Glenn Saddler-”The Life and Grinds Glenn Saddler” review by John M. Ellison IV

The focus is on rapper Glenn Saddler and his album “the Life and Grinds Glenn Saddler.” “The Life and Grinds of Glenn Saddler” is a six track album that tells the tale of Glenn on quest of self-discovery and dealing with the expectations of his elders and peers…it kind of sounds like an “ATL *RPG.”

For anybody that has a thirst for real instrumentation in rap, you might enjoy the subtle guitar licks of Chris Mac and the production of Tokyo and Todd Marshall.
Here are the songs that really stuck out to me…

“Tell me why”

This has some clever wordplay that you would have to replay a few times to totally understand the meaning. It also kind of like reminds me of a more cerebral version of “Why?” by Detroit rap-rock group Insane Clown Posse. No, that’s not a jab, I’m a fan of ICP, folks.

How to make it (L&G edition)

It’s a summary of how people go to Atlanta trying to become either a rapper or a model and how it’s a parallel to others going out to Hollywood to pursue acting and the struggles that come along with it.

“Expectations”
It’s an anthem proclaiming individuality in a sea of clones. Kind of like a smarter version of “Umma Do Me” by Rocko.

In closing, “The Life and Grinds of Glenn Saddler” has to grow on me a little more but it has potential to be something that I would have on rotation. If you’re looking for proof that not all rap from Atlanta is big dumb party music then this is a good example.

Download here

*RPG stands for Role Playing Game.

“No Apologies”

“Expectations”

Tech N9ne-Worldwide Choppers featuring Yelawolf, Busta Rhymes, Twista and Ceza review by John M. Ellison IV

On May 3rd, 2011 XXL released Tech N9ne’s Worldwide Choppers featuring Yelawolf, Busta Rhymes, Twista and Ceza. After the initial listen, the first thing I could utter was “Whoa.”

“Worldwide Choppers” is a showcase of quick tongued lyricists Yelawolf, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Ceza, J.L. B Hood, U$O, D-Loc & Twisted Insane speed flow. For fans that are just discovering Tech N9ne, understand that this isn’t the first of the “Choppers” series before you had songs such as “Midwest Choppers” that featured Mid-west rappers D-Loc (not to be confused with the California rapper of Stoner Rap-Rock Kottonmouth Kings), Dalima and Strange Music mainstay Big Krizz Kaliko on the album “Tech N9ne Collabos Misery Loves Kompany” and Midwest Choppers 2 ft. K-Dean and Krayzie Bone on Sickology 101.

With collabo tracks like this I see a parallel to as they call in jazz world a “head tune.” I relate it to a head tune, not necessarily because of a melodic main theme, but the common “theme” of everyone on the track using a double time flow. Production wise, the choppy guitar hits were a nice touch and gave the track an aggressive edge. Lyrically, I’m not even going to try and compare the artists by saying which artists on here had the fastest or the best verse on here.

In closing, if you’re looking for a track that showcases some of the fastest rappers, this is definitely a great place to start.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is…by John M. Ellison IV

Hey folks, I’m apart of a film project called “Brooklyn or Bust: The journey to the AfroPunk music festival”

This project will document the events of a group of friends from the Afropunk community, who have decided to get together to attend this year’s Afropunk music festival in New York City. The kicker is, this group of friends have never met in person before, only online, and are spread out in different states. Connected by their common interest in music, a friendship developed online and all things Afropunk, this is sure to be an interesting project.

We are renting a tour bus that will leave New York City and head south to the Washington DC [DMV area] to pick up members attending the festival. The bus will make stops pick up members in Philadelphia, New Jersey and finally stopping in Brooklyn, NY. During the trip we will speak to individuals and get a glimpse of the lives of members supporting this movement.

Right now we’re looking for sponsorship for this project. A donation as low as $5 can contribute to a film that captures a demographic that to some are shocked to know that even exists. If you’re interested in contributing to this project you can find more information by clicking the link below. Peace!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/farajitoure/brooklyn-or-bust-the-journey-to-the-afropunk-music