Jhené Aiko - Souled Out ALBUM REVIEW

Who is she? Where did she come from? In the last few years, you've heard her angelic voice either on the hook or in the background of numerous hip hop songs. Collaborating with everyone one from Kendrick Lamar, to Drake, to Childish Gambino, to Common and so on. Meet Jhené Aiko. Technically speaking she not "new". She's been in the music industry for close to a decade. But as of late, she has become the new "it" girl in R&B. Her gorgeous looks, her calm and mellow demeanor and her overall laid back down-to-earth ora instantly pulled people in. Including myself. So it's easy to understand the overwhelming anticipation for this. Her major label debut Souled Out. Late last year she dropped an EP titled Sail Out which pretty much propelled her further into the spotlight. One of the songs featured on it was "The Worst", which was one of this years biggest R&B hits. I myself thought the EP was fantastic. I mean there's no way she could top that right? Wrong! This album is just as fantastic if not more. Everything from Jhene's vocals, to her lyrics, to the outstanding production just made this album so enjoyable on all levels. She gives us a perfectly done concept album chronicling her journey from sadness and depression to happiness and joy. Which explains why the album cover kinda shows her ascending from darkness to the light. It's an album filled with tons of story and emotion and will move you. Here's the song by song break down:

1. Limbo Limbo Limbo

Like any story telling concept album, she starts off by taking you back to the beginning. Detailing (in third person) how her life then was nothing but an emotional roller coaster. She describes it in the hook as her "life being on a ride". Then she gets into talking about a guy I'm assuming she was involved with and how he's changed into something he wasn't before and how much she hates it. I loved the slow drums and the bass on this production. Well produced by Dot Da Genius. This was a great way to start this album. 

2. W.A.Y.S.

This is pretty much a dedication to her brother who passed away. She talks about an angel that comes to her at night and tells her to basically fight off all the negativity and the evils around you because things are gonna get better. Your future will be brighter. Again, another outstanding production with dope crashing, echoing drums. Very powerful song. (FYI: The title is an acronym that stands for "why aren't you smiling?". A saying her brother always used to tell her).

3. To Love & Die (featuring Cocaine 80s)

When a woman is head over heels in love, no telling what she may do or say. That's the message I get here from this song. She talks about fighting until the death to get "his" love and affection. In the hook she says "where I'm from we live by the love die by the love". Which is a play on the saying "live by the gun die by the gun". I really loved the dark hypnotic sounds of this production. It kinda gives you that trippy feel. I also like the little sampling she did of 50 Cent's "Many Men (Wish Death)". Definitely one of my favorites.

4. Spotless Mind

I like the very relaxed, tropical island vibe this gives off. Like your just laying in a hammock basking in paradise. Anyway, this song finds herself in a day dream where she talks about different places of love she's visited. Calling herself (and him) a wanderer in the hook. Quite fitting seeing as how this song does make you feel like your in some sort of dream state. I like it.

5. It's Cool

I have to give major props to No I.D. He put in foot into this album with the production. Seriously. This has a vintage smooth jazz sound to it that sounds excellent. Here she talks about a guy who at first she only had a sexual attraction for but in grew into fully falling in love with him. To the point where she's always thinking about him and showing up to his door all the time and so on. Sounds like she's thirsty to me. But overall this is a good song to. I'm sure plenty females will relate to this struggle.

6. Lyin King

Right when I read the title I already knew what this would probably be about. Some "ain't shit nigga" she used to be with that treated her wrong. I was right. Apparently dude lied to her, played too many games and was just straight up immature. Another one females will strongly relate to. Another great song despite the male bashing.

7. Wading

This has another one of those slow, dreamy "bedtime" beats that just relaxes you. Judging by the lyrics, she's talking about a guy who's interested in her but is too afraid or intimidated to approach her. So she just lowly drifts away from him. Once again another relatable topic. Cool song.

8. The Pressure

This hand down my favorite beat on the entire album. It's the only one that has a true hip hop sound. Much props to Fisticuffs on the production. It's a bit hard to make out what she' talking about here. Seems to me like she's discussing the pressure of keeping it real with her significant other. Or in relationships in general not just her. As pretty and sweet as she is, let's not forget she's from Los Angeles and I just love how she flexes her gangsta in the lyrics: "major weed smoke in the air/pass it like you just don't care/have you seen my fucks to give/I have none I cannot live with". Love it. 

9. Brave

This was a pretty cool song. The acoustic-like guitar on here is dope. She sings as if she's speaking to her man. Telling him that she's not perfect and she can be difficult to deal with. In short, he's a brave man for stepping up, being a man and just deal with it because the love is so strong. A bit complicated to understand at first but it makes sense after a few listens. Good to see a woman admitting her flaws when it comes to relationships. Not many like to. Anyway this song was cool.

10. Eternal Sunshine

It took me a minute to jump on this song mostly because it's a bit difficult to make out what she's discussing here. However, I do like the enchanting pianos on the beat. Sounds very soulful and spiritual. Nice song overall.

11. Promises (featuring Miyagi and Namiko)

I can guarantee you no song on this album will touch your heart more than this one. This song is a dedication and/or message to her late brother Miyagi and her daughter Namiko. She begins talking to her daughter telling her how much she always misses her when shes away and just basically tells her that she will always be there for her to protect her and keep her safe. Just a loving message from a mother to her little girl. If that wasn't enough, her daughter actually sings on the hook. It's rather...adorable. Then she begins talking about her brother and how much she and her daughter misses him so much. You can just feel the strong love and emotion in this song. If you're a very emotional person it might be enough to make you break down and shed a tear. Absolutely beautiful song.

12. Pretty Bird (freestyle) (featuring Common)

This song closes out the album in perfect fashion. It basically describes her as a pretty song bird finally being free and flying into the sky. Free from all the pain, heart break and depression. She has made it. Common's spoken word-like verse really brings it to home towards the end. It's a great song and a great way to end such a triumphant album and story.

Overall, I absolutely loved this album. It's the best R&B debut maybe since Frank Ocean's Channel Orange. The overall radiant and spiritual vibes of this album just makes you fall in love with it. I give it a final grade of an A+. Jhené Aiko is most certainly a breath of fresh air not just to R&B but to music as a whole. Her lyrics, her voice, her topics. There's just not many others in the industry like her at all. Between this album and Sail Out I have indeed become a fan. This without a doubt is a start to what I believe could become a legendary career. I don't throw that L word around often but in this case, there's just no other way to describe it. She is without a doubt, in every way, a living angel. I hope she's here to stay. End. 

Final Grade: A+

CREDITS

Executive Producers

Jhené Chilombo

Ernest Wilson

Ketrina Askew

Lead Artist

Jhené Chilombo

Production

Ernest Wilson

Oladipo Omishore

Brinton Ewart

Stephen Bruner

Michael Volpe

Brian Warfield

Mac Robinson

Dwane Weir II

Collaboration

James Fauntleroy

Svein Berge

Torbjorn Brundtland

Lonnie Lynn

Label

Artium/Def Jam Recordings

Mic's Mixtape Of The Week

Lil Bibby

Free Crack II

Available now on Datpiff

Mic's Web Chick Of The Week

Sneakerz

Los Angeles, CA

Twitter: @ladyyngredLMKR

Instagram: @yo_facee

Copyright 2014. Mic Navarro's Corner.

micnavarro.blogspot.com

Jeezy - Seen It All: The Autobiography ALBUM REVIEW

Trap music. Trap beats. It's been the new wave in hip hop at least for the last half a decade or more. But there's one thing that's always troubled me. The one man that made trap beats popular when debuting in 2005 gets no credit for it to this day. That man is Jeezy. Mostly known for his drug rap, his tales of the come up and his signature ad-libs, it's the trap music sound that made him what he is today. In fact, it's the one reason why his debut album, Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101, is considered a classic to some including me.  Since then Jeezy has been the leading voice in the south's trap rap division. Here he is with album number five. Seen It All: The Autobiography. Coming off his fourth album, 2012's TM 103: Hustlaz Ambition, I expected nothing really but him to continue doing what he does best. As he did on that album. This time around, nothing has changed as predicted. I thought this album was a pretty good listen. Like I said, Jeezy is not someone that changes or switches up what he does. Nor does he experiment with sounds or anything like that. It's the same thing with him. Trap beats, coke rap, tales of struggle and hood survival, achieving success, enjoying the limelight and so on. One thing that does stand out about this album though is the fact that you can definitely hear the growth and maturity in Jeezy. You can tell from his words and emotions that he's learned so much and has matured a ton. It's probably why he decided to drop the "young" in his name. Anyway, here's the song by song break down:

1. 1/4 Block

Well to no surprise, this album begins in typical Jeezy fashion. Coke rap. Like I said this has been his M.O. since day one. It's why he's called the snow man. Anyway this is cool I suppose. He's had better intro songs but this wasn't bad. Sounds awesome in your vehicle as does majority of this album.

2. What You Say

This one is pretty cool too. Again, nothing special or new. More of that street thuggery over a cool trap beat. Another one to rattle your trunk too.

3. Enough

One thing that always found cool about Jeezy is how much of a motivator he is. He always try to uplift those going through a struggle and teach them how to make it out of that. This song is about that. He tells you in the hook things you can achieve or become "if you work hard enough". Definitely a cool song and another cool motivational message. Thug motivational that is. 

4. Holy Ghost

On this track, it appears Jeezy is doing a lot of deep thinking. He talks about some of his biggest regrets and mistakes. Along with that, he's also addressing a former friend of his about the wrong he did and how it effected their friendship. At first listen it sounds like a subliminal diss but it seems as though Jeezy is deeply upset about the whole ordeal. Either way this is good track. I'm sure I'll come back and do some investigating on the story behind this song.

5. Me OK

If there's one rapper/producer pairing in the south that's a cut above the rest it's without a doubt Jeezy and Drumma Boy. These two have been making magic together since Thug Motivation 101 and it continues here. One of the best beats on the album and definitely the best trap beat on here. I even thought the hook was one of the best despite all the braggadocios attitude he throws all over it. Dope song.

6. Been Getting Money (featuring Akon)

After the success these two had on the hit record "Soul Survivor", it was only right Jeezy called upon Akon again to make another hit. Although not as good, this is still a pretty dope track. Again, like the last song, Jeezy's braggadocios comes to play as he boasts about his money and how he been getting it since day one. This was very well produced by Childish Major as well. Dope beat and a dope song.

7. Seen It All (featuring Jay-Z)

I gotta admit, for this to be the lead single, it's rather weak. Not weak in general but too weak to be a single. There are other songs on here that would have made much better singles that this. The song itself however isn't that bad. The beat is pretty cool (especially the flute playing). This almost sounds very similar to "The Devil Is A Lie". The Rick Ross song that also features Jay-Z. Anyway, it's a good song overall, just not good enough to be a single.

8. Win Is A Win

Only being a minute and a half long, this is pretty much an interlude. That's kinda disappointing seeing as how this sounds like it could have been a good song if it was a full song. Once again, he's reflecting back on some bad situations he was in the middle of regarding close friends of his. I wish I knew the story behind everything he's talking about on this album regarding that. But I guess this song is okay for what it is. 

9. Beautiful (featuring The Game and Rick Ross)

This is probably the one song on the album that totally missed it's potential. Now that doesn't mean it's a bad song, it's just missed what it was trying to go for. They all describe things in life they see as beautiful. From women, to cars, to houses, to clothes. You know...all that materialistic stuff. This actually could have been a dope concept song if Jeezy gave this more thought. But then again...Jeezy isn't that type of rapper. The song is okay overall. Just wasted potential in my opinion.

10. Beez Like (featuring Lil Boosie)

Here's another one of those "thug motivational" tracks. But this one is a little different. He goes about teaching the young thugs and gangsters how to stack their money up through the street hustle game. Based on what he knows from experience. Also, I'm not a fan of Boosie at all, but this is probably one of the best guest verses he has ever done. At least that I've ever heard. Cool song though.

11. No Tears (featuring Future)

Remember when I said there were songs more worthy of being singles? This is one of them. First of all, it's produced and produced well by Mike Will Made-It. Who's been doing his thing with producing these radio hits. Then Future, despite my dislike for him, does a pretty good job on the hook and doesn't over do it. Now you may say it wouldn't make a good single considering the content (talking about overcoming all the hardships, pain and struggle in his life and career) but the beat and Future's hook changes that logic. I'd give it a shot a radio play myself. We'll see what happens.

12. How I Did It (Perfection)

This album closes out with what sounds like Jeezy just giving us a quick breakdown of how he got here. Sharing a couple stories from his days in the streets, the beginning of his rap career and where he is now. He shares with you how he perfected it all. Everything he's done and everything he has succeeded in. Kind of a good way to close out and overall solid album. 

In closing, I thought this album was pretty good. Solid work. Jeezy hasn't missed yet with one of these albums and it doesn't look like he will anytime soon. I give this a final grade of a B. The hood, the streets, the trap. It needs Jeezy and Jeezy needs it. He's been the motivational speaker for them for nine years now and shows no sign of stepping down from that title. While he continues to rap about the drug game, his riches and success, he fully understands where he came from and knows it was not easy making it to where he is now. He also understands the struggle of those going through what he went through which is why he reaches out to them every time in his music. It's for this reason that makes me a fan of his. Hip hop needs more dudes like him. Motivators. Or in this case...thug motivators. End.

Final Grade: B

CREDITS

Executive Producers

Jay Jenkins

Kyambo Joshua

Shakir Stewart

Lead Artist

Jay Jenkins

Production

Don Cannon

Christopher Gholson

Michael Williams

Frank Dukes

Lyle LeDuff

Ernest Wilson

M. Randall

B. Forest II

Collaboration

Aliuane Thiam

Shawn Carter

Jayceon Taylor

William Roberts

Torrence Hatch

Nayvadius Wilburn

August Alsina

Label

CTE World/Def Jam Recordings

Mic's Mixtape Of The Week

Lil Bibby

Free Crack II

Available now on Datpiff

Mic's Web Chick Of The Week

Sneakerz

Los Angeles, CA

Twitter: @ladyyngredLMKR

Instagram: @yo_facee

Copyright 2014. Mic Navarro's Corner.

micnavarro.blogspot.com

Ariana Grande - My Everything ALBUM REVIEW

Is she R&B? Is she Pop? Is she both? While these questions can be asked for dozens of singers, when it comes to the new crop of singers, I find myself often asking these questions about Ariana Grande. Regardless of what genre you categorize her, it's easy to see why she is one of the industry's most popular new comers in the last thee years. Like a few notable artists (especially among the young pop singers), she got her start on television through the show Victorious on Nickelodeon. That's how many people knew of her before hand. But with the good start that her music career has already taken, she'll soon be known as just a singer. This is her sophomore album My Everything. Last year she made her debut with the album Yours Truly. An album that unfortunately I was never able to review. I regret that because I heard it and it was a pretty good album for a debut. This time around it's the same thing. Another good project. You get a bit of everything from this album. Some hip hop, some R&B, some pop/dance, some funk, even a bit of jazz. The production is the biggest stand out by far. Probably the best production of any R&B album I've heard this year. What's really amazing is how her beautiful voice (which also is very strong for a petite 21 year old) is able to go so perfectly with all these sounds. Killing every high note she sings. True talent right there. Here now is my song by song breakdown:

1. Intro

Nothing special here. Just a few lovely vocals to start the album off with.

2. Problem (featuring Iggy Azalea)

I've actually liked this song since I first heard it on the radio. It's the beat that truly sells it. It's the perfect bend of a hip hop/dancy pop beat. Iggy Azalea's verse is one of the best I've ever heard from her as well. Just a overall catchy and addicting song.

3. One Last Time

This was an okay song. It has these African drum like sound and sped up tempo. Kinda sounds something like Drake and Rihanna's song "Take Care". I can't say much else on it but like I said it's okay. May be fun for some people to dance to as well. 

4. Why Try

This song perfectly shows why myself and many others compare her to Mariah Carey. This sounds so much like vintage Mariah. Here she sings about the struggles of a relationship (the arguing, the fighting etc) and how she still wants to stay because the love is that strong. This, as well as many other topics on this album I'm sure is very relatable for most women. Especially the ones that are madly in love.

5. Break Free (featuring Zedd)

This is the albums second single and it's another cross blend of pop and dance. It's songs like this that confuses me as to what genre to put her under. Regardless, it's a okay song. Not really my cup of tea but I can understand why a lot of people like this. 

6. Best Mistake (featuring Big Sean)

Well...this is certainly one collaboration that I'm sure no one is surprised to see. Considering the recent news of these two dating and all. Anyway, this is actually a pretty good song. Clearly they're talking to each other. Ariana calls him "the best mistake she's ever made" and how she pretty much can't let him go. Meanwhile Sean shares his love for her right back and where he sees them in the future and things. It's a rather well..."cute" song. Wouldn't be surprised if this becomes a single. This will most likely be the first of many songs they will do together. 

7. Be My Baby (featuring Cashmere Cat)

I swear there are so many single worthy songs on this album and this is another one. It's also another favorite beat of mine on here. Props to Benny Blanco and Cashmere Cat on the production. Nothing much else to say about it. She showing affection to a guy that she really likes. Not on some thirsty shit but more on some high school crush type of shit. It's a cool song. 

8. Break Your Heart Right Back (featuring Childish Gambino)

Pay back is a bitch. That's pretty much the underline moral of this song. Getting your heart broken but breaking theirs right back in the same way they did. I myself don't agree on handling the situation like that but hey...to each his own. Gambino gets on a drops some dope lines in typical Childish Gambino fashion ("I'm a G from the A", "flow so gross my nickname school lunch"). This was one of my favorites on the album definitely. 

9. Love Me Harder (featuring The Weeknd)

This one I'm still kinda on the fence about. The production is okay but I'm really not sure if The Weeknd was the person to put on this song. He doesn't really mesh too well with this pop sounding production. It wasn't awful but it just was too enjoyable in my opinion. Some will like though I suppose. 

10. Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart

This is the first of two R&B slow ballads. Great vocals over mostly pianos. This sounds like a song that I personally would like to hear performed live. It just really amazes me how her voice can go so well with such a variety of beats. Nice song here. 

11. Hands On Me (featuring A$AP Ferg)

Ariana Grande and A$AP Ferg? This is probably the most bizarre pairing I've seen all year. However this is another favorite of mine. This is solely because of the outstanding beat well produced by Darkchild. Nothing against Ferg (he did what he was supposed to do on a song like this I guess) but there a so many other rappers I would have put on this song and beat that would have sounder a hundred times better. Also, again, another single worthy track. But I hope this becomes one more than the others. 

12. My Everything

The second of the slow R&B ballads. Pretty much the same thing going on here as the last one. Soft but great vocals over mostly pianos. Although it's only a two and a half minute track, it's a great way to end the album off on a beautiful note.

13. Bang Bang (featuring Jessie J. and Nicki Minaj) [BONUS TRACK]

If you tuned in to this year's MTV VMA's then you caught a glimpse of this song as these three ladies performed it together. The sound this gives off actually sound a bit throwback. Like this song could have came out in any era. 80's, 90's doesn't matter. Nicki and Jessie were the perfect people to put on this high energy track. They mesh very well with each other. Cool collabo, cool song. 

14. Only 1 [BONUS TRACK]

I don't really understand why this is a bonus track. This would have went perfectly with the main album. Especially this production which has been solid up to this point. This is probably my favorite out of the three bonus tracks.

15. You Don't Know Me [BONUS TRACK]

On an album chock full of dope beats, this was probably my least favorite. It kinda sounds rushed in comparison to the rest of the album. But luckily it's a bonus track so it's not too much of a concern. 

Overall, this was a enjoyable listen and a good sophomore album from Ariana Grande. Whether it's R&B or pop, you can't argue that this was one of the best listens this year out of both genre's. I give this a final grade of B+. You certainly cannot deny this young ladies talent. She to me has a once in a lifetime voice. She sounds perfect in all genres dealing with singers. She definitely has potential to be the next Mariah Carey as some people are saying. At only 21 years old, she has a long career ahead of her. I personally think we have a star in the making. Without a doubt. End.

Final Grade: B+

CREDITS

Executive Producers

Ariana Grande-Butera

Scott Braun

Wendy Goldstein

Lead Artist

Ariana Grande-Butera

Production

Max Martin

Ilya Salmanzadeh

Peter Carlsson

Rami Yacoub

Carl Falk

Savan Krotecha

Giorgio Tuinfort

Ryan Tedder

Benjamin Levin

Noel Zancanella

Dwane Weir II

Peder Losenegard

Magnus Hoiberg

Andrew Wansel

Warren Felder

Ali Payami

Peter Svensson

Johan Carlsson

Rodney Jerkins

Paul Dawson

Tommy Brown

Victoria McCants

Kuk Harrell

Travis Sayles

Harmony Samuels

Maurice David Wade

Collaboration

Amethyst Kelly

Anton Zaslavski

Sean Anderson

Magnus Hoiberg

Donald Glover

Abel Tesfaye

Darold Ferguson, Jr.

Onika Maraj

Jessica Cornish

Label

Republic Records

Mic's Mixtape Of The Week

Travi$ Scott

Days Before Rodeo

Available now on Datpiff

Mic's Web Chick Of The Week

London Hill

Columbus, OH

Twitter/Instagram: @_londonbridgey

Copyright 2014. Mic Navarro's Corner.

micnavarro.blogspot.com

Outkast - Aquemini THROWBACK ALBUM REVIEW

The year is 1995. The place is The Source Awards. Two young men from the country roads of Atlanta walk on stage to receive the award for best new rap group. While they didn't quite get the rousing ovation they hoped from the biased east coast crowd, it was Andre 3000 who made it clear to them and to everyone: "the south got something to say!" Those words and that moment would catapult Andre 3000 and Big Boi to immediate success while putting together a legendary career. I really don't have to go into too much detail about why Outkast are legends and why they are important to hip hop. While Scarface and the Geto Boys are credited for putting southern hip hop in general on the mainstream map, it was Outkast who was responsible for putting Atlanta on the map. 1994 is when they dropped their debut Southerplayalisticadillacmuzik. In a year where numerous classic debuts were released. But while that album and their 1996 sophomore album ATLiens were both great, it was 1998's Aquemini that to me put the stamp on Outkast being legends. Although I didn't hear this album until a few years after it released, I'm well aware of it's importance. The brilliant lyricism, production, creativity and originality spread all over this album is something to marvel at. They pushed the envelope with every released but they pushed it to greater heights here. I could go on but  I wanna get to the song by song break down so here it is:

2. Return Of The "G"

It's hard to pick a favorite track from this album but this is certainly top three for me. The dark, hard pounding and menacing beat is just amazing on all levels. Organized Noize were wizards on the production for this album. This song basically had addressed the concerns from the fans and media that their style and music had change drastically since their debut. Andre even mentions how people lashed out about him about his bizarre fashion and they called him either "gay or on drugs". It was a perfect way to start this album by showing that nothing has changed. The "G's" are still here.

3. Rosa Parks

Probably my third favorite Outkast single of all time. The jazz/blues sound mixed with those southern folk harmonies makes you feel and embrace the south. It's fun, it's catchy and it's a true southern boogie track. A classic hit.

4. Skew It On The Bar-B (featuring Raekwon)

The second single from this album was also one of the most interesting collaborations from that year. Outkast and the Wu-Tang Clan are pretty much from complete opposite worlds, but Raekwon blends well with the duo on a beat that's really out of his comfort zone. I liked how Big Boi addresses The Source for the rating their debut album got: "I gotta hit The Source/I need my other half a mic/because that Southerplayalisticadillacmuzik was a classic right?" I have to agree. Great song. 

5. Aquemini

This song defines the term psychedelic. All of the delays, echos and warped voices to make it sound dimensional. Like one massive acid trip. All of these psychedelic or "stoner" rappers you here today are trying to mimic that same sound. But here, Outkast does it to perfection.

6. Synthesizer (featuring George Clinton)

Another one of my favorite productions on this album. The strong electric funky sounds on this was o awesome that only George Clinton would have been fitting enough to be featured on such a out-of-this-world track. Super dope track, 

7. Slump (featuring Backbone and Cool Breeze)

Somewhat of a southern posse song, Backbone and Cool Breeze joins the duo to take you on a trip to the hardest neighborhoods in the south. You know...the trap. Trying to educate you on how the south isn't just all country lands and what not. The same crime and other nonsense occurs there too. Dope song. 

8. West Savannah

Big Boi is solo here and continuing the theme from the previous song, he takes you on a tour of his hood and gives you the south through his eyes. The things he seen and the goods and bads he's been through. I like this a lot. 

9. Da Art Of Storytellin' (Pt. 1) / 10. Da Art Of Storytellin' (Pt. 2)

Now it gets good. The duo flexes their amazing story telling abilities here. The story is about a childhood friend of theirs named Sasha Thumper who died of a drug overdose. Both Andre and Big Boi were involved with her but in two different ways. Andre comes off more emotional as he shared all of his happiest memories with her leading up to her death. I was impressed with how Andre seemed very calm even when reflecting on something so emotional as this. Then the next track, Part 2, the duo are at a time where they see it as the end of the world. They mention things they think would happen during it and how this could be their last song. These are all thoughts so when they rap it sounds like these words are coming straight from their head and not their mouths. Like in the movies when they show what the person is thinking. These two songs are what makes them...them. Perfection at it's finest.

11. Mamacita (featuring Masada and Witchdoctor)

This is a track that showcases both sides of a male/female relationship gone sour. I read that this track is based on an actual ex of Andre's who began dating other women after they broke up. Makes sense considering the lyrics. A lot of people today can probably relate to this with so many women claiming the lesbian title now after declaring how fed up they are with men. Cool song. 

12. SpottieOttieDopaliscious (featuring Sleepy Brown)

This is by far the weirdest song on the album....in a good way though. The two talk about a woman they approached at the club. Andre speaks on his over infatuation with her while Big Boi kinda pin points the hopelessness of a relationship with her. It's has this 70's sounding groove that's just sound so vintage. What's even more unique is there rhyming which is done like spoken word poetry. Dope track. Weird...but dope.

13. Y'all Scared (featuring T-Mo, Big Gipp and Khujo)

Here's another southern posse cut with more Dungeon Family members. Although this is my least favorite out of the two on this album, it's still not a bad song. Lot of dope lyrics and flows being thrown down here by everyone involved. Although it seems very relaxed considering the title and who's featured, it's a pretty good track for what it is.

15. Liberation (featuring Cee-Lo, Erykah Badu and Big Rube)

At eight minutes long, it's easy to see why this song is a major stand out. The entire song just sounds like an huge influx of genres. From R&B, to jazz, to blues, to gospel. Pretty much everything other than rap as there are no rap vocals at all on here. All the lyrics are either sung or done spoken word style. What I get from it is they are all speaking of artistic freedoms and not caring about the opinions of the public and/or media. It seems like they kinda compare it to slavery as well. There's so much soul coming out of this song that's it's amazing. This was certainly one of the best collaborations in 1998. Beautiful record. 

16. Chonkyfire

Filled with guitar riffs and a bunch of other "zoney" sounds, this was certainly a good way to end the album on a light note. Another amazing beat well done by the duo and another good showcasing of their lyricism. I especially liked the ending snippet from the 1995 Source Awards that I spoke about in the introductory paragraph. Dope track.

In closing, I really don't need to tell you why Aquemini is a classic album. It is one of the most important albums in hip hop's history for what it has done for southern hip hop. It gets a grade of an A+. With this album, Andre 3000 and Big Boi showed the world that Atlanta and the rest of the south DID have something to say. They are more than just country bumpkins on farm land eating maple syrup or however the public perceives them. They have rough neighborhoods too. They party and hit the clubs too. They do everything all other rappers nationwide do. Every southern rapper today, specifically the ones from Atlanta owe Outkast a great debt of gratitude. They told the world it's about to be our time and over a decade later, Atlanta is the number one city when it comes to southern MC's. Mission accomplished. End.

Final Grade: A+

CREDITS

Executive Producer

Kenneth Edmonds

Lead Artist

Andre Benjamin

Antwan Patton

Production

David Sheats

Patrick Brown

Ray Murray

Rico Wade

Andre Benjamin

Antwan Patton

Collaboration

Corey Woods

George Clinton

Patrick Brown

Erin Johnson

Robert Barnett

Cameron Gipp

William Knighton, Jr.

Thomas Calloway

Erica Wright

Ruben Bailey

Label

LaFace/RCA Records

Mic's Mixtape Of The Week

Travi$ Scott

Days Before Rodeo

Available now on Datpiff

Mic's Web Chick Of The Week

London Hill

Columbus, OH

Twitter/Instagram: @_londonbridgey

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