VVV, Vol. 2 - Kodak Black, Joey Bada$$, Rick Ross, Freddie Gibbs, Starlito and Don Trip & Jonwayne

Albums I'll be reviewing in the 2nd installment of "Very Velocious Verdicts"!

Welcome to the 2nd installment of Very Velocious Verdicts (VVV for short!) Basically, I take projects that I've heard that I think deserve a review, but unfortunately would take too much time to review track by track, and I review them in a shorter review format. Thus, allowing me to cover multiple projects at a time, but in a quicker manner.

Also, a word on the new Kendrick Lamar album...


The "DAMN." review is coming, but I like to actually live with the music before reviewing it. I know that method of reviewing music is futile in the internet age where music reviews nowadays are just "QUICK! LISTEN TO THE PROJECT ONCE AND LABEL IT "CLASSIC" OR "TRASH" AND MOVE ON!" and that's a very crummy way to treat artists who take years to make music, and on top of that, put blood, sweat and tears into their craft just to have it listened to once and then cast aside.

But at the same time, the internet makes it so seemingly EVERYONE is dropping new music every day, and so, in order to compensate, I think the internet, in a certain way, has to consume music quickly as it's now quickly produced like some sort of odd, equilibrium. When a lot of content is produced and said content seems to come out all at one time, it is consumed quickly, no matter how long it took to produce said content, which is very disheartening.

Anyway, let's get to these albums first, then we'll get to Kendrick Lamar later...

Written by Joseph Sanker II on 4/11/17

• Kodak Black - Painting Pictures

Cover Art for "Painting Pictures"

Kodak Black (AKA Dieuson Octave) is a young, rising hip hop artist from Pompano Beach, Florida. Kodak Black is probably most known for being part of the new wave of talent coming out of Florida as well as being one of the poster childs for the newer generation of hip hop in general.

Since Kodak was a toddler, he was always nicknamed "Black", why? Well, I'll show you...

As you can see, Kodak Black is indeed, very black. Hence his childhood nickname "Black"

The "Kodak" part of his name came from when he joined the popular social media outlet "Instagram" where he chose the name Kodak to complete his username. After joining local rap group, "Brutal Youngenz" for a while, and then joining another rap group called "The Kolyons" in Pompano Beach, Florida. Kodak debuted with his own solo mixtape "Project Baby" in 2013, then the following year he released a mixtape called "Heart of the Projects, and then, in 2015, he released another mixtape called "Institution". 

It was during this mixtape run that Kodak began to build a major buzz in South Florida. Seriously, Kodak Black will never become irrelevant in the hip hop world simply because South Florida will refuse to let him fade into obscurity. Kodak's fanbase, especially in his home state, have a serious adulation for him. Kodak's following is STRONG in South Florida, as he built it organically, releasing mixtape after mixtape and building buzz locally FIRST before expanding into the more mainstream hip hop world. And that's a great thing for any musician to have, which is an organic, grassroots following. It's one of the reasons Kodak can continue to go to jail but still remain talked about in the hip hop world. 

So here we are in 2017, Kodak is now more known within the more mainstream hip hop world thanks to his inclusion in the XXL freshman class of 2016 as well as his 2016 mixtape "Lil Big Pac" (which I ended up hating, by the way) and now he's back with his 2017 debut album "Painting Pictures" and as always, I like to start with

The Good:

~ Kodak's biggest strength is his voice. It's unmistakable and it makes for a catchy hook and flow on certain tracks.

~ Kodak has certain spurts of self awareness in his lyrics that lets me know he's very conscious of what he's talking about in his music.

~ Kodak's production suits him perfectly, the beats on here are miles better than that "Lil Big Pac" project I listened to last year.

The Bad:

~ Often times, Kodak relies too heavily on his voice and flow. His lyrics suffer as a result, lots of corny/questionable lyrics on here.

~  Project as a whole is way too long. In what universe does Kodak need to make an 18 track project? I'll give the answer: none.

~ His flow is too same-y for the majority of tracks on here, only on tracks like "Candy Paint" or "Tunnel Vision" does Kodak actually get creative with the way he uses his unique voice.

Overall...

My general reaction to Kodak Black's "Painting Pictures" in gif form...

This gif represents me listening to "Painting Pictures". See, it's all fun and catchy in the beginning, everything's going good, but as time goes on, eventually it all ends in disaster. I enjoyed this album a lot more during my initial listen. But the more I listen to this project, the more I hear little details that repel me away, like Kodak's insistency on slurring his words, his questionable lyrics or his audible lack of effort in the way he sounds on most of these tracks. It's only in certain little surges that Kodak sounds like he's using his full potential. Take for example, the song "Tunnel Vision". Kodak uses his one-of-a-kind voice to his advantage by humming out the end of each line in the hook, creating an extremely memorable one. In his lyrics, he shows his self awareness by acknowledging the fact that A LOT of people are jealous of his success in the music industry and secretly want to see him fail. It's this semi-conscious, yet still street oriented and most of all catchy formula that Kodak uses on songs like "Tunnel Vision" that make me see why South Florida supports this guy so much. He has the ability to deliver a meaningful message about himself or others, while still making music that even children can sing along to.

Closing Words:

Unfortunately, Kodak rarely put it all together on this project. Kodak either uses the same flow too many times, or has one too many lame rap lines such as the following: 

"Baby girl, that pussy wetter than chicken noodle soup"

"Baby girl, that pussy sound like ramen noodle soup"

"That pussy soundin' like we're stirrin' up some gumbo"

I can name way more tasteless lines, but these are called "Very Velocious Verdicts" for a reason. Kodak has potential, and when it comes together, like on the song "Tunnel Vision" it's beautiful, but those moments are so few and far between on this project. Out of 18 tracks, only 4, I can really remember as "decent". Every other track is an endless ode to drugs, women's genitalia, and other vices for your typical rapper with the occasional glimmer of self awareness here and there. He barely changes up his flow or tries to take any creative risks with his voice, most of the time, he's droning on and on about the same topics, in the same, repetitive fashion, for the duration of 18 tracks, which makes the majority of this album boring to listen to.

What's even more messed up is that Kodak is constantly in legal trouble and ends up going in and out of jail frequently. So, I feel like he'll never significantly improve in the way I want him to, and release more creative songs like "Tunnel Vision", which is a shame, cause I can see the diamond in the rough that is Kodak Black. However, I don't see that piece of coal turning into a diamond anytime soon, which is depressing.

Favorite Track(s): Candy Paint, Patty Cake, Tunnel Vision, There He Go

Least Favorite Track: Up in Here

Score: 4/10

Listen to Kodak Black's "Painting Pictures" here.

Written by Joseph Sanker II on 4/19/17

• Joey Bada$$ - ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$

Cover Art for "All-Amerikkkan Badass"

Joey Bada$$ (AKA Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott) is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York. Joey is most known for his breakout 2012 mixtape titled "1999" where Joey was praised for his hard hitting lyricism over grimy 1990s boom bap beats. After generating buzz throughout the internet, Joey released a follow up mixtape the subsequent year that did not receive the same amount of praise that his first mixtape did. Not deterred, Joey followed up in 2015 with his debut album titled "B4.DA.$$" (pronounced "before the money") which was just as good, if not better than his 2012 effort. 

2 years later, Joey returns yet again with another album aptly titled "ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$" because this album takes a long hard look at the socio-political culture of the United States and how it effects the people living within the United States, specifically, how it effects people of color. So, how did Joey do?

The Good:

~ Very well put together project, no track feels out of place or sounds like filler. A nice, concise 12 track project.

~ Joey manages to make very accessible hip hop music for the more casual listener while still keeping his lyrics meaningful and bar heavy.

~ Joey's message in this album is very potent and powerful, especially on the last track "AMERIKKKAN IDOL".

The Bad:

~ First half of the project may turn off those who enjoy his traditional 90s sound that was heavily featured on all his projects prior to this one.

~ Joey, at times, veers onto the preachy side of things, where he points out a problem and tells you what's what. It's like Joey's your nagging mother and he's lecturing you on the problems of America, while you're the kid who's getting talked down to, like you're incapable of forming your own opinion.

~ Meechy Darko should've had a full rap verse >:(

In general however...

My overall reaction to Joey Bada$$'s "ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$" in gif form...

Joey's preaching to the choir on this album, and I like it. The United States is a very divided nation and Joey pulls no punches when examining the country's treatment of black people and minorities in general. When people ask "Why don't the rappers talk about real issues anymore?" kindly direct them to Joey Bada$$'s "ALL-AMERIKKAN BADA$$". I like the second half of the album more than the first half of the album however, cause I feel like Joey is more comfortable spitting about what he wants on the more grimy, old school sounding, New York type beats that inhabit the second half. 

Although, I do respect Joey for taking a chance on the first half of the album. Joey hops on beats that sound like they were made for an easy listening radio station and on top of that he actually makes the beats sound good with his voice over them. Still, I get the sense that Joey is just pointing out the obvious like "LOOK AT THESE PROBLEMS, LOOK AT THEM, NOW THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, FEEL SOMETHING" and that turns me off. Like yeah, there are problems in the world, in the United States and in other places, but you don't make me necessarily care about them either, Joey. Just because you make me aware, doesn't mean I'm supposed to automatically care, it's up to you to make me feel something.

The production is so light and carefree on the first half of the project, it almost makes me think the problems are no big deal. Like the production is saying "Yeah, it's messed up, but at least you can still chill though". The first half of the album is self defeating in that the overall atmosphere of the first 6 tracks suggest, "Don't worry it's gonna be alright" but at the same time, the content says "Hey, pay attention yo! It's messed up out here" and in that regard, I don't like it, although, when taken at face value, it sounds decent. I definitely prefer the second the half of "ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$" though. 

Once "Rockabye Baby" (track 7) starts playing, I start appreciating the album to a greater extent, because it feels like Joey is being himself more on this abrasive type of production. He's no longer in his Martin Luther King Jr. "I have a dream" preach mode. He still points out problems and contradictions but with a less holier-than-thou attitude that was present on the first 6 tracks of the album, and the album works better as a result.

Closing Words: 

Don't get me wrong, all the songs sound good on here. I can't think of one glaringly bad track on this album, but Joey easily works better over the more traditional, New York flavored sound than the poppish, mainstream accessible type sound that was the first 6 tracks. They sound good, however Joey's inexperience with that more pop music-ish type of production shows. It's obvious which sound he's more comfortable with but Joey had to do something new, so, I understand why he made this album the way he did. At least he's not being stagnant like one other artist from Canada who will not be named.

Even if Joey gets a little bit college lecture-y at some parts of the album, his message is still an important one that needs to be heard. I love that he makes his message extremely clear, which is "I don't like how this country treats people who look like me and I will make this known in all sorts of ways, whether it'd be from a gritty, street perspective or a kumbaya "let's all come together" and point out the problems perspective, you WILL know where I'm coming from and what I want!". 

Favorite Track(s): For My People, Temptation, Land of the Free, Devastated, Rockabye Baby, Ring The Alarm, Legendary, Amerikkkan Idol

Least Favorite Track: Super Predator

Score: 7.5/10

Listen to Joey Bada$$'s "ALL-AMERIKKKAN BADA$$" here. 

Written by Joseph Sanker II on 4/19/17

• Rick Ross - Rather You Than Me

Cover Art for "Rather You Than Me"

Rick Ross (AKA William Leonard Roberts II) is a rapper and businessman from Carol City, Florida. Rick Ross is one of hip hop's most prolific artists, he's always been one of those names that you may not recognize right away, but if you think about it, you will realize that he's always been there in plain sight. If you spend any amount of time following hip hop, Rick Ross's name will pop up. Either through a feature he does on another artist's project, a cameo he has in a music video or through any number of his associations with other popular figures in hip hop such as DJ Khaled, Kanye West and Drake. Rick Ross has always been well connected throughout the hip hop world, he is a prime example of someone who knows how to use their social connections to stay prominent within the hip hop genre, even if he himself isn't technically the best rapper out there. 

Musically, Rick Ross is probably most known for being regularly featured on DJ Khaled's hit singles such as "I'm On One", "I'm So Hood", "All I Do Is Win", "We Takin' Over" and more. Ross has also had his share of his own solo breakout singles such as "Hustlin'" & "Aston Martin Music" but for the most part, several of Ross's career defining moments have been when he has made appearances on other artist's records such as "Devil in a New Dress" by Kanye West or "Lord Knows" by Drake. It doesn't make Ross any less of an artist, but often being a feature staple can lead to a great deal of people skipping over your own solo work.

But that changes today as I take a look at Rick Ross's 9th studio album "Rather You Than Me".

The following paragraph is an off topic, non review related tangent on the title "Rather You Than Me" outside of the context of music. This place is called Hip Hop and Other Things for a reason haha!

First, I want to point out how much I love the title "Rather You Than Me" cause everyone, to some degree, has that mentality, and it's one of those darker sides of human nature that I'm fascinated by because it's so true. In any horrible case, whether it'd be someone's child getting kidnapped, someone's country getting bombed, or whatever horrible scenario you can imagine. I'd wager that most people would rather have someone else go through that than themselves. It's not the most clean cut, morally righteous philosophy to have, but I believe it exists in all of us because part of the idea of "Rather You Than Me" is tied in the need to survive, you know, survival of the fittest and all that. Would you rather have this terrible scenario happen to you, or would you rather have it happen to someone else? Now, there's always the follow up questions of "Who is it happening to?" and "Do I know this person?" and blah blah blah. This is because the first, instinctual answer is "Nah, I'd rather that happen to some other person, provided that I don't know them and it doesn't effect my life in any sort of negative way". Which, is how I notice most people (and myself) process tragic stories about the middle east. Take for example, the headline "Today, the United States dropped a bomb on a city you can't pronounce" and while that is appalling, the reasoning that a lot of United States government officials & politicians give is basically boiled down to "Better we do it to them, then them do it to us" which is a fancy way of saying "Rather You Than Me". Just an aside on how I react to the title "Rather You Than Me" and what I think about when I dwell on that album title.

How's the music you ask? Well, let's start with...

The Good:

~ Ross knows how to pick which instrumentals to rap over. The production on the majority of the songs on here is immaculate, these beautiful beats, elevate the album above your standard rap project.

~ Ross is truly rapping from a real place on this project, everything Ross says I truly believe he has felt on the inside and is now bringing to the surface.

~ "Idols Become Rivals" is the best dissection of Birdman I've ever heard, the song didn't really feel like a diss track, more like a fact check on some of the foul things Birdman has done in his business dealings.

The Bad:

~ This album is inconsistent in that certain tracks are clearly head and shoulders above the rest. Some tracks were obviously handled with more care than others and it shows.

~ Ross is not the most technically proficient when it comes to rapping, at times he recycles the same typical rapper tropes of "I'm a boss", "My chick bad" and standard cliches such as those.

~ Chris Rock is more annoying than funny on this album and should've been left off the project. 

Generally speaking though...

My reaction to Rick Ross's "Rather You Than Me" in gif form...

With "Rather You Than Me" Rick Ross makes the listener feel like they are a retired, kingpin drug dealer that managed to stay alive and still keep their riches. In addition to that, they are on their own private boat, reflecting on life and how it brought them to this point. In other words, Rick Ross's music makes one feel larger than life. The feeling of luxury oozes from "Rather You Than Me" and that's mostly thanks to the production on here (Shoutout to producer Bink! Who produced some of my favorite tracks on this album). Being nine albums into your career, most rappers don't make it this far, and Ross knows this and so he takes his time on this album like a retired war veteran. He doesn't attempt any insane lyrical acrobatics or try to impress the listener with any sort of unexpected, double time, fast flow. He takes it easy and uses his gruff voice to create the image of a great medieval king who's just kicking it with you. Ross is luxury personified on this album and he's sailing in his expensive boat just enjoying the view. And that's what this album is, affluence, comfort and extravagance put in the forefront of a hip hop album.

Closing Words:

Ross uses his slow yet rugged delivery to emphasize every word he spits. He makes it so the beat he's rapping on never overpowers him nor does he allow himself to blend in with the beat. He's always clearly audible, so that even an old person can precisely pinpoint what Ross is talking about continuously. He doesn't reinvent the wheel, he doesn't do anything even remotely new or innovative on here musically (Ross has always had luxurious sounding production on his projects). However, you can tell that Ross always says what's on his mind, picks great beats and most of all, you can tell he's found a lane and sticking to it. He's comfortable and straightforward with this project, which isn't a bad thing so long as the music sounds good to the listener, which, in this case, it does.

Ross is not going to change anytime soon. He'll continue doing features for every rapper and their momma while still churning out decent to good albums. Nothing more, nothing less. I mean, why focus on innovating yourself in an artistic sense when you're too busy buying fast food franchises like "Checkers" & "Wing Stop"? Get ya money Ross, I ain't mad at cha!

Favorite Track(s): Apple of My Eye, Santorini Greece, Idols Become Rivals, Game Ain't Based On Sympathy, Scientology, Lamborghini Doors, Maybach Music V, Summer Seventeen

Least Favorite Track: Triple Platinum

Score:  6.5/10

Listen to Rick Ross's "Rather You Than Me" here.

Written by Joseph Sanker II on 4/20/17 

• Freddie Gibbs - You Only Live 2wice

Cover Art for "You Only Live 2wice"

Freddie Gibbs (AKA Fredrick Tipton) is a rapper from Gary, Indiana. Freddie Gibbs is probably most known for his 2014 breakout collaboration album "Piñata" with legendary producer Madlib. Prior to "Piñata", Gibbs was bubbling in the underground with a slew of revered, street oriented mixtapes such as "Baby Face Killa", "Cold Day in Hell" and "The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs". After "Piñata", Gibbs followed up with "Shadow of a Doubt" released the following year. In 2016, Freddie Gibbs was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Austria and as a result of fighting a rape case in a foreign country, Gibbs was unable to release any new music in 2016. Thankfully, in September of 2016, Gibbs was found innocent and acquitted of all the charges filed against him. Now, it's 2017 and Gibbs wants to check in with the fans after taking the rest of 2016 off to record and recuperate after surviving a tumultuous situation. Enter the project "You Only Live 2wice".

The Good:

~ Freddie hasn't lost a step in his rapping ability, you'd almost think he didn't almost get charged with rape and get almost sentenced to 10 years in prison last year. In other words, Freddie sounds very self-assured on here, which is great.

~ At only 8 tracks, it's a very quick listen, the project doesn't overstay it's welcome. Very short and sweet, no track is flat out terrible.

~ The beat switch on "20 Karat Jesus" literally feels like somebody coming back to life, it's amazing. One of Freddie Gibbs' best moments on record.

The Bad:

~ Nothing new or exciting for Gibbs in terms of overall sound. This is more of the same sound that Gibbs gave on his last album "Shadow of a Doubt". Gibbs plays it almost too safe by retreating into all too familiar territory in terms of production.

~ Certain songs are clearly better than others, being such a short project at only 8 tracks, the weaker tracks really standout in a bad way, although no track is unlistenable.

~ This doesn't feel like an album, this feels more like a small "I'm back" EP. Not a full-length, 3rd studio album.

Overall though...

My general reaction to Freddie Gibbs' "You Only Live 2wice" in gif form...

The speech at the end of the last track, "Homesick" really puts this album in perspective. Think about it, Freddie Gibbs, a black man who's job as a rapper is largely dependent on perception, has been accused of sexual assault in a foreign country. He's facing 10 years if convicted and is about to have the word "rapist" associated with his name. On top of that he has a wife and an infant daughter to take care of too. If Gibbs would've been found guilty and convicted, that literally would've been it for him. That rape charge would've messed up his personal and professional life on such a huge scale that I don't think it would've been possible to make a comeback, especially 10 years after the fact. 

During the last track "Homesick", Freddie takes a sincere sigh of relief before saying "I'm back". That sigh of relief is that of someone who basically had something similar to a near death experience (Going to prison for 10 years? You might as well be dead, especially if you're a rapper). And it is from that close call in Austria that the title "You Only Live 2wice" comes from. This really is another chapter in Freddie's life, that rape accusation has divided Freddie's life into before and after. When Freddie came back with this album after not dropping anything for the entirety of 2016, he's essentially resurrecting, returning back from the dead, hence Gibbs being depicted as a christ like figure on the cover art (he's the "20 Karat Jesus", which is the title of the first track). And more importantly, it's a welcome return, even if it's not Gibbs' most impressive release to date, he simply wanted to check in after being gone for a whole year, and I can't be mad at that.

Closing Words:

While "You Only Live 2wice" is a solid project, it definitely isn't Gibbs at his very best (See his project "Piñata" with Madlib for Gibbs at his full potential), but I look at this project as Freddie virtually saying "Hey guys, it's been a minute, here's a project. I can still rap and do everything you expect of me on a project. That case didn't rattle me to the point where it would affect my artistry, and I'm going to prove it to you with this."

According to recent reports, a second collaboration album with Madlib is confirmed and so with this project, I believe Gibbs is using "You Only Live 2wice" as an appetizer before coming back with the main course that (hopefully) is his 2nd collaboration project with Madlib that's tentatively titled "Bandana", which I personally cannot wait to listen to (and review!).

Favorite Track(s): 20 Karat Jesus, Crushed Glass, Homesick

Least Favorite Track: Amnesia

Score: 5.5/10

Listen to Freddie Gibbs' "You Only Live 2wice" here. 

• Starlito & Don Trip - Step Brothers THREE

Cover Art for "Step Brothers THREE"

These are 2 individual rappers who often collab together, so, I'm going to give background info on them separately, then tie them together.

Starlito (FKA All $tar Cashville Prince AKA Jermaine Eric Shute) is a rapper from Nashville, Tennessee. Starlito has been in the rap game for a minute, releasing his first mixtape nearly 12 years ago in 2002.  After signing to Birdman's Cash Money Records label a few years later, Starlito found some commercial success with the singles "Grey Goose" and "Champagne Crazy" with then label mate Lil Wayne. However, Starlito would soon come to find out that Birdman's label was more of a hindrance than an asset. Eventually, in 2010, the Nashville born rapper would leave the label and rebrand himself as Starlito (After his critically acclaimed mixtape series "Starlito's Way"). It would only be a year later in 2011 that Starlito would release the first installment of the Step Brothers series with fellow rapper Don Trip.

Don Trip (AKA Christopher Wallace (yup, just like Biggie Smalls)) is a rapper from Memphis, Tennessee. Much like Starlito, Don Trip has also went through the rigamarole of partnering with a major label, only to find out that the same major label is more of a handicap to himself than a benefit. Active since the mid 2000s, Don Trip didn't really pop up on the rap radar until his song "Letter to My Son" went viral on youtube and charted on the billboard hip hop/R&B chart in 2011 (CeeLo Green would later provide a hook to the song, the version with CeeLo Green is used in the music video linked here). That same year, Don Trip would release the first installment of the Step Brothers series with frequent collaborator Starlito.  After brief dealings with an Interscope affiliated label called "Family First", Don Trip was chosen as a 2012 XXL freshmen along side acts like Future, Macklemore, Danny Brown and more. Since then, Don Trip resumed working, dropping yet another installment of the Step Brothers series (aptly named, Step Brothers Two) in 2013 as well as continuing to release solo projects through 2014 and beyond as an independent artist. Now, in 2017, Don Trip and Starlito are back with another chapter to the Step Brothers series, obviously named "Step Brothers THREE". 

The Good:

~ Starlito and Don Trip are just 1 word : Real. Both rappers are funny, charismatic and come across as genuine people just trying to live life to the best of their ability throughout this project.

~ Both of them are distinct enough in style and delivery that you'll never confused one rapper for another, unlike The Migos where people get them confused all the time because they're very similar. That is not the case with Starlito & Don Trip.

~ When Starlito and Don Trip have a concrete topic to rap about like police brutality on "Good Cop Bad Cop" or systematic racism on "The 13th Amendment Song" it showcases both rappers at their best overall. 

The Bad:

~ There is an inconsistent quality in the track listing, some songs feel like filler and other songs undoubtedly tower above the rest.

~ Occasionally, Starlito and  Don Trip seem to be in their own worlds, like they are rapping just to rap but aren't really saying anything related to what the other is saying, nor are they interacting with each other as much as I feel a duo should. For an example of a rap duo truly in sync, listen to this song.

~ Starlito & Don Trip need more songs like "Good Cop Bad Cop" where they are actually saying something of substance and less songs like "Fortune" where they are simply filling up a track listing with unmemorable songs.

Generally speaking however...

My reaction to Starlito & Don Trip's "Step Brothers THREE" in gif form...

Starlito and Don Trip are two authentic dudes who are just trying to stay alive while making good hip hop music and it shows on "Step Brothers THREE". It's the little things that make this project memorable, such as when Starlito is talking about how he'll dunk on any rapper before rapping on "Boomshakalaka" or Don Trip saying that he'll still have relations with Stacy Dash before starting his verse on the introduction track "Yeah 5X". It's these little personal tidbits (both serious and comical tidbits) that both rappers drop about themselves throughout their verses that allow the listener to peer into the mentality of the Step Brothers.

And they don't lack on bars either, when the song has an overarching concept like on "Good Cop Bad Cop" Starlito and Don Trip rival any rappers in the game as they are laser focused on delivering a story. Its these moments that are too far and few in between as there are more tracks where both rappers are simply rapping just to rap. It doesn't sound terrible, but it doesn't captivate you the way a song with a structure like "Good Cop Bad Cop" does, and as a result it pushes the album back into mediocre territory, rather than the greatness territory.

Closing Words:

These guys are dope. They may not be for everybody, but I certainly was entertained by the Step Brothers' witty lines, quick anecdotes and storytelling abilities. Listen to this if you're looking for an extremely slept on rap duo who have believable personalities as well as legitimate charisma behind the microphone.

Favorite Track(s): Boomshakalaka, Me & You Both, Good Cop Bad Cop, The 13th Amendment Song, 3rd 2nd Chance, Remember, No Rearview 3, Untitled No Hook

Least Favorite Track: Fortune

Score: 6/10

Listen to Starlito & Don Trip's "Step Brothers THREE" here.

• Jonwayne - Rap Album Two

Cover Art for "Rap Album Two"

Jonwayne (AKA Jon Wayne (Yeah, that's his real name)) is a rapper and producer from La Habra, California. Shortly after graduating high school, Jonwayne discovered his passion for hip hop via trying to impress a girl that he liked with poetry (Did he end up getting the girl? Based on my research, no. But, she did end up changing his life in a very indirect way, I wonder if he ever ended up reaching out to her, oh well.). Originally, Jon was only interested in a career on the production side of hip hop, however, after having trouble finding other rappers to rap on his beats, he decided that he himself would rap on his own beats. Following a slew of projects from 2011 to 2014, Jonwayne had built himself a considerable fanbase on the internet yet, that would all be brought to a standstill. This is because in 2014, Jon went into a self imposed exile from the music scene due to him battling alcoholism and a general downward spiral of a lifestyle.

It wasn't until he appeared in December of 2016 on a Facebook post, where he recounts in an open letter, the night where he almost died from drinking too much alcohol. In that same letter, Jonwayne announced "Rap Album Two", the follow up to 2013's "Rap Album One" that was released on Stones Throw records. 

So, it's 2017 and Jonwayne, a man who has had an extensive, volunteered hiatus, has returned with "Rap Album Two" and how is it? Well, let's find out...

The Good:

~ Jonwayne is brutally honest with himself in his raps. He doesn't sugarcoat or try to run away from any reality that has to do with his shortcomings as a person. Jon takes a long, hard look at himself in the mirror, and then raps about it.

~ The production on here perfectly matches Jon's subject matter and tone. When Jon is feeling downtrodden, the instrumental acts as the perfect backdrop as Jon exercises his demons on wax.

~ Jon is able to showcase all sides of himself on this album and it helps paint Jon as a completely relatable person who just so happens to rap for a living. 

The Bad:

~ "Rap Album Two" is inaccessible to an extent.The beats, rhymes and lyrics on here can turn off the more casual hip hop listener. It doesn't sound like any of the popular sounds in hip hop today.

~ This is not a just-queue-up-and-play album. It is a very uncompromising album in that, with the unrelenting self examination that Jonwayne brings, the album can become a burden to listen to if you're not in a sort of reflective, melancholy mood.

~ The abrupt and noisy beat interlude on the second half of the song "Rainbow" feels very out of place and inappropriate for an otherwise very well put together album. 

Overall though...

My general reaction to Jonwayne's "Rap Album Two" in gif form...

Remember how I said Rick Ross's music represents comfort, luxury and other words such as those? Well, with "Rap Album Two", Jonwayne represents the complete opposite. This album is a representation of a person that is struggling within themselves. A person, whose surroundings aren't the prettiest or most appealing, a person, who's literally at the bottom emotionally, and not comfortable at all. Although similarly, "Rap Album Two" has escapism like "Rather You Than Me" had escapism, but with Jonwayne, the escapism is much more simple compared to Rick Ross's. The escapism that is presented in "Rap Album Two" is music itself, the crafting of and consumption of it. The making of music like "Rap Album Two" is literally what keeps Jonwayne going on different levels. Not only does this music allow him to make a living, practically speaking, it's also what actually keeps him centered emotionally when life seems to get a little darker than usual. 

The hip hop that Jonwayne creates on "Rap Album Two", is in turn, saving Jonwayne himself, which is the quintessential relationship between an artist and their work.

There's one line on the 4th track "Out of Sight" that I think best encapsulates this entire album, and that line is this:

"Cause now I'm working on this living just to rap about life"

Which, I think is a great line. Perfectly capturing the album in one fell swoop. 

Closing Words:

If you're interested in a dark yet slightly optimistic recount of a man struggling with his demons and finding comfort through his craft of making hip hop. Give this a listen. This is the most beautifully somber hip hop album I've heard since Earl Sweatshirt's "I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside". It just hits that feeling of being down in the dumps that I haven't heard in a long time. 

This album definitely isn't for those who enjoy a more upbeat, happy-go-lucky sound. The reality of everything that is Jonwayne is in full effect here, and if you can get past it, you can see just how engaging Jonwayne truly is.

Favorite Track(s): LIVE from the F**k You, Out of Sight, The Single, City Lights, Afraid of Us, Blue Green, These Words Are Everything

Least Favorite Track: Rainbow

Score: 7/10

Listen to Jonwayne's "Rap Album Two" here.

ANNNNNNNNNNNND We're done!

That's a wrap for "Very Velocious Verdicts" Vol. 2!

Look out for a review of everybody's favorite Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar cause "DAMN." is there a lot to say about his new record!

Anyway, thanks for reading! And I'll see you next time for Mr. Duckworth's album.

-Joe

Written by Joseph Sanker II on 4/23/17