Post by docwatson on May 23, 2009 7:52:07 GMT -6
Review: Kingston "In the City"
Sunday, May 03, 2009 4:10am | Posted by Lamar Gibbs
DaSouth.com Stars: review-4.5-5
kingston-inthecity
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Kingston’s “In The City” album is one to be reckoned with. With head- knocking beats, and obvious artistry, CLE comes forth with another great release by another great artist. When this album first came out, it was actually the first mention that I had of this artist, and the single that came out was “Put Your Hands Up,” which was played on the Wade-O radio show. Whenever I think of what CLE is doing, the word that comes to mind is intriguing. Their music causes me to look into what God is doing in their lives, for whenever they do things it comes fresh.
“Put Your Hands Up” is an anthem track and you know who Kingston reps! Very refreshing beat was put towards this, and the song wasn’t anything deep and profound, but expressed the dedication to the Lord and also shows that when given to the Lord, you should end up breathing excellence, because of who He is and what He has given you.
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Like I said, the way beats were laid on this album was of a refreshing flavor, and just makes you breathe. One of my most favorite tracks on this album is “Can’t Stop,” and that’s what you should never do, never ever stop. It’s an encouraging reminder to press in Christ, because as Paul said, there’s a higher calling in Christ. This song actually prefaces to another song which is very powerful! The song “Pray For Me” is one of the realest songs that I’ve heard in some time, and I first remember hearing this song on Pro’s mixtape and just felt the weight of the calling that God has placed on the lives of the men on this record label. It causes me to remember the seriousness of walking in Christ, and not forgetting how much of a battle we actually are in and just because we aren’t dealing with certain temptations doesn’t minimize the importance of fighting against it. Prayer is actually a big thing in my life in regards to having peace with other believers. I often begin to wonder if the life of your favorite artist was spoken by God to you, would you support them or call them a compromiser? Or would you pray?
Listen to what Pro says in a part of his first verse that hits things home about this:
“Can’t lie, I won’t the money, fame and all/ but I ask God to balance me pain and all/and through that I was made as an example for yall/so why is everyone judging me for huh!/like you don’t wanna ride clean in a Benz/you don’t wanna see your mama not struggle for ends…so tonight when you close ya eyes, just think of the guy hit one knee and look to the sky/and like you pray to God that I reach the prize/change the world with a rhyme before I meet my demise”
Things like these you can’t make up, especially Kingston’s verse:
“My cuz lost his life/his momma locked up/im bout to go to war and im worried about my wife/my momma stressin’ cuz she need me,/ makin this music aint easy feel like im being weighed to my needs…im a rapper but this the battle to add to the fact that Satan after ‘em,/just the glass so close to shattering, matta fact im close to fallin in the trap Satan had Adam in…”
Point blank, ministers need your care in prayers, for they mean something. You also can’t say that I’ve been praying for you when that means that you haven’t prayed and will start tonight (I’ve done this sometimes). I really feel this track is needed.
There were others on this album that really caught me as something that made a difference on this album. Those songs would be “Run They Mouth,” “Game Won’t Change,” “Life In The City,” and of course “Speaking Murder.” “Run They Mouth” was for one, a track that speaks on the rappers who just run they mouth, but also I think that I can make my own connection to the nature of rhyme schemes given by Kingston and Eric C, where they not only spit rapid-fire lyrics, but they are actually saying something with the lyrics. Another song with the potency and heartfelt lyrics from Kingston and Pro would be “Life In The City.” It speaks about the prevailing attitude and atmosphere of communities in the city, and just me being in a school in NY, that attitude is seen everyday and it’s something that needs to be dealt with, and I liked the approach by Kingston and Pro. They spoke what was necessary, and brought encouragement needed. I liked when Pro highlighted the fact that people see one thing in people, and he sees another. The fact is, is that due to circumstances, people’s views of themselves tend to change and a lot of dreams are often given up upon because they can’t see past their environment.
Another refreshing track was featured with Coko Korinne, named “Game Won’t Change.” The vocals from Coko were easy going and it came across very smooth. Doc Watson is one producer that knows how to craft a beat based on the style of the artist and him and Kingston have great chemistry.
Also, on the last track, don’t skip after the song ends, I found the comedy on the extra part added to be hilarious! I remember being on the train trying hard not to laugh and look like I’m crazy and laughing out of nowhere!
My only issue with this album would be with the way certain words came off from Kingston. With his rhyme style, sometimes it can sound like his words are slurred together, which may make it a little hard to hear certain pronunciations of his words. I love the style that he has, but it needs to be made sure that the words come off as clear as possible, without losing that great style.
This album is very refreshing as I have been saying, and even though it’s only 11 tracks strong, I felt this was a complete offering by Kingston, and another bona-fide CLE release!
Sunday, May 03, 2009 4:10am | Posted by Lamar Gibbs
DaSouth.com Stars: review-4.5-5
kingston-inthecity
buy-music-btn
Kingston’s “In The City” album is one to be reckoned with. With head- knocking beats, and obvious artistry, CLE comes forth with another great release by another great artist. When this album first came out, it was actually the first mention that I had of this artist, and the single that came out was “Put Your Hands Up,” which was played on the Wade-O radio show. Whenever I think of what CLE is doing, the word that comes to mind is intriguing. Their music causes me to look into what God is doing in their lives, for whenever they do things it comes fresh.
“Put Your Hands Up” is an anthem track and you know who Kingston reps! Very refreshing beat was put towards this, and the song wasn’t anything deep and profound, but expressed the dedication to the Lord and also shows that when given to the Lord, you should end up breathing excellence, because of who He is and what He has given you.
Advertisement
Like I said, the way beats were laid on this album was of a refreshing flavor, and just makes you breathe. One of my most favorite tracks on this album is “Can’t Stop,” and that’s what you should never do, never ever stop. It’s an encouraging reminder to press in Christ, because as Paul said, there’s a higher calling in Christ. This song actually prefaces to another song which is very powerful! The song “Pray For Me” is one of the realest songs that I’ve heard in some time, and I first remember hearing this song on Pro’s mixtape and just felt the weight of the calling that God has placed on the lives of the men on this record label. It causes me to remember the seriousness of walking in Christ, and not forgetting how much of a battle we actually are in and just because we aren’t dealing with certain temptations doesn’t minimize the importance of fighting against it. Prayer is actually a big thing in my life in regards to having peace with other believers. I often begin to wonder if the life of your favorite artist was spoken by God to you, would you support them or call them a compromiser? Or would you pray?
Listen to what Pro says in a part of his first verse that hits things home about this:
“Can’t lie, I won’t the money, fame and all/ but I ask God to balance me pain and all/and through that I was made as an example for yall/so why is everyone judging me for huh!/like you don’t wanna ride clean in a Benz/you don’t wanna see your mama not struggle for ends…so tonight when you close ya eyes, just think of the guy hit one knee and look to the sky/and like you pray to God that I reach the prize/change the world with a rhyme before I meet my demise”
Things like these you can’t make up, especially Kingston’s verse:
“My cuz lost his life/his momma locked up/im bout to go to war and im worried about my wife/my momma stressin’ cuz she need me,/ makin this music aint easy feel like im being weighed to my needs…im a rapper but this the battle to add to the fact that Satan after ‘em,/just the glass so close to shattering, matta fact im close to fallin in the trap Satan had Adam in…”
Point blank, ministers need your care in prayers, for they mean something. You also can’t say that I’ve been praying for you when that means that you haven’t prayed and will start tonight (I’ve done this sometimes). I really feel this track is needed.
There were others on this album that really caught me as something that made a difference on this album. Those songs would be “Run They Mouth,” “Game Won’t Change,” “Life In The City,” and of course “Speaking Murder.” “Run They Mouth” was for one, a track that speaks on the rappers who just run they mouth, but also I think that I can make my own connection to the nature of rhyme schemes given by Kingston and Eric C, where they not only spit rapid-fire lyrics, but they are actually saying something with the lyrics. Another song with the potency and heartfelt lyrics from Kingston and Pro would be “Life In The City.” It speaks about the prevailing attitude and atmosphere of communities in the city, and just me being in a school in NY, that attitude is seen everyday and it’s something that needs to be dealt with, and I liked the approach by Kingston and Pro. They spoke what was necessary, and brought encouragement needed. I liked when Pro highlighted the fact that people see one thing in people, and he sees another. The fact is, is that due to circumstances, people’s views of themselves tend to change and a lot of dreams are often given up upon because they can’t see past their environment.
Another refreshing track was featured with Coko Korinne, named “Game Won’t Change.” The vocals from Coko were easy going and it came across very smooth. Doc Watson is one producer that knows how to craft a beat based on the style of the artist and him and Kingston have great chemistry.
Also, on the last track, don’t skip after the song ends, I found the comedy on the extra part added to be hilarious! I remember being on the train trying hard not to laugh and look like I’m crazy and laughing out of nowhere!
My only issue with this album would be with the way certain words came off from Kingston. With his rhyme style, sometimes it can sound like his words are slurred together, which may make it a little hard to hear certain pronunciations of his words. I love the style that he has, but it needs to be made sure that the words come off as clear as possible, without losing that great style.
This album is very refreshing as I have been saying, and even though it’s only 11 tracks strong, I felt this was a complete offering by Kingston, and another bona-fide CLE release!