N. Talekt

2011 Year In-Review: Killa Fam

2012-01-03T22:05:00.000-05:00

2011 was an exciting year for Killa Fam artists N. Talekt, Rah Scrilla, G-Lotto, and Cee Jay. After a quiet 2010, the group made a strong push in 2011 with tons of new material as well as doing a number of shows and videos.

Rah Scrilla, "Pushed Back: Reloaded"

The year kicked off March 9 with the highly-anticipated release of Rah Scrilla's "Pushed Back: Reloaded" mixtape, the follow-up to the 2009 hit "Pushed Back." With singles like "Can't Miss This Show (On In Five)," "Pay Me," and "Microphone," the mixtape quickly caught fire and had the fans asking for more. This huge release was also accompanied by a re-release of N. Talekt's "So Cold," stirring up a preview of things to come.

G-Lotto, "Session One"

About this time, new Killa Fam artist G-Lotto stepped on the scene, and only a month later, released his debut effort "Session One," on April 5. G-Lotto has a sound distinct from his Killa Fam group-mates, but pulls it off well, and showed his potential in catchy singles like "Cha Ching," "Crank It Up," and "Swap It Out," among others. Receiving tons of online-attention as well as in the streets, G-Lotto quickly began to establish himself and catch fire.

Watch G-Lotto's interview for "Session One" on DUBS TV

N. Talekt, "Featuring... Me"

Not to be outdone, N. Talekt released a various artists mixtape entitled "Featuring Me" on June 7, which showcased tracks from underground artists with fire features from N. Talekt. Songs like "I'm Back," "Mind on my Money," and "Doin My Thang," among others got the internet talking, and re-introduced the artist to the public. This would be the first mixtape of what would become a series, and the first release of any kind since 2009's "So Cold."

Watch the preview trailer for N. Talekt's "Featuring... Me"

G-Lotto, "Session Two: Back to School"

Also on "Featuring Me" was a killer collab by G-Lotto featuring the Established Dons that would play lead-off single to G-Lotto's next release, "Session Two: Back to School," just two months later, on August 2. Boasting hits like "I Will," "Draped Up," and "Legendary," G-Lotto showed great improvements in his game, earning play in local clubs, and continuing to gather buzz. It was the start of a very busy end-of-year blitz by the Killa Fam team.

Check out G-Lotto's single from "Session Two: Back to School" - "Killing Spree"

Rah Scrilla, "Smoking in the Bathroom"

One month later, Rah Scrilla would debut his first video and lead single "Who Betta (Murda Murda)," off his album "Smoking in the Bathroom." The video was a quick hit and after a few behind-the-scenes shots, the album was released on October 11. Highlighted by tracks like "Audio Dope," "Sexy," and "Necessary Evils," with production from a number of talented Virginia producers, Scrilla showcased his abilities and hunger to reach the top. A number of successful shows would follow, including features in "Facemelt Friday," a showcase of local talent hosted by Black Liquid -- a name you should know if you know Virginia-based hip-hop. Cee-Jay would also be (re-)debuted here, and in the coming week, it was made known that he was, indeed, the newest member of Killa Fam.

Watch Rah Scrilla's video for "Who Betta (Murda Murda)"

N. Talekt - "Featuring... Me, Act 2"

However, the Established Dons were not done yet, and the relentless musical assault continued. Mere weeks after "Smoking in the Bathroom" dropped, N. Talekt would release the second mixtape in his various artists series on October 25: "Featuring... Me, Act 2." The mixtape would revive a few artists from the first installment, as well as introduce new talent into the mix, while promoting singles from his upcoming street album, "In My Loving Memory." Tracks like "Super Bad," "We Some," and "No More Nightmares" received high reviews, and the anticipation quickly built for the album to release.

N. Talekt - "In My Loving Memory"

Adding to that anticipation was N. Talekt's debut video and third single from the album, entitled "So Gone." on November 1. A huge success, the song and video received rave reviews from the online community and the streets, citing its story and emotional ride, and set the mood for what was to come just a few short weeks later. And on November 15, N. Talekt released "In My Loving Memory," an album a year in the making. A storied album comprised of stand-outs like "Feelin' Good," "Never See It Comin'," and "She Know," the CD was well-received and continued the Killa Fam buzz to finish off the year.

Watch N. Talekt's video for "So Gone"

With two videos, two albums, five mixtapes, and plenty of features, interviews, and shows, Killa Fam certainly made their fair share of moves in 2011. Hard work went into each effort and it not only showed, but it paid off. With that, 2012 looks to be bright and with already-confirmed releases forthcoming from Rah Scrilla, G-Lotto, and Killa Fam, look to expect a barrage of hits from the talented Virginia group.

In My Loving Memory

2011-11-15T01:00:00.000-05:00

Here's what I promised. A year in the making, I present to you my first full-length effort since 2009's "So Cold," my (street) album, my life, "In My Loving Memory."

N. Talekt
In My Loving Memory

Pick this up today from any of the sites below:

SoundClick.com - http://soundclick.com/ntalekt

Play and download the entire CD. Great source if you have a SoundClick.com account.

DatPiff.com - http://www.datpiff.com/N-Talekt-In-My-Loving-Memory-mixtape.284117.html

If you're on DatPiff.com, this is the link for you. Listen and download the entire CD.

MediaFire.com - http://www.mediafire.com/?5694x9udmneu3r8

Fast, full download, with artwork included. Add it to your music collection today!

THANK YOU and enjoy!

N. Talekt

Rah Scrilla's "Smoking in the Bathroom" hits DatPiff!

2011-11-06T16:40:00.000-05:00

Better late than never -- Rah Scrilla, Established Dons representer, has his latest project "Smoking in the Bathroom" finally available on DatPiff, a popular mixtape hosting site.

So, why should you download it, if you haven't already? Well, below are 11 great reason:

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Another solid outing for Scrilla with a variety of great beats from some of Richmond's hottest producers, top-notch features, and quality songs.

Download direct from Mediafire.com: http://www.mediafire.com/?u248ue134iqja4l#1

N. Talekt

New Music, Video: "So Gone"

2011-11-01T10:44:00.000-04:00

Here's the third single and first video from my upcoming project "In My Loving Memory," releasing in two weeks (11/15/11). Check out the video and enjoy the music. Special shout outs to BC Music 1st for doing the video direction, production, and post-production, and to everyone who helped make this a success.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVdcFkpo1zA

N. Talekt

N. Talekt Presents: "Featuring... Me, Act 2"

2011-10-26T23:33:00.000-04:00

It went so well the first time, I figured I'd do a follow up! Here's the second round, "Featuring... Me, Act 2!" With a mix of the hottest artists on Soundclick, some impressive up-and-comers, and, of course, yours truly, this is definitely a mixtape to catch. Get it from the following sites:

SoundClick.com: http://soundclick.com/NTalektFeaturingMe

Play the entire CD, learn about the artists on the mixtape, and get download links. Great source if you have a SoundClick.com account.

DatPiff.com: http://www.datpiff.com/N-Talekt-Featuring-Me-Act-2-mixtape.276639.html

If you're on DatPiff.com, this is the link for you. Listen and download the entire CD.

zShare: http://www.zshare.net/download/9518290970178a84/

Don't have a SoundClick.com or DatPiff.com account? Fine! Get all the tracks in ZIP format from zShare.

Enjoy! A lot of people worked hard to give you an enjoyable listen, make sure you support!

N. Talekt

Song Review: War Zone 2012

2011-10-22T12:14:00.000-04:00

Song Review: "War Zone 2012 (f/ Chayse Maclair and Boss Game)" by Methodical
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11134580

In a prior review of a song by Methodical, we had a discussion about his beat selection. I felt the beats weren't as strong as they could have been, lacking variation and dynamics needed for the style of song he was working with. It was then that I recommended Life and Death Productions, a Soundclick-based production suite that provides just the kind of beats I felt Methodical would rock on.

This song is the first fruit of that labor.

Enlisting Chayse Maclair and Boss Game to sew up the track, Methodical chooses a somber, key-laden beat to paint the backdrop for his performance. Although crippled by the mic and sound quality, you can tell the artist writes as is name is -- methodically. Rhymes are placed in exact spots, and, much more importantly, the delivery here near flawless. The emotion and energy is there, and it fits well with the beat. It's a story of stress and struggle, and Methodical nicely walks the tightrope of being lyrical while keeping his story sensible.

Chayse is back on his hook game again, providing a great interlude between Methodical and Boss Game. I'm not sure if the beat carries the artist or if he is just riding it that well, but either way, something about the hook just works. I have heard a few hooks done by Chayse, and they can be hit and miss. This one, for me, was hit.

Enter Boss Game. Maybe it's because I'm on my laptop, but it sounds like BG's mic quality has degraded a bit since I last heard him. Either way, Boss shows his versatility here, nailing this track lyrically, almost mimicking the style of Methodical in the beginning. One difference here, though; Boss seems to stray in the latter part of the verse from internal struggle to external conflict. Not sure if this was intentional or not, but it seems to work out nonetheless.

Overall, it's a somber song, one I feel you kinda need to be in the mood to hear. I also feel like this song was hurt a bit from the poor quality of the first verse, and that's something you really can't make up for, not even with strong features. Still, this is a pretty cool, low-key track that delivers lyrically and highlights Methodical's methodical progression.

But, of course, you won't understand what I mean unless you hear it for yourself:

N. Talekt

Song Review: No Mo

2011-10-22T11:42:00.001-04:00

Song Review: "No Mo (f/ Ja Mar)" by Stat Boi
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10818072

Stat Boi and Ja Mar collaborate to put together "No Mo," a "no time for games" type of track. Stat comes in first to deliver a solid introductory verse. Confident behind the mic and down-to-earth, he turns out a verse that connects with the audience for the most part. The biggest issue I had with this verse was the mix. Some of the adlibs at the end of the lines were making it hard to actually hear the words. Try panning them to the left around 20-40. It will make a huge difference in clarity. Also, backups are meant to be backups ... that is, they probably shouldn't be louder than your main vocals.

Still, I enjoyed this verse better than the second verse, which bring in to question, why even have a feature? Don't get me wrong, Ja Mar doesn't have a terrible verse, it's just that it didn't blow me away. I'm pretty greedy with verse space on my songs; I don't want a feature unless I know my feature is bringing something to the table I can't. Maybe because of the song topic here; there's not much Stat could have said in a second verse that wasn't already said in first verse and hook.

Anyway, I digress. The second verse was cool, but it seemed a bit low and some of the words weren't really spoken well (slurred, almost), making it hard to discern. There's a difference in a southern accent and not speaking clearly, and having family in the Carolinas and south, I know this was a case of the latter.

One thing I must say about the hook, though. When I first played the song, I had not actually checked for the title of the song, as I was preparing this blog entry. The hook dropped and I could have sworn I heard a cow mooing in the background! I later realized it was the artist harmonizing "Noo Moooo," but it didn't come out so well. As I mentioned earlier, panning should certainly help here.

Overall, after that initial shock, the track was pretty cool, I thought. It's not a track built with layers of thought, it's not going to stand the test of time. But it's an enjoyable track that I'm sure people will be able to relate to and will get a sense of familiarity when they hear it.

All that said, check it out for yourself below:

N. Talekt

Song Review: "Daredevil"

2011-10-22T11:17:00.001-04:00

Song Review: "Daredevil" by About Time & Asi Didi
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10582850

Daredevil, in short, was a song of highs and lows.

This short track had a cool vibe to it with the title really fitting the beat. Plucked strings and strong rhythm move the beat along as artists About Time and Asi Didi lay down a bit of heat on the verses, with a short hook interluding. Not sure if I'd call it a hook, really more of an interlude between a couple verses. The two trade sets of bars in both verses, giving you a good taste of what both have to offer.

Honestly, the first artist (Asi Didi) is a bit of a turn-off here, an acquired taste, if you will. This is mostly due to mixing, I believe. The voice is a bit loud, possible near red-lining, and some of the backups are off, which really distracts. I always advise that when mixing a track, if something doesn't enhance your track, it's hurting your track -- take it out! You don't hear that sort of thing in a polished radio track, and it's not ok at the underground level either. Line up your backups, or remove them.

The second artist (About Time) comes in and sounds like he has a much more polished mix, and, frankly, a more polished flow as well. He seems much more comfortable behind the microphone and has a solid verse. I feel like I could pay more attention to his verse than Asi's because there weren't any distractions (loudness, dueling voices, etc). A good mix, good delivery, good verse. Job well done.

This song sounds like it was recorded in two different studios -- that's the way of the web nowadays. I'd recommend checking the track out to hear About Time's work; Asi needs to scrub the mix a bit before it can really be acknowledged, but otherwise, this sounds like a light, fun track with a nice beat to match.

But, as always, my words are just that -- words. You'll have to listen to really form an opinion, so check out the song below:

N. Talekt

Song Review: Music Saved My Life

2011-10-20T02:13:00.001-04:00

Song Review: "Music Saved My Life" by Mic S.
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11143372

Right from the jump, I like the composition of the song. The right beat, the right hook, and the right timing gave this song an all-important good first impression. It properly sets the mood for Mic S.'s reflective song.

The story's about, predictably, how music has saved Mic's life. Personifying music as a lady done wrong, Mic discusses how music has stayed by his side when all others have left. Only music has kept him on the straight and narrow, when others wanted to pull him in other directions. It was music that kept him out the streets, out a cell, and out of a grave.

A powerful message, indeed, but for some reason, there's a spark missing behind that power. Perhaps it's in the mixing, or perhaps it's the energy level. But, I feel thing song has the piece that it needs, it just needs a bit of a lift. The hook is performed nearly to perfection, but it seems the verses may be performed a bit flatly. Or, again, it could be the mix. Either way, that takes away from what otherwise is a song well done; it's inspirational, the hook alone gives it replay value (not to mention a beat that goes hand-in-hand), and you can really feel the music and message in this one.

Overall, a track I've already played a few times now and not grown bored. Then again, I can relate to this song very well. However, Mic tells a truthful story about his life that you can't help but appreciate. Simplifying the lyrics a bit to let the message shine through, this track *almost* hit's home. Song well done.

But, as always, don't take my word for it, decide for yourself -- listen below:

N. Talekt

Song Review: Are We Still Friends?

2011-10-20T01:07:00.002-04:00

Song Review: "Are We Still Friends?" by Je2Rit
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11122247

Ok, I know this one's gonna sound cliche', but I know I won't be the only person who thinks this when the song drops -- man, you sound just like Eminem! Now, when I say that, that means everything it looks like on the surface. Meaning that on the good side, you have a great flow; you're on point, you've got the right energy and performance skills, your presence is great, and with a good quality mix, you sound professional and right on point. Now, that also means you sound almost indistinguishable from a lot of other rappers who "sound like Eminem," but I guess that comes with the territory.

That said, this track is definitely worth a couple plays. It's a bit of a story, and if you know my work, you know how I get down with those. The story behind it is familiar and easy to relate to -- friends separated. J does a great job with being descriptive in his lyrics, painting a great picture throughout each verse, keeping a proper timeline going through the story.

The hook here is eerie, perfect for this tough yet somber beat. It's performed very well and certainly catchy, you'll be saying it in your head after the song ends for sure.

Overall, I can't put my finger on what's missing from this track, but I feel like the "it" factor is missing here. I think maybe it's because the track ends on a lower note than what I was expected -- I felt like I was waiting for a climax to the story and never got one. Whatever the case is, this is a pretty cool track that, to me, is just missing ... something ...

But hey, maybe I'm wrong. Decide for yourself and check it out below:

N. Talekt

Song Review: Facebook Hate

2011-10-18T00:08:00.000-04:00

Song Review: "Facebook Hate" by E.J.A.Y.
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11128306

E.J.A.Y's a guy who's been around for a while on Soundclick and, though he's been quiet for a while, he certainly hasn't been idle. Most recently releasing his "The Bald Headed Bastard" CD, E.J.A.Y. submits a song from a different project, "No Hooks, All Kicks," strangely entitled "Facebook Hate."

True to the title, this track has a strong kick to it and no hook. Not just a drum kick, it's also a high-energy track both in the beat and the strong, polished delivery from E.J.A.Y. A few scattered rants interlude a couple verses that seem to be "insider" verses, addressing situations that will be obvious to people in the know.

The lyrics here come off as more of a freestyle, but at the same time, E rides the beat with ease making it a track that's easy to listen to. All the while, he seems to have some anger and flair to him, and that commands attention throughout the entire track.

Overall, this is a fun track. It's not the standout single for the project, I'm guessing, but it is easy on the ears and really makes you want to check out the guy's Facebook page to figure out the story behind the song! Nice plug for the page, but also a well-delivered track.

Hear the story for yourself:

Song Review: Backwoods Smokin'

2011-10-17T01:46:00.001-04:00

Song Review: "Backwoods Smokin (f/ Mizz K)" by Boss Game
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11131123

Katt Williams introduces this song with a sample from one of hit sets over Yung Lotto's haunting beat. From there Mizz K features on the hook to ease us into the track. Therein lies the first issue I had with Boss Game's track here. I felt like I was eased into this track, then suddenly smacked without warning by BG's double-time flow. Not that it's bad, I just think that, musically, this would have benefited from coming in a little slower, then speeding up.

The hook itself is well-done, a duet, of sorts, between Mizz K and Boss Game. I do have one hang-up here which I'll discuss in a bit.

From there, Boss Game lays down a couple verses about, predictably, backwoods smoking. Don't blink though, or you might miss it! The first verse, as I mentioned, comes in with a quick flow that's performed pretty well. One thing throughout this song noticeable about Boss Game is his demanding mic presence. He does a good job at commanding the microphone and giving a strong, confident delivery. That was evident in the first verse especially. The second verse was also well done, though a little sloppy at the very beginning, it comes together well.

One of the highlights of this track is the production from Yung Lotto. This eerie, haunting beat works very well with an almost ghastly hook performed by Mizz K, and the two in tandem are very catching. This is another reason I would have enjoyed a slower flow here -- the haunting nature of the beat and the haunting nature of the hook combined perfectly for this song, but the delivery of the verse is also conflicting, at least to me.

Overall, this is a solid track for the smokers, but one thing that should be improved here is the mastering. The track, even for a Soundclick.com song, is a bit hot and vocals could be lowered here to make this a little easier on the ears. Also, Boss Game's bass could be lowered to make him more audible to the untrained ear. Try lowering your lows / lifting your highs, and also simply taking some of the bass away in your mix. Your voice will sound a bit more pristine, which helps when you're doing the double-time flow.

All in all, a solid, well produced track, and it looks like Boss Game simply will not slow down; hot off the heels of releasing "Grown Man Music," his next project seems to pick up right where he left off.

But don't just take my word for it, hear it here:

N. Talekt

Song Review: Boss Pimpin' 2011

2011-10-17T01:24:00.000-04:00

Song Review: "Boss Pimpin' 2011" by Boss Game & Jo-Kane
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=11126595

Ok, so I'm not gonna lie: "The Lady in My Life" is one of my favorite songs by Michael Jackson, so when this track dropped, I flipped out! So I certainly appreciated not only the sample at the end of the track, but also the homage paid in the hook.

Speaking of which, the hook was actually very well done, so kudos to Boss Game here. Boss Game transitions from singing/harmonizing to rapping just as well as anyone else I've heard. I feel like the first verse could have been a bit longer to make the song flow a bit more naturally, but it still works.

Both Boss Game and Jo-Kane contribute with a pimpin'-themed verse with all the usual caveats covered. Both ride the beat with ease, making the entire song an easy and smooth listen. Jo-Kane has a smoother verse here than the first, which works here as it's a smooth way to end the song; the more excitable flow of Boss Game would have been a bit jarring if it came later in the track.

Overall, while the verses flow very well, I wouldn't say they contribute anything spectacular. There weren't "stand-out bars," so to speak, but this wasn't that type of track. The verses did their jobs tying the song together, staying on theme. Neither is a let-down, and somehow actually complete the song as hook are typically used for. In this case, though, the hooks stand out and really make the song for me. They were performed well, and the beat had me rockin' the entire time.

So, a fun song here that's definitely worth a listen or few, and if you're a fan of Michael's version, you'll be groovin' to this in no time.

As always, don't take my word for it, hear it yourself:

N. Talekt

Behind the Scenes of "So Gone"

2011-10-10T11:17:00.002-04:00

November 1 is the release of the music video for "So Gone," one of the singles from my upcoming project "In My Loving Memory." More info on that project coming soon, but right now, check out Part 1 & 2 of the behind the scenes footage for the video!

Behind the Scenes, Part 1

Behind the Scenes, Part 2

N. Talekt

And So It Begins...

2011-09-21T12:07:00.001-04:00

Short and sweet post here...

Here's the first piece off of a much bigger picture called "In My Loving Memory" coming November 15th. It's called "Feelin' Good." Play, download, share, enjoy!

Week of 6/19: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-06-22T03:13:00.004-04:00

[6/19] NT's SoundClick Top 5

Yet another tough week in the world of SoundClick music.

Short and sweet, this week's difference makers came down to creativity and execution. What were you reaching for with your work, and, just as importantly, did you achieve what you set out to accomplish?

That said, here's a solid selection of songs in this week's Top 5.

Chayse Maclair - Schools out for Summer (f/ Jane G33)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10730518

Jo-Kane - Y'all Ain't Ready (f/ Boss Game)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10725981

Mdot - Intro to Bright
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10120316

Hydden Ajenda - Werewolf
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10598260

Mr Showtime - Have A Nice Day :)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10751328

Last week's #1-spot-holder Jane G33 assists Chayse Maclair, no stranger to that coveted position himself, in a creative and thought-provoking tale entitled "Schools out for Summer." Not too dissimilar from last week's #1, Chayse and Jane speak on the hardships faced, but with a twist in that the hardships are faced by a person also dealing with school, putting life into perspective and implying that maybe school isn't as important as the burden of daily life. It's a slow-building song, and I think Chayse gets saved by a growing beat on this one, as he finally kicked it up a notch as the beat drop, but dragged us to that point a bit. Still, he sets up the plot excellently and Jane comes in to crush the ending, again, from a perspective unique to her which makes the track that much more appealing.

After a short hiatus, Boss Game makes his return to the top 5 alongside Jo-Kane in the head-smashing anthem "Y'all Ain't Ready." This track definitely has the appropriate grit and bump to it, but the quality is a bit jarring at first. Looking past that, Jo-Kane kicks things off with a laid-back, confident verse, akin to Chayse's verse in that it's slow-building and a bit lulling. Perhaps Jo-Kane could have benefited from some ad-libs here. He then double-times it to finish off the verse and lead into a nice verse from Boss Game (notice how the ad-libs liven up the verse a bit, though Boss Game's delivery is commanding enough here that it's not as necessary as with the Jo-Kane verse). While the content is not as innovative, I felt like this song really fits the mood it was shooting for and reaches it's goals.

Newcomer Malcolm Lowe, AKA Mdot (no relation) enters the top 5 this week with "Intro to Bright," a cleverly put together track with an exciting delivery and some fun lines. Overall, it's a good introductory track and certainly makes you want to continue listening. The hook is interesting and the beat works with it's high-energy. Smart move with the acapella bits here, too. Major issue with this song is in terms of cleanliness. A few of the backups & ad-libs were off in an irritating way -- and yes, I know some were purposely off. Also, the beat does grind on you a bit after a while, but that said, the song is the appropriate length for that. Finally, while the hook is fun, it's not something that'll keep you coming back. Those factors keep this from the #2 spot this week, but certainly a strong, impressive showing and, to my points earlier, it does what it set out to do -- make you want to listen to the mixtape.

Hydden Ajenda enter the top 5 this week with a tale entitled "Werewolf." It's a metaphorical story about two hungry powerhouses coming together to slaughter. Maybe this could have been higher aside from the replay value effect, but I actually dig this track. The presence of the rappers here is pretty good, especially on the second verse, and it's a pretty creative song. While the delivery could use some cleanup & enunciation in places, I think, overall, this was well put together and came together to do what it attempted. While personal taste and "it" factor also keep this a little further down the list this week, this is a track that has potential to be pretty nice once polished. The story, emotion, and lyics are all there, just needs a bit of fine tuning to really get going.

Mr. Showtime and Yung Tek, familiar partners, collaborate yet again with "Have a Nice Day :)." The tough thing about this song is that it really is set up to be a banger, it just takes a swing and a miss. As I've been mentioning, setting out what you tried to accomplish is a bit part of getting your song right, and this fell a bit short. Perhaps it was the beat selection. On this, the hook was clearly important, but I could barely tell the difference between the hook and the verse. In addition, unlike past submissions, this hook was not well-written and it showed. Also, the verse and energy here are fine but they do not really build to the track, leaving the listener with a feeling of "that's it?" I felt high expectations for this song to deliver, especially with a banging beat like it had, but it fell a bit short. Still, good enough for this week's top 5, but going back to re-evaluate this song would be smart. Stick with your theme and clean up a bit, and this song is a true banger.

Hope you've enjoyed this week's top 5. Another nice set of songs to check out and a nice showcase of what SoundClick.com has to offer.

With a few major moves and holidays coming up soon, the Top 5 will be suspended indefinitely. Rest assured, it will be back, with a few changes, when things slow down a tad. In the meantime, check out any past week you missed and I'll catch you back here real soon.

N. Talekt

Week of 6/12: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-06-12T16:40:00.005-04:00

[6/12] NT's SoundClick Top 5

Awesome, awesome, awesome.

Every week's track selection seems to be getting better and better, which makes it both fun and tough to choose a top 5. That said, I think this week's top 3 could certainly be #1 contenders on any other week, but this week they're competing with each other, and only one can take the top spot. So, the criticism has to be a little tougher to decide who that is.

That said, this week came down to both execution and, most importantly, creativity & originality. For execution, it's a matter of it's not just what you say, but how you say it. A commanding presence and delivery is a must for your song to really get over. Secondly, how creative was your song? Have I heard this tune before? Is it fresh and new, either in terms of lyrics or concept? That goes a long way in terms of both enjoyment and also that critical category of replay value. That leads me to the top 5...

Jane G33 - Little Me, Big World
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10732925

Big Kannon - Karma Pt 1
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10700354

Xplicit - Life Ain't Easy
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10720430

Chayse Maclair - It's Alright, It's Okay
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10741103

Mr Showtime - I Think I Am (#1 W/ Yung Tek)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10741457

Perfect timing, eh? Last week I predicted that it was just a matter of time before Jane G33 grabbed that #1 spot, and she wasted no time snatching it with "Little Me, Big World." While this track has small flaws that I'll get to in a bit, this song is the perfect example of what I discussed above. It's fresh, original, creative, and has great presentation, both with great lyrical delivery and presence and also a smooth, dynamic beat, with a hook that grows on you. All the stars align here to deliver a hot track that finally has that replay factor, whose elusiveness has been plaguing Jane G33 for the past few weeks. That stems from the concepts and originality, especially present in the second verse. Not having heard this before makes me want to listen again. There were a few slip-ups in terms of misaligned backups and mistimed (or missing) emphasis, but overall, an excellent, powerful listen that earned a hotly-contested #1 spot.

I'm going to say the same thing about Big Kannon that I said about Jane G33 last week -- it's only a matter of time before he grabs #1. Kannon raps to near perfection with "Karma Pt 1," telling a familiar tale of a girl being taken advantage of by a stud. The quality, rapping, energy, presence, execution is spectacular, and he makes great use of lyrics to tell his story. Storytelling like this should progress naturally both in its plot and in lyrical writing, and Kannon absolutely nails it. That said, the main thing lacking here is replay value. I've heard this story time and time again, so it's hard to me to play it a third or fourth time knowing exactly how it'll end. And because it's not a lyrical track, I only have the story to look forward to. And after peeling back the surface to reveal the meat and potatoes, it's simple got a "been there, done that" feeling that doesn't take advantage of the things that make these type of tracks really stand out. Comparing this to, say R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet" series, his stories were fresh and original, with twists and turns. That is the element missing from this otherwise outstanding track. I think there was an opportunity to do his when Kannon mentions that the girl has her "reasons" for not wanting to be involved with the guy. Maybe those reasons are more than because he's after one thing. Maybe she's sick? Maybe she's related?! Maybe she's involved with someone else close to him? Regardless, I think that was opportunity lost. Also, a small thing in terms of completeness, I think the way the track ended wasn't good in terms of a cliffhanger. Let the song end with just the sound of the tires skidding off, no beat fading out, no extra lyrics. Just let the tires skid away and end it there. Just a thought. Again, taking nothing away from the artists clear ability here to perform and command the mic, I would have just liked a more original story here OR some original elements to make this sew up the #1 spot. As is, it's excellent.

Newcomer Xplicit continues the storytelling theme of this week's top 5 with an interesting track "Life Ain't Easy." I was digging this track from the needle drop, and when the actual beat dropped Xplicit goes in. This is actually pretty well done lyrically, and with a fun beat keeping with the theme of a "fast-paced lifestyle," this song comes off as well done and complete. A bit of "it" factor comes into play here making this track enjoyable. Finally, I like how Xplicit keeps his concepts together, like fast-paced life and work, really tying together the song as a whole, a subtle but important aspect to writing. A few missteps here, though. I felt like there was a shaky confidence in the delivery, which slightly affected how this came out. Also, the backups were conflicting at times with the front verse, making it tough to hear some of this words, which really hurts a story. Looking past that, a fun track that got a few spins from me.

Chayse Maclair moves up a slot this week with "It's Alright, It's Okay," a fresh new track off his upcoming mixtape. I would say this song is more that just alright, and okay, it's good. However, while it strives to be an uplifting track, it just misses the mark. Beat selection works here with the song, in fact, I think it's excellent. It's a dynamic beat that grows as the song does, allowing the opportunity for the story to grow with the beat. That said, I felt Chayse missed the opportunity to turn his energy and emotion up when the beat climaxed at the end of verse 1. I heard a slight attempt, but just wasn't enough. The second thing that kept bothering me was the constant interruption of the backup vocals. They are supposed to be the backups, so make them back up! Turn them down or don't use them if they are hindering your song. Obviously, some of these can be overlooked, but it's too constant with this song to get past. Finally, the hook needs a jolt of energy and literal volume to make it really work. Overall, I dig the concept, the verses were good, especially verse two, but the execution and presentation here really hurt this song from being as good as it could have been. Still, thumbs up.

Wrapping up this week's top 5 is Mr. Showtime's return to the list, back alongside Yung Tek, with "I Think I Am (#1)." This almost grabbed the #4 slot, but in the end, Chayse won me over with his creativity and lyricism. To put that into perspective against this song, this is indeed one of those song you've heard before. Still, it's very well done from both a quality & lyrical perspective. It's comparable to the #2 song in that aspect. Oddly enough, it's also comparable to the #3 song in terms of it switching the beat in the beginning. Just one of those odd things that you rarely see happen, so funny that it happens twice here. That aside, Showtime really goes in and demands your attention from the jump. Yung Tek finishes off the verse, but I was slightly disappointed with the verses. Not bad, but I've heard better from him. The hook works. Sticks in your head, but the lyricist in me doesn't like the "shine like the sun" line. Still flow and execution here over a great beat make this a fun song and well-deserving of a top 5 spot.

Great work by everyone this week. I have to applaud all the entrants this week for bringing some fantastic songs. I really have nothing to say after that, so I'll let the music speak for itself. See you back here next week!

N. Talekt

N. Talekt Presents: "Featuring... Me"

2011-06-07T11:15:00.003-04:00

Short and sweet: the "Featuring... Me" mixtape is now available for download everywhere! Get it from the following sites:

SoundClick.com: http://soundclick.com/NTalektFeaturingMe

Play the entire CD, learn about the artists on the mixtape, and get download links. Great source if you have a SoundClick.com account.

DatPiff.com: http://www.datpiff.com/N-Talekt-Featuring-Me-mixtape.238376.html

If you're on DatPiff.com, this is the link for you. Listen and download the entire CD. Due to limitation, track #3 may not fully play/download. Working on getting that straightened out.

Mic S. Music.com: http://mic-s-music.com/n-talekt/media/blogs/music/featuringme.html

Don't have a SoundClick.com or DatPiff.com account? Fine! A special thanks to Mic S. from SoundClick.com for hosting the website for me, you can listen and download the entire CD from there. Currently, the download is sponsored by zShare, but better, faster download links and formats will be available later in the week.

Enjoy!

N. Talekt

Week of 6/5: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-06-05T23:23:00.010-04:00

[6/5] NT's SoundClick Top 5

This was easily the most frustrating top 5 yet.

For all those extra plays on your songs last night, you're welcome. This week's entrants definitely had some nice tracks, but really everyone was about on par, sharing both strengths and weaknesses. Two songs stood out to me this week, and I literally spent hours re-playing those two songs trying to figure out who should take the top spot this week, I even delayed this posting a bit!

This week's selection came down to poise and creativity. How did the artists command the track, the beat, and the attention of the audience? What dynamics were introduced by the artist to separate their song from the rest of the pack? Who took risks? One of the closest top 5's yet, here's this week's picks.

Moose - Bad News (f/ Mr. Barkley & Mo)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10198815

Big Kannon - Dreamin' (f/ Britany Monet)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10700355

Jane G33 - Jukebox Joint
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10713873

Boss Game - Goin' Hard
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10700576

Chayse Maclair - A Free Download, No Tags
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10530609

Moose enlists Mr. Barkley and Mo to help deliver the "Bad News." Similar, but different from the Kanye West version, Moose and company go in on a well-produced track firing off stories of deceit and heartbreak, interluded by a auto-tuned hook. All three artists breathe life into this beat and the composition is on point, with a bridge placed perfectly towards the end, preluding the clean-up hitter who drives the track home. Quality is not perfect, but certainly good enough. Inarguably, this is a love it or hate it song, but the energy and passion behind this song wins me over and the dynamics inherent in the fact there are three different artists telling stories combined with a perfect backdrop with a changing beat sew this song up nicely. That elusive "it" factor wins this week. I actually played this song at G-Lotto's "Session One" listening party back in April, and it hasn't lost its flair since then.

Big Kannon's "Dreamin'" is a nice stroll down memory lanes that's sure to bring smiles and laughs to the listeners. With Britany Monet delivering on the hook, Kannon delivers three solid, consistent verses speaking on days past. This song is certainly something people can relate to and, for that reason, has great replay value. I like the way the stories are told and they transition well; this song definitely had time and thought put into it, and it certainly shows. The mixing is great, the lyrics work, the song bangs. The tiny flaw here is the cadence. The rhyme scheme and tone in this song rarely changes, making this track lull after a few listens. For me, either the beat or the rappers needs to change it up, give the singer a solo bridge, something to change the cadence. Still, an excellent work that's a must-listen.

Before I continue, I want to tip my hat to the top two. Both of you composed great songs, either of which could have topped the list, but a decision had to be made and that's where my head space was this week. Excellent work.

I'm going to say the same thing I said after last week's top two -- "so, how the hell do you follow those acts?" A simple answer, not easily. For me, it was a close call between the last three, but a bit of deliberation allowed Jane G33 to clearly grasp the #3 spot with the metaphor-laden "Jukebox Joint." From the needle's drop, you've got to love the jazzy, soulful, hip-hop song infusing into the beat. Jane's confident but laid back flow commands as she figuratively and literally breathes life into her joint. While it's a head-nodding listen that you've got to appreciate from both a musical and lyrical perspective, this track does have it's flaws. For a song of this caliber, the hook is lackluster, elementary, and too long. I wish I could place my finger on why, because simple hooks can and do work, but I think more energy would be needed to pull it off. Here, it's an awkward mix of lyrical prowess in the verses and over-simplicity in the refrain, the mesh doesn't really work. Still, a great track that lets Jane G33 shine and it's only a matter of time before she drops that banger to take #1.

The #4 spot was awarded to Boss Game, fresh off the release of his highly-anticipated mixtape, Rise and Grind, with another high-energy banger, "Goin' Hard." I must tip my hat to Boss Game for putting together a pretty decent hook. That said, the mix quality here is fairly low for a Boss Game track. The verses, however, command attention with some witty lines scattered about to keep the listeners' attention and keep the track enjoyable. Like the #2 and #3 tracks, this song could benefit from a bit of variation, but overall Boss Game nails it. Still, I am looking forward to hearing a different type of track from Boss Game. At this point, they're all starting to sound the same to me; and with songs like "Without You," "Since U Left," and "Lyrically," I know there's more in store than what I'm being presented with.

To conclude this week's top 5, Chayse Maclair releases his choke-hold on the #1 spot with a creative, dedicative effort in "A Free Download, No Tags." The concept is what it sounds like, a hot artist with little financials to spare looking to hop on some hot beats without the annoying tags. Can anybody relate? While Chayse always has a unique flow, the flow on this song goes a bit too far off at times, and sometimes he loses focus, putting more emphasis on keeping a rhyme scheme than keeping the topic. Still, I love the concept, it's fresh, the quality is nice, and it stays true to his form, keeping it real. That helps me as a listener better relate and believe the rest of his work, which is huge when it comes to taking that next step. While it may not be the best track on the list, Chayse is definitely showing his talents and is one to continue to watch.

And there's your top 5. Overall, I will say I'm pretty shocked. Entries I thought were sure shots didn't make the cut, and there was much more debate and deliberation this week just to get some kind of order. That said, it just means the music is getting better and that's a problem I can't complain about.

N. Talekt

Featuring... Me Preview Trailer

2011-06-02T11:14:00.005-04:00

With 17 tracks showcasing the skills of a variety of artists, "Featuring... Me" is bound to be a hit with something to everyone to enjoy. But don't just take my word for it -- while the mixtape drops this Tuesday, June 7, you can get your fix now with the YouTube preview trailer below. Enjoy!

Keep up to date with news and the release of the mixtape, as well as find out more about the artists on the mixtape at http://soundclick.com/NTalektFeaturingMe

N. Talekt

Week of 5/29: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-05-29T16:00:00.007-04:00

[5/29] NT's SoundClick Top 5

Hats off to everyone who successfully submitted a song to the top 5 this week. Every song offered something enjoyable and I can honestly say that it was very tough hashing out which songs would be in the top 5, let alone the order. A variety of tracks were submitted, from very heartfelt and touching to club bangers, hood style, alternative, and all in between.

With such stiff competition, this weeks competition came down to two things -- execution and replay value. Did you song do what it was set out to do? Did you perform well? Does the mix sound proper? And, more importantly, would I want to hear this song again? Again, the bar was set pretty high this week, which makes this week's top 5 selection that much more impressive:

Chayse Maclair - Always on the Outside
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10689237

picKOne - Dope
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10682378

Mr Showtime - When I Wake Up (W/ Yung Tek)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10687408

Moose - Fall in the Cracks
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10668795

Boss Game - I Be Goin' Off
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10677133

Chayse Maclair continues his stranglehold on the top spot this week with a creative and interesting track, "Always on the Outside." It's both the topic and the metaphorical foundation for this song, and a proper delivery over and exciting and dynamic beat give this song the lift it needs to earn it's spot. The storytelling lyrics here are not only on-point in the sense that they are well-written, but they also fit the beat, a tough task when a beat changes continually throughout. It begins from the perspective of a hard-working man facing a homeless beggar, then flips to the homeless man's perspective to tell an interesting tale, leaving the listener to side either way, both with compelling sides. The one misstep here I found -- I wish there was no hook in the middle, I would rather have the story continue and finish with a hook at the end. I understand why it was composed the way it was, and it works as-is, but that is an improvement I think would have made this that much better.

A close second, Jane G33 and Ackurate represent their group picKOne well with a lyrical banger, aptly named "Dope." Jane particularly bodies this track with some sharp, witty lyrics and wordplay. Ackurate complements well with great rhymes and grimy lyrics and they trade half-verses on a soulful head-bobbing beat that both takes you back and grabs you by the eardrum the second the track hits. The quality is great, though maybe the verses could have been a hair louder, but the one thing I think keeps this out the #1 spot this week is replay value. It's a fantastic listen (or three), but it's not the storytelling track that strums at your mind and conscious like the #1 track does. Overall, though, this was well put together and gives you a feel like this is what hip-hop should sound like.

So, how the hell do you follow those acts? A tough task indeed, but Mr. Showtime makes a great effort with "When I Wake Up." It's a rap about rapping (imagine that!), but it's actually well-done, with some witty lyrics and a touch of wordplay here and there. Like the #2 song, Mr. Showtime and his featured guest, Yung Tek, trade half-verses, particularly shining on the second verse (which sold me on it's top 5 spot). The quality here is good but the beat here puts a stamp on this one for me, awesome selection. The hook sounds great over it and it's got that "it" factor. It's certainly a love it or hate it or song, and you see which side I'm taking. It doesn't have the lyrical dexterity of the songs above, but it's definitely a fun listen.

A number of very personal tracks were submitted this week, and it's very hard for me to not select all of those as my top 5 because I have a personal bias toward tracks like that (though, of course, my top 5 is my top 5). That said, the one that shined the most for me this week was Moose's "Fall in the Cracks." It's got a solid hook that engages the listener and makes me somehow feel involved. The delivery needs a breath of life, but the lyrics are both solid and relate-able. I did not like how the song ended, a song like this needs a second hook to finish and a fade-out, not just a stop. Polish and presentation is key and these things can make a difference to the listener. Polish is one of those things no one really pays attention to when it's there, but when it's missing, you notice. So, while it may take more time that you care to put in at the time, it's worth it. It's the difference between great and good. Still, this song is good and earns a top 5 selection.

Probably the second-toughest pick this week (second only to choosing the #1 spot) was the #5 spot. There were a number of great songs that could have made it, but Boss Game's "I Be Goin' Off" showed the completeness, quality, and replay value necessary to make the top 5 this week. A quality, catchy hook interludes three verse with high energy and fun wordplay. It's an easy-going track, so don't expect your mind blown here, but it's quality and a good listen, and you'll be hard-pressed not to sing along. I do feel that the final verse needs a bridge before it to truly sew this song up; the beat makes it a bit difficult to get through that last one, but a solid hook eases that burden. Overall, a high-energy effort with just enough lyrical dexterity to keep me interested at a pace to match the fast-moving instrumental.

And that's my five for the week. Overall, an awesome selection to choose from and I felt the cream rose here. I was certainly impressed by every one's submissions and this was definitely one of the toughest weeks for me in terms of track selection. It's a good problem to have and I'm looking forward to more next week. Everyone upped their game this week, the quality is improving and the hard work is paying off. Once more, hats off to everyone who submitted this week.

N. Talekt

Week of 5/22: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-05-23T02:03:00.007-04:00

[5/22] NT's SoundClick Top 5

Some talented artists presented a full selection of music for me to choose the top 5 tracks for the week, and while I'm confident with my choices, there were a few close calls with the order. While I will preface by saying that there could be a bit of quality improvement in most of the tracks in terms of mixing, I thoroughly enjoyed the product after looking past these issues.

However, I hope that the mix quality continues to improve in the coming weeks. Half of delivering a solid track is in the performance, the other half is in the presentation - the mix. While I understand the struggles of the Soundclick.com artist in the department, hence I see past it, keep in mind that this will throw off some listeners and hurt you when it comes to reaching out to a broader audience.

That said, here's a very solid top 5 for the week.

Chayse MacLair - Just Breathe (f/ Boss Game)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10660166

Jonny B - Thank God I'm Me (f/ Jay Tres AKA Infinite Styles)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10661196

Jo-Kane - Up In The Club
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=9790449

Valo - Honorable Mention
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=8513429

Aztek - Can You Feel Me?
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10639145

The #1 and #2 spots really came down to quality, and the W in this department goes to Chayse Maclair's "Just Breathe." While it's not a track that will wow you with lyricism, for me, it has that all-elusive "it" factor. Chayse & his guest, Boss Game, deliver a very effective collaborate hook over a gritty, string-happy backdrop. Really, the beat is the grabber here and both Chayse and Boss deliver nicely, riding the beat both flawlessly and effortlessly. Chayse starts with a nice verse to get the song going and Boss Game finishes off nicely. A solid track that's enjoyable but, most importantly, has good enough quality to make my playlist.

Following that is an introspective effort from the ever-improving Jonny B, enlisting Infinite Styles to deliver a fire middle verse. This track has a very interesting beat and nice hook, something that I'm sure anyone can relate to and can be seen as somewhat of an anthem. It works well. Jonny delivers a couple of open and honest verses here that really let you into the man behind the mic. The main flaw in this track, though, comes apparent when the second verse drops. Hearing the clean, crisp quality of the second verse & hook highlight the poor mix of Jonny's verses. I'm not sure where the extra echo is coming from, but it seems like it was intended, as opposed to a poor mic. Lose that effect to make this more bearable. Or, maybe the backup vocals are off? Either way, get rid of it and this song get even better. Storytelling lyrics here are damn solid on all verse and are worth a few listens.

The #3 song is a very surprising song by Jo-Kane, "Up In The Club." From the onset of the song, I was a bit inclined to skip it, but I let it ride and was not disappointed. The beat is interesting, laid back, and very fitting for the overall track. Once the hook drops, though, I'm a bit disappointed. I thought it was just going to be a track talking about fine chicks in the club, which I've heard too many times to count. However, it's actually a quite complete story of a man visiting a strip club for the night, detailing what happens and, most focally, how it affects his relationship with his girlfriend. It concludes with an internal debate that shows all sides of the narrator, which I won't spoil here. What I'm getting at is that it's an interesting story that makes you want to continue to listen and find out where it goes. So, two spots to improve here. First, I was hoping for a third verse to really wrap the story. While I can guess what happens by the way the second verse ends, a third would have really cleaned it up and put a bow on this track. Second, of course, is mix quality. I have heard more recent work from Jo-Kane so I know this can improve. Regardless, a surprisingly tight track.

Valo slips a spot this week to #4 with the eerie yet ugly truth presented in "Honorable Mention." While I'm not really sure what the hook was talking about (sorry, didn't get it), the verses were solid lyrically. The stories were well-written and true to life, which I can appreciate. Listening to some other Valo tracks, you can tell he's certainly a good storyteller. The quality here wasn't bad, just turn up the vocals a tad. The actually delivery of the verses, though, was a bit muffled and hard to understand. I think it was speech clarity failing here more than the mix. It took a bit of effort to hear each word and decipher what was being said. Was great when I heard the words, but I shouldn't have to work to do so. It's hard to have both emotion and good delivery on a song like this, but it has to be done.

Wrapping up the top 5 this week is "Can You Feel Me?" by Aztek. What saved this track from slipping out of the top 5 was the beat and the hook. The verse were well-written and worked well with each other. It was definitely a track that had replay value, and whomever sung the hook did a great job with this. However, I can certainly tell this was done in two different studios. The auto-tune effect on the verse is overdone and does not match the artist. Actually, I think the song would sound just fine without any auto-tune because the artist has a deep voice. Typically, higher-pitched voices sound a bit better with those effects. Getting past the mix yields an interesting story of a borderline-psycho man who refuses to let go of his woman -- at any costs. The vibe from this track is also head-nodding and the smooth delivery of the verse works. Overall, a solid track worth the listens.

And there's your top 5 for the week. Certainly some songs here for your playlists despite some missteps with the mix quality in some tracks. I think the storytelling in a few of the songs was very well done and I'm digging the thought behind the words. I'm hoping for more of the same next week.

N. Talekt

Week of 5/15: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-05-17T11:12:00.004-04:00

Have I mentioned I love hip hop lately? I think artists, myself included, spend a lot of time complaining about the state of hip hop, but what I like an appreciate about the music is that it has a lot of different aspect and sub-genres, styles and messages, all which offer something different while at the same time being enjoyable. With that, I present a very interesting top 5 for the week.

Boss Game - It's All G
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10606189

Mike Game Music - Get Down
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10649603

Valo the Inovata - Storyteller
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=8330651

Mod D - Still Ridin' Clean
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10593425

He Man Huff - Watch What U Say (f/ Thuggy Fresh)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10643355

This week, Boss Game "SLAP!"s you in the face (play the track, you'll get it) with a banging track titled "It's All G." Frankly, it's not different than anything I've heard before, but I think that the beat, lyrics, and flow actually present a *feeling* that represents what the song is talking about. The "it" factor plays a role in here garnering the #1 spot. It really reminds me of something I'd hear Paul Wall (big Paul, not skinny Paul) rapping about, and if you've listened to him, you know he's really hit or miss. This track is on the good side of that. Finally, the actual composure of the track is well done, in terms of the mixing of both the hook and the verses. This attention to details makes for not just a good track, but a complete song, which you don't always find on Soundclick, so you have to appreciate the time put into the work.

Follow that up with "Get Down," presented by Mike Game Music. This track has a nice bounce to it with some aggressive lyrics to complement. The third verse shines for me with some nice rhymes and is an overall thumbs up track. I think the hook should have had actual words over the sample, though, but it's not bad as-is. Wordplay here was also interesting, but the filler lacked a bit of substance which sort of gave off a "why am I listening to this" feel. That's where the third verse comes in and brings back some much-needed focus to the song and probably the best verse lyrically. Overall, this assault with a barrage of lyrics that stands tall in the top 5, but a slight lull in the middle & a craving for a hook has me asking for a bit more.

"StoryTeller" by Valo the Inovata is a strong track that, as the name suggests, tells a story -- or two. My first gripe here is the mix quality. This track would be a lot stronger with better quality, and I feel that attention to detail is necessary for a track like this. The second verse sounded (quality-wise) better than the first, so if you could sync that up, this would be even better. Despite that, the stories are strong and clear. One thing I noticed was the lyrics were a bit overly simple for me. I understand that with stories, clarity trumps being lyrical, but at the same time, it was a bit too "club to the head" for me. I think some details could have been fleshed out more. One thing people tend to do when telling stories when they are inexperienced with it is skip out on details that they themselves are fully aware of. Your audience at least needs some backdrop and information about these personal stories in order to become invested and relate to the track. That said, it's still a powerful track, if nothing else, for a magnificent backdrop provided by the beat, and even with the flaws, it still shines.

Mod D's "Still Ridin' Clean" was originally slated to round out the top 5 this week, but after another listen, I bumped it up to #4. For me, this was the most disappointing track in the list, but not for the obvious reasons. The song itself is pretty much (mercifully) 32 bars and a hook about getting head, not obvious from the song title. If you thought Royce da 5'9" talked about his manhood a lot, well ... you haven't heard anything yet. The disappointing thing for me here is that the lyrics and especially the flow are actually on-point, interesting rhymes and some wordplay here and there actually keep the song interesting throughout, despite the subject matter. It makes me want to hear this rapper actually rap about something. I feel like he has a talent and a chance to break out and shine based on his work here, and I challenge him to take on a broader range of topics that do more than scratch the surface and review topics we've heard a thousand times. Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel like he has a lot more to offer than we were shown with this outing. That said, the song, though something I've heard before, works well and has a smooth feel to it; I feel like the artist accomplished what he set out to do with the track, so that earns points. Again, this track just gives me a "tip of the iceburg" feeling that makes me demand more.

He Man Huff & Thuggy Fresh present a T.I.-esque warning with "Watch What You Say" to round out the top 5. A laconic, but fitting, hook does the warning, interluding verses going into further discussion of specifics. The first verse stands out at the best of this track but the second Thuggy Fresh hops on the mic, I kind of lose patience. Keep in mind, the mix here was distracting already, so the ice was already thin. The reason, for me, is because the lyrics were exact lines I've heard time and time again, and the mix make him sound a bit goofy; it's too offsetting against the other verse & hook for me. Regardless, while this song is not my particular cup of tea, I think that the target audience will feel it after a bit of attention to the mixing. As-is, it lacks the replay value and originality to make it bang.

Overall, as I said at the beginning, hip hop has always been about expression and diversity, and I think the top 5 delivers on that, from tracks based on lyrical assault to riding anthems, from stories to hood rap, I think there is room for it all when it is done well. The goal is really to represent and relate to your audience, and despite the flaws in some of the tracks, I think everyone does a good job in that aspect. Of course, there is room for improvement everywhere, but as a listener, I can appreciate the work and applaud the entrants.

Look forward to next week!

N. Talekt

Week of 5/8: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-05-09T01:53:00.003-04:00

This week gave some tough decisions as to the top five ordering, but for me, the final verdicts came down to replay value. What song would I play again? Here's the rather enjoyable list for the week:

He Man Huff - It's All On Me
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10608381

Boss Game - The Way I Be
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10598697

Chayse MacLair - I Aint Tossin In the Towel Remix
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10606870

Stat Boi - No Lie (f/ Jamar and Deshawanna)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10597267

Mic S. - I Am Just a Monster (f/ Boss Game & N. Talekt)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10610473

This week, He Man Huff snatches the top spot with "It's All On Me." Why? Simple: replay value. A simple track with three verses with storytelling lyrics cover personal topics for the artist in a way the listener can relate to. The hook ties the stories together well, just as a good hook should. The quality could be better mix-wise, put getting past that, the track is great. A big part of having a successful track is being able to have your audience not just enjoy your music, but feel you music. The more they can personalize their experiences with your music, the more they crave your work.

A close second this week comes with a rawkus Boss Game track, "The Way I Be." The beat drops and you can't help but nod your head. Boss rides the beat well here and the rest really takes care of itself. It's a track that sounds official, I could hear it in the car, the radio, the club. The quality is great, even the introductory ad-libs, which is typically where Boss Game's tracks falter. The single issue I had with this song was length and variation. I felt like there should have been a bridge and a third verse. That would have made this song out the park, giving it the variation it needs to be dynamic and repeat-able. As is, it's pretty cool, just missing the edge.

Right up there with the previous two is Chayse MacLair's effort. This track discusses Chayse's refusal to, well, toss in the towel. Chayse carries himself on the mic in a confident, consistent way that makes all of his tracks have potential for breakout success. This is no different. AllRounda supplies a nice backdrop and Chayse keeps the witty, interesting lyrics coming. The quality is pretty good, better than He Man Huffs but not quite as good as Boss Game. I think the bridge here, a missing link in Boss Game's track, was a swing and a miss -- good idea, wasn't feeling the execution.

Between these three tracks, it's hard to say which one shines the most. I would say pick a day, and I may give you a different answer. Today, at this moment, this order is how it shakes out. But frankly, it's a toss up. Chayse did an excellent job with his song this week, Boss Game's song had me rockin, and I was feelin' He Man's topics of discussion. Great job to the top 3 this week.

Now, the four spot is more clearly the four this week; don't get me wrong, I think it may have ranked higher on a less competitive week, but not on this occasion. Overall, the quality is ok, not bad, not perfect, from Stat Boi & company. The song is something to smoke to (which I don't, so maybe that's why I don't relate), with a well-delivered, but nonsensical hook. The verses were a bit pedestrian here, but I'm not sure if that wasn't on purpose. I was expecting a bit more from the girl, but she seemed to put her delivery on cruise control (could also be a mixing fail). Overall, the song comes out solid & I think the target audience would enjoy it, but not my cup of tea here.

For the final spot, a bias choice here rounds out the list with Mic S.'s psychotic track "I Am Just a Monster." Everyone goes in and delivers some nasty verses over a pounding, eerie beat. A fresh sound and a good outing overall.

As always, nice work this week by everyone, especially to the top three this week. Again, a tough decision that could have shaken out in a number of different variations, and I went back and forth with it for some time, but again, after listening to the track multiple times, the one that wore off the least was the one I left atop for today. I expect more of the same next week.

N. Talekt

Week of 5/1: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-05-01T13:08:00.004-04:00

A pretty low-activity week this week, but still managed to carve out five songs that you should give a spin this week on SoundClick.com:

Jonny B - Set Me Free (f/ Chayse MacLair)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10573021

The True Bonanza - Love Knocked Me Down
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10583118

Rah Scrilla - Can't Miss This Show (On In Five)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10371640

Boss Game - On Top
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10541680

Established Dons - Killing Spree (f/ G-Lotto)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10544565

This week, Jonny B moves up from #5 to #1 with "Set Me Free," a heart-felt tale about love, family, and personal demons. Piercing lyrics and a commanding beat make this song really stick out, and Chayse does what he does providing a smooth hook to bridge Jonny's tale. It's a story we all can relate to, and Jonny provides witty yet well-written lyrics with interesting rhymes to tell the story. Very nice work here; while the selection was small this week, I think regardless, this track would have been top 3 easily amongst a number of competitors.

A gem found amidst the beat promotions, open collabs, and peep my track threads was The True Bonanza's "Love Knocked Me Down." It's well-deserving of some attention, but as of this writing, hasn't gotten any. The song is very well put together, the mixing is decent, and the lyrics are nice. I think the hook is a bit cheesy and some of the rhymes are forced, and words unnatural, but the verses are pretty good, especially the second verse. A confident performance here with a well-delivered hook and great beat make this a great listen, deserving of a spot on the list.

The rest of the tracks are also good listens. Rah Scrilla's "Can't Miss This Show" is aptly named. Witty lyrics woven into a nice anthem for his fanbase make this a standout track for me. Boss Game's "On Top" kinda falls short on the hook, but the verses are smooth and the beat works. Rounding out the list is "Killing Spree", basically one of my tracks to fill the list but a good listen nonetheless and brings something different to the table in relation to the rest of this week's selection.

As always, nice work this week by everyone, happy to see the good work coming out, and I'll be back next week with more...

N. Talekt

Week of 4/24: SoundClick.com Hip-Hop Top 5

2011-04-24T21:52:00.004-04:00

This was a tough list to whittle down. Each artist brings a completely different style, voice, production quality, energy, and perspective. It's hard to compare them against each other, so I went with the songs that I enjoyed personally. Here's this week's list...

Boss Game - Wat Tha Move Is
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10541679

Chayse Maclair - The Best Fan on the Planet
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=9868611

He Man Huff - I've Changed (f/ Mr. Showtime & Kendra)
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10540897

Dirty Dollar - Hustle & Grind
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10515262

Jonny B - Dream Girl
http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10408974

Boss Game has the stand out track this week, with commanding tone, presence, and energy. He utilizes a slow and double-timed flow in his verses over a pounding beat with a menacing hook playing the role of interlude. Nicely done. The rest of the tracks are also fun listens, especially Chayse Maclair's. It's a interesting story with great lyricism and a nasty Anno Domini beat. Next, despite a few miscues, "I've Changed" by He Man Huff and friends is a very nice track to bang that's enjoyable and relate-able. Similarly, Dirty Dollar's "Hustle & Grind" delivers tons of energy with relate-able, familiar music but with an unfamiliar delivery, energy, and performance.

Rounding out the list in a very hotly contested #5 slot is Jonny B's "Dream Girl." This was by far the toughest choice for the list because the final three all had great strengths and weaknesses. I ended up choosing this one because, for me, it had the most replay value. Maybe the luck of the draw for Jonny choosing a song with a great hook, or finding someone to collab with to put a great hook on there (I recall hearing a shout-out), but that plus a great, non-sappy, beat did it for me here. The other candidates actually had very strong songs but, for me, the replay value was not as high as this one.

Still, a great outing for the week, and I encourage you to check the entire list of submissions for hearing some fantastic tracks that you can tell had a lot of hard work and time put into them.

Back next week with more...

The full review rundown is here:
http://board.soundclick.com/viewtopic.php?t=362234

N. Talekt

Song Review: Rihanna - Russian Roulette

2009-10-24T02:12:00.013-04:00

Review: Rihanna's Russian Roulette

Featured On: PrefixMag.com

http://www.prefixmag.com/media/rihanna/russian-roulette-mp3/33856/

Alright, first things first; let me get this out the way because, quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing it...

Yes, the song is dark.

There. Take that in. I refuse to turn this blog into a rant (maybe later!) but I will say that just because a song has a dark or somber tone does not automatically disqualify it from being enjoyable. There's a time and place for everything, that included. Now if this was a summertime single, I could be more receptive to the complaints but it's wintertime, it's cold outside. Bring on the darkness!

Then again, this is the opinion of a guy who's last CD was entitled "So Cold" so take that with a grain of salt...

Now regarding the song, it's hot. It's fresh. And I think that combination really sews up my anticipation for her album, Rated R. Rihanna has consistently kept herself in my CD deck (er, iTunes library, this is 2009) because she continually puts out fresh music with interesting angles. The content is such that many can relate to and comprehend, but she and her team approach her work from unique angles which makes her songs interesting to say the least.

Russian Roulette is no different. A slight glimpse between the lines of this song will give you a pretty clear view of the underlying message (which I will leave for the avid reader to interpret for themselves), but the angle she approaches dressing that message with this sort of theme is fantastic.

The technique is also nearly perfect. Light piano keys complement the strong bass drums cleverly mimicking a heartbeat. Familiar cymbals add exclamation points to a very strong chorus of orchestral instruments that bolsters, but doesn't overtake, Rihanna's strong performance. The final icing on the cake here is the deep chilling breaths that Rihanna takes at the beginning and end of the song, signing, sealing, and delivering an impressive front-running effort for her upcoming album.

Of course, with all the reviews I post here, I advise you to give the song a listen and form your own opinion. But it's certainly worth the play. Enjoy!

N. Talekt

(Update: YouTube link died, found a live link.)

New Release: Rah Scrilla - "Pushed Back"

2009-10-08T22:50:00.005-04:00

Yes, y'all, Established Dons are at it again!

My partner in rhyme, Rah Scrilla, has released his latest project, aptly titled "Pushed Back." After a bit of a hiatus, he's back in the booth and is looking to become a steady force. Keep an eye on him in the fourth quarter, and check out his mixtape, "Pushed Back!"

Rah Scrilla - "Pushed Back"
http://soundclick.com/rahscrilla

Or listen here:

Now playing: Rah Scrilla

N. Talekt

Kanye West Doesn't Care About Taylor Swift

2009-09-14T01:21:00.003-04:00

Was just reading about both the Kanye West and Serena Williams situations and I'm just shaking my head, felt like weighing in. It's more of a monologue but feel free to comment...

Really, I don't even want to discuss right-or-wrong. Quite simply, and inarguably, Kanye West was wrong for what he did. It was immature and unprofessional; distasteful and unbecoming conduct of someone in his position. However, so was his ever-so-acclaimed statement that "George Bush doesn't care about Black people."

My issue is, why are people so shocked and appalled now? It seems legions of people are (at least publicly) turning away from him and his music over it, even though this is the way he's been his entire career. He is who he is, and those are things that Kanye does, as we should have come to expect by now. Not saying it's something to accept, but it's expected.

The other part of the ordeal is that people are actually rejecting his public apology, saying it's unreliable and backhanded. After reading it, I disagree. Kanye understands he was wrong for what he did and is apologizing for it, but he's not apologizing for being who is his or for what he said. He meant what he said but apologizes for doing it in the wrong place and at the wrong time.

Bottom line: let Kanye be Kanye. If you rock with him, rock with him; if you don't, don't. But I just find it crazy that people are letting this be the defining moment where they force Kanye to walk the plank.

I guess I'll also comment on Serena while I'm at it. Clearly, she lost her temper. But the official know how emotionally invested atheletes of her caliber playing at this level can get, and the least the official could have done was admonish her with a verbal warning, try to calm her, something. No person wants a tournament to end in a default decision. I just think Serena letting her emotion get the best of her was unfortunate and unprofessional, but at the same time, the official should have understood the situation and not have essentially completely disqualified her. A clear example of the old addage that "two wrongs don't make a right."

N. Talekt

Links:
- Article on the Kanye West Situation
- Serena Williams Loses It

Apology Unnecessary

2009-08-22T13:57:00.004-04:00

This is somewhat unrelated to music, but it hits home personally and if you know my music, you know how closely my personal life can get woven into it...

So, as you probably heard by now, an apology has been formally issued for slavery and all its injustices. While I understand what they are trying to accomplish, that's one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

While I could rant about my stance on the matter, I think most of my thoughts have been summed up quite nicely in an article I found written by Katrina Browne (a White woman, which will be apparent as you read my snippets):

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/19/browne.slavery/index.html

A particular point that stood out to me:

"It now feels really natural to want to express regret -- not an apology (that's for institutions; Congress was right to step forward) but deep regret and sadness about what happened, fellow citizen to fellow citizen. I try to imagine what it would be like if we went so far as to extend tenderness toward each other. We could actually all use more of it when we're talking about race, racism and anything to do with slavery.
"Instead, we are full of protestations, distrust, dismissiveness, resentments. For those of us who are white, what's the resistance really about? It may be, at core, that we don't want to feel guilty or blamed or responsible for the outrage of slavery. I didn't.
"But here's the funny thing: While we white Americans are busy establishing our innocence, it turns out that many black Americans are not personally angry at us for slavery. Many do want authentic acknowledgement of what happened, but not for the sake of guilt-tripping. I've witnessed a generosity of spirit that I have been humbled by.
"Meanwhile, many African-Americans are upset about the disparate outcomes that persist and want to see everyone step up to address them. There are so many lingering "structural inequalities," as President Obama put it -- ones without clear racist villains but that are embedded, like the fact that schools are funded with property taxes, so poor black neighborhoods, the legacy of earlier eras of discrimination, are not able to fund the quality schools that we say all our children deserve."

I think the last paragraph of that drives home exactly why I think the apology is useless. "I'm sorry" is not going to bring better schools to poor neighborhoods. "I'm sorry" is not going to give me access to those "certain" jobs that seem to continue to be dominated by the same group. "I'm sorry" is not going undo the labeling and stereotypes derived from racism that cause men to empty 59 shots into a man lying on the ground.

I understand the motives of the apology, I just think it was a waste of time and effort. We all know it was wrong, and understand that the lines of communication need to be opened. However, time and effort is better spent addressing the effects of slavery today instead of apologizing for yesterday.

My feeling is that I was never enslaved, so I can not even begin to attest to knowing what it was like to be in that position, and doing so would be ignorant and disrespectful. But I do know that my life has been heavily influenced by my ancestors and my position in society has been shaped largely by that same history.

To close, I want to note that I am not blind to the progress being made. Barack Obama is indeed the Jackie Robinson of this era. However, I look to the position of the common Joe and feel there is much more to be attained.

Much more than which an apology will suffice.

NT

Happy 24th Birthday!

2009-07-06T10:17:00.003-04:00

Feels like only yesterday I was living the college student life, wondering why time moved so slowly, with my only concern being what time would I walk to the cafeteria and why hadn't that girl called me back yet.

Then I realize that was years ago, and on the heels of 24, 25 on the horizon, wondering where exactly all my time went.

Ok, so I'm not as elderly as I feel sometimes, but while the birthday has been cause for celebration, there's so many goals I've had that have so far gone unattained. And I wish I had more hours in the day to do them, but I also look back and realize just how much time I've wasted, and how many opportunities I've squandered.

This year, though, I will try not to look at it as another year gone; rather, another year given. I feel that now, more than ever, I'm seeing clearly, the valleys and peaks that are trials and tribulation have been, at least for now, replaced with the plains of clarity, leaving a void aptly named Space and Opportunity.

A void that I'll gladly fill.

I'll end with a classic Established Dons track ... it does scare me to think this was over 6 years ago, but it certainly endured the test of time.

Happy Birthday to all my July 6 born!

NT

Say Goodbye to the Bad Guy

2009-06-25T23:25:00.004-04:00

Where were you when you heard Michael Jackson died?

"Floored" only faintly describes how I felt when I learned about the death of the undisputed King of Pop. The wave of shock sent among the country today was phenomenal, with a gravity that I don't think even the death of the Pope or our beloved Barack Obama could even potentially match.

You get the feeling that you lost a close friend, or even a family member. Speaking for myself, I grew up listening to "Thriller," "Bad," and "Dangerous," three of the most acclaimed music aggregations ever. Ever. In fact, I remember getting a new cassette player either for my birthday or Christmas, and the first tape I put in there was "Dangerous." Later on, I went back to the past to hear more of what he had to offer and, like a fine wine, it only got better with time.

I will admit, after "Dangerous," I did not listen to much of Jackson's work. I haven't even seen the entire Jackson 5 movie in one sitting yet ... though I can guarantee I've seen all of it in pieces. I'm sure that will be changed at some point soon. However, I think the reason his death was so staggaring is because Michael defined our generation as much or more than Elvis defined his. Not just his music, but his flamboyant and extravagant lifestyle bewildered and inspired much of what you see today.

Now yeah, I'mma say it -- whether or not Michael actually touched those kids is up in the air, right up there will whether R. Kelly peed on that girl. But Michael did touch millions of lives across the world. The proof in that is simply his record-breaking sell-out concerts he had lined up across Europe. Michael could have never made another song and still sold out any arena in the world. His music and talents were universal and unmatched.

The thing I will remember about him was his unique in every sense of the word. Yes, I know the moonwalk wasn't all his, but give him credit for perfection and popularization. His other trademarks -- the hats, the glove, the nut-clutch, and the "Hee-hee!" are still and will continue to be timeless memories of the one and only. His music was the definition of classic. Timeless hits like "Thriller" make Michael the quintessential example of a true musical artist.

However, all good things must come to an end. After 50 years on this Earth, Michael Jackson leaves us with what few artist will ever bestow, yet so many aspire and fail to do -- many classic hits, timeless memories, and gossip to last for years. A controversial figure, Michael will not be forgotten. He paved his own lane in music and will forever be known as the King of Pop.

No matter how you feel about him personally, his contributions to the music industry can not be denied, and his imprint on our generated has been solified. He made Thriller, y'all...

Thriller.

Condolences to his loved ones, may he rest in peace. Thank you.

- N. Talekt

Steve Harvey on Michael Jackson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC6k_YY4qLo

My Top 5 Favorites:

5) Beat It:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uqxo1SKB0z8

4) Thriller:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-TZnNXXQrI

3) Billie Jean:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En-cHBv7UpA

2) Remember the Time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDxsM5jLNxM

1) Smooth Criminal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex30DYwQlHU

Close Runner-Ups:

Black or White:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI9OYMRwN1Q

Dirty Diana:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Hg-IRZk4D0

Hear More:

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=michaeljackson&view=videos

Go out and support good music.

The Rhythm of the Music

2009-06-18T23:22:00.002-04:00

So, I think I've finally figured out why I find music so healing.

My theory is that it's one of the only things that brings some sort or rhythm to my otherwise rhythmless and unpredictable life.

It's been a while since I've been able to sit down and write a blog which almost makes me want to get a Twitter account, as I can handle quickie updates a bit more easily. I haven't been sitting idly, far from it, but I'm hoping to find some time soon to get back behind the mic.

Just wanted to come on here and say that life can certainly deal you some cards you don't expect, you've just gotta play 'em out.

Be back soon, keep music alive.

N. Talekt

So Cold Now Available!

2009-02-03T10:04:00.004-05:00

Good day!

So Cold is now available! If you are a member of BustMyRhyme.com, you can download it and an exclusive bonus track from http://ntalekt.bustmyrhyme.com. You can also download it at http://www.soundclick.com/NTalektSoCold.

I've got player below, but you can download it all for yourself at either site mentioned. The download includes full artwork, lyrics, and more!

Enjoy, and thank you for your support!

Now playing: N. Talekt - So Cold

N. Talekt

Song Review: N. Talekt - Diamond

2009-02-02T01:04:00.002-05:00

So, here's a twist. I've been receiving some pretty favorable reviews for the "Diamond" track from So Cold (which releases tomorrow!) but a recent one just really hit home for me. I don't want to belittle any of the other reviews I've received over the past couple months, as I appreciate them all, but I felt like this reviewer definitely saw what I was trying to accomplish and was able to give an in-depth review because he so thoroughly understood the song.

_______________

Larry Ludwick's Reviews: "Diamond":

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7111740

Summary Opinion

So I cheated. I guess since my review list takes quite a while to complete, some of the people near the end might have many of their pieces reviewed by others before I jump in. By this time when I am getting to review N.Talekt, I have seen other reviews of ‘Diamond’. No matter, I hope I give my own perspective in reviewing where I get as close to the artist as the artist is willing to get close to the listener.

There is always a question for a creator about how much you want to put yourself out there for all to see. Letting it all out can be cathartic (cleansing). There are others that might think opening up, literally exposing your guts, can make you vulnerable especially in the fairly hard mindset of Hip Hop music. And let’s face it, if you expose yourself and get feedback that is dismissive or even cold, you are being injured as deeply as you can be because you don’t have a protective shell up. An artist can choose to not deal with personal subjects or to mask the message in mystery lyrics.

N Talekt takes the open approach and I hope this has helped him with his life. I think this is a good choice for him because he writes well … I say, really well. The mark of a good writer, and I have to say particularly in Hip Hop, is someone who uses words for the meaning they convey and not as mere filler or the way to complete a rhyme. I listen to N Talekt’s story in this song and I find I have to hear every word because nothing is a throwaway. He is a talented writer which is borne out by most of the songs on his page.

Genre in Soundclick and the world again steps in to confuse musical selection rather than to help. When you think of Hip Hop, you come down normally with a narrow view of what can be done and how it is done. You expect a driving beat, hooky hooks, fire-paced spitting, and generally posturing and bragging. So much of Hip Hop fills that definition that I feel the great writing and performing is exactly as the opening of this song suggests. The diamonds are hidden in the dirt. ‘The diamond in the dirt that ain’t been found.’

N Talekt seems to keep the throttle pulled back, don’t expect to be carried along by the percussive drive at breakneck speed. This is a good thing because this gives you a chance to hear what he is saying. No lyrics provided, but I find everything pretty clean and clear. The song is about some hard details of life that literally stopped N Talekt from producing his music. I find it hard to imagine cutting off the outlet that usually gives meaning to your life when you most need it. Yet, the same thing happened to me …loss can be like a blow to the chest that stuns you and stops the breathing process. In the true depression that can follow loss, the things that seemed so meaningful can seem frivolous or meaningless. Hopefully time provides healing and you can come back to address what has happened after a quiet period of introspection. I think N Talekt has done this. This is a great thing because now he has something with which to touch us all because the message is universal.

Even if he had not done such a good job of producing and creating this piece, it would have been worth hearing. Happily it is also well done and catches you by the throat if you are willing to be as vulnerable as the artist. For myself and for N Talekt, I will say not to be troubled because these loved ones are with you … I don’t mean just in memory… they are with you and you know it.

Production

The opening has a technique that I am not sure is successful if I interpret it correctly. The song begins with the statement of the hook, which is just fine, but behind it there is some delivery with a telephone filter. It is actually the first lines of the lyric, which are then repeated at full dynamics:

Ask me how I’m doin if I’m breathing then I can’t complain
It’s difficult to get a leg up when you’ve got an ankle sprain.

This is just a minor thing. The technique is called ‘the zoom’ … you start with something distant to get someone listening closely and when they are leaning forward, you shift to full volume, dynamics, etc… It makes the ‘zoom in’ to full dynamics so much more dynamic. Hmmm… my problem with this example is that the hook is interfering with comprehension of those telephonic lines. It would have been better to bring down the hook or wait until it ended to just have the lines by themselves. This is really minor, but then again I do get to mention a technique that almost any producer can use.

What else, well nothing then, because there is nothing wrong here and much is very good. No lyrics, but I don’t need them. I love to see lyrics as a reviewer, but lets face it … if a general listener needs a lyric sheet, then you have a problem with your mix. So thanks to N Telekt for understanding that listeners want to understand what is being said especially in Hip Hop.

I don’t know who is responsible for the backing track, but it really suits the feel of this song well. The drums establish a strict beat but have a swing in the kick that is somber. The music has a soulful reserve that supports the serious theme.

The mix is balanced pretty much as well as you could want. Every element is in place, the effects are tasteful and no element steps out of the mix.

Music

Hip Hop is usually backing and verbiage. I get into N Telekt’ delivery immediately. He delivers some switched up wordage that could sound squeezed in if he slipped up, but he does not take a single misstep. There is a laidback feel to the song but the words come fast. Despite this pace, N Telekt gets real emotion into his delivery. Not the normal anger associated with Hip Hop, but a sense of real pain being brought to the surface.

The music in the backing is reserved, soulful, and even funeral in pace and feel.

Content

The notes on the song state that this piece explains a hiatus that N Telekt has taken from producing his music. I have already discussed the effect of personal tragedy on the music that can often help us deal with the blows of life and how some blows are stunning.

Just to state it starkly and out in the open, this is purely well written. It is not hype or flash, but just writing that deserves and rewards with attention to the meaning.

There are two points woven into this song. The first is about Hip Hop and the competition aspect of it all. It basically comes down to saying this competition makes Hip Hop look like a game lacking any serious purpose. N Telekt feels that this form of music should deal with the depth of life rather than shallow bragging rights and one-upmanship. The final lines can be misleading if you don’t think about what they are saying:

The last thing I worried about
Is impressin’ y’all
True kings don’t demand respect
You respect the don.

This sounds like normal bragging rights Hip Hop chatter, but the meaning is almost elusive. N Talekt is saying he does not care about impressing his listeners because there are other more important things on his mind. This is a direct slap to all Hip Hop types concerned with the big flash sound without content. Secondly he is stating that if you have to ask for or demand respect, then you don’t deserve it. It is more a matter of getting respect for what you are … respect that is given freely having been earned.

The second point of this song is to tell a personal story of N Telekt’s struggles with the kicks of life. You are in a particularly hard place to be when you are crushed by the multiple losses of loved ones and when you now become the rock that has to support the family. The trouble with all this is you get everyone else through, but in the end you suffer the deepest trauma. You eventually realize that you need support too, but there is only the dependency of others.

Just as I realized when my music returned that I was on the road to my recovery, I sincerely hope this is the same sign for N Telekt.

_________________

Listen to "Diamond":

Larry Ludwick's music can be found at:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=823722

It is a mixture of Electronica, New Age, Smooth Jazz and even some Classical.

N. Talekt

Official So Cold Tracklist

2009-01-28T01:50:00.002-05:00

The art will be out by the end of the week, but I've finally decided on the tracklist, and it's as follows:

Intro
Award Tour
Stay a While
Talk It Over
So Cold
Diamond
To the Sky
Gave My All
Keep Dreaming
I'm Back (Bonus)

While there may be other bonus tracks, the above are 100% confirmed and ready to go.

Why these tracks? They all tell a pretty complete story together while not becoming overly repetitive or boring. Each track builds upon a whole story, a complete picture, discussing everything I've been dealing with.

There's almost two tales being told by this mixtape, distinctly separated (which you'll easily pick up when you hear the mixtape), but by hearing the first tale, you have a deeper appreciation for the second.

A number of other tracks were recorded for this that simply did not make it, and I'm not sure when nor if I will release them. If you've been following my music, then you know that a good deal of what I write never makes it on record, and I'm perfectly fine with that. I'll keep you posted on those. While I'm happy with the tracks that didn't make it, they didn't particularly fit the story or add anything substantial that wasn't already there.

I'm very excited about this project and hope that it won't be another three years before I put another one together! If you've heard all the tracks released from So Cold so far, you know I've got the creative juices flowing and I'm hoping to continue that and release some fresh new tracks soon, and continue to push the envelope.

Ah, it's gonna be a cold winter...

N. Talekt

Song Review: Eileen M. - Empty Apologies

2009-01-27T01:07:00.002-05:00

Review for: Eileen M's "Empty Apologies"

Featured on: Soundclick.com

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7252260

I miss the old days.

Nowadays you're pretty hard pressed to find quality R&B that's not over some over-hyped hip-hop infused drama called an instrumental. Not to say that it's all bad, as I enjoyed the dynamic it created on As I Am by the one and only you-know-who.

Today, I was lucky enough to come across Eileen M's "Empty Apologies." As you can expect, its a song about deceit, shortcomings, and regret. Musically, bass drums and simple piano guide us through her story that, sure, we've all heard before, but that doesn't mean it's not worth listening once more. A tease of strings also bring back a slight classical nostalgia, which makes this song drift away from its contemporary counterparts I alluded to before. Lyrically, this is actually fairly maturely written for an "underground" artist. The song structure is consistent and shows good discipline, all the while Eileen keeps the song fresh and interesting. The hook is sultry and captivating, actually very well done. I personally would have engineered it a bit different but this certainly works well.

That said, the performance, like much "underground" music, is raw, so you'll get a couple notes and lyrics that aren't as polished as they could be, mainly in the verse sections. There could be touch-ups here and there but the reason I'm vague about these points is simple because it's just not enough to take away from the song.

With polish, I feel like this song could be quite outstanding. Without it, it's very good. The quality is actually just fine, even on the higher notes (yes, there are higher notes, Eileen does display some of her range on this song, leaving me to believe there's actually more to uncover). Just the details, like the notes I mentioned and actually finishing the song off, would make this complete as it deserves to be.

And it also deserves a listen. So, enjoy:

N. Talekt

Update: So Cold Tracklist Tomorrow!

2009-01-26T20:50:00.002-05:00

Wanted to update you guys on So Cold. Tomorrow will indeed be the last Tuesday you'll have to live your life without So Cold available to you! :) And on that day, I'll release the official tracklisting.

Let me tell you the story of the life of a true perfectionist. I've got nearly four hours of music sitting here that I could have thrown on this mixtape, but I have decided to whittle it down to a mere 9 tracks, just over thirty minutes. It's not that I dislike the other songs; rather, I either don't feel like it's just right or it doesn't fit the mixtape, or it's too personal. Regardless, it's going to be a short mixtape, but it will definitely be quality tracks that I'm sure (er, hope) you'll enjoy. Being that the tracks are so personal to me, I, quite frankly, did not write a lot of this with an audience in mind. That said, I feel like one of my talents is the ability to put my thoughts, ideas, and, in this case, grief, into lyric, music, and song. And I think it all fused together quite well on this mixtape.

I'll speak a bit more this week about the track selection, writing process, and the motivation behind the mixtape itself. I'll also post up the artwork this week.

... it's gonna be a cold winter ...

N. Talekt

Interview: So Cold Pt 4

2009-01-26T01:07:00.003-05:00

Here's the latest and last installment of the So Cold interview, discussing its release and future work.

OR

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7277021

N. Talekt

Announcement: So Cold Merchandise!

2009-01-21T10:21:00.004-05:00

For the past few months I've been telling you that it's gonna be a cold winter ... well, now you can get prepared for it by purchasing some "So Cold" merchandise! I've started a product line called "A Don's Apparel," which will primarily have t-shirts with quips, quotes, and what not, but I'm starting it off with the "I'm So Cold" line. You can get shirts, mugs, even a teddy bear -- how cool is that?!

If you're not going to immediately buy the bear, I recommend the hoodie:

You can check out this and all the products available at:

http://www.cafepress.com/ADonsApparel

If you aren't personally interested then just spread the word. :) As always thanks for your continued support.

N. Talekt

... it's gonna be a cold winter ...

Egoism in Hip-Hop

2009-01-20T23:15:00.003-05:00

I've been making Hip-Hop music for some time now, and listening to it even longer. And I'm often asked a lot of questions about hip-hop not only from those outside the genre, but also from those getting into the genre. I'm going to try to publicly field some of the questions I get more often as they become relevant.

One question I get a lot concerns the ego-ism we see in hip-hop today. Every rapper is the best and every other rapper doesn't compare. The question is simple: why?

Growing up in my shoes would make this answer apparent but perhaps someone can use this discussion, er, monologue, to vicariously walk in my shoes. While I have always been more of a fan of R&B, I've picked up a thing or two about hip-hop. :)

Hip-hop has strong roots in competition; always has, always will. In fact, hip-hop battles were not always about beef or hatred; rather, they were about showing off skill, quick wit, and creativity. A game of one upsmanship, just to see who's better. My theory is that with the evolution of the game and the introduction and explosive popularity of gangsta rap, mixed in with the times, a more aggressive form of ego-ism has been pushed to the forefront. No longer is it just good to be better, but you must be unquestionably better ... or else.

Still, nothing has changed. Being the best at what you do is part of the "game" ... and in this game, why play if you're not out to win? Personally, I think that there are far too many artists out today with the opposite effect of ego-ism going on -- they are content to be mediocre, happy to follow the beaten path and do the same thing as the next man. And there are those that truly see this as their only way to move ahead, so of course they are going to take the safe, established path. Of course, I doubt any of those people are reading this blog if they are in that situation.

I think artists should strive to be the best at what they do, and when you are that good, why hide it? If you can walk the walk, there's no shame in talking the talk. I do feel, however, that you can't walk the walk by talking the talk. Your hottest song shouldn't be about how hot you are. Telling the world that you're the best and actually being the best are two different things. Ironically, those things aren't as far apart as enthusiasts of the art would like to believe, but they are not one in the same. If I tell you I'm the best a million times then soon enough, you may start to think I just might be the best.

Much of the scrutiny regarding ego-ism in hip-hop looks to the aggressive braggadocio, the countless artists demanding that you know they are better than everyone else in their intimidating (or not-so-intimidating) lyrics. However, it's not just there. Think of a man they call Kanye West. I don't think I need to go into examples as to why he fits this discussion, but you see my point. However, the difference between him and those spoken of when we talk about egoism is that his music does not have himself being the best as the focal point of the subject matter. Instead, he goes in the booth and makes incredible music, then tells everyone he's the best. :)

Ego-ism is always going to be a part of the game. It's naturally competitive, and where there's competition, there's someone who wants to be better than everyone else. While I won't argue that some people don't deserve to utter those words from their lips, I understand the motivation. Where I'm from, and anybody in that situation will attest to the same, it's a lot easier to find people to bring you down than it is to find genuine supporters. That said, it's a lot easier to use your own words to motivate yourself in believe you're the best than waste time having other people say so. You'll be hard pressed to find an artist putting over another artist just for the hell of it. It's just the way it is. Honestly, I have a lot more people who support my music outside of my hometown than in it. Worse (and this is a topic for another day), you're hard-pressed nowadays to find a genuine rap fan -- everybody wants to be a rapper.

I think therein lies part of the issue regarding some of the unwarranted ego-ism. Some people don't understand the roots of it, and they instead duplicate what they hear. While imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it is actually rather annoying in this context. If you're not being creative and not pulling from your heart or experience, but rather, something you heard or saw, I may enjoy your work, but I can not respect you as an artist.

That said, I believe Nasir Jones once said that "no idea's original." So it does become difficult to determine when someone is imitating versus when they are being genuine. For me, it's something you've just gotta feel in the music.

And when you get to that point, you won't have a need for ego-ism. You will be, that good. To me, that's the best way to truly show that you are, indeed, the best. However, we don't live in a perfect world.

So, in closing, ego-ism certainly has its place in hip-hop, and it always has. However, nowadays there's always someone telling you what you can't do, why you can't do it, and why you'll never make it, that sometimes it's more of a reflex than bragging, a defense mechanism if you will. Other times, it's simply competitive. However, I don't need to hear a whole song about why you're the best; as I said, you can't walk the walk by talking the talk.

Just shut up and make good music. :)

N. Talekt

Official Release Date Announced!

2009-01-20T23:00:00.003-05:00

Hey all,

Just a quick notice, if you haven't heard already! :)

So Cold will be officially releasing February 3! That's two short weeks from now!

I'm very excited about the project and can't wait to have everything wrapped up. The music is just about done, I'm getting in some final tweaks and getting the packaging and artwork straight. The response so far has been great and I'm glad you all have enjoyed the work.

From the tracks I'm sure you've gathered that it's been a long year for me. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger and right now I'm feeling like Samson. Putting things in music has really helped me deal with my situations as I can be honest with myself through the art. During this time there was a lot of things written and I selected only 10 tracks because there's a lot about the same topics and some things that are too personal to release right now. I think the track selection is great, it has a nice variety while at the same time being thematic.

So, what's next between now and 2/3? Be on the lookout for the final installment of my interview on So Cold, as well as the official tracklisting, a couple new tracks, and more!

... it's gonna be a cold winter ...

... and tomorrow, I'll start getting you ready for it ... stay tuned ...

N. Talekt

Interview: So Cold Pt 3

2009-01-19T13:49:00.004-05:00

Part 3 of the interview is up, discussion my thoughts on the imminent success of the mixtape as well as The Freedom Trail.

OR

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7254485

N. Talekt

New Release: "Gave My All"

2009-01-15T19:51:00.000-05:00

I'm back with another release! This might be the last song from So Cold to come out before the mixtape drops on February 3, but I hope to put out more music before then.

Anyway, "Gave My All" is one of my favorites from So Cold. It's a fresh track about efforts wasted in holding on to a relationship that was not meant to be clutched so tightly. I guess wasted isn't the best word choice, maybe futile efforts is better. Anyway, it's an interesting track because it's on a high-energy track with Latin influence, but it meshes effortlessly with the song content and they combine to make a really interesting track and a nice story.

I'll warn you now, it's not a short song, but it's worth the listen. As of this writing this is the only song I've completed for So Cold that features another artist (though there are some in the making). DK of the Richmond-based group "Velvet" helps me out here on the hook and bridge, and sews up what its a great musical effort. He's got a great vocal range from falsetto to bass and all in between. Look for more from him sooner than later.

But as always, don't just take my word for it ... have a listen!

OR

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7240648

N. Talekt

Above Average

2009-01-15T18:50:00.005-05:00

While I touched on this topic in a recent interview, I wanted to go a bit more in-depth on being different than the other artists. The question: what makes you more than just your average rapper?

See, the thing with me is, I record music that I feel like will either connect or I think people will be interested to hear. But for every song you hear from me there's so many more that'll never leave my rhyme book. Music, to me, is more of a passion than a pasttime. It's powerful, provocative, inspirational -- there's so much that music has the power to do. The music in my rhyme books typically act as a personal outlet -- either for creative purposes or theraputic healing. The music I record tends to be music I think will be inspirational, moving, or interesting to others. So Cold is actually the first body of work I've recorded where I didn't really care about an audience per se', but rather, I recorded the type of music that I tend to keep to myself or in my close circle.

But I digress. In regard to the original question, and I talked about this in the recent interview I did, I feel like I approach music in a different way than most people. I'm at the point where I'm confident in my ability to write and record good music, and now I'm trying to actually go to the next level. I want to be on that "classic" level -- not classic like Nas or 'Pac, I mean classic like Michael Jackson or Luther Vandross. It's kind of like the gripe Kanye had recently with winning "Best Album of the Year" versus winning "Best Rap Album of the Year."

There's a fair number of people who are not traditional hip hop fans who enjoy my music because they can relate to it or they can appreciate it, and I feel like my music is getting to the point that it can be appreciated as more than a good "hip hop" song, but rather, a good song. I definitely do not want to stray from the hip hop genre, but I'd like it to be appreciated on a broader scale, without losing my roots.

I have a ways to go before I get to where I'd like to be but I listen to the music I'm making today and the reception I get today versus my older work and there's a clear difference, and that's where I want to be. Not that I can't appreciate my old work, but I feel like time has only made me better.

So how is N. Talekt above average? Well, maybe I'm not -- music is subjective, I won't be in everyone's top 10 :). But I think there are things that make me stand out as an artists. I put a lot of effort and detail into how I write my lyrics -- yes, I still write them -- while musically exploring various types of beats, rhythms, and tactics. My latest release, "Gave My All," is a perfect example. I recorded this on a high-energy, non-hip-hop beat, but I'm amazed at how well the song content (a relationship lost despite my efforts but learning to let go). It brings emphasis on the fact that, while there is an upbeat tempo, the despair is still felt and the instruments actually work.

I don't think it's especially hard for other artists to begin to separate themselves from the masses either, I think it takes first, making music through personal experience, as no one on this earth has lived the life you're living. Second, be comfortable with yourself and confident enough to look at yourself and your music objectively. As I said on "Can I Get Signed?," "only a true artist can paint a self-portrait." Finally, once you're able to do that, dare to venture out of your comfort zone. Find your niche, then expand. Learn. Grow. Don't accept mediocrity, don't be content with complacency. That growth will help you connect with larger audiences, and you'll then reach the tip of the iceburg in regard to wielding the power of music.

N. Talekt

Interview: So Cold Pt 2

2009-01-12T08:36:00.002-05:00

Just a quick note, the next part of the So Cold interview is up, you can listen below. More to come!

OR

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7231532

N. Talekt

Interview: So Cold Pt 1

2009-01-06T18:40:00.002-05:00

After a few technical difficulties this morning, here's the first part of an interview I did, talking about the upcoming mixtape, So Cold. More to come...

OR

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7213949

So Cold Details

2009-01-05T10:48:00.002-05:00

Just a quick update, expect more details on the So Cold mixtape to come very soon. It's finally wrapping up (quite nicely I might add) and there's some pretty exciting things going on with it that I'll be discussing as the release date approaches.

Speaking of which, I've finally settled on one -- February 3, 2009!

Either later today or tomorrow I'll post the first of a few interview snippets that I have discussing So Cold.

Stay tuned, it's gonna be a cold winter ...

N. Talekt

The Art of Mixing

2009-01-02T17:28:00.002-05:00

So I just finished mixing another track for "So Cold" and it truly solidified my opinion that a good job mixing a track is just as, if not, more, important than actually laying the track.

For me, mixing is quite a tedious process as I don't have any professional training in it, so I'm pretty much playing it by ear. I have an idea of the basic do's and don'ts, but I'm not familiar with the terminology nor all the tools that Cool Edit Pro + plugins have provided me.

I just know what sounds good.

I think there's certainly an art to mixing a track -- knowing where to emphasize vocals, adding space, panning, and reverb appropriately, outside effects, and the like adds so much value to the song. I've learned a lot through trial and error, having mixed pretty much every track I've recorded since (and including) the "Can I Get Signed?" CD was released ... and I did that one twice!

It's no secret -- I'm a fan of reverb. I think the extra dimension it adds makes things a bit more profound, and many beats these days have reverb on the instruments so adding it to the vocals in certain places helps the song fit together better.

Panning is a newly-discovered friend of mine. When there's a lot going on in the center of a track, moving some vocals to the left or right just seems to make things fit better in that section of the song. Additionally, when you're working with multiple artists (or multiple voices), it's a nice way to help have everything heard as well.

All in all, I think a good mix job is important to actually completing your track. You can't just lay your vocals down, export to MP3, and think it's all good. Having listened to a lot of underground music today, I think that aspect of music has been forgotten and should be focused on a bit more to create more complete and impressive tracks. For me, it's interesting to figure out where vocals should be emphasized, where an effect should be placed, and also allowing the beat to come into play a bit more as well. It's tedious, it's tiring, but it's also what can make or break a song.

Hopefully, I'll continue to get better at this and have some quality mixes come "So Cold."

N. Talekt

New Release: "Keep Dreaming"

2009-01-01T20:05:00.003-05:00

First off, Happy New Year. Hope you all have a good start to 2009.

I'm hoping to do the same, kicking things off with a bunch of new material! Heading up the blitz is my latest release, "Keep Dreaming."

This is a more high-energy track than "Diamond" which highlights different perspectives of those involved in some of the trials I've been wading through lately, and presenting the bridge over these troubled waters. While it's certainly a different style of song than "Diamond," it's one of my favorites on the mixtape because it's not the typical type of track I perform and I enjoyed exploring that style. Once again, kudos to VybeBeatz on the production.

Yeah, it's hot. But don't just take my word for it: have a listen!

OR

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7199443

More to come soon ... it's gonna be a cold winter ...

N. Talekt

New Release: Award Tour

2008-12-22T10:39:00.004-05:00

This weekend, you voted, and "Award Tour" is the next release from "So Cold."

This is a fun, laid back track over a classic beat. I wanted to include this track on the mixtape not only because of the content, but also because it provides a bit of variety to the mixtape.

Anyway, have a listen or two and enjoy!

OR

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7171185

N. Talekt

Upcoming Release: You Decide!

2008-12-20T04:47:00.004-05:00

Before the holidays come roaring around the corner, I wanted to release another track that had a different vibe than "Diamond." On a side note, I've been getting a lot of good feedback on the song! Anyway, there are a couple up-tempo, fun tracks on "So Cold" and I wanted to share that with you as well, but I couldn't decide which one. Hence, the new poll! Which track would you like to hear?

1) Award Tour

A couple verses over a classic beat, I'm just having fun with this track and addressing some of the things going through my head as well as future aspirations.

2) Let's Talk It Over

Again, a couple verse over a great beat, with a couple tracks regarding the downside of relationships on the CD I wanted to make sure I covered the other end as well!

Anyway, both are fun tracks that I hope you'll enjoy. There should be a poll on the right where you can cast your vote as to which song you'd like to hear Monday. I'll post it up that morning based on the votes!

To help you decide, here's a couple snippets:

Edit: Track no longer available.

N. Talekt

Blog: Average Joe

2008-12-16T18:55:00.003-05:00

Recently I was posed a very interesting question while discussing my mixtape and how it progressed (more on that later) as well as the music scene today:

What makes successful artists so successful?

I think what it really boils down to is how well an artist's fans can relate to them. The more people can relate to you, the greater following you will have. Now, I've never claimed to have a huge fanbase, following, or whatever you want to call it, but I do know there are people who appreciate the music I do and can relate to a lot of the work I put out, and that keeps them interested.

I feel like a huge part of the success of New York artists during it's last heyday (Diplomats, G-Unit) came from the fact that they personified exactly what so many people in popular culture were trying to be and trying to do, especially with 50 Cent, who's (authentic) story is widely known but also something people can understand and relate to. And once he moved further away from that, his (musical) success declined.

Eminem is (arguably) another example. In a prominently Black culture, to have a White representative stand out in the genre and be damn good at what he does was a huge culture shock. Now, this is not at all on the same level, but it could be argued that White artists saw Eminem's rise to prominence in the same light as Black people see Barack Obama's history-making achievement: people tend to relate to those most like them, and seeing someone like them in a place of prominence inspires them to believe that they, too, can get there. I think that factor played a sizable role in Eminem's widespread success but, that said, he has put out some quality music, period.

On smaller scales you have your Lupe Fiasco, and Kanye West's, but the story can be generalized to the same principle -- they're just your Average Joe's that people can truly relate to. Nothing Kanye's written about has been off-the-wall; you get tales of his aspirations, his family, his struggles. His latest body of work, "808's and Heartbreak," is a quintessential example of what I mean. While the critics have already deemed this a throwaway album, I'm certain he will gain more fans with this and begin to separate himself from the pack. And yes, I enjoyed what I heard of the album.

All in all, I think that these artists success' stem from simply being someone you can relate to. I don't think it's about image, "swag," or prosperity.

At least, for the time being.

I definitely have a feeling this dynamic is going to change, and soon. I wish I could say what it's going to change to, but I certainly feel it will change. But, only time will tell.

N. Talekt

Song Review: JC The Truth - What's It Feel Like?

2008-12-04T21:49:00.003-05:00

Review: JC The Truth's "What's It Feel Like?"

Featured on: Soundclick.com
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6719234

From the moment the songs starts you know you're in for a treat. It's got a low-key vibe to it, feels very classy. I think that's what made this song for me, you can feel it.

Once the beat drops, it's on as JC poses a few questions about what things, you guessed it, feel like. I would not consider this a standout track lyrically, but I like the vibe, the message, and some of the questions made me say hmmm:

What’s it feel like…
To have a woman love you so much
That you’d never have to discuss
The topic of trust?

What’s it feel like…
To know the definition of love
Maybe true love
Is only from a daughter or son?

What’s it feel like…
To never have to argue bout shit
And understand the irrelevance
Of gettin all pissed?

These questions and others are ones that JC poses are things that I'm sure a lot of us ponder, and I'm just coming from where he's talking about in my own experience, so this definitely hit home for me.

While it's a short track, I think it does show that this guy knows what he's doing and isn't afraid to go outside the box, and definitely has an ear for a nice beat. A quick listen never hurt nobody, give it a try:

New Release: "Diamond"

2008-12-03T18:40:00.003-05:00

The Cold has begun!

"Diamond" is a track highlighting a few of the the more personal things going on with me and trials I've been dealing with while at the same time trying to remain strong enough to keep doing the things I love to do, like music. There's more than enough going on in life to get us all sidetracked and it becomes quite easy to lose focus on what's important as well as lose sight of those thing you enjoy because you're forced to deal with what's in front of you.

While the track doesn't completely represent "So Cold"'s contents, I wanted this to be the first impression you get of the mixtape because does a good job in setting the overall tone of it. Not just topic-wise, but quality as well. Throughout "So Cold," the lyrics are witty and thoughful while the tracks are real and many times personal, and at the same time I hope it's an enjoyable listen. I'll go into this in more detail in a later posting.

For now, give "Diamond" a few spins. Kudos to VybeBeatz on the production here. Enjoy!

OR

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7111740

Song Review: Tragic - Neva Get Famous

2008-12-01T18:04:00.006-05:00

Review: Tragic's "Neva Get Famous"

Featured on: Soundclick.com
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7043615

This is another indie track that isn't the best track in the world but it did resonate with me because of the content and I wanted to discuss it.

The dynamic due of Tragic (on the vocals) and Noogie (on the beat) came together to make a short but satisfying track that discusses Tragic's aspirations of fame and acceptance of its void. The combo for some reason remind me of the more old-school teaming of a producer and rapper to collaborate and create music.

While the lyrics were very simple, certain parts definitely hit home and I'm sure there are many musicians who deal with the same thoughts:

but i know i wont be happy if im not an MC
cuz its the music its the lyrics its the bars that i need
its like without hip-hop it'd be harder to breathe
that makes it harder to see that I might never make it

I also especially enjoyed the parts discussing music and race:

the one thing that connects us all regardless of races
cuz music aint racist naw man music is raceless
its the one thing you can make nobody make the same way its
the one place you can say whatever you wanna say its
the one place where you can make mistakes and erase em
the expression of what you facin on an everyday basis
so if every single one of y'all is hatin my tape its
ok at least somebodies playin my tape its ok

This resonates with me because while this is the ideal situation, hip-hop is not really there quite yet. Music is, but not hip-hop. That said, it is interesting to see what other cultures and races are doing with hip-hop to make it their own (Tragic hails from Ottawa, Canada).

In addition, the backdrop is interesting in this regard because it comes off as an intriguing blend of old-school and new-school welded into a beat. Can't help but like it! While it's certainly just a short track, I think it does exemplify where hip-hop needs to be to some degree and I felt it was an interesting listen in regard to the beat and the viewpoint and perspective of the artist.

All that said, it's nice to see how hip-hop is branching out and also how the internet is allowing people to get heard...even if they will "never get famous."

Upcoming Release: "Diamond" (So Cold) drops this Wednesday!

2008-12-01T04:14:00.003-05:00

As the final touches are being put on the mixtape, I wanted to start releasing some material to give you all a taste of the music that's going to be on there. I've almost got the tracklist finalized, I am not sure of the number of tracks that will actually make it on there, but suffice to say the music is coming out very well so far and I'm anxious to get it completed.

Anyway, as I alluded to, I'm going to release the first track from the "So Cold" mixtape entitled "Diamond." It delves into a few things regarding my life and mindset and things I've had to endure between, well, the last time you've heard from me and now. This track should set the tone of the mixtape as I am open and brutally honest about my topics of discussion throughout the mixtape. I'll release production credits here when I drop the track.

See you here Wednesday!

... it's gonna be a cold winter ...

Mixtape "So Cold" is Official!

2008-11-21T10:54:00.004-05:00

I'm pleased to announce that the mixtape is finally official!

It will be called "So Cold" and be released in January 2009. I decided to push it back as I wanted to include a few more songs on there that I just couldn't turn away from.

While I'm not quite ready to release the artwork or the names of any releases quite yet, I can tell you that new songs from the mixtape should be coming very soon, at least a couple in December!

Keep checking back often for the lastest news, reviews, and developments -- this blog is going to be very active in the coming weeks.

It's gonna be a cold winter...

Song Review: Yaboi Plain - "Get You Off"

2008-11-19T00:18:00.005-05:00

Review: Yaboi Plain's "Get You Off"

Featured on: Soundclick.com
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7043941

Let me just say that this is definitely a straight-up indie underground track. That said, I'm hooked. Plain and simple.

Sure, the beat's not the most impressive and the quality could use some work. But look past that and you'll find a nice song with the some clever words and an addictive tone. It's raw, gritty, and that's not a bad thing.

Between some steamy imagery and clever lines that melodically ride the beat, you get some of basic woo's like:

"ay baby, tell me what it is today
but if it ain't me and you then don't say a thing
see i been dreamin 'bout ya body for so many nights
and tonight its feelin right so let us get it right
let's take off all these clothes, get our bodies exposed
let me kiss you from your head to your toes
wanna hear you say 'go!', wanna hear you say my name
i been thinkin' 'bout you baby but it ain't the same"

Which is definitely solid and thought out. But then you some out-the-box cleverness that you've got to appreciate:

"the days turn to weeks, weeks turn to months
away, goes by, it's all so much
i feel all the seconds, touch, can we get a moment?"

Overall, the entire song comes off very natually and well-thought out. It doesn't sound like a freestyle, or a comeback song, or a hype song, it sound like a good track. You took a general concept that's been done and added something fresh to it, and you made it sound really good with what you had to work with. Hook was great, verses as I pointed out had a good mix of your more typical content (that was above average) and creative concepts sprinkled in.

Sure, it's a rough cut. But I feel like this particular song had that it factor that kept me listening without getting tired of it. The performance was believable, not overdone, overly-sappy, and the imagery was fantastic. Certainly catchy and the mix was fairly well done (minus the overall quality). Flow was on point throughout and it just felt like a good song.

That's when you know you're doing something right. I'd love to hear this song with better mixing/mastering, could do very well. Job well done. Go ahead, give it a play.

--
Hear more from Yaboi Plain at:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=890523

Poll: Will fourth-quarter hip-hop "raise the bar?"

2008-11-16T15:04:00.003-05:00

Interesting thought. With forthcoming releases this quarter from the likes of Kanye West, 50 Cent, Ludacris, Eminem, Jay-Z, and who knows, maybe Dr. Dre, do you think these releases will raise the bar in hip-hop regarding acceptable standards in music as far as song quality, lyricism, etc.?

Lately, hip-hop has, arguably, been in a slump -- not just in sales, but in overall quality. "Hip hop is dead" has been the buzzword lately (well, at least before "swagger"), and I personally feel like "artists" are getting by with less and less impressive music. It seems like no one wants to write lyrics anymore, which is fine until it actually sounds like that's the case!

Regardless, this quarter should bring out the releases of popular artists known more for their song content and their song quality. I, for one, have high expectations and look forward to some great music. I'm sure I'm in a fairly isolated group on this one, but I don't care, I've been feeling what I've heard from Kanye's "808's and Heartbreak" so far (minus the auto-tune overdose).

Anyway, what do you think? Will these forthcoming release be the "change we need" in hip-hop, or will these highly-touted artists give us just enough to get by?

Feel free to comment and/or hit the poll on the right.

N. Talekt
http://www.soundclick.com/ntalekt

New Release: "I'm Back!"

2008-11-16T03:51:00.004-05:00

Just released some new material from me called "I'm Back!" -- I recorded this while prepping for the new mixtape, tentatively titled "So Cold." I'll do a few blogs about mixtape as the release date for that approaches. For now, do enjoy the new track -- it's the first one I've dropped in a good minute! Hope to release a few more in the near future. Lemme know what you think...

I'm Back:

OR
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7064767

Thanks,

N. Talekt

Inaugural Blog

2008-11-16T00:36:00.004-05:00

Hey! Thanks for taking the time to check out my blog!

I created this blog for a few reasons. First, I want to try to stay somewhat relevant, and what better way to do that than with a blog! Second, it's a bit of a pain to do keep things updated via my Soundclick when there are so many other avenues of media out there; with blogs providing RSS, I can keep my updates in one place and have it travel many places. Third, I want to be able to better interact with the people who enjoy my work. Next, I want to post things that are relevant to music in general here and my opinions on them as well as song critiques, must-hear music, must-see videos, and more. Finally, this is a good opportunity for me to discuss things about my music that I literally can't do in 52 bars. :)

We'll see how successful this is. Check back regularly as I hope to keep this active for as long as I can. Become a "follower" if you'd like to show your support, or just leave some feedback in the comments. Enjoy!

N. Talekt
http://www.soundclick.com