Song Review: Backwoods Smokin'

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

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