Search - Various Artists :: Hip Hope Hits 2009

Marketing creation

Kevin Gwin | Chicago, IL USA | 03/12/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I think that it is disappointing when a album states on the front that it contains the best in Christian hip hop of 2009, but it doesn't even have any of the best artists on the album. No Lecrae, no Flame, no Shai Linne, no Trip Lee. Come on. You can call it hits from 2009, but don't label it the best of holy hip hop. People know better."

The Hip Hope legacy continues....

M.K. | Norfolk, VA | 03/10/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Hip Hope compilation series continues with the 2009 edition. It was a bit better this time because my daughters were singing about half of the songs. As a first, it's produced by Mike "DJ Maj" Allen of his Fistpic Productions company.



It also features some of Gotee Records's alumnus (Verbs, Grits and former LA Symphony member, Pigeon John) and some other recognizable artists including Pettidee, KJ-52 (featuring Teron "Bonafide" Carter of Grits), Shonlock, sister act girl group V3, The Washington Projects (previously known as Souljahz), new Gotee artist B. Reith, Gospel singer/producer Canton Jones, Knine, J Remy, LA Symphony frontman/producer Flynn Adam Atkins, background singer/rapper Curtis "CZ" Zachary (check credit booklet) and legendary rapper, Speech (of Arrested Development). New to the mix are Braille, Jade Harrell (featuring Stacy "Coffee" Jones of Grits) and Stefan the Scientist (both of Grits's Revolution Art label) and Proxy. To add to the humor, Pigeon John and Flynn Adam Atkins join forces to become the duo Rootbeer.



What a review without its downsides? Boring, that's what....



Gripe #1: What, no songs by Liquid, Mars Ill or John Reuben? That's a first, but according to the credit booklet included, John Reuben is coming out with new music sometime this year. One Liquid song from his "Tales From the Badlands" release would have been nice. From what I've read about Mars Ill, they've had some sampling and copyright issues with some of their songs.



Gripe #2: Rootbeer's photo looks like the younger version of the Blues Brothers. Why didn't they put Rootbeer's "Chimpanzee" song on the CD version too instead of download only? I was kind of mad about that, but I heard their song by way of Hip Hope's website. Pretty funny song.



Gripe #3: Two songs that stuck out like sore thumbs....Washington Projects gangsta-esque "Come Back to Me" (though Rachel Washington's vocals are tight here) and J Remy's psychotic/suicidal "Cut Me". I know that Gotee is hurting for songs and talent, but they really need to listen to the lyrical content in both songs. A word of caution-these songs will scare your kids. The only two bad songs.



Other than that, there are some hidden bonus tracks by grassroots artists Pro, Propoganda, Othello, DJ Promote, DJ Morph and Freddie Bruno. A great move by Maj because you'll get that mixtape feeling while you're listening.



Usually, I didn't care for TobyMac's last three Hip Hope choices, but since Liquid Beats remixed one of his Portable Sounds songs with Siti Monroe and KJ-52, along with a splash of the Spanish guitar, it added some flavor to the tune.



In conclusion, I recommend this release, but take gripe #3 under some serious consideration, not only for yourself, but also for the kids.



Be blessed."