Category: Album Review

livestream album review - genesis (mychael shakur)

1/14/2019

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INSTAGRAM LIVESTREAM ALBUM REVIEW

PROJECT TITLE: GENESIS
ARTIST: MYCHAEL SHAKUR
CITY: KENT, WA

CHECK OUT THE GENESIS EP, BY MYCHAEL SHAKUR:

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MIXTAPE MONDAY - ITZ ALL LOVE (WATZREAL)

11/5/2018

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Aloha OTDHipHop fam! Thank you for your support and patience. The past couple weeks, I have been very busy promoting my new EP and preparing for my first headlining show (which was last weekend). Anyways, we are BACK again for our Mixtape Monday segment. This week, I finally made time to review, Itz All Love, a brand new album by Bay Area artist, Watzreal. He's been featured on this blog multiple times and we also had a dope interview last week, via Instagram Live.

1. Lucy Liu and Keanu Reeve
I fucks with this track, especially as an intro track to the rest of the project. It’s definitely Watzreal’s chill nostalgic sound, and gives me Atmosphere vibes. The song is a love song, where Watzreal is talking to a girl. But overall, this is definitely a track I can vibe to and add to my “in the office” playlist. Considering the project’s title, I think I’m in for more songs about love, relationships, and more.

2. Better feat. Tone Jonez
“Better” takes a softer R&B tone, with Tone Jonez on the hook and Watzreal raps the verses. The hook tells Watzreal’s love interest (on the song) that she’s used to heartbreak, and that he can show her better. Overall, I think this track could be played in the car with bae or vibing at party.

3. Go!
This track flips opposite from the first 2 songs, with an uptempo trap sound. I also dig the different EDM style bass drops and other elements. Watzreal seems to continue explore ideas of love interests, but this song takes a more “for the moment” type of vibe. His tone is more aggressive but still deep with the storytelling. This track is definitely something I’d like to see performed live.

4. U.T.U
We’re back with the funky boom bap sound from Watzreal. I’ll let you listen to the track yourself to figure out what the track title’s acronym sounds for. This song is more aggressive and talks about different drama and challenges in relationships. I also like the comedian’s sample in the song. It definitely focuses on the guy’s perspective though. Lol.

5. Why You Insecure?
Yo, I never expected a rap song to have a clip from of Kevin Hart’s stand up specials. Lol. But it adds context and a humorous element to the project and song. This song talks about modern day couples’ challenges, especially when it comes to communication. Watzreal mentions things like social media, immaturity, etc, of which all these things can make a relationship difficult if either person is insecure.

6. Life Iz Love, Love Iz War
I appreciate Watzreal’s different styles that I’ve heard so far on It’z All Love. But I always fucks with Watzreal on funky boom bap beats. So this track is definitely something I dig. Watzreal continues to explore his thoughts and feelings when it comes to relationships, communication, and all the challenges that come with it. I like how he mentions things like “seeing red flags” but still staying in the relationship. Overall, I find this project and its tracks relatable, especially this track.

7. NewEdition
I love the title already, and the sample on the intro is so dope! This song continues to give me nostalgic vibes, and I’m glad Watzreal kept the same R&B tempo for this track. Like the title says, Watzreal explores a brand new relationship and all the hopes he has for it to work out. He also goes deeper in to how relationships and communication take a lot more time and compromise than people think (or choose to put in).

8. Monogamy vs. Mohogany (Bonus Track)
I really dig the instrumentation for this song’s production. It gives the song an 80s and 90s feel. Staying on theme to the project’s title, Monogamy vs. Mohogany, talks about building a relationship though the good and bad. He’s a lot more sensual on this song, and I appreciate his honesty.

9. Look Your Way feat. Cash Campaign (Bonus Track)
I love the gospel piano sound on the beat. The tempo is boom bap again, but I appreciate it from Watzreal. Cash Campaign KILLS it on the hook with the vocals. I really dig the 80s and 90s sounds and vibes too.

WATZREAL'S UPCOMING SHOW:

Benjamin White (aka Watzreal) is an up and coming hip hop artist/emcee from the Bay Area, CA. He has performed all over the West Coast and continues to cultivate his craft and fanbase. His newest album, Itz All Love, is available for listening and purchase via Bandcamp. For more on Watzreal, visit his website or follow him on Soundcloud.

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MIXTAPE MONDAY - FLAME TSUNAMI (ASTRO GUILLOTINE)

9/3/2018

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Aloha OTDHipHop fam! We're back with another special Mixtape Monday segment, featuring my homie and hip hop artist/rapper, Astreaux Guillotine. His new project, Flame Tsunami, is out now and available on streaming. Check out my review of his album below:

1. Nova:
Nova is a hella cool intro track to Flame Tsunami. The beat is trap but has some island and upbeat elements, so credits on production! As I was listening carefully to Astreaux’s lyrics, this song is actually autobiographical. He talks about moving from Germany to Hawaii and even talks about his experience growing up in Pearl City. I like his swaggy metaphors and specials mentions. The hook is also very catchy and has a positive “hustle” vibe.” This is a fun track I’d love to see performed live.

2. Glacier ft. Mark Martian:
This song is HYPE! The production reminds me of Russ, steady intro followed by a bass drop and barz. As I listen to Astreaux more, I’m a fan of his voice. I can hear everything he’s saying. The hook is cool too. His flow reminds me old Lil Wayne but Astreaux definitely holds his own. I like how he changes his pace throughout his verses. Another song I’d love to get crazy to live! Lol. I also dig his Honolulu shouts out. I LOVE Mark Martian’s feature verse! His energy and voice adds a grimy element, which works well with Astreaux’s nonchalant and somewhat comedic attitude. “I got a billion goals, one for each dollar I grow!” Chee!

3. Tsunami:
This is actually a favorite track of mine by Astreaux and I’ve reviewed it before. I’ve also seen him perform this live, which is LIT! So far, the tracks on Flame Tsunami have had a similar theme - aspirations and grinding. I think this track would do good with its own solo push too. “Tsunami I am the WAVE!”

4. Twerk Alert:
I’m realizing that the tracks are fairly short, which makes it easy to listen to as a listener. But this project is really cohesive as far as the content and beat selection! “Twerk Alert” is definitely one for the clubs and the ratchets. This is the most explicit track on the project so far, but I fucks with it though! Props on production too! I’d love to hear a remix and possibly a music video as well.

5. Tangelo:
I’ve actually seen Astreaux perform “Tangelo” live too, and it goes live! My only critique would be that the tempo and flow seem to be kinda similar to the other tracks so far. But I still fucks with it and it’s a dope track! This is the type of song I could listen to as a pre-game or getting ready for the club or to go out with friends. Haha.

6. Pot of Gold ft. Deucedashit:
I love the deep bass on production! The vibe is similar to “Twerk Alert” and “Tangelo,” another one for the clubs and ratchets. Deucedashit comes in hella smooth on the hook, I love the R&B element. I like the softer vibe on “Pot of Gold,” along with Astreaux’s cocky barz; they work well together! This is another one I need to add to my pre-game playlist. Haha.

7. 1241 am in Pearl City:
I dig the different production and vibe on this track. It has more EDM elements and a trippy vibe to it. I like how Astreaux goes IN about some of his personal life. He talks about life in “prison in paradise” and mentions about “eating cereal with serial killers.” Crazy story on this! This is definitely a banger, the type of track you can play in the whip with the squad. “Let me find out you aint GANG!”

8. Onomatopoeia:
Okay we’re back on the trappy vibes but Astreaux takes a smoother approach with his flow. The beat is on another level as well; it keeps the bass and trap elements, along with different effects that help Astreaux’s punchlines hit heavy.

9. Gina:
Aye this is fire! This has a hyphy, Bay Area tempo which is totally different from the other songs on Flame Tsunami. I don’t think I’ve heard Astreaux on a beat like this before so it’s refreshing! Another one to add to your club playlist!

10. Lotus Interlude:
I’m so glad THIS track, Lotus Interlude, is the outro for Flame Tsunami. The beat samples the classic Gene Wilder song, “Pure Imagination.” Astreaux gets personal on this song, and seems to be talking about the different challenges in relationships and even friendships. I don’t want to give too much about this track; it’s one of those songs that you HAVE to listen to it.

Astreaux Guillotine is hip hop artist/rapper and entertainer from Pearl City, HI. He is a member of Kurbside Worldwide and Shell Gvng. A growing artist in Hawaii’s local music scene, he regularly performs and hosts various events and venues. While doing time in prison, he used poetry and writing lyrics to deal with his issues and escape from his environment. His music content ranges from “turn up” party tracks to deeper vibes from his personal life. For more on Astreaux Guillotine, follow him on Instagram and/or Spotify.

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livestream album review - genesis (mychael shakur)

INSTAGRAM LIVESTREAM ALBUM REVIEW

PROJECT TITLE: GENESIS
ARTIST: MYCHAEL SHAKUR
CITY: KENT, WA

CHECK OUT THE GENESIS EP, BY MYCHAEL SHAKUR:

MIXTAPE MONDAY - ITZ ALL LOVE (WATZREAL)

WATZREAL'S UPCOMING SHOW:

MIXTAPE MONDAY - FLAME TSUNAMI (ASTRO GUILLOTINE)

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Categories

livestream album review - genesis (mychael shakur)

INSTAGRAM LIVESTREAM ALBUM REVIEW ​ PROJECT TITLE: GENESIS ARTIST: MYCHAEL SHAKUR ​CITY: KENT, WA

CHECK OUT THE GENESIS EP, BY MYCHAEL SHAKUR:

MIXTAPE MONDAY - ITZ ALL LOVE (WATZREAL)

WATZREAL'S UPCOMING SHOW:

MIXTAPE MONDAY - FLAME TSUNAMI (ASTRO GUILLOTINE)

Archives

Categories

INSTAGRAM LIVESTREAM ALBUM REVIEW

PROJECT TITLE: GENESIS
ARTIST: MYCHAEL SHAKUR
CITY: KENT, WA