tha Truth
It’s “Tha,” like my name, according to tha “The” on tha back cover! >>> On a soul tip, as far as tha sample ta keep it “lowkey,” here… Lots of rappin’ from you on tha 1^st verse, here; kinda random, but kinda tight… Hearin’ tha hook and it sounds pretty nice; I’m diggin’ that repetitive title part. Now, tha 2^nd verse from Mr. Que, here, comin’ through wit fast rhymes, as well; less random and still tight… My Rating: 4.0

14. “F.Y.N.I.C.” feat. Kenn Sonnier

I have to just make it clear, right now! If it’s one thing I love about ya, it’s this:

Gotta luv when you be shittin’ outta nowhere! You got such a great, street look to you, but when it’s time ta hit that toilet, you already know how ta express it! Gotta luv it!! >>> A DJ in tha beginning? Long lil’ angry skit in tha beginning… Ehh, really random but here comes tha song… Hearin’ tha beat and it starts off pretty nice and intense. Once again, on dat quality tip, as far as tha 225 sound goes! Hearin’ tha beginning from you and it gives me that nice, consistent vibe that you always bring to tha table, between your voice and tha beat! Tha hook sounds pretty nice, here; feelin’ it, of course! And, keepin’ it goin’ with tha 2^nd verse, here, and this other Kenn dude doin’ a nice job, here! Feelin’ his urban style fa tha 225 and tha Louisiana hoodz beyond, lol! My Rating: 4.1

15. “Jungle” feat. Nunu James & Lahpopa

>>> Interesting beat and a really-catchy hook with whoeva’s on tha hook! Really luvin’ tha title part “wit de jun-gle!!” Hearin’ tha 1^st verse and it’s pretty nice; flow sounds a lil’ laidback but tha vibe’s still pure! Hearin’ tha 2^nd verse and this sounds pretty nice ta flow through; nothin’ much ta say… As I continue ta hear this hook, it makes me wish this was somethin’ bigger than just an undaground secret!! Keepin’ it goin’ with tha 3^rd verse, here, and it’s still nice… Despite tha really-catchy hook, tha verses were kinda plain with tha voices and deliveries. But, it was still nice ta hear! My Rating: 4.5

16. “Savages”

Almost thought it was tha Five Knives song fa a sec. (same title)… >>> Nice beat start and overall, a dope beat fa tha streetz, here! Hearin’ you on tha 1^st verse and these rhymes are consistent! Definitely diggin’ you and your consistent-ass! Just luv all these rhymes; you really know what you’re doin’ with tha rappin’, here! So consistent, and this tha longest joint on this disc, too (5:16)! Hearin’ tha hook and it’s nice; you got a voice that expresses shit in an excellent way! Tha 2^nd verse’s soundin’ nice, too, but tha 1^st verse was a lil’ betta, at times, with tha flow and lyrics… And, endin’ with a bomb! Fa over five minutes, I’m surprised this was only two verses, lol… My Rating: 4.2

Overall: Glad I finally got tha time ta review this and it turned out to be a great CD! Nice job, YB, and tha whole F.Y.N.I.C. click! Keep dat consistent Ken production comin’ along, dat consistent streetstyle of rhymes comin’ along, and dat consistent shittin’-on-‘em style comin’ along, lol!

Rankings:

16.       “Whip It Like Mitch” 3.2

15.       “Loyal Fee” 3.7

14.       “Get It How You Live” feat. T.Y. (of Jetlife) & Vintage Rippah 3.7

13.       “Lowkey” feat. Que Tha Truth 4.0

12.       “F.Y.N.I.C.” feat. Kenn Sonnier 4.1

11.        “Savages” 4.2

10.       “Fuck Ah Nigga” feat. Scotty Cain 4.2

09.       “Jumpin’ Back” feat. KB 4.3

08.       “Raised In The Ghetto” 4.3

07.       “R.I.P. Who Next” feat. $hop With Ken 4.4

06.       “Hit It Once, Hit It Twice” 4.4

05.       “Jungle” feat. Nunu James & Lahpopa 4.5

04.       “$elfmade” 4.5

03.    “Shout Out To My Plug” feat. Kenn Sonnier 4.6

02.    “Traffic” feat. Ju$Dillon 4.6

01.    “Birthplace” 4.8

Average CD Rating Review:

Total Score:                      67.5

Total Songs:                      / 16

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Average CD Rating:       4.2