Joey Bada$$ "Summer Knights"

 

This mixtape is a step out of the popular hard hitting, electro, 808 bass, and a step back into the uncut, raw, Brooklyn rap. At first listen you recognize instantly that this mixtape isn't that of the typical dumb down, lullaby, repetitive chorus filled anthems that we've come accustomed to "turning up" to. Joey BadA$$ mixtape takes you back to early Brooklyn New York rap where substance is more important than catchy hooks. It gives you that "Crooklyn" flow all over again reminding you of the times when it wasn't required to wake up in a new Bugatti to enjoy the unique rhythm of the vinyl scratch laced with raw fumbling lyrics. Joey BadA$$ gives me the feeling of past great upstate Emcees such as Rakim, Big L, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, etc....

This is my first time listening to Joey BadA$$ as a whole project and overall I wasn't let down. Although, I was expecting him to be more lyrical because of surrounding hype, I was still impressed by his substance to match his raspy straight forward delivery. After only a few tracks I found myself forgetting that he is only 18 by the subject matter that he touches on giving a feeling of stepping out of the normal and back into the natural. The mixtape isn't overly filled with famous features, He holds his own on this project. Another thing that impressed me was the production and mixdown of the entire project. Each track complements the next and doesn't compete with the next to win the attention of your ears. His ad libs are used sparingly if any, which is a relief given the overly used and exaggerated ad libs that control club anthems. "Summer Knights" has an impressive list of beat makers/producers as well. Topping the list the more notable names; Kirk Knight, Lee Bannon, Alchemist, and not to mention the great DJ Premier.

With that being said on to the Ratings.

Flow: 4/5 He rides the beat well. Sounds forced on some tracks, but overall smooth

Lyrical Content: 3.5/5 Each track gives you something new he expresses. With years vocab will improve. Impressed nonetheless

Consistency: 4/5 You know what your getting with each track lyrics and beats. There are no surprises after listening to the first few tracks it sets the tone for the rest.

Subject: 4/5 I praise him for not talking about money, hoes, or drugs. Especially at his age growing up in the game now.

Beat/Music: 3/5 I love the that he kept it straight Brooklyn, but at times it can be too much at one time. Not much variety, but it doesn't take away from the mixtape, Just similar feeling for most tracks.

Score: 18.5/25

Favorite Tracks; 10. Trap door, 11. Satellite, 12. 95 Til' Infinity, 14. Reign, 17. Unorthodox

Twitter: @Onebond007