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 $hop With Ken), courtesy of Self
Investment Inc.! Lookin’ forward ta hearin’! Almost thought it was an older
release but it’s a new one! Start Time:
3:46 PM | End Time: 5:04 PM
Disclaimer: I rate each song from 1.0
– 5.0; each rating iz my own opinion!
I only please myself wit my ratings! I don’t care how lyrical you are, as long
as it’s jammin’ enough for me to like it! I look for beats, then vocals, and
then lyrics. To determine my favorites, I will differ tha 4.0 ratings. If a
song gets at least a 4.0 rating from me, I love it already. If at least a 4.6
rating, I pretty much really love it,
as it’s considered mindblowin’ when I
hear it! Any song can earn up to a maximum of a 5.0 rating. Anything I type
before “ >>> “ iz what I’m sayin’ before I listen to tha song; anything
after I type “ >>> “ iz what I think of tha song while I’m listening
to it. If you use tha word “swag” frequently, have auto-tune in your vocals, or
talk about nothin’ but money and hoes (which I consider ‘typical’ topics), I’m not buyin’ it!
© 2016 CD Review (Review #1,514)
reviewed on 8.01.2016 by FrankieThaLuckyDog.
01.
Intro ($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 1st 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 2nd verse sounds nice, here, just like tha 1st
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 1st
verse goin’ on, here, comin’ through wit dat hot shit! Nice 1st ½ of
tha 1st verse from Scotty and now, Ken on tha 2nd ½ of
tha 1st 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 2nd
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 3rd 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 1st 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 2nd 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 3rd
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 1st verse, here, soundin’
nice on this catchy joint… Tha 2nd 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 3rd 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 1st verse, here; I’ve heard betta… Shit,
a ton of rappin’ on tha 2nd 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 1st single from this CD! Hearin’
tha 1st 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 2nd verse; you don’t stop!! Just really diggin’
this anthem!! Nice job wit that bridge, or 3rd 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 1st 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 2nd hook!! Very consistent; marry tha beat!! Tha 2nd
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 3rd 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 4th 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 1st 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 1st
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 2nd
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 1st and not 2nd 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 1st 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 2nd 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 1st 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 1st 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 1st
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 1st 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 2nd 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 1st 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 2nd
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 1st
verse and I’m diggin’ all your rhymes, here; gotta lay it down! Hearin’ this 2nd
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 1st 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 2nd 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 1st verse, comin’ through
consistently about this “187”-type shit. Now, let’s hear tha 2nd
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 “2nd 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 1st ½ of
this was pretty dope, as I was lovin’ each and every track. Tha 2nd
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
-----------------------------------
Average CD Rating: 4.2
And,
once again, “Birthplace” takes tha lead, on this review that’s over eight pages
long!! YB!!!
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