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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.
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Aloha OTDHipHop fam! We're back with another installment of our MIXTAPE MONDAY segment. Check out Mizu Bushin EP, a brand new project by Hawaii-based hip hop artists Astreaux Guillotin & Lord Jordvn!
Track 1: Nami Great choice for the first track of the EP! The beat, flow, and swag is there 100%. Astro definitely goes hard. I like how he mentions about getting out of prison and chasing his dreams. Lord Jordvn from Wavy Souls verse is killa, especially when the autotune bit. His references to Texas, Hawaii, and Las Vegas are super wavy! Hence, the name “Nami” which means “wave” in Japanese. I got all the sauce… Track 2: 100 Yard Dash Astro Guillotine and Lord Jordvn compliment each other well on tracks, and this track is a great example! The concept is basically a hype track talking working hard to make money and get the cash. I like that they both mention about not selling drugs and overall, they’re both hella swaggy. This is definitely a track that would be DOPE to see live and a music video hopefully! Production and vocals on point too, high quality!
Track 3: Facts “Facts” takes on a different vibe from the “Nami” and “100 Yard Dash,” and as a listener I appreciate that. Overall the production stays in the trap and energetic party elements; but the lyrics on “Facts” go deeper than swag and money. Astro opens up a bit more about spending time in prison and taking that experience with him as an artist and aspiring entrepreneur, doing things the right way. The message is what I dig on this track, and this track could turn a random listener to a fan of Astro. Of course, Lord Jordvn comes in heavy with the bars! He balances out the song’s deep message with his swaggy and rapid-rapping style. “I ain’t even bragging that’s FACTS!” Chee! Lol. Track 4: Baishunpu And we’re back on the nonchalant trap rap shit! I dig this track’s beat and production the best. Super dope! Again, Astro brings in his deep voice and hardcore bars accompanied by Lord Jordvn’s youthful and cocky swag. Track 5: Prototype (ft. Chris Waters) I think this track matches as the “closing song” for this EP. I like that they brought in Chris Waters, another member of Wavy Souls along with Lord Jordvn. The production and beat is probably the most catchy and complex in my opinion. It’s hard to follow all of their lyrics but the vibe and confidence can be felt. The little skits and adlibs in between are super funny and entertaining too! Lol.
Aloha & welcome back to another new week on OTDHipHop blog! Today I got a special treat for our #MixtapeMonday segment. My wifey, GIE, joined me for this! We will be reviewing Purple Hearts, a brand new project by rapper/producer - Havein.
Check out our track-by-track review of Purple Hearts below:
Track 1: Reborn
Jehzan: I fucks with the production! I dig the concept as an intro track. The hook is also really catchy - “when you see my soul, tell it come back home. I can’t feel no more, trynna be reborn..” Gie: Production is cool, catchy hook. Track 2: She Vibes Jehzan: I really dig the sound and vibes of this track. Havein uses different effects on his voice that flow smoothly throughout the track. The tempo and style of Havein’s lyrics definitely show a reggae and trap influence. Gie: This is a fun “young boy” track, something I can listen to while vibing at home or at a social event. So far I really like Havein’s hooks. Track 3: Imperfections Jehzan: Another banger for the ladies. I like the African drums used on production, and Havein’s stoney and sorta “drunken” style of singing and rapping. Gie: I hear a lot of African and reggae influence especially with the drums. It gives the song and project more depth sonically. He’s honestly starting to remind me of a young Lil Wayne. I’m glad Havein is having fun on his beats and it shows in his music. Track 4: Smash Jehzan: I’m seeing most of the songs so far have a similar tempo, but regardless I fuck with it. I’d considered “Smash” like an interlude because it’s mostly just Havein singing/rapping repetitive lines. His melodies and instruments mesh well with his different vocal style. Gie: The tempo of the songs are getting repetitive but I dig the production. He definitely has a unique non-chalant style. 
PHOTO BY @ISSATIINA
Track 5: Heist
Jehzan: I’m not too much of a fan of Havein’s lyrics on this track but it still sounds good. Lol. Once again though the production and instrumentation is on point. Gie: I like how he lets the beat ride out for a while before his vocals start. Production and instrumentation is dope. So far his vocals have been edited heavily, but I like how he shows his voice more clearly on this track. Track 6: Too Much Jehzan: “Too Much” follows “Heist” hella smooth! They almost sound like two parts of the same song. I dig Havein’s lyrics the best on this track so far, especially his bars and delivery at the end of the song. He gives it a alternative metal sound, and I’d like to see him perform this live. Lol. Gie: I like the caribbean and island sounds that he uses on this song. It keeps on point with the style and sound of previous songs on this project. Track 7: Obsessed Jehzan: This is another short catchy tune. Not my personal favorite on this project but something I can bop my head to. So far this project has made a lot of references to females, and his lyrics sound like he’s talking to a girl. Gie: His vocals sound too edited on this track but I like his double-time rapping style, it keeps it fun and engaging as a listener. Track 8: Moon Cry Jehzan: I dig this track. It helps transition the tempo and pace of the project as it comes to an end. As I’ve stated before, I like Havein’s fun and almost drunken style of singing and rapping. Gie: This is probably my personal favorite on this project. Sonically it’s something I can vibe to while chilling at home or before I go to sleep. I like that I can hear his voice and pronunciation on this track. 
PHOTO BY @ISSATIINA
Track 9: Imperfections Pt. 2
Jehzan: The concept of a part 2 is dope. Havein uses a similar tempo beat and hook from “Imperfections” on this track. Gie: I dig this song, another one I can vibe to while I’m chilling or driving. Track 10: Dedicated Jehzan: I don’t fuck with the hook on this song, but I dig the message of ambition and work ethic. Lyrically, I like that he gets more intimate and honest about his life and goals. Gie: The way the hook sounds makes this my least favorite track from this project but the beat is wavy. Like I’ve said about his other tracks, I think Havein sounds best when he doesn’t use much filters or effects on his vocals. His bars and lyrics are on point in his verse on this track.
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