The Dose

13 years ago view-show 562,617

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The Dose

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Longevity in itself is the ultimate challenge, and that includes maintaining relevancy from a generation that carried the torch for gangster rap which is basically ghost today in a world of hipster wars. That being said, it’s hard to tell if Ice Cube’s music still has pull on fans, or more importantly fans who actually download/buy music today. I think he can definitely still beast on the mic, but I’d like to hear some better production as well. Maybe he needs a joint circa 1999 for his next release if he plans on sticking around in today’s climate.

Ice Cube “Soul On Ice”

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This track goes nice with production by DiBia$e and is supposedly off his next project coming up, Belive In Hope Right. I’ll be checking for the homie in the future.

H.O.P.E. “Death’s Door”

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It’s crazy how Llloyd Banks is putting everything he touches in the bodybag right now and these are just mixtape joints. I’m anxious to hear the real album material once he’s done killing everything else. He’s never really put out a classic solo album, but I think he’s perfectly capable of doing just that with the right beat selection and some good talent involved. If you haven’t already, get the 411 on the latest from Lloyd Banks directly.

Lloyd Banks “Reach Out”

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I’ve been hearing more and more about King Mez lately and I think it’s due to the obvious, he’s dope. It’s only a matter of time for this North Carolina emcee to be a problem on a national level. He can definitely kill a Khrysis beat and Carolina cats are winning right now. How about a J. Cole x King Mez x Little Brother joint, that sounds ill to me.

King Mez “Nightmares”

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A good change of pace from a very talented Stones Throw singer, Aloe Blacc. In a time where this genre of music kind of slips between the cracks and artists like Aloe get overlooked this is certainly dope. A refreshing and mature sound that is great to separate from all the chaos on the radio. I, personally need to do some discography research on this cat and get all of this music.

Aloe Blacc “You Make Me Smile”

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I’m not sure about anyone elses verse on this, I wish Reks would have just kept this Statik Selektah joint to himself because he does this one crazy while every other verse is mediocre at best. It’s a shame to see him still so underground, I think he could definitely be more in the game with some stronger business moves and some variation in production. Suggestions would be Alchemist, Jake One, Havoc, Just Blaze. What do I know?

Reks “Settin’ It Off” ft Slaine, JFK, Jaysaun & Steven King (prod Statik Selektah)

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This bangs pretty nice minus the hook. Jay Rock skates on this joint depicting  the effortless lifestyle; the rhymes, the money, the broads, you name it. Go ahead Jay, just find a better placement for the hook next time.

Jay Rock “So On”

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This cut is cool with a hook that is catchy and some real knowledge from which I can relate. Kendrick Lamar has getting a lot of attention here on the dose and that’s what happens when you drop consistent material that’s also quality.  I been hesitant on him, but I’m starting to mess with his music, thanks to Sam for putting me on.

Terrace Martin “Give Me Some of You ft Kendrick Lamar”

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