Post by docwatson on May 23, 2009 8:28:18 GMT -6
This reviewer right here is a firm believer that all things work together for the good of those who love Him. With that being said I honestly believe every once and awhile God will allow an artist to drop an album that’ll expose the hearts of man, throw a little monkey wrench in the midst of a situation and even bring humility, not to the one accused but to the accusers. Pro of C.L.E. Records has done all of the above with his debut release, “The Blackout.”
Everyone has preferences as they rightfully should have and are entitled to but certain releases will not only take you outside of your preference but also cause you to make reference to the Scriptures in reference to your preference (as this album has done for many.) Pro, may or may not be your preference but you will have to give this dude the credit that is due when you hit eject on this controversial album. Since Pro is both an emcee and a producer, we will look at both Pro the emcee and Pro the producer.
Pro the Emcee
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As soon as you hit play you’ll notice something different from the usual “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” CHH/HHH music that is out there. Most DJ’s who truly have their ear to the game or reviewers who really have their ear to the game will confess that CHH/HHH originals do not come in bulk. Therefore, when Pro steps onto the scene addressing the industry and “haters” then you can guarantee he is not your typical CHH/HHH emcee. Do not expect lyrical theology on this album but instead a direct heart and direct aim to separate the real from the fake in the music industry (“That Real”, “Bring It Back” and “I Bet He Lying”) and life (“More” and “Hot In Here”) as well as a heart for the lost (“Where You At” and “Let Me Know.”) Are his lyrics saturated with scriptures? No. Will his lyrics give you an insight to his heart and what he sees? Yes. Pro coins his music “Real Hop” claiming that everything that you hear is simply fake and fairy tales. I love how he says it best when he jokingly ends his album with two questions on “That Real” saying, “If everybody is a dough boy, then where are all the fiends at? …Or if everybody is such a killer then why is the world so overpopulated?” I’m sure if you put that song on for the person in your youth group that is blind to the glitz and glamour of today’s secular Hip-Hop, they’d realize a thing or two about how false it is. Speaking of the secular Hip-Hop one thing that could be argued is that the quality of CHH/HHH is slowly but surely coming up to par with the quality of secular Hip-Hop. Let’s face it; the quality (and content at times) sounded like it was done in somebody’s basement. Praise the Lord this has changed and not only has our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose up dope lyricists but also dope lyricists who bring quality music. You will definitely get this from Pro. As an emcee his delivery, rhyme scheme and even voice is something that stands out amongst other emcees in CHH/HHH, let alone Hip-Hop. His strong delivery automatically catches your attention and makes you want to listen instantly. His word play on many of songs is something to desire on raw tracks like...
If I Don’t Wake” where he says “Now everybody can lose their composure/ Except Pro, I’m supposed to look like a soldier/ Soldiers don’t show emotion/ Even when life’s approaching/ But the tears that I shed can swallow me like an ocean/ How do you lead when you’ve never been led/ Mama said to be patient, son you will get there/ Tired of waiting I just want to be perfect/ The gift that you gave me, Lord I want to be worth it.
Pro then goes on to speed up his rhymes with more emotion and more fervor. Now if you haven’t been aware this album has stirred up some controversy with the emphasis Pro has put on himself and boasting in and of himself but I honestly believe those tracks easily get triumphed by the gems such as the one just stated, the hypnotizing “Let Me Know”, the testimonial and melodic “Without You” featuring Coko Korrine, the ode to real Hip-Hop “Bring It Back” featuring Willie Will and my favorite, the reality-check-driven and motivational, “Yeah.” As I said before, lyrically, Pro will expose the hearts of man with this album.
Pro the Producer
The variety of beats on this album is stellar. I don’t doubt that Pro’s lyrical career will take off but his production career shouldn’t be too far behind. From start to finish the production is sonically sophisticated and clean. For dirty-south bounce music you can listen to the hard-banging “Birth of A King”, the quick and rapid “Shut It Down” featuring Pettidee, the slowed down “Where You At” featuring Brothatone and Lil’ Jon-like “I Bet He Lying.” Pro does a great job for this reviewer who especially likes hard-hitting eastcoast beats such as “Hate Me More” featuring Kingston and “If I Don’t Wake.” For slow heart-felt beats Pro professionally produced tracks such as the guitar-led “Without You”, the love-song “More” and the electrifying, “Yeah.” Pro even pays an ode to the West Coast with tracks such as “You Know the Deal” and even to Hip-Hop with “Bring It Back.”
Variety? Absolutely!! Clean cuts? Absolutely!! A thirst for more? You bet!! Pro’s production skills will have you highly anticipating his future releases and quite honestly in my opinion the variety that he possesses production-wise shouldn’t cause him to look for tracks elsewhere.
Overall, this album will stand out because it will take you on a journey of Pro’s growth. In the beginning it is saturated with more me-focused cuts while ending with purpose-driven cuts. The reason while I stated this album will expose the hearts of man is because this release will show who are willing to pray and support a brother in his growth lyrically (because I don’t doubt his walk spiritually) and who will be judgmental and critical. Quite honestly, I’m excited that Pro is willing to share his growth with us from album to album and I anxiously await his next release as I’m sure it’ll be packed with dope lyricism, praise-worthy production, stellar quality and transparent growth.
Everyone has preferences as they rightfully should have and are entitled to but certain releases will not only take you outside of your preference but also cause you to make reference to the Scriptures in reference to your preference (as this album has done for many.) Pro, may or may not be your preference but you will have to give this dude the credit that is due when you hit eject on this controversial album. Since Pro is both an emcee and a producer, we will look at both Pro the emcee and Pro the producer.
Pro the Emcee
Advertisement
As soon as you hit play you’ll notice something different from the usual “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” CHH/HHH music that is out there. Most DJ’s who truly have their ear to the game or reviewers who really have their ear to the game will confess that CHH/HHH originals do not come in bulk. Therefore, when Pro steps onto the scene addressing the industry and “haters” then you can guarantee he is not your typical CHH/HHH emcee. Do not expect lyrical theology on this album but instead a direct heart and direct aim to separate the real from the fake in the music industry (“That Real”, “Bring It Back” and “I Bet He Lying”) and life (“More” and “Hot In Here”) as well as a heart for the lost (“Where You At” and “Let Me Know.”) Are his lyrics saturated with scriptures? No. Will his lyrics give you an insight to his heart and what he sees? Yes. Pro coins his music “Real Hop” claiming that everything that you hear is simply fake and fairy tales. I love how he says it best when he jokingly ends his album with two questions on “That Real” saying, “If everybody is a dough boy, then where are all the fiends at? …Or if everybody is such a killer then why is the world so overpopulated?” I’m sure if you put that song on for the person in your youth group that is blind to the glitz and glamour of today’s secular Hip-Hop, they’d realize a thing or two about how false it is. Speaking of the secular Hip-Hop one thing that could be argued is that the quality of CHH/HHH is slowly but surely coming up to par with the quality of secular Hip-Hop. Let’s face it; the quality (and content at times) sounded like it was done in somebody’s basement. Praise the Lord this has changed and not only has our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rose up dope lyricists but also dope lyricists who bring quality music. You will definitely get this from Pro. As an emcee his delivery, rhyme scheme and even voice is something that stands out amongst other emcees in CHH/HHH, let alone Hip-Hop. His strong delivery automatically catches your attention and makes you want to listen instantly. His word play on many of songs is something to desire on raw tracks like...
If I Don’t Wake” where he says “Now everybody can lose their composure/ Except Pro, I’m supposed to look like a soldier/ Soldiers don’t show emotion/ Even when life’s approaching/ But the tears that I shed can swallow me like an ocean/ How do you lead when you’ve never been led/ Mama said to be patient, son you will get there/ Tired of waiting I just want to be perfect/ The gift that you gave me, Lord I want to be worth it.
Pro then goes on to speed up his rhymes with more emotion and more fervor. Now if you haven’t been aware this album has stirred up some controversy with the emphasis Pro has put on himself and boasting in and of himself but I honestly believe those tracks easily get triumphed by the gems such as the one just stated, the hypnotizing “Let Me Know”, the testimonial and melodic “Without You” featuring Coko Korrine, the ode to real Hip-Hop “Bring It Back” featuring Willie Will and my favorite, the reality-check-driven and motivational, “Yeah.” As I said before, lyrically, Pro will expose the hearts of man with this album.
Pro the Producer
The variety of beats on this album is stellar. I don’t doubt that Pro’s lyrical career will take off but his production career shouldn’t be too far behind. From start to finish the production is sonically sophisticated and clean. For dirty-south bounce music you can listen to the hard-banging “Birth of A King”, the quick and rapid “Shut It Down” featuring Pettidee, the slowed down “Where You At” featuring Brothatone and Lil’ Jon-like “I Bet He Lying.” Pro does a great job for this reviewer who especially likes hard-hitting eastcoast beats such as “Hate Me More” featuring Kingston and “If I Don’t Wake.” For slow heart-felt beats Pro professionally produced tracks such as the guitar-led “Without You”, the love-song “More” and the electrifying, “Yeah.” Pro even pays an ode to the West Coast with tracks such as “You Know the Deal” and even to Hip-Hop with “Bring It Back.”
Variety? Absolutely!! Clean cuts? Absolutely!! A thirst for more? You bet!! Pro’s production skills will have you highly anticipating his future releases and quite honestly in my opinion the variety that he possesses production-wise shouldn’t cause him to look for tracks elsewhere.
Overall, this album will stand out because it will take you on a journey of Pro’s growth. In the beginning it is saturated with more me-focused cuts while ending with purpose-driven cuts. The reason while I stated this album will expose the hearts of man is because this release will show who are willing to pray and support a brother in his growth lyrically (because I don’t doubt his walk spiritually) and who will be judgmental and critical. Quite honestly, I’m excited that Pro is willing to share his growth with us from album to album and I anxiously await his next release as I’m sure it’ll be packed with dope lyricism, praise-worthy production, stellar quality and transparent growth.