Sareem Brings the heat with his latest effort "Black and Read All Over"

Sharlock Poems, Sharlok Poems, Poems, Sareem Poems whatever you wanna call him (I prefer Sharlok Poems), the guy can rhyme. The former L.A Symphony member has become a solid solo artist, releasing three albums in the past (The Movement, Left and the most recent Blooming Sounds). This time around the emcee goes by the name of Sareem Poems and has teamed with Scribbling Idiots member Theory Hazit and Oddisee to handle the production on the album. What do you get when combine these in one album?

Now as most of you know guests are really big for me when picking up an album (no it’s not the only thing). Looking at the tracklisting you see there are guests from everywhere and some that we haven’t heard from in a while. LMNO (from the Visionaries) Scarub (Living Legends) Pigeon John (L.A Symphony) and many others assist Sharlok with the lyrics on this record.

From the start of the album your ears a blessed with the intro track “Enter” which sets the tone for the entire album, it’s bangin’. The introduction to the track is followed by the track “Come Get It” which features one of the producers of the album Theory Hazit. It’s a track that pretty much says we’re two of the best emcees around and you’re crew is garbage. It’s sets the tone for this album very well and should get the listener psyched to hear the rest of the album.

“Hard Labor” continues the trend of banging tracks with features by LMNO and Scarub. The production on the track can only make you move your head up and down; I personally replay this track over and over while I’m jogging because it gets me pumped. Each emcee covers a different topic but I think the overall topic of the song is life is hard work, but we must push on regardless.

Like I said earlier the big difference between Sharlok’s last album Blooming Sounds and this one is the guests on the tracks. Most Christian Hip Hop tracks have the serious vibe to it, but if you need an emcee to spice up your tracks you call Pigeon John and he’ll give you a verse and background vocals you’ll never forget and that’s exactly what “Lower the Boom” is. A song that you play at parties to get the people to the dance floor, this song is energetic and you get a guest verse Akil from Jurassic 5.

“Shake It Up” is another track where Theory destroys the beat and Sharlok kills the rhymes. One gripe I kind of had with the album is that hooks aren’t really that creative, which I suppose isn’t that big of a deal, but I wasn’t feeling most of them. I think Sharlok kind of mixes up verse topics on this one which has him hitting you with numerous messages in one song.

One of my favorite songs on this record is “Impossible” for numerous reasons, first it features Stro the 89^th Key who we haven’t seen or heard from in a while, second we get another gest appearance from Othello from Lightheaded and last the topic of the song is amazing. It’s pretty much that nothing is impossible in life even though life can get rough and we might feel like we’re going to quit. Othello’s verse I think stands out the most on this.

“I can’t. Won’t stop nah. Push it forward, gotta crawl.

If I can’t stand tall, I’m a still make it all,

the way to where I gotta be.”

Now Theory Hazit handled most of the production on this album, but Oddisee of Diamond District handled the production on two tracks. “Tell It” and another favorite of mine “She’s So So”. I think everyone can relate to this song, basically it’s the whole boy meets girl, is too nervous to talk to girl, contemplates talking to her and then finally does realizes she was feeling him too. This is one of those tracks that just flow and have a nice vibe to them.

While I have only listened to 2 of Sharlok’s albums, Black and Read All Over improves on what Blooming Sounds sort of lacked. The production is superb on all levels, Theory Hazit and Oddisee did work on this one and it shows. Every guest on this album from Propaganda to Othello, from Georgia Anne Muldrow to Ragen Fykes all of them brought the heat on their performance. And to top it off Sharlok complimented the beats to perfection, with the exception of a few tracks where Sharlok seems to get lost in the beat (in other words the beat overpowered the lyrics if that makes any sense).

Sharlok is honestly on a roll right now with this release and with him and Dust releasing an album sometime before the world explodes it should be a great year for the former L.A Symphony member. A couple words of advice to the reader first go check out Sharlok and Dust’s myspace page for a music video a four tracks that duo has done together (trust me they’re all awesome). Second if you have not picked up the album yet; wait until the deluxe edition comes out on December 1^st because you get the album that I just reviewed here, the instrumentals to the entire album and some remixes. I know I will asking for the Deluxe Edition for my birthday. So pick it up!!!!!

Good

Beats are banging

Guests!!! (LMNO, Ohmega Watts, Othello, Stro, Ragen Fykes, Theory Hazit, Propaganda, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Pigeon John and more)

Sharlok brings the rhymes to compliment the beats

Bad

The beats sometimes overpower Sharlok’s lyrics causing the lyrics to be overlooked.

Rating: 4.5/5 (Get this Album Or You’re Missing Out)

If You Can’t Buy The Album Download These Songs

1. Hard Labor feat. LMNO and Scarub

2. Unless You Do

3. She So So

4. Impossible feat. Stro and Othello

5. Shake it Up

In honor of Cas Metah’s new album Guest Room I’ve compiled some of my favorite guest appearances and put them together to make one of the longer podcasts I’ve done almost 2 hours long! Features artists from all over the Christian Hip Hop spectrum, 2mex, Mouf Warren, The Strange Fruit Project, K-Drama, Cash Hollistah and so many more! So take a listen and go get CAS METAH’S GUEST ROOM ALBUM!!!

Download Here

Live As It Gets feat. Theory Hazit and Playdough (Move Merchants)- Move Merchants

Planes and Trains feat. Pigeon John and Blueprint (Mars ILL)- Backbreakanomics

Falcon Plume feat. Scribbling Idiots (Sintax)- Curb Appeal

Def Tole feat. Theory Hazit, Cas Metah, Kas (EDM)- Def Defying Mixtape

Down But Never Out feat. Sev Statik, Manchild, Sintax, Illtripp and Listener (Sivion)- Mood Enhancement

Season of Tears feat. Zane and Elsie (Sev Statik)- Speak Life

I Wouldn’t Do It feat. Big Rec, Surreal, Sivion, Theory Hazit (Braille)- Box of Rhymes

Seasons Change feat. Mouf Warren and Ruffian (Cas Metah)- Providence Road

We Got It feat. Sojourn, Sivion and Theory Hazit produced by Ohmega Watts (Sharlok Poems)- Blooming Sounds

Let Go feat. Supastition and The Masterminds (Braille)- Shades of Grey

You Don’t Want That feat. ManChild, Playdough, Jurny Big, Macho and Raphi (The Tunnel Rats)- Underground Rise: Sunset/Sunrise

Let Me feat. Phat K.A.T.S, Freddie Bruno and Playdough (Sivion)- Mood Enchancement

Let Go feat. Bracey, Dre Murray, Jacob Izrael, and R-Swift (K-Drama)- Boombapitism

Heart and Soul feat. Lyriz and MotionPlus (Cas Metah)- Providence Road

Nobody Say feat. Raphi and Braille (Theory Hazit)- Lord Fire produced by Vintage

The Treatment feat. ManChild, Braille and Big Rec (Ohmega Watts)- The Find

Surprise Cypher (remix) feat. Adam L, Surreal, Sivion, Sojourn and Sharlok Poems (Lightheaded)- Wrong Way

Posse on Burnside feat. Ethic and Othello (Acts 29)- Underexposed

No 2 Ways feat. Triune, MotionPlus, Cas Metah, Griffin and Relic (Sev Statik)- Back to Dust produced by DJ Dust

Killin It feat. OneLife, Cash Hollistah and Big Rec (Scribbling Idiots)- Idiomatic Mixtape Volume I

Outro feat. Red Cloud, Sojourn, John Reuben, Pigeon John and ManChild (Lightheaded)- Pure Thoughts

Remember The Day feat. Dax, 2mex, Neogen, Dert, Big Rec, Mouf Warren, Dokument, Chosen 1, Griffin, Lazarus, Raphi, Drastic, Propaganda and Macho (The Tunnel Rats)- Underground Rise: Sunset/Sunrise

Low Budget feat. Rush, Cas Metah, MotionPlus (JustMe)- One Man’s Trash

My Suitcase feat. Sojourn and JustMe (Ajax Starglider)- Middle Class Broadcast

Just Raps feat. Future Shock and Scribbling Idiots (JustMe)- One Man’s Trash

Broken Heart feat. The Strange Fruit Project, Ragen Fykes, Thesis (Braille)- Cloud Nineteen produced by S1

Freaky Flow feat. L.A Symphony (Flynn)- In Like Flynn

Get Ignorant (remix) feat. Braille, Theory Hazit, Sev Statik, Nomis, R-Swift, Proph1 (The Breax)-Restocked

So in the past I’ve been pretty down on Othello’s solo career. In my eyes Othello’s debut album Elevator Music wasn’t a step in the right direction for the artist. And I based my opinion of Othello based on that album. I still love Othello as an artist (especially his guest appearances) I just wasn’t feelin’ the production for the most part. However it is my pleasure to say that Alive at the Assembly Line is a very creative album that has a sound I’ve never heard before. So let’s get live and jump in line.

Usually when I listen to an album (a HHH album to be exact) I usually feel the need to some introspection or I feel motivated to try something I was scared of before listening to the album. After listening to Othello’s sophomore album Alive At the Assembly I felt happy (sounds weird) but I just felt happy to be alive the sounds and production behind this album are genius. Elevator Music was more hip hop with a touch of jazz, which in my opinion didn’t work. So Othello switched it, Alive At the Assembly Line is mostly jazz with a touch of hip hop and works like a well-oiled machine.

Othello takes what worked on Elevator Music (with the mostly hip hop and some jazz) and then implicated his own sound in to the rest of the album. “Let’s Just” the single off the album (which he also made a music video for) is the example of the more hip hop and less jazz that works. It’s energetic track that said “hey love life and relax”.

“Place to be” and “Alive at the Assembly Line” is where the new sound comes in and it is amazing. The sound reminds me of going to an old school jazz club and having Othello step up and come with the rhymes. It’s a combo that works and a combo I’ve never heard before. The title track of the album features Tunnel Rat member Propaganda and Lifesavas member Vursatyl. What makes the track pleasing to the ear is the piano playing in the background, Jazz fans will love this track.

The next track “Cycle” features Surreal and shows the lyricism that both emcees have. The song is as the title states, for the most part life is a “Cycle” and it’s God that carries us through this “Cycle” and though it repeats we should enjoy it. Another unique characteristic this album contains is the instrumental segments there in between verses, or when the song ends you get a good minute, minute and a half to enjoy the sounds you just heard, it’s those instrumental pieces that have me asking for an instrumental version of this album. The best example of this is “Peripheral Drift” you get a solid 3-4 minutes of pleasant sounding jazz instrumentals. I found myself playing back those instrumentals numerous times.

The track “Shallow” also shows the lyricism talent of Othello, him and Pigeon John of L.A Symphony (who is featured on the track) cover the shallowness of people when it comes to relationships. Whether it’s shallow based upon looks, shallow based upon money, shallow relationships equals not good (that’s shallow=NG). The way Pigeon John handles this track does so well it’s like if any other emcee was on the track it wouldn’t have been as good.

Othello finishes the album with his Lightheaded brothers doing the track “Fly”. Othello’s sophomore effort is a about 20 steps in the right direction. Othello took a very creative approach to this album, this album is for hip hop heads, but I believe Jazz fans would love this album too. Othello has a new project (with DJ Vajra) coming out soon and I’m very excited to see what Othello does with this next release.

Good

A very creative album
The idea of more jazz and less hip hop WORKS WELL!
The minutes of instrumental rock
Production is Great!

Bad

Lacks a little bit of energy (but take that with a grain of salt because Jazz doesn’t always have energy…no I’m not dissing Jazz)

Rating: 4/5 (Jazz and Hip Hop=WIN!/Creative Album!)

If You Can’t Buy The Album Download These Songs

Shallow feat. Pigeon John
Fly feat. Lightheaded
Peripheral Drift
Place to Be
Shoot Past

So you wish you had a podcast that you could but in your stereo and crank to 11 well this is that Podcast. ALL BANGERS for the entire podcast…so enjoy.

DOWNLOAD HERE!!!

Song-Artist (Album)

DL Drop- L.A Symphony (Unleashed)

The Fall produced by Beat Rabbi- Sivion (The Spring of the Songbird)

Freaky Flow feat. L.A Symphony- Flynn (In Like Flynn)

Makin’ Cake produced by DJ Manwell?- DeepSpace5 (BakeSale)

Rock of Ages- Sev Statik (Speak Life)

Unconditional- Lightheaded (Wrong Way)

Joy- New Breed (Nine)

More remix by Theory Hazit- Mars ILL (Hip Hop For Dummies)

Simply Ill feat. Klarity, Freddie Bruno and Sivion- Theory Hazit (Lord Fire produced by Vintage)

Emergency Broadcast- Playdough (Don’t Drink the Water)

Stand- Da T.R.U.T.H (The Faith)

Microphone Rush feat. ManChild- Braille (Shades of Grey)

Starving Artists feat. JustMe- Sintax (Simple Moves)

Southern Skies feat. Theresa Jones- Dokument (Planet Dok EP)

Permanent Ink feat. Sivion and Braille- Surreal (Future Classic)

For the Heads- Tunnel Rats (Tunnel Vision)

Mr. J Medieros is my favorite member of the Procussions and when I heard he was coming out with a solo album I jumped at the chance to get it. Mr. J’s album Of gods and girls showcases J’s ability to rhyme about important topics our world is dealing with today. There is no subject that Mr. J can’t cover, he covers topics such as money, the impact of his family to even more serious issues such as his general view of the world to rape, Mr. J covers these topics with a strong yet not intimidating voice. So how does the former Procussions member measure up to other solo efforts? Well I’m glad you asked….

The lyricism starts strong with the track “Silent Earth” one of my favorites overall with the lyrics and the production. The track at least to me seems to cover J’s perspective on the world around all of us. “Silent Earth” shows the strength in Mr. J’s lyricism and just shows the theme of the entire album.

“Constance” is the track from this album that caused the most buzz in the media. The track covers the very real issue of human trafficking in India. The song was featured on 60 Minutes when they did a special on human trafficking. Mr. J does a superb job putting the listener in the scene where all of this happens. The first verse of the track covers the story of Constance who is being sold to someone to make a video of her and sell it on the Internet. The second verse is about the person who watches the videos of Constance on the Internet and is oblivious to the true situation. This one of the heavier songs on the album, but it’s also one of the best.

Towards the middle of the album and on to the end the album gets everything about the album gets better. “Keep Pace” is where best part starts. To inform you “Keep Pace” is still to this day is my 2^nd favorite track of all time (Ohmega Watts “Mind Power being #1). The chorus for this track says it all:

“Your life is worth more than that

Your body is built to weather any storm in fact

We are never meant for any harm relax

See the stars in heaven you were born for that

While the angels blowing horns cuz your back from the dead

In the middle of a war you’re trapped in your head

I’d rather chase the wonder of the light instead

And keep the pace till the hunger of this child is fed”

To me this song screams keep going no matter what the circumstances and also should remind many of the message that no matter what God throws at you he promises not to give you more than you’re able to handle.

The next track on the album is “Money” which features former L.A Symphony member Pigeon John. The track is about let me think….hmmm….MONEY!!! Basically how money is useful but can also drive us to directions that are not so good. The beat definitely has that party feel to it and also the one that you put in your car stereo and blast to 11.

Go forward two tracks and you run into another favorite track of mine “Call You” which is a thank you song to the people that helped J get to where he is today. The fact that Mr. J was able to keep this stellar lyricism going throughout the entire album just shows his talent.

The last thing I will mention with this album is the last four tracks on the album are remix tracks. With remixes by Joey Beats, the Siamese Sisters, Mike Kilo and Ohmega Watts. A “Silent Earth” remix by Ohmega Watts, “Half A Dream” remix by the Siamese Sisters, “Constance” by Joey Beats and an “Amelie” remix by Mike Kilo. Every single remix track is amazing and I kinda wish other emcees would follow in Mr. J’s footsteps with the bonus remix tracks.

Ever since I heard Mr. J on “The Life of Brian” (Up All Night Album) I’ve always wanted to hear a solo project from J and he did not disappoint with this release. The only gripe I have with Of gods and girls is the album is a little too serious I love how he covers a multitude of topics with this release, but I do wish there were more “fun” songs on the album. Procussions fans should definitely pick this up and watch for MR. J’S NEW ALBUM COMING LATER THIS YEAR!! CHECK MR. J’S MYSPACE FOR A COUPLE OF NEW TRACKS!!!!

Lyrically impressive

Doesn’t hold back and can tackle any topic

Four remix tracks

“fun” tracks are almost non-existent

Not too many guest appearances

Lyrics: 5

Production: 4

Keep Pace

Half A Dream Remix by Siamese Sisters

Silent Earth remix by Ohmega Watts

Call You

Money feat. Pigeon John and DJ Vajra

I’m not a big MySpace fan, I’m more of a FaceBook guy, but because so many artists put their new music on MySpace before releasing it to the public I decided to look at a lot of profiles. Cas Metah, , Ohmega Watts and Vintage

Ohmega Watts- Was the least updated out of the artists I checked out. He had some pretty nice instrumentals, but most of the music is from his most recent record Watts Happening. I’m sure before the Ragen Fykes album comes out we’ll see a more updated page.

Vintage- I loved Vintage’s page the best part about was that it included remixes of Lesson In Power (by Theory Hazit from his Extra Credit album) and a remix of Mr. J’s Strangers track. Vintage’s MySpace page makes me wanna hear a strictly instrumental album from one of the more talented producers in the Underground Hip Hop world.

Cas Metah- He also had a lot of new music on his page. Music from both of the new albums he intends to release in about April singles from both Guest Room and his other collab group Some Buddies (MotionPlus and Cas Metah). It also included a track he was featured on with the Kings of Tragedy!!!

So I play a lot of music on my podcasts, but what is music is actually rotating on my Zune right now?

Over the past week I’ve been listening to….

Single Tracks

1. Sucka Sucka Yeah Yeah feat. Theory Hazit by Kings of Tragedy

2. The Inevitable by K-Drama

3. Let Go feat. Bracey, Dre Murray, Jacob Izrael and R-Swift by K-Drama

4. Broken Heart feat. Strange Fruit Project and Ragen Fykes by Braille

5. Almost Famous (instrumental) produced by Vintage by SI

6. Publicity Stunt Doubles (instrumental) produced by Theory Hazit by SI

7. Moonlighting produced by Theory Hazit by SI

8. Freaky Flow feat. L.A Symphony by Flynn

9. Wonderfully Delicious feat. K-Drama and Chandre by The Kings of Tragedy

10. Freedom Fighters feat. Jurny Big by Playdough

11. Know Your Name feat. Mojoe, The Ill and HeadKrack by S1

12. The Abolition of ManChild by Mars ILL

13. Killin’ It feat. Cash Hollistah, Big Rec by SI

14. My Name Is Griffin by The Tunnel Rats

15. Planet DOK by The Tunnel Rats

16. Unconditional by Lightheaded

Albums

Def Defying Mixtape by EDM (Mouf Warren and Griffin)

Boombaptism by K-Drama

Euphonic Roots by Mike Beats

The Kings of Tragedy by The Kings of Tragedy

2002…Braille and Ohmega Watts were in Acts:29 with Soul Plasma, Lightheaded didn’t even exist yet. Listen to the Acts:29 album Underexposed and this one emcee shows up on three tracks. Fast forward four years later and Othello’s first solo album Elevator Music is released…well what happened before Othello’s solo career blasted off. One word Lojique.

In 2001 Othello was in a group called Lojique (pronounced “logic”) his partner in crime another emcee named PageOne. Their debut album Language Arts is one that is very pleasing to the ears and shows the talent of two lyrically sound emcees with production that makes the listener wanna dance around a bit…or maybe that’s just me.

There are a couple of things that make this album stand out, first is the overall production. I have no idea who handled the production of this album, but that person is a talent. The one knock I have against the production is that it sounds like I’ve heard some of these beats before, but the producer made the originals sound better. I’m not saying he toke recycled beats and beefed them up a bit, these beats just sound familiar.

A plus to this album is the guests, as I stated earlier in the article Othello appeared on the Acts:29 album, Othello and PageOne has the entire Acts:29 crew on their album. “Throne” is one of my favorite tracks on the album and it features Mr. Braille Brizzy. In my opinion this is also one of the more creative tracks I’ve heard in a while (the sad part is it took me numerous listens to realize the message). The track covers the judgment we will all face when the end of the world comes. What makes this track unique is the role that each emcee plays in this story.

PageOne starts the track with his verse taking the point of view of someone being rejected from heaven for not believing what Jesus Christ has done for all of us. Braille’s point of view could either be taken as someone who is a believer, but is still ashamed of what he had done or as someone who is just now realizing that he should’ve believed in Jesus Christ and still wishes he could go back in time and fix his errors. After Braille’s verse the song fades out and one would believe that the song is over. The song abruptly returns with Othello finishing the song with the BEST VERSE on the album. Othello’s point of view in this song is the viewpoint of God (no he doesn’t think he’s God), more specifically a grieving God. This verse should hit home with every Christian listener:

“My love for you spreads across eons of time into unfathomable amounts

Obviously this isn’t the entire verse, but it’s pretty symbolizing God talking to someone who rejected the gift of eternal life.

So that’s the most meaningful track on the album how about the rest of it? The rest of the album is solid and very entertaining with darker tracks like “Throne”, “Fellowship of the Unmasked” and “Broken”. There’s also fun-sounding tracks “Language Arts”, “Feisen Blue Yowd”, “Youdontknowthehalf.com” and another one of my favorite tracks “Methodical”.

“Methodical” is a track about “The Art” Othello rhymes on how while he may dish the rhymes it’s God that gives him the content. PageOne also talks about how artist like himself and Othello go through a lot of trouble just because of their content. This track shows how well PageOne and Othello mesh together, their able to handle their own verse and toss the verse back and forth between each other.

I’d go into more detail about the album, but as you can see I’ve taken up enough space as it is. To sum up this album was a very good listen, there’s only one downside to this album…IT WAS THEIR LAST ALBUM AS A DUO!!! No I’m not joking Lojique released another album Process of Illumination but that album was only with PageOne, Othello left the group to pursue a solo career. So enjoy this album, but don’t expect any more projects from this amazing duo of Othello and PageOne!!!

Good

Production is superb

Othello and PageOne have that classic duo chemistry (ala JustMe and Cas Metah, Braille and Ohmega)

Lyrically the album causes us to think about ourselves and everything around us

Bad

Production sounds familiar (not sure if that’s bad or not)

Rating: 4.5/5 (Hip Hop Fan? Buy It!!!)

If You Can’t Buy the Album Download These Song

1. Methodical

2. Throne feat. Braille

3. Language Arts

4. Feisen Blue Yowd

5. Broken

If you read my past review on Surreal’s Pardon My Dust, I didn’t really give the album an excellent rating. However that album was not a showcase of his best work, Future Classic is pretty darn close to his best work. Surreal on this album also brings DJ Balance to the party to handle the cuts (I.E Rob Swift and Braille). This was actually one of the first albums I received from my cousin when he introduced me to Christian Hip Hop.

Now the title for this album fit’s perfectly for the sound and production of this album. I honestly believe if mainstream rap fans would change their viewpoint on music Future Classic would be selling so many copies (just like other Christian Hip Hop artists). The album gets straight to the point from the get go with the first track “Rebirth of Skill”. This song has the most vintage sound on the album and it’s one of my favorite tracks on the album. Almost every Christian Hip Hop album has the track that talks about how the mainstream is doing damage to the Hip Hop genre in general, and “Rebirth of Skill” is that track.

Surreal is part of the “Hip Hop Is Music” label and a lot of the “Hip Hop Is Music” family appears on this album and the first feature track is “Car and A Job” which features Ohmega Watts (who also handled the production) and HHISM family member Sojourn. “Car and A Job” is just as the song title says, there’s so many other things in this world that we want, but we should honestly be somewhat content with the fact that we have a Car, a job and a family that loves us.

After a slight Interlude in the music we move on to my top two favorite on this album. “Can’t Stop The Bumrush” has my favorite beat with the saxophone injecting every couple of counts. Simply put “Can’t Stop the Bumrush” is a fun track and one to put in your stereo just to have an excuse to turn the stereo to 11. Right after that track is “Moment In Time” which has yet another addictive beat to it. The track is Surreal reminiscing of the journey he’s taken before this point. It’s a very heartfelt track that should allow the listener to step back from the stressful lives we live to appreciate the journey we’ve taken and how far we’ve come since the beginning.

One important thing I love about Surreal’s music is that he usually includes a track about his past which from what I’ve listened to was a path that strayed away from God. But the best part is that God helped him turn around and Surreal always has a track that tells of the journey God has brought. It motivates the people like me (whose past wasn’t exactly one that followed God) and should motivate other people that God can help anybody, with anything at any time.

Now let me fill you in on a little secret with this album. “Let The Horns Blow” is the last track on this album. The song ends in 3:42 the album’s over right….wrong! If you are patient for about another minute one notices a (gasps) BONUS TRACK!!!! The bonus track features the one only Theory Hazit who is also featured on the track right before this one (“Yeah Boy”). He even tells the listener “Wait a second…this ain’t on the tracklist”. Theory’s verse kind of disses the mainstream rap community and Surreal raps about his relationship with Jesus Christ and his rapping ability in general.

Surreal shows a lot of promise with this album and it’s honestly hard to choose which is better Future Classic or his sophomore album True Indeed (produced entirely by The Sound Providers). Either way the production is solid, Surreal’s lyricism has always been one of my favorites and he brings a lot guests for the ride. This album honest to goodness has a chance to be a “Future Classic”.

Good

Guests!! (Braille, Sivion, Theory Hazit, and others, guest production from Vintage and Ohmega Watts)

Surreal speaks from the heart and it shows in his lyrics.

The title “Future Classic” fits perfectly the production has a vintage feel to it

Bad

Wish there was more energy in the album production wise.

Rating: 4.5/5 (The name says it all GET THIS ALBUM)

If You Can’t Buy The Album Download These Songs

“Can’t Stop The Bumrush”

“Moment In Time”

“Permanent Ink” feat. Braille and Sivion

“Yeah Boy” feat. Theory Hazit

“Rebirth of Skill”

So you all know I’m obsessed with Guest Appearances and Cas Metah has made my dream come true with his new Album Guest Room, a release date hasn’t been confirmed but Cas says it should come out this year. Over 40 guests are on this album (not including the producers). Here’s the stellar tracklisting.

Beats by:
- PlayDough: 1
- JustMe: 2
- MattmaN: 3, 13
- 4th Disciple (Wu-Tang Clan): 5
- Vintage: 6, 12, 14
- Deacon The Villain: 7, 18
- Dust: 8
- Sean P: 9
- Theory Hazit: 4, 10, 16
- Muneshine: 11
- SCO ATK: 15
- Re:Flex the Architect: 17
- Dert: 19

All turntable scratches by:
- EF Cuttin, except on “Don’t Doubt” by Theory Hazit.

1. Intro
2. I Strain – featuring CunninLynguists & JustMe
3. Front Runner – featuring Ahred, Sinxtax.the.terrific, Griffin, Sev Statik, Ajax Starglider, JustMe & Sojourn
4. Told You So – featuring Theory Hazit, JustMe & Masta Ace
5. Real – featuring Mouf Warren & Holmskillit
6. I Will Go – featuring LMNO & manCHILD
7. Die Tryin’ – featuring Chapter13
8. Rhyme Life – featuring Ruffian & Listener
9. Find Time – featuring BC & Playdough
10. 2nd Second – featuring Every Day Martyrs & Deuce Complex
11. Laying The Foundation – featuring Lightheaded
12. Gravity – featuring Adan Genesis
13. This Can’t Be True – featuring T-Mo Goodie (of Goodie Mob) & Jawz of Life (of Dungeon Family)
14. Get Right – featuring Soul P. & MotionPlus
15. Goodbye – featuring SCO ATK
16. Don’t Doubt – featuring Theory Hazit, k-Drama, Wonder Brown, Kaz, Mouf Warren, Intellect & Griffin
17. Up And Coming – featuring Sivion & Praverb
18. Cream Of The Crop – featuring Witchdoctor (of Dungeon Family)
19. Cross Country – featuring JustMe, Change, Mr. SOS, Mellow Drum Addict, Zero Basement, Lyriz, Capture, RhymeWise, Freddie Bruno & 2-Tone
20. Bonus Track – featuring 3rd Degree