Day 3 - Summer of the Aftermath?

In the age of speculation over release dates, could this finally be the summer of Aftermath?

Eminem is making quick work of moving on from his scrapped Relapse 2 project and putting out new material for Recovery, his new LP tentatively set to be released June 18. With the release of "Despicable" (his best freestyle since the hilarious hit back at Mariah Carey in "Warning" and the best rhymes I have heard over two of the biggest beats of the year, "Over" and "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley") and the album's first (promo?) single, "Not Afraid" (over a ridiculous Boi-1da beat), Em brings back his gritty and hard flow and rhyme scheme that made him famous. A lot of fans and critics praised Relapse, but, personally, I thought it was trash. Relapse was predominantly made of filler tracks, which is uncharacteristic of an artist of Em's caliber, with only arguably three tracks ("Beautiful", "Must Be the Ganja", and "Crack a Bottle" [which won him a Grammy]) that I could put on replay and listen to without cringing. I don't care what anyone says, "3 a.m." is not good. While Dre provides a decent beat and production package on the track, it simply sounds like Em was confused when layin down his rhymes as his delivery is uncharacteristically and unpleasantly slow. His depression seeps through the lyrics and I feel worse after listening to the song (and after "My Mom" as well). Relapse was simply too depressing and serious from start to finish to be considered a "real" Em album. He's to get back to the fast flow and quick wit, wise cracking lyrics that everyone loves and that brought him fame, especially in "My Name Is", "Superman" and "Real Slim Shady", which were upbeat, comedic, and good (unlike his comedy attempt on Relapse, "We Made You", which was one of the worst tracks I have heard). Even the depressing songs on previous albums were enjoyable because he found an equal medium between seriousness and playfulness, especially "Cleanin Out My Closet", "When I'm Gone", "Like Toy Soldiers", and "Stan". With that said, I like Eminem, and while I don't necessarily agree that he is the Best Rapper Alive, I think he is one of the most able and willing to claim the throne, but he will have to impress me with Recovery to earn it.

After 10 years of ongoing speculation over the status of Detox, Dr. Dre has finally stated that the "most anticipated album of the decade" will be released this summer. Yah Yah, how many times have we heard that? People are definitely waiting for and definitely anticipating Dre pulling, well, a Dre and push the album back another decade; but this is the first time that he has ever stated he will be releasing a single within the next two weeks. I know he said that 3 weeks ago but I mean, it is Dre, we can't expect too much. Rest assured, the leaked beat is crazy; I can't wait to see what he does to fill out the beat with the help of super (and recently sobered up) producer Scott Storch as well as see how his lyrical skills have withstood the ultimate test of time. I'm not a huge Jay-Z fan as I feel he has too big of an ego and has sold out since In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (which I consider to be one of the best rap albums of all time) and I feel like his flow has suffered due to this, but I feel like Dre would not come out with something that wasn't up to his usual, and ridiculously high standards (the same standards that drove the likes of legendary rappers like Rakim, Busta Rhymes, and, even the (unlegendary) first lady of Ruff Ryders, Eve away from Aftermath). Detox's impending release is certainly something to hope for, but I've waited for 10 years, I think I can wait another month or two.

50 Cent delivered with a noteworthy release in Before I Self Destruct; however, I will admit it was way overhyped. Despite containing tracks such as "The Invitation", "Psycho", "Baby By Me", "Do You Think About Me", "Could've Been You", it cannot compare to Get Rich or Die Tryin', which is one of the best debut albums by any musician in history. "Psycho" is, I feel, a better Eminem collaborative track than "Patiently Waiting"; but the lead singles are not even close ("Baby By Me" vs. "In da Club", come on?). The album had a few forgettable tracks that were poor alternatives to the early released tracks, like the club banger "Get Up" and, my personal favorite, "I Get It In", which was one of the best Dre beats I had heard in a while. None the less, 50 is one of my favorites for his gritty style, flow, and voice that screams the pain of his upbringing and path to fame; and I fullheartedly agree with Ice-T that 50 is the last of a dying breed of Gangster Rappers, and coming from one of the pioneers of Gangster Rap (and his work with the King of gangster rap, Dr. Dre) that is saying something. With that said, the latest reports on Fif's direction for his next album, Black Magic, are troubling. Throughout his European tour, 50 has been tampering with techno beats since visiting European night clubs and sampling the DJ music. Fif is the next of a long line of today's rap stars to resort to techno beats to open up to a new market and attract more fans and I don't think its the best idea he's had. He states Black Magic will be a classic 50 Cent album, but just the mere thought of techno beats on the Prince of Gangster Rap's album is repulsive. I won't be able to judge until I hear the final product, but "Ayo Technology" was about the most synth I can take on a "classic" 50 album. Nonetheless, 50 ambitiously states the album will be ready by the summer.


New On iTunes:
B.o.B.- The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Bone Thugs n Harmony- Uni5: The World's Enemy
8Ball & MJG- Ten Toes Down
Trina- Amazin

Listen To:
Drake- Shut It Down (feat. The-Dream)
Jeezy- Lose My Mind (feat. Plies)
Eminem- Not Afraid
Shawty Lo- Atlanta, GA