ByronCrawford.com

Slug & Murs - Felt Vol. 3: Album Review

Slug & Murs, Felt 3: A Tribute to Rosie Perez (Rhymesayers, 2009)
Felt is the occasional collaboration between Slug and Murs, in which each album is named after a (somewhat) fapworthy actress and produced by a different underground producer. I reviewed their last album here over four years ago. Jesus H. Christ. What am I doing with my life?

Felt @ MySpace

50 Cent - Before I Self Destruct: Album Review

50 Cent, Before I Self Destruct (Interscope, 2009)
Time flies when you're having fun. It's been going on half a decade since the last time I reviewed a 50 Cent album. I sat out Curtis, in '07, and it looks like most people followed my lead. I'm only going in this time for the potential lulz. 50 Cent is one of my favorite people in hip-hop, but his music sucks balls.

Lushlife - Cassette City: Album Review

Lushlife, Cassette City (Rapster, 2009)
You might remember Lushlife from the time his girlfriend emailed me a picture of her cans, then he asked me if I could review his album. I figured that would be the least I could do, it's just taken me a while to get around to it. I'd already been to the mountaintop, so to speak.

• Lushlife @ MySpace

Brother Ali - Us: Album Review

Brother Ali, Us (Rhymesayers, 2009)
Brother Ali is a huge white albino Muslim rapper from Minnesota. His music tends to deal issues faced by huge white albino Muslim rappers from Minnesota, i.e. himself and himself only, but don't let that be a turn off. He happens to be a really good rapper.

• Brother Ali @ MySpace

Esoteric - Saving Seamus Ryan: Album Review

Esoteric, Saving Seamus Ryan (Fly Casual, 2009)
Several years now in the making, Saving Seamus Ryan is a concept album in the vein of Prince Paul's A Prince Among Thieves. It's about what happens when Esoteric's dog dies, then he gets robbed, then... well, just read the review.

• Esoteric Hip Hop

Ghostface Killah - Wizard of Poetry: Album Review

Ghostface Killah, Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City (Def Jam, 2009)
You guys know I could do without R&B, in my rap music or otherwise. But I figure, if there's anyone who could make an entire rap album of R&B songs and have it not suck balls, it's Ghostface Killah. More so than anyone else in hip-hop, he's been able to tell the difference between a good idea and a bad one.

• Ghostface Killah @ MySpace

KRS-One & Buckshot - Survival Skills: Album Review

KRS-One & Buckshot, Survival Skills (Duck Down, 2009)
What happens when two aging rappers, one huge and scary-looking (not to mention crazy), and one just this side of the LPA's official cutoff point for midget (and probably stoned as we speak), team up to do an album? Check out this review to find out.

• KRS-One & Buckshot @ MySpace

Jay-Z - Blueprint 3: Album Review

Jay-Z, The Blueprint 3 (Roc Nation, 2009)
This new Jay-Z album, the third and final installment of his Blueprint series, somehow found its way onto the Internets damn near two weeks before its release date. Crap! I haven't reviewed an album in ages, but I figured I'd have a look, to make up for some of those posts I lost last week. I swear, the things I do for you people. It's too bad hardly any of you are girls - I'd be looking for a show of gratitude right about now.

• Jay-Z @ MySpace

Mos Def - The Ecstatic: Album Review

By Akuma

Mos Def, The Ecstatic (Downtown Records, 2009)
Ever since the Blackstar album and his debut solo, people have been waiting to hear more classics from Mr Def. As years go by we get treated to more and more shit sandwiches, but the hope never dies. Will this be the album to put the nail in the coffin? Not to ruin the suspense, but yes it will be.

• Mos Def @ MySpace

Busta Rhymes – Back On My B.S.: Album Review

By Akuma; check his blog, Cash Rules

Busta Rhymes, Back On My B.S., (Flipmode/Universal Motown, 2009)
Well, it’s only been delayed for a year and a half, due to Busta’s propensity to shovel steroids into his body then attack Jimmy Iovine. Good work Bus! Now on Universal Motown, he finally drops Back On My Bullshit, minus Dr Dre. Does the elder statesman of rap still have it in him? (nullus) Read on…