Will the real slim shady please stand up

Eminem fans have waited on baited breath for Eminem to release ANYTHING in 2016. Literally nothing has been released by the "rap God" throughout 2016 so far, until now. Unless you are previously aware Eminem has featured in 2 songs in the last several weeks; "I'm back" with kendrick Lamar and J. Cole (an unofficial remix) and "kill for you" with Skylar grey. For all those shady fans have a listen because the radio silence from Marshall has been killing us all.

J. Cole "I'm Back" ft Eminem and Kendrick Lamar:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXzQjpHauKM

Skylar Grey "Kill for you" ft Eminem:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFfJwXpRTgM

Royce Da 5'9

Royce's Bio:  aka Ryan Daniel Montgomery was brought up in the mean streets of Detroit and became one of the most prominent battle rappers ever. Royce and Eminem are the reason each other hit it big. They were known as the best 2 MC's in Detroit. They worked together on each others albums and Royce has worked with artists as prominent as Dr Dre and Bruno Mars. Arguably his greatest song 'Rock City' is a phenomenal track which received far less praise than it deserved. Royce is a brilliant rapper and has displayed the ability to rap for entertainment in tracks like 'Rock City' and in battle rap capability as can be seen throughout his beef with D12. Through Royce isn't as mainstream as other rappers, he has had some very successful albums, especially in Bad Meets Evil, his group with Eminem. He is also a member of the group Slaughterhouse, all of which are signed with Interscope under the Shady Records label.

DOB: July 5, 1977
DOD: N/A

Albums: 
- Rock City (2002)
- Death is Certain (2004)
- Independent's Day (2005)
- Street Hop (2009)
- Success is a Certain (2011)

And has had notable involvement in:
- Slaughterhouse (2009)
- Hell the Sequel (2011)
- Welcome to our house (2012)
- Shady XV (2014)
- PRhyme (2014)
- Glass House (2016)
- PRhyme 2 (coming soon)

5 Richest Rappers

Here are the 5 richest rappers by means of their net worth. Some alleged rappers are not included as they made nothing off of rap and solely from other business.

Number 5: Birdman
Birdman made millions off of his rap career then used this money to jump himself into investments from small companies to an oil and gas business. He is accepted to this list as he made millions off of rap and hip hop is what allowed him to make his money.
$180,000,000

Number 4: Eminem
Eminem's money is pure hip hop genius. Eminem is possibly the best rapper of all time and he has sold roughly 246 million albums/single. He is easily accepted to this list as he started with the bare minimum in life, using his whole paychecks to print his own CDs and sell them himself. His lyrical talent sold so many copies he made his riches purely on rap.
$190,000,000

Number 3: Jay Z
Jay-Z is much like Eminem in that he came from nothing and rap is the reason he made his money. Jay is also arguably the best rapper of all time. He is on this list for the same reason as Birdman, the only reason he made money was due to huge income from rap.
$650,000,000

Number 2: P-Diddy
P-Diddy, Puffy, Puff Daddy, whatever name he chooses he is a financial god. He made money from a hugely successful rap career, then more from fashion designing, then yet more from acting. He is a jack of all trades with some amazing tracks.
$730,000,000

Number 1: Dr Dre
Ladies and gentlemen, presenting, Dr Dre. A man from nothing, growing up in squalor in the racially divided city of Compton, godfather of rap. Dre is responsible for NWA, D12, G-Unit, 50 Cent, Eminem and many more and is the definition of a rapper. He made millions in music then, using this money, developed Beats, one of the worlds largest headphone brands to date. He later sold this business for $3 billion to Apple making him the worlds richest rapper. 
$810,000,000

Wiz Khalifa's "Rolling Papers" Review

Wiz Khalifa's "Rolling Papers"

Overview: This is an excellent 21st century rap album. Whilst it lacks many key features of rap in its classic state this album portrays brilliant lyrical talent. This album is also from what many describe as Wiz's prime. This was back when he smoked, drank and spit venomous verses. This is a good album but lacks originality.

The Tracks:
When I'm Gone: This track has a very electric vibe beat and is very chilled. It discusses Wiz's lifestyle as many rappers do and he reflects on advice people have given him and how he isn't going to take it, rather he plans to live bright, die young. This is a rather uninspired track and whilst it is very catchy, it does not bring anything the rap game has not seen.

On My Level: This is very similar to other tracks on the album as it discusses Wiz's lifestyle. This is, in the opinion of all of us here at the rap rater, is the paper weight track on this album. It says the same as the others but it lacks that Wiz Khalifa beat sensation.

Black and Yellow:  This is  defiantly, without debate, no question the best track on the album. This track had that NWA touch, it brought the white kids back to rap from the funky, PC made music of the time. This track rocked the charts and put Wiz out there for the world. Its catchy beat and lovable lyrics made it a favorite with thousands of people.

Roll Up: This track can be described as a lovers 'Hailie's Song' (Eminem's the Eminem Show) as its one of those rap songs that conveys love rather than boasting or looking for fights as rap often can. This is a track about Wiz having a lover who is involved with another man. He raps in a way that appealed to a huge female audience which broadened his prospects immensely.

Hopes and Dreams: This is a track that really shows Wiz, a super catchy beat and lyrics that almost don't care enough to meet the music. This is like a catchy child between 'Roll Up' and 'When I'm Gone' but still doesn't bring anything new.

Wake Up: This is another catchy track but its actual content is rather lacking. It is just about Wiz's lifestyle meets his relation with a girl plus a tad bit of Wiz complaining about his lifestyle which doesn't fit with other tracks where he claims he loves living bright.

The Race: This is another (unfortunately) similar beat but in this case it features the template of rap lyrics. Underneath the ganja talk it is self promotion and boasting which is not a bad thing. It can be done well but in this case it's like, I see your point but I don't follow.

Star of the Show: What this album lacks is what NWA did brilliantly. NWA had continuity without having tracks that were too similar. Yet another track about lifestyle from childhood to his current age. Wiz doesn't give foresight to his future in this album, or rap comically, (Eminem specializes in this) and this song is just more of the same.

No Sleep: A refreshing change from previous tracks on the album as it is not about boasting, 'No Sleep' is about partying as an elite member of society. This has another similar beat and is rather relaxed.

Get Your S***: About time, a break up track from Wiz. This is a leaf out of Eminem's book but much kinder. This is the breakup of wiz and another girl and is done rather well. Unlike other rap breakup songs this one does not reference killing the girl, fighting anyone or any threats at all.

Top Floor: This does not deserve to be in this album. The beat is off tune, the singing is inaudible and it is dripping with auto-tune. Waste. Enough said.

Fly Solo: This seems completely out of place. It is comparable to Eminem's 'Hailies Song' in that it is a rapper trying to sing but the differences are Eminem's track has a rap beat, Wiz doesn't, Eminem does rap in his song, Wiz's performance cannot be called rap, Eminem's was popular.......

Rooftops: This is more of the same, reflection on success but is done better than any of the others. It has a 'hot beat and a catchy hook' (Eminem, Cocaine, 2010) which makes modern rap popular. Nowadays people seem to care not for lyrical talent or message but just for a groovy track. This bodes well for Wiz in this song.

Cameras: This song might well be popular but in reality it does not rhyme, in the first verse the supposedly rhyming words are; secret, it, day, speaking, achievements, that, weekend, then, plane, game, fame, em, poppin, droppin, em. So of the total verse there was only one rhyme with more than one syllable. This song is lyrically pitiful.

The verdict:  This album has some very catchy tunes. It was very popular and one track in particular will be a rap moment to remember. This album is in essence about 4 songs as the rest say the same thing with roughly the same beat. It seems only one song in this whole album uses legitimate
musical talent as the rest have been made with synthesizers and auto drum programs. Wiz has so much potential as seen in 'Black and Yellow' but this album was not his best work.
For these reasons this album is scored 2.5/5

Different opinion? Feel free to comment :) (Keep it polite)

D12 The Bio

D12's Bio: D12, AKA the "Dirty Dozen" were just a few Detroit rappers who met through friends. The main line up were 6 rappers, Eminem (Marshall Mathers, Slim Shady), Proof (Deshaun Holten), Bizarre (Rufus Johnson), Kuniva (Von Carlisle), Swifty Mcvay (
Ondre Moore) and Con Artis (Mr Porter, Denaun Porter. This groups first album was "The Underground EP" and was seldom heard. Most of these members met through Proof (See Proof). This group was famous for its battle rap prominence as can be seen in movies such as 8 Mile and the famous Eminem vs Kuniva rap battle (Eminem-Kuniva Rap Battle). This band became famous when Eminem hit it big with his independent deal with Interscope. As he mentions in many songs he then went back for his friends. The bands successes were then huge and they were even compared to NWA.

Group formed: 1996
Group disbanded: N/A
  
Albums:
-(1996-98) The Underground EP
-(2001) Devils Night
-(2004) D12 World
-(2015) Devils Night Mix
 
Members:

Proof (Deshaun Holten)
Eminem (Marshall Mathers, Slim Shady)
Kuniva (Von Carlisle)
Bizarre (Rufus Johnson)
Con Artis (Mr Porter, Denaun Porter)
Swifty Mcvay (Ondre Moore)

Review Requests?

If there are any rap albums or artists you would like to see represented on this site Email us at bmarosek1122@gmail.com :)

NWA's: Greatest Hits (1996)

NWA's: 'Greatest Hits'

 Overview: Well I'll start by explaining why we chose the greatest hits compilation album rather than an original release. NWA changed its roster many times with members coming and going but the real NWA is Dr Dre, Eazy E, Ice Cube, Yella and MC Ren. This is the album that really shows the tracks where they show their revolutionary colours. This is a brilliant album as it set the future for other rappers.

The Tracks:
1. Live Intro (1989): This short clip gives a very quick description about the album then a deep voice mentions various comments about street knowledge then introduces the band. Then a news sounding voice discusses the bands issues, the band then challenges this. The rest is just what sounds like
NWA performing for a crowd of hundreds.

2. Arrested (Insert): In this skit Eazy E uses his one call from jail to call (who is believed to be) Ice Cube to pick him up from prison as he and Yella, Ren and Dre picked up some women they did not know to be prostitutes.

3. Gangsta Gangsta: This, like many other NWA tracks, was written by Ice Cube. Ice Cube also raps the first 75% of the song with Eazy E filling the last/4th verse. Ice Cube and E do a brilliant job depicting the lifestyle and dangers of the gangster life in the hood.

4. F*** Tha Police (Insert): In this skit Eazy E (Eric Wright) talks about how the police treat people of dark skin unfairly which leads flawlessly into F*** The Police.

5. F*** Tha Police: This is the most controversial NWA track and maybe even the most
controversial rap track ever. This track was not about its musical quality as it is a rough cut recording job with a simple beat, it is about the content. NWA's Eazy E, MC Ren and Ice Cube all rap about the police misconduct to black people which put NWA in serious trouble with the law but pushed rights and change for black citizens all over the United States.

6. Compton's In The House [Live]: This starts off as a skit, taking off from the end of "Arrested" (Track 2) but leads into a recording of NWA's live performance of the track Compton's In The House.

7. Break Out [Live]: This skit continues the "Arrested" story with the band complaining to get them out of jail today.  This skit is a nice touch as it breaks up the harsh NWA controversy with humor then forms into one of the greatest tracks of all time, Straight Outta Compton.

8. Straight Outta Compton (Extended Mix): This is the extended mix of NWA's hit track Straight Outta Compton. Believe it or not for a track from 1987 this track hit number 38 in 2015 almost 30 years since its release due to the movie, Compton, detailing the groups rise and fall along with the death of Eazy E.

9. If It Ain't Ruff:  This is one of MC Ren's few solo tracks and in this track he raps about is prowess and how no one can beat him. He is the undisputed greatest and to doubt this is to risk death, or so he claims.

10. Real Niggaz: This tack highlights the break up and collapse of NWA. It is a diss track by the remaining 4 members of NWA after Ice Cube left, primarily due to unfair pay and Jerry Heller. This track makes reference and mockery to Ice Cube's success and talks how he couldn't make it in NWA.

11. I Ain't Tha 1: This track makes reference to a whole gender as the target. Well, more specifically gold diggers. It talks about how women do not want NWA or successful men in general for their personalities but for their money and how it is making them broke.

12. Alwayz Into Somethin': This is another anti-Cube track with the predominant members being Ren and Dre talking about shooting O'Shea (O'Shea Jackson aka Ice-Cube). This is truly a battle rap track as they rap about "rolling", "pumping" tunes and attacking Ice-Cube.

13. Don't Drink That Wine: This track is just a choir singing about how one should not drink wine rather Coke as its easy to find or even a joint ("or two").

14. Just Don't Bite It: This whole track is about oral sex. It just raps about how to do so, how NWA always gets it, and mainly, how teeth should not make contact. This track is similar to the work of D12's Bizarre and is humorous if not taken seriously.

15. Cash Money (Insert): This skit is Dre thanking the audience for buying the album, giving him money, so he can buy a new Ferrari.

16. Express Yourself: The original version of this track had only Dr Dre and had no profanity, much unlike NWA's previous work. On the single version there are also Ice Cube and Ren. This track is just a good chilled rap song to be played anywhere.

17. 100 Miles And Runnin': This track discusses NWA never being stopped and the fictional story behind it is the 4 remaining artists (this was recorded after Cube's exit) running from the police back to Compton and in a way, shows them as unstoppable.

18. A B**** Iz A B****: This track is very similar to "I Aint Tha 1" as its Ice Cube talking about what kind of women are b****es. It includes fictional arguments between Ice Cube and a "b****". This track includes humor with a narrator.

19. Real Niggaz Don't Die: This track sounds rather darker than the previous ones but also talks about Ren, E and Dre being an invincible force not to be tangled with.

20. Chin Check: Another of NWA's darker tracks this song starts with a terrified call to the emergency services. This is an amazing track however as it was recorded in 1996. It was part of the reunion of NWA after Eazy E's tragic death. It features Dr Dre, Ice Cube, MC Ren and Snoop Dogg and is a track to be remembered.

21. Hello: This is another of the NWA reunion tracks. It is part of Dre's the Watcher, and part Ice Cube track and its a catchy, smooth track. It also makes you reflect on NWA, their rise and their fall.

The Verdict: This album does not only show how NWA was a trail blazer but also serves as a timeline. Starting with early tracks such as Gangsta Gangsta and Straight Outta Compton, it then shows the collapse of NWA with Real Niggaz and Alwayz Into Somethin', then showing the reflection that can flip the audiences emotion in a snap. NWA were brilliant and every member is a rap god. Rest in peace Eazy E.
 For these reasons this album is scored 4/5

Different opinion? Feel free to comment :) (Keep it polite)