Chesstown King's Reviews and Thoughts

Tinashe's 3rd album is her best so far...barely. Its really short but I liked almost every song. Her singing and the lyrics are elegant as usual. The production is dope too. The album gets off to a really strong start with the Title track and "No Drama". The latter features Offset of Migos. "Me So Bad" is a lot of fun as is "Stuck With Me". The replayability or Tilt of the album isn't its strong suit. Alot of these songs could go on previous Tinashe albums with ease. Lyrics: 23 Beats: 23 Depth: 23  Tilt: 22  Verdict: 91

After about 3 years we get another album from the young and talented Ms. Cara. This album is solid with lots of great songs like "Trust My Lonely", "Not Today", and "Nintendo Game".  Like on her last album, She sings of her various vulnerabilities. The songs are easy going and very relate-able. Her singing is certainly the strong point; along with the lyrics. I gotta say I liked virtually every song. I found "7 Days" very interesting as she wonders about God and how he lives. The production isn't bad but only a firm 8/10. So I guess you're wondering should you get this easygoing Pop album. Yes you should. She shows growth here even if I've scored it slightly lower than her debut album. Lyrics: 23 Beats: 20 Depth: 24 Tilt: 23 Verdict: 90

2018 was a year that a lot of already established artists found success again. Christina was just another one of them. Liberation is a terrific album filled with feminist messages. Songs like "Fall in Line" and "Maria" are excellent. I really enjoyed the varied sounds of this album like the reggae sounds of "Right Moves". Christina really has a powerful singing voice. I really think she has one of the best voices I've ever heard. The album is dope but I'm not sure its her best album....i'd have to listen to her older ones again. Lyrics: 25 Beats: 23 Depth: 24 Tilt: 25 Verdict: 96

15) Drake-Scorpion: Drake's Scorpion is a good album, but its just too much....Drizzy. Its like he's not bringin anything new to the game at this point. The man needs a creative break. He's dropped projects alot in the past 10 years. 14) Lil Wayne Carter V:Carter V is finally here and its good. I love how focused Weezy sounds lyrically. Most songs are good but like the Drake project it gets kinda to be too much Wayne. I kinda wish we could get one more album from him but he's given us enough tbh. 13) Meek Mill-Championships: Meek Mill's album was  nice surprise. I loved how fresh it sounds even tho a number of songs use old samples. The numerous guest spots are generally well used. I dont listen to him a whole lot but now I think he deserves more of my time. 12) Eminem-Kamikaze:This album had some bad reviews...but I knew I was gonna cop it. This is a really good album. It kinda reminds me of Recovery, but its well...meaner. Eminem lashes out at the same fans ...

It’s beginning to look like musically Kanye and Kid Cudi can do no wrong musically. Especially Kanye. The album is part of that 7 song album short spectacle like the Nas and Pusha T albums. The first song has Kanye just barking like a dog.....and it’s just f***in hot. The album is really good and better than Ye which was good also. I...I honestly wanted more here. I mean more tracks. MOs def joins them and it’s all good. I guess that’s why they call it G.O.O.D. Music. That’s all folks. Lyrics: 24 Beats 23   Depth:25  Tilt: 24 Verdict: 96

The last Lil Wayne cd is pretty good, but as I listened to it; I can’t help but want more. He starts the album out very strong with songs like Mona Lisa which was recorded way back in 2014. I guess that’s the main issue with this album. It sounds somewhat dated. Despite this Lil Wayne’s rapping is very poignant. I love his intensity on earlier tracks. He sounds incredibly focused. I liked most songs here but like Carter 3 and 4 there’s undeniable filler. This is a personal album and maybe the number one album I thought would never be released. Good job Weezy. Lyrics: 23 Beats: 23 Depth: 22 Tilt: 21 Verdict: 89

Mariah Carey's latest album is very good. I've come to expect as much from her in these days. She is a songstress supreme. At this point Mariah knows what works for her and what doesnt. After 2 lengthy (Albeit Great) albums she hits us with this 10 track album. It starts out really rough with "GTFO" but things get smoother after that. "8th Grade" is the best song without a doubt. I love how MC's voice just seems to blend in with these colorful yet not too demanding beats.I liked basically every song here. I gotta say it's good to see MC continue to succeed....that's 3 albums i've given over 9 to in a row now! Lyrics: 24 Beats: 22 Depth: 25 Tilt: 23 Verdict: 94

Logic continues to impress me with YSIV or Young Sinatra 4. This is Logic's "Boom Bap Rap" sound and holy s*** does it sound greaet. The beats sound very fresh and organic. He really seems to be very much into his position as a rap great on this album. I can see why. I have loved all of Logic's albums that I've heard. His lyrical dexterity is really impressive albeit not perfect. I liked every song and the album has great replay ability too. Logic compares himself to the great Kanye West...he's kinda like the new Kanye West too. I can see the similarities. So we know Kendrick Lamar and J.Cole are leaders of the new school....but right beside them, you gotta name Logic! Lyrics: 24 Beats: 22 Depth: 25 Tilt: 25 Verdict: 96

T.I.'s latest album is a work of art. Its not really anything new but the King of the South has found a way to further express his sound. Theres so many bangers like "More and More" and "Jefe". Then theres songs like "The Amazing Mr. F*** Up" and "At Least I Know" are really thoughtful street smart songs. I really like “Big Ol Drip” too. It’s pretty obvious that hes been through a lot  in life:like going to jail and taking on Trump.Life experiences generally make for the best albums .This album is far more impressive than I expected...which proves to me that T.I. aka TIP Harris is indeed the best dirty south rapper of all time. Lyrics: 25 Beats: 22 Depth: 24 Tilt: 24 95

This Meek Mill album is his best yet! Hes approaches the album with confidence on the mic and some dexterity too. The album gets off to a good start and doesn’t let up much. Meek just keeps it 100 on tracks like “Ooodles Noodles Babies” and “100 Summers”. I really enjoyed songs like “On Me” feat. Cardi B and “Uptown Vibes” feat. Fabolous and Anuel AA. “24/7” Feat. Ella Mai is a terrific jam for the ladies.The album is better than 2015’s Dreams Worth More than Money, which was a fairly solid project in its own right. It seems personal tragedy does indeed make for better music. Verdict: 9/10

*Note* You wont see some albums here cause I only listed albums I heard, so no Carter V yet. Jay Z and Beyonce' (The Carters)- Everything is Love: A terrific album. The chemistry  between the two is incedible. I love how it sounds kind of like the classic albums from the 2002-2007 era. The songs "Nice", "Ape S***"  and "Black Affect" are very good. 5 stars Logic- Bobby Tarentino II-This one really grew on me. Logic spits that "T**ty rap" and its dope. I love the way he attacks tracks with ferocity on the mic. 4.5 Stars Kanye West -Ye-This crazy man makes good music! Ye was short and sweet. It sounds kinda like 4 stars Janelle Monae -Dirty Computer: This was the best album of last year. It hit all the points I look for. I'm so happy Janelle kept us waiting for this masterpiece. 5 Stars Nas -Nasir- Nasty Nas returned. But not with the rumored Trillmatic. Instead he came with a terrific 7 song album. Songs like "Cop Sho...

I am gonna review a device called the Apple TV. The device is actually a digital media device like a chromecast. It is NOT A TV. The device just might be the best apple device I've ever owned besides my Iphone 8 Plus. The Apple TV is a terrific device to use with your other apple devices. The basis of an Apple TV is to simply put whats on the other Apple devices to the TV. The new 4k Apple TV can SO MUCH MORE. For starters it has an App Store. This app store has lots of good apps like Facebook, Netflix, Youtube, and a plethora of games too. I gotta talk about the new Apple Tv's best thing the REMOTE. it looks cool. This thing charges via lighting port and it has a mic and voice recognition. It also a touch-pad that is very nice. You can also program how sensitive the touchpad is. In fact you can also program the TV Button on the remote too. This Apple TV is just amazing and well worth the money. It's even compatible with a video game controller. I really need to...

Ok so here we are just crossed over into 2019. And it seems that a lot has happened to me in the time since May 2018. Let me just start this blog by thanking the most high, almighty God. Or if you, the reader calls him Allah or Buddah, that's all good. Now reader I will be discussing a few topics here. Its MY OPINION, and thus  you don't have to agree with me. Now with that out of the way let's get into it. I went through a lot in 2018. I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't sure I was going to make it through....I never wanted to commit suicide but I has some SEVERE low points. I won't get into the details but yeah it wasn't good. I couldn't blog I was too stressed out with ….life. But we as a people need to not be afraid to LIVE LIFE. 1) Anti Trump- Ok so if you dont know I really hate our president #45. And for good reason. He just makes America look bad. Hes inarticulate, racist, sexist...and worst of all a chronic Liar.. Whats perhaps worst of all is...

Album Album #1 Album #2 Result Singles Lyrics Beats Cohesiveness Legacy This battle will see Kanye West’s College Dropout (2004) vs. Late Registration (2005). The opening opinion is that College Dropout is the better album. Album The College Dropout Late Registration Result Singles A- A Late Lyrics B+ B+ Tie Beats A+ A+ Tie Cohesivness A+ A College Legacy A+ A College Final Result: Well this was a hard battle to call…in fact, it’s a tie! Late Registration had   better Singles (Gold Digger, Diamonds)…but CD had more cohesiveness. I feel...

5) Solo: A Star Wars Story (8.5/10)- this movie is really good. Not sure why so much hate. The film had good pacing and acting. The story is where it fell flat a tad bit. I love this movie but Lando did better than Han acting wise. The surprise villain is good too. I cussed in the heater I was so shocked! 4) Jurassic World : Fallen Kingdom (9.5)-This movie was really good. I think it was the Empire Strikes Back of Jurassic movies. The movie is really dark with few humerous spots. That Indo-Raptor tho...what a monster! Overall terrific film. 3) Avengers Infinity War (9.75)-Avengers 3 is really really dope. Peep a review for it on my blog. Overall its really good but there isnt really any character development except for the main villain Thanos. Iron Man and Cap America never share a scene but both fail here to win. The movie is action heavy and sets up the cataclysmic Avengers 4 coming just 1 year later in spring 2019. 2) Black Panther (9.95)- A terrific movie. Sound in all aspec...

Shady has done it again! I like this album. Its kind of like Recovery part 2, however there is no….super positive message tho. Eminem is pissed the f*** off at..his fans and mumble rappers. I actually feel he’s justified to be pissed at both. Think about it. He’s the highest sellin rapper of ALL TIME. But his fans claimed Revival, his 2017 outing sucked? Peep my review for Revival.  https://maxreviewsandthoughts.blogspot.com/2017/12/album-review-eminem-revival.html?q=eminem The production was lackluster. That’s all. His lyricism is great here and word play is too. I feel yet again the production is below Em’s standards. I mean this guy once rapped over Dr. Dre beats like The Real Slimshady. I due believe we’ll get another album one day from this top 5 all time MC. Where does Eminem rank all time to me? Hmm. 1)Pac 2)Jay-Z, 3)Biggie 3)Nas 5) Eminem. Overall Rating 92 Grade A- Lyrics 24 Beats 22 Depth 23 ...

This album goes so hard!Jay and B have done it again. But tbh, this album didn’t surprise me. I KNEW it would be good. I don’t really have a lot to say. Beyonce and Rihanna been hanging with Nicki Minaj too much. Both are competent MCs. Jay-Z is great here! I felt the lyricism and production was dope af. If anything the album is short, under 40 minutes. The song Apes**t is my favorite track. The albums seem to be shorter in 2018. Point is, this album is not deserving of any unfair criticism . The album sounds perfectly 2000s and perfectly up to date to me. We are more likely to see Carters 2 than Watch the Throne 2, and that makes me sad. Overall Rating 98 Grade A+ Lyrics 24 Beats 24 Depth 25 Tilt 25

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUZFVmhu6P8

Kanye’s affirmative action plan comes to his own discography….And its good!!! A well rounded album but too short! Only 7 songs but all are good. I don’t really care much for the first one…but things only look up at that point. Kanye seems a little less tame here as well. On Life of Pablo, he seemed like he was trying to combine his current style with College Dropout Kanye sometimes. Here no…this sounds like Yeezus a little bit. The lyrics are on par with that album but that album was slightly better. Overall im pleased with this album but his collaboration with Kid Cudi was better. Overall Rating 94 Grade A Lyrics 23 Beats 24 Depth 24 Tilt 23 Yo chill on Mr. West lmao!!!

To my reader. I hope you are not reading this not having follow fellow Virgnian, Pusha T. He’s dope af. The man has his own distinct rapping style i.e. His own lane. Before the Drake beef (which he won) he was probably the best barely known MC on the planet. Daytona is the first of Kanye’s Affirmative action short cds lol. And it might be the best…idk I have only done the Nasir album from Nas so far. I loved all 5 cds in the Affrimative action program tho lol. Every song goes hard…but its so DAMN SHORT! So, NO its not better than My Name is My Name, which tied for my 2013 Rap Album of the year (Eminem-MMLP2) but this is very good. “Infared” leaves Drake and his fans feeling sick. Ironically I had NO CLUE these 2 had beef. Maybe I shoulda noticed King Pusha and Drake are never on a song together…. “I don’t tap dance for the crackers and sing Mammy” …damn bro. I know Drake beat Meek, but that was Meek Milly, an aveage rapper. Sorry Drizzy, your Scorpion album was very underwhelmin...