Rap Reviews

The dispenser of lyrical viagra, Lil Kim's style is no doubt an influence on modern hip hops themes of sexual liberation and promiscuity. We take a look at a track off her first album which talks all things quintessential 90's rap - murder, power, wealth, sex.

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MC, actor, DJ, fool actor. Luda can do it all.

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Big L was known for his freestyle ability and technical prowess. Sadly, he was taken from us too early and never reached the soaring heights of the hip hop world that his talent would have no doubt taken him.

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The Rap Reviews team comes back after a covid filled Christmas to look naughties hip hop juggernaught Lil Wayne aka Weezy. 6 foot 7 foot referring to the size of his prison cell in Rikers Island, this is the first single dropped by Weezy after his release from this notorious New York prison.

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Whilst not the most vocabulary dense of comparable rappers, the energy and style that DMX brought with his rhymes is what has earned him accolades during his life and what will be remembered. 'Party Up' is a diss track which is arguably pointed at an individual, but the majority of the Rap Reviews panel believes this is a broader diss of traits displayed by too many of X's peers.

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When it comes to gritty New York gangsta rap, it would be remiss not to mention this track, album and artist in shining examples of the genre and the geography. Shook Ones Pt. 2 paints the grim reality of life in Queensbridge and serves as a warning to anyone thinking of crossing Prodigy and Havoc.

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To conclude our focus on Odd Future alumni, we go to one of the most beloved and enigmatic artists of the 2010's, Frank Ocean. In 'Pink Matter', Frank explores the early stages of acknowledging his sexuality and embracing it.

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Continuing on with our recent dive into the world of Odd Future, we look at another integral member of the collective - Syd. Whilst you might be more inclined to label her music as closer to R&B than hip hop, the themes she explores in 'All About Me' and the rest of her debut album Fin are ones that are universally seen in hip hop.

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We make no attempt to hide what fanboys we are of Earl Sweatshirt. One of the most hyped rappers of the 2010's and rightly so. We look at 'Hive' off Earl's debut album which was recorded following his return to LA after being sent to boarding school in Samoa.

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After 4 months in lockdown, we're back and hungry to talk all things rap. We return to the studio to examine a track by arguably the most influential alternative hip hop artist's of the 2010's. 'Massa' is off Tyler's most recent LP Call Me If You Get Lost and has him reflecting on his personal and artistic journey so far.

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