So this CD I've been listening to; Diverse-City, by artist Cool Mill, proves to be quite the refreshing hip-hop treat. Okay, seriously...it's a lyrical work out. While constantly repeating certain tracks, it took me a couple of hours to get through the 20-track disc the first time I listened to it. Upon first listen, some tracks grab you right away, those that don't grab you in the first or second round, will surely get you by the third round.
Cool Mill takes his listeners out of their comfort zone. With a CD titled Diverse-City, you have to provide a diverse mixture of style, sound, and content., and he does just that. The diversity in the project explains why various songs grab some people right away, and others take you a minute. Cool Mill tours his listeners through a city that he has created; one that has a swag that's so 'swaggtastic'. It compiles the sounds you typically hear up north, on the east coast, out west, and down south. He definitely has a style that's all his own, with the often slurred word play. His lyrical content is relevant, witty, and sometimes simply silly.
Even though he plays with the varying sounds of hip-hop on each track, he "maintains his lane". From the very conscious "Stretch", to the Go-Go track "Break a Leg", Cool Mill definitely showcases his range without compromising his sound, or imitating the sound of others. While refreshing and new, his music still has a sound the current markets are used to. This should prove to ease the transition from 'indie' artist, to 'indie' artist with mainstream appeal. Touting the mantra of MC's with degrees, and the GEAK SKWAD, Cool Mill is taking hip hop back to its roots, when it was cool to be educated. There are a few tracks that have that feel good vibe to them, definite classic appeal similar to the appeal of the Fresh Prince's (That's Will Smith for you 'youngsters') "Summer Time".
Personally, I think we have enough pseudo thugs rapping garbage over hot beats, it's about time we heard someone else match their lyrical content with the beats they're spittin' over. Cool Mill certainly has content in his bag of tricks, add stellar production, and a few catchy hooks, and you have a product that ready to be shrink wrapped, bar coded, and sold. If I had to compare this artist to current mainstream 'celebs', I couldn't just compare him to one, but if you like the content of Mos Def; the lyrical expressions of Talib Kweli; the smoothness of Common; and those make your body move beats that only the South can provide, you will definitely love Cool Mill and his Diverse-City.
A Overall Production
C+ Mass Appeal
(scored low in this area, because the masses appears to be consuming recycled garbage with no content, or content void of a message. This artists actually has a message and he delvers it well. We think he has much mass appeal, but think he and his positive lyrics will face hurdles when seeking general approval )
B Uniqueness
B+ Lyrical Content
A IT Factor
G.P.A (Good Product Average) 3.4 on a 4.0 scale
I Hustle, Amer-I-Can, Black History, and Stretch are definite bangers to check for.
Visit www.coolmill.net for more from this artist.
Make Your Own Smokin Rap Beats - http://www.kchrisler.tk/
------------------------------------
For MetalHeads Who Want To Have there say!
Long Live The Power Of METAL!!!
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavyMetalHeaven/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavyMetalHeaven/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:HeavyMetalHeaven-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:HeavyMetalHeaven-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
HeavyMetalHeaven-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
No comments:
Post a Comment