Ah merci Erick!
(click to see the screenshot bigger)
14.2.10
" noir. IS BLACK " - ERICK ARC ELLIOTT
I’ve been banging out to this mix-tape since the beginning of the year (January 2nd), and I completely forgot to do a review for it. I mean, I took notes on it and everything, I just forgot to type it. And then I forgot where I put them. I bet you after I post this, I’ll find them. Shame on me. Anyways, lets get into it shall we.
I heard about this dude after catching up with Phil on the Award Tour blog. I trusted that he had good taste, and had the plan to fill my iTunes with positive, non-garbage music, so I said, bun it, downloaded it and threw it on the iPod and went on my way. Now, I am extremely skeptical of mix-tapes, especially those done by rappers that I’ve never heard of. But I was like eh, he’s from Brooklyn and he’s gotten this far, can’t be that bad.
And can’t be that bad is right. I listened to the entire mix-tape, no fast forwarding for my entire commute to school. It got to the point where someone was trying to talk to me that morning, and I straight ignored them, something I don’t usually do, because what I was hearing was just that dope.
To the hip hop conscious, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Erick Arc Elliott.
I even changed up my format for him. That`s just how impressed I am. Rapper, photographer, graphic designer and poet ( I threw that one in ). Now, I`ve never heard of him before, but with this tape, Noir. is black, he`s such an amazing story teller that he goes back and shells out bits and pieces of his life, conveying an image to the listener of who he is. As Phillip mentioned, he`s not trying to convince the listener that he`s an alien or something from out of this world, just a normal person destined for greatness. On that note, let`s get into this play by play. I’m not going to get too deep into it, I want you to check it for yourself, plus it’s minutes to ten and I’m tired.
I heard about this dude after catching up with Phil on the Award Tour blog. I trusted that he had good taste, and had the plan to fill my iTunes with positive, non-garbage music, so I said, bun it, downloaded it and threw it on the iPod and went on my way. Now, I am extremely skeptical of mix-tapes, especially those done by rappers that I’ve never heard of. But I was like eh, he’s from Brooklyn and he’s gotten this far, can’t be that bad.
And can’t be that bad is right. I listened to the entire mix-tape, no fast forwarding for my entire commute to school. It got to the point where someone was trying to talk to me that morning, and I straight ignored them, something I don’t usually do, because what I was hearing was just that dope.
To the hip hop conscious, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Erick Arc Elliott.
I even changed up my format for him. That`s just how impressed I am. Rapper, photographer, graphic designer and poet ( I threw that one in ). Now, I`ve never heard of him before, but with this tape, Noir. is black, he`s such an amazing story teller that he goes back and shells out bits and pieces of his life, conveying an image to the listener of who he is. As Phillip mentioned, he`s not trying to convince the listener that he`s an alien or something from out of this world, just a normal person destined for greatness. On that note, let`s get into this play by play. I’m not going to get too deep into it, I want you to check it for yourself, plus it’s minutes to ten and I’m tired.
- So we start off this tape with TRADUCTION. Starts off with a nice mellow beat, something I`d personally skate too. He throws a little french in there and then goes IN. Hype lines and a couple quick spits that you have to think fast to get so that you won`t miss the next one.
- HUNGER (what I`m feeling right now) comes up next. Another dope beat and more lyrics. He`s straight tellin stories on this one. “being broke is a struggle, but it just made me invest more.” –> see, dope$#!+. and finally a rapper that isn’t singing the hook/chorus.
- X & Y starts off with a little shout out, and he mentions that he can’t mix. But I don’t think anyone listening will really mind. Another dope beat, and I’m seriously wondering why I can’t hear something like this on a mainstream album. “girls are from mars” –> not what you usually hear.
- 12.29.09 this is like a little skit thing hil-ar-ious “uh, yo that $#!+’s wack…but it was wack.” I kinda wish that coulda been a little longer.
- PLANE has a 80’s feel to it. The second verse goes in. The diction and the part where he breaks it down about what audience he might portray are all impeccable.
- FANFARE is one of my favourites. Just because of the beat. It makes me think of everything urban. From basketball games, kids skateboarding in broken down pools, low-rider bikes, everything. “mom’s fell sick and I almost fell apart” –> How often do you hear someone telling their life like that? Exactly.
- PINK COOKIES = FAVOURITE! “I’m in the booth still thinkin bout my first time.” –> DO I REALLY HAVE TO SAY MORE? Eh I'm a sucker, SO WHAT. Refreshing to listen to, especially after all of the “I beat/eat/smash the punnany up” type music I just can’t seem to get away from.
- FIFTEEN MINUTES was a Kanye West, emerging out of the floor on a smoky platform type feel in the beginning. “time’s getting lonesome, before I plead insanity.” Oi. Can I see this dude’s rhyme book, pretty please? Just a glimpse.
- SNOOZE BUTTON (what I’ll be hitting tomorrow morning at 5:30) “a car big enough to fall out, with the doors closed” –> Damm. What’s more to say?
- EMPTY SPACE, just with the intro beat and the singing in the back, who I don’t think is Erick, makes me think of biking through the city. It has that chill, being mad calm while the rest of the world is rushed past type of vibe.
- ALL OVER THE PLACE ; I can’t lie the song kinda is. “so they say I’m garbage, because I don’t bother to bother you, I’d rather you bother me with honesty, think on it.” –> I’m done.
- PEDDLE MUSIC, now this is the one everyone is pushing. “Everybody wants that breakthrough Kanye West track, everybody. This is mine.” and it really does sound like it. Something Kanye would have produced before he fell off some. The beat + the lyrics + the delivery + the content = the reason why everyone’s pushing it so hard.
- 2005 FREESTYLE You doing a freestyle after having JAMES BROWN count you in? Do I really need to say more. Come on now.
- ALL THAT I GOT IS YOU, he redid the intro 21 times. At first I’m like, look at this perfectionist. Then when he gets into the song, I get why. To speak on all a that and to not crack, no matter how many times done before takes effort and strength. I'll say it again. When was the last time you heard a rapper tell their life like this?
- ORBITAL, I’m unhappy knowing the tape is done. The last beat on the tape has a common vibe to it. No Erick rapping on it, but it’s still nice nevertheless.
click the cover for it ; you’re all welcome.
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