SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY 4TH AND LONG

TRACK NAME:4TH AND LONG
PRODUCED BY:ADAM
FAVORITE BAR (2 WAY TIE):CAUGHT BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, SO I PRAY GOD BE MY ROCK IN A HARD PLACE" "AGAINST ALL ODDS, GOD SHOW ME THE EVENS"

This is one of those tracks that literally gives me chills when i listen to it! When i first heard the track, i didn't even want to record on it. It sounded just that good. I remember going over my bars at a traffic light and the car next to me was nodding their head (not even being funny, but it looked like some real hard core rednecks-that's what makes this statement so powerful) with me-so i knew then, that this was going to speak to the people. I actually wrote this song during a low period in my life. I had just lost my job-so the bar where i say "lost my job, more time to write" is so true (lol)! I went through so much at that time in my life, that this song really brings out. I think my most important bar of the album came on this song-"smart lyrics, never will i dumb them/gotta be under so you can overcome them". This is true on many levels. ARTISTS IF YOU ARE STILL UNDER IT, THEN YOU HAVEN'T OVERCAME IT-THEREFORE, DON'T RAP ABOUT IT LIKE YOU HAVE! I really live by that. I refuse to give you lyrics about something that i haven't gone through. I want to be the realest rapper that you know. I want you to trust my lyrics. We are coming to a point in our lives where people don't want to be honest in their songs and when fans find out about that-their crushed. I can't do that to my fans. Sorry for the rant (lol)! It may get me "stoned like Stephen", but it's the "4Th quarter" and we don't have time for foolishness. The chorus also speaks to everyone. What are you going to do with your life? Are you going to sit back and just let it pass you by if you don't get everything to go as planned? Or, when it looks like nothing else will work-will you go for it? Something to think about. Well, give me your thoughts on the track. Spread the soup

CHICAN'S CHOICE-DEE-1 - IT'S MY TURN

C.H.I.C.A.N.'S CHOICE-DEE-1-IT'S MY TURN

RATING SYSTEM:
TWO SPOONS DOWN:IT IS DEFINITELY NOT YOUR TURN
ONE SPOON UP:NICE WATCH
TWO SPOONS UP:HOT!!!
TWO SPOONS AND A BOWL:A CLASSIC IN THE BREWING!!!

RATING:
VIDEO CONCEPT:TWO SPOONS AND A BOWL
VIDEO CREATIVITY:TWO SPOONS AND A BOWL
VIDEO QUALITY:TWO SPOONS AND A BOWL
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS:0:09-0:13, 1:05-1:06,2:15
C.H.I.C.A.N. CAUGHT IT:2:06-2:08-THE WHITE JUDGE IS GROOVING TO DEE-1'S PERFORMANCE AND GIVES A VERY "INTERESTING" DANCE IN THE BACKGROUND

Dee-1 is one of my favorite artists (make sure you check the article I wrote on him-coming soon!) and it was a honor to review this video. Dee-1 has great lyrics and his videos are equally as enjoyable as listening to his tracks. "It's my turn" is Dee-1 at his finest. This track has already received positive reviews through various websites and the video is sure to do the same thing. Well, let's get into it.

The video concept is very original and fresh. The concept is about a "American idol for rappers" audition. The viewers see Dee-1 checking out the flyer and making his way to the audition. Dee-1 is confident, because he knows...it's his time. I love the way how the actual lyrics line up with the concept of the video (make sure you check out 1:15-0:16). Artists don't do that anymore. We usually see a lot of shots of them in a stationary place and the video gets dull and boring. "It's my turn" is far from that, giving the viewers a look into his goal in hip hop as well as life.

The video was very creative with getting the message across. I caught how at 0:06, Dee-1 extends his hands in somewhat of way as Christ on the cross. Could he be implying that he will put his life and passion within the hip hop game? Or...was that just a cool shot and I'm over thinking it? The other rappers that were waiting in line all wore white t-shirts. Indicating, that they all we're bringing the "same thing" to the auditions/the hip hop world. Putting the X's over the fake rappers gives a adds extra humor to the video and also shows many of the artists "trying to act like they are something that they are not". Dee-1 comes into the audtion and WOWS the judges. However, we don't see Dee-1 stop there-he goes to a radio interview and back to what he does best-make hot tracks in the studio.

The quality of this video is great. Whoever was over the lighting..you know your job. The lighting went very well with Dee-1's outfits and the wall that was used in the beginning scenes brought out more of a vivid look to the video. The editing was great as well. The spilt screens looked well and the effects during the "tat tat tat" (0:38-0:41) effect was cool and the way it synched up with Dee-1 added flavor to the video. The colors throughout the whole video really kept my attention and drew me into Dee-1's performance more. Editing is just as important as the visuals and this video got both of them right.

Overall, this video receives two spoons up and a bowl!!! This video is a classic. This video shows and proves that you can have "your turn" being you and not having to copy someone Else's style. A very great a powerful message to take in from Dee-1. Make sure you be on the look out for " I Hope they Hear Me Vol.2" coming soon and check out more classic videos from Dee-1 at www.dee1music.com. It is his turn. Spread the soup

CHICANGEORGE-SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY-SCOREBOARD

TRACK NAME: SCOREBOARD(FEATURING THEO SOUL AND CONSTANTINE THE EMCEE)
TRACK PRODUCED BY:THEO SOUL
FAVORITE BAR:"TREAT DEATH LIKE MY NOSE, I DON'T WANT TO PICK IT"

I really enjoyed doing this track. I went to Theo soul's studio and we just free flowed the track. I love working with him, because he can just take on chord and or one of your bars and produce a whole song for you. I don't do sampling-because i don't have the money to pay for them-so, i decided to go to Theo soul to get a "soulful" feel, since he plays all his instruments. Anybody who works with me knows i can't sing, so I knew i had to get him on the chorus. I really enjoyed how the beat turned out.

The actual lyrics to this song are some of my favorite on the album. I really enjoyed coming up with the concept and i like that Theo soul made the song sound so life like (when if you really listen to the lyrics-it's a very dark song). I really thank Theo Soul for helping me on my verses as well. Originally, the verses were going to be 12 bars, like most of the album, and the last four bars were added with the help of Theo Soul singing them. I was actually going to make the last four bars of both verses into a bridge, but they flowed better within the verses. Speaking of extra help and a little "behind the scenes" piece that you didn't know-Constantine the Emcee snuck his vocals onto the track! I got the master copy from him and was listening to the track and I heard someone singing at the end. I was puzzled, because i had no clue that Constantine the Emcee could sing. He told me as he was mixing the track, he felt there was something missing and just added his vocals to give it that "extra" at the end. I couldn't disagree with him....he sounded nice. THERE WILL BE A VIDEO FOR THIS TRACK (more commentary will be included within that blog). I don't want to spoil anything, but you just stay tuned to see how we do it.

So, what are your thoughts on the track? Did you like the soulful sounds Theo Soul put down on the production? Do you think Constantine the Emcee did the right thing putting his vocals on the track? Were the lyrics powerful and thought provoking? Let me know your thoughts-good or bad. Spread the blog to your friends, families and enemies. Thanks and Spread the Soup.

CHICANGEORGE-SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY-THE FENCE

TRACK NAME: THE FENCE (DEFENSE)
PRODUCED BY:SAM BLEED
FAVORITE BAR: "AND YOU WON'T CROSSOVER LIKE KOBE IN THE PLAYOFF"

This is my gangster track...well i was trying to be gangster lol! For real, this is my track where i was putting my foot down. The standard in hip hop has gone down and i just wanted to get it back where it needs to be. We have to take time to take responsibility with what we do in hip hop. This is one of those tracks where you have to perform this without the beat, so people can REALLY HEAR and UNDERSTAND the lyrics. I was already in talks of doing a remix for this track-where it will be placed in still undecided. Sam bleed is a good friend and wanted to give me a track for the project. He was so cool and hooked me up with the track. Even though this track isn't discussd as many of the other tracks, this is really a powerful track. I hear a lot of people say that this is one of their most least favorite tracks and i think it's because of the production. I completely went left feild with it and it's the only one that is really different. It's cool..no love lost.

so what's your thoughts? do you feel like the track is inspirtatiopnal for artists to be aware of what they are putting out? Are the lyrics really powerful to you? Does the beat turn you away from the lyrics? I want to hear/read your thoughts!!! Make sure you comment-i won't bite you...i promise. If you don't want to comment here-because of the hassle of making a google account-i understand-leave it on the youtube page. Share it with your family, friends and enemies. I love all my soup troopers! Spread the soup!

SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY ENTERCEPTION

TRACK NAME: ENTERCEPTION ( PRONOUNCED INTERCEPTION)
PRODUCED BY: THEO SOUL
FAVORITE BAR: "MAN, WE DIDN'T BREAK BREAD, WE BROKE LAWS"

This song is very dear to me. This is actually a REAL account of my life. I got to break this song down by every couple of bars:
"Growing up i ran with the wrong union/so bad we stole Jesus blood during communion" I know this was bad, but when i was young, there was a guy and we stole a couple of cups during Communion. It wasn't wine, it was grape juice-but it was the thrill of taking more "blood" than others got. The irony in that is actually unreal! LOL!

"Man, we didn't break bread, we broke laws/and if you ran in our face we broke jaws" I was a little wanna be thug back in the day. I had anger issues and was always looking to get in a fight with people. It's funny to see how far God has brought me, because i was a evil thing back in the day! LOL!

"The only friends i had were in my head, until one day they said i was better off dead" Truth talk, with all the things going on in my life, i had demons and spirits in my head. I became anti social and depressed. I had suicidal thoughts and was very close of attempting it. Death wasn't a dark thing to me, so i embraced it. I wasn't emo, it just didn't bother me if i died. I thank God for him and helping me with my internal problems.

The line about the "church" gets misinterpreted by some. I wasn't referring to a physical place, but certain individuals that had a "church" mentality rather than a "kingdom" mentality. It was referring to the people who think they got everything right and look down on other people. The one's who turn their nose up to you-like they been saved all their lives! I'm glad i don't judge people like that. I look at some people and realize i was once where they are and need to be a ear, shoulder, mouth or whatever body part for them.

This is a great song showing fans who i am and where i came from. I'm actually going to be dropping a video for this track soon. As far as for the name, Braille (one of my favorite artists) helped me come up with it. Since i was going with a theme of football and this song is about "going the other way", I was going to call it interception. Braille told me to be creative and spell it in a form that would stand out-there goes a tip for all you inspiring artists on how to stand out and be different. The word "cept" means to take. there are two actions of "taking". I'm allowing God to "take" control of me/the ball and I'm "taking" a new route-rather entering into it. Hence, the name...enter-ception.

So, what do you think? Do you think this song is video worthy? Do you think this is a touching song? Do you like the clever name of the song? Do you know who Braille is? Please answer these questions and comment back to me. Also, go back and check out more of the track commentaries from album "Souperbowl Sunday...the CD for champions". Send this to your family, friends and enemies...and subscribe to the blogs! Spread the soup!

CHICAN'S CHOICE-Q THE PROPHET - SOUL MATE

CHICAN'S CHOICE-Q THE PROPHET-SOUL MATE

TWO SPOONS DOWN-HATE IS A STRONG WORD-BUT I'M HATING
ONE SPOON UP-NICE WATCH
TWO SPOONS UP-HOT!!!
TWO SPOONS AND A BOWL-A CLASSIC IN THE BREWING!!!

RATING:
VIDEO CONCEPT:TWO SPOONS
VIDEO CREATIVITY: TWO SPOONS AND A BOWL
VIDEO QUALITY: ONE SPOON
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: 0:15, 0:27, 3:11, 3:39
CHICAN CAUGHT IT: 0:06, That's a nice way to rock that tie

First off, Q the prophet is excellent with timing. Some may think I'm referring to his lyrical ability-but I wasn't going that way (however,he is nice with his timing lyrically though). Q the prophet picked a excellent time to drop this video....on valentine week. Some may see this as a gimmick, but this brings back a "fun feel" to hip hop. Plus, with all the horrible things going on in the world-we need some love. I haven't heard a good love song like this in a long time, but i also haven't seen a good love song video like this in a long time. Stephcynie curry brings a "soulful" feel to the video and within the chorus and actually allows Q the prophet to really expound on the concept of the video. The concept is a small idea of showing how LARGE Q the prophet loves his girlfriend/soul mate. This concept comes of very well.

The creativity from this video is classic! First off, Q the prophet takes it "old school" and writes his soul mate a love letter (yea, people that are over twenty actually used paper and a pencil to write letters to people lol). He continues to tear them up and rewrite them, trying to create the best way to portray his feelings. He eventually comes to the point of simply telling her she's his soul mate (one highlight point of the video) and he loves her. He shows in lyrics, as well as video, how he loves her in all aspects-mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Once again, Q the prophet is good with his timing. As he says "cake" (even though he's not using it in this term), we see him putting a ring under his soul mate's plate of cake (I'm guessing lemon pound cake???). Just as she realizes there is a ring under it, he says she should have his last name. This is how a video should go. The story should have you paying attention to everything going on.

The quality of the video is good. The director does a good job of allowing us to see Q the prophet's feelings. I love the b roll of him in the streets. I noticed that we saw the banner for "The lion king" in the background. Maybe the director is trying to say that Q the prophet is a lion king-loyal,faithful, and will take care of his family or represents like the lion of Judah. The editing is good and i like the spilt screen shots. I can tell the team really put some time into this project.

Overall, i give this video two spoons, but i feel like it is going to hit your "hip hop spot" when you watch it. I feel this video will be sent to ladies on valentine day, anniversaries and when guys mess up in their relationships. The ladies will love it and you gave all the guys ammunition....we salute you for that.

So,did this video melt your heart or just burn you up? Did Q the prophet get his point across or did he just look like he was just trying to get his drake (not knocking) on? Give us your thoughts...good or bad. Send this to your friends,family and enemies. Spread the soup.

SOUPERBOWL SUNDAY-AUDIBLE

TRACK NAME: AUDIBLE
PRODUCED BY: LIKE LIME LIGHT
FAVORITE BAR:"GOT LIGHT COMING OUT MY MOUTH, LIKE UNCLE FESTER"

This was my track that i wanted to have a hip hop/old school feel. I had to grab Constantine the emcee on the chorus to get his beat boxing skills on. The chorus is really the most important part of the song. It's letting the people know I'm calling a "audible" in the game and in my life. Luke did a great job on the beat. I remember telling him that i wanted the track to just come in out of nowhere. I actually tried to change my flow up a little in the second verse-but not much though. LOL! I am a huge fan of "Get smart" and Don Adams, so i had to give him a shot out on this track. This is one of my songs that you really got to listen to a couple of times to catch everything I'm throwing out there. This is one of the shortest songs on the album, but it has more meat then most tracks on the album. So far, I've only had a couple of people tell me that they really got the concept of the song and said that this was their favorite track. So, is it your favorite track on the album? Did you catch the concept within the song? Was it to short for you? Did the beat boxing annoy you or did it make the track? Give me your thoughts-good or bad-and make sure you share this with your family, friends and enemies! Spread the soup!

CHICAN'S CHOICE-KRYST LYKE-KEEP IT KINGDOM

ARTIST:KRYST LYKE
ALBUM TITLE: KEEP IT KINGDOM
RATING SYSTEM:
TWO SPOONS DOWN-BORING!!!
ONE SPOON-GOOD LISTEN
TWO SPOONS-HOT!!!
TWO SPOONS AND A BOWL-A CLASSIC IN THE BREWING!!!

First off, i want to start this review off by saying that kryst lyke is one of the most humblest artists i know. I've seen him around at different events and I've noticed how nice and down to earth he is. He has a teachable spirit and doesn't feel like he knows everything. (Soapbox please) This is how artists need to be. This guy has a HUGE following and fan base and it hasn't changed him. If he is shady, then he must be a great actor. He has servant mentality. Let me give you a good example of his service style. I had a show and i wanted him to come to it. He was coming back in town that day and came through-straight from the show, just to support. He didn't get to perform, no special shout out or anything like that-he just came to support. When will we all get that? (Remove soapbox) Now, Let's get down to business.

And the business we shall get to...is kingdom. Kryst lyke delivers a energized EP of biblical praise and honor to God on "Keep it kingdom". Kryst lyke has a great ear for production. All of the tracks are certified bangers. This is his first solo project and I think that the ep style (six tracks) give the audience a good feel of who he is and what you are in for throughout the album...crunkness. The album literally rides like his set or a big performance track. I can see why he has so many shows,because fans know that they are in for a fast pace, get out your seat and sweat time. However, this is what also causes a opportunity (not really a problem).

I saw two opportunities for the next project for kryst lyke. First off, i would like to hear more about him personally. The high energy was great, but as a fan, i didn't hear that track to connect me to him. Now, don't get me wrong. He is very engaged with his fans at shows and via his social networking sites, but i really wanted to get a more intimate track from him. Secondly, I want to hear him on some slow tracks. I understand he had a consistent flow of up tempo tracks on the album, but i wanted to get a little variety. I wouldn't want to see kryst lyke get put in the "one dimensional" category.

Keep it kingdom is a very addictive album. Choruses will have you singing along before the track is even over. My three favorite tracks are Crazy praize, j.u.m.p. and ampmazing. This is a real good listen. The production and consistency of the album give it two spoons. So, let's break down the album:

1.Crazy Praize ft Roc-Lyrics:2 spoons Beat:2 spoons and a bowl Favorite bar:"I'm insane,I'm going wild/Cause i know the father and i know I'm his child" I love when the first bars of a album jump out and grab me. This sets the tone for the "ride" of the listen of it. My favorite bar is the beginning bar, so i knew i was going to feel the album. The chorus is "crazy"! Roc comes in with a swagged out flow and complements the track nicely. This track has huge video potential.
2.Amazing ft. Te'Aye-Lyrics-1 spoon Beat:2 spoons Favortie bar:"I hear my stomach grumbling, the the word is what i am craving" Kryst lyke has a way with choruses. He can make something so simple, sound so huge. Once again, he picks someone with a different flow, Te'Aye, and complements him and the track well. One can hear the passion and conviction in his verses.
3. J.U.M.P.(Jesus use me please)-Lyrics-1 spoon Beat:1 spoon Favorite bar:"Slide,dip j.u.m.p." This track isn't lyrical or deep, but it's so creative! Jump is a simple prayer that is echoed throughout the song. This is a track for everyone of all ages. He even has j.u.m.p. wrist bands for fans. This is also a track i can see with a video.
4.P.O.S.E.(praise on Satan's Ego)-Lyrics-2 spoons Beat:2 spoons Favorite bar:"call me EA sports, that dude kryst is in the game" The beat really goes well with Kryst lyke on this track. He has a grimer and darker edge on the track and it actually works for him. This track does make me want to get a camera and p.o.s.e. though! LOL!
5.Walls of Jericho-Lyrics-2 spoons Beat:2 spoons Favorite bar:"Kingdom all stars, me and j.c. time for us to go ball" Kryst lyke actually changes his flow up and goes with a sped up cadence. It's refreshing to see him go with another type of flow. He even slows it down for us later, so we can catch what he's saying. There is a line in here about ground zero and i pray that people listen in a correct context and don't take it the wrong way. i know how some people try to find something out of nothing. Nice bars and great message.
6.Ampmazinf ft. Alreddy Reddy-Lyrics-2 spoons Beat: 2 spoons and a bowl favorite bar (2xs tie):"kinda like flour, self rising" " I gave my life for you, you gave your son for me/on the tree calvary-that makes us family" This is a great track to end the album on. Alreddy Reddy mixes his track "amped up" on this mesh track. Reddy's style is so cool and drops some of his best bars I've heard thus far. I believe that this is kyrst lyke's best verse on the album. It simplifies what he stands for and his style. This is surely a atmosphere changing track and needs a video for it.

You can follow Kryst lyke and purchase his CD from facebook.com/krystlyke and twitter.com/krystlyke .So what do you think? Is this album kryst lyke or Christ not? Is it really crunk or keeps you sitting in your seat? Did you agree-that you wanted to hear more personal songs or am i being to hard? Let me and kryst lyke know your thoughts and spread the review around. Spread the soup.

KICKING IT WITH KABOOSE

What's brewing soup troopers? Just wanted to recap with you all about the show with kaboose last week. We will start off from the beginning of the day all the way to the end. I scooped up my soup trooper Dre, cause he wanted to ride with me to check out the show. We listened to braille (one of my favorite artists) for like the first hour. Ironically, on the track "restless", Dre went to sleep. Not because he was bored with the track, but because he said he hasn't sleep in two days. His last words before his nap were "I like this song already, i haven't slept in two days.". I'm glad he got some rest, but he sleeps like a mad man!

So next, i had to go pick up Constantine the emcee. He almost caught a beat down from me, because he wanted to stop prior to meeting me to get a "craving" cup of coffee. Since I'm a nice guy, i decided not to do so. We were running late, the traffic was so backed up! I thought we were going to be late, but we actually got there 10 minutes till 6. Talk about close timing!!!

As i got there, i was greeted by some family and friends from my past. This was a special show for two reasons, because i was meeting kaboose in person and i was returning back home to do a show close to home. Some people i thought who wouldn't be as receptive were and that really made my day. As i met kaboose, he was so cool. You don't see that in many artist now that have such a big name. He was dressed in b-ball shorts and jordans, so i knew he was ready to put it down.

Dan cook (the event coordinator and also in the picture above) told me i could talk with the kids a little before i performed. I took a minute to stress the importance of appreciating home, the importance of the mothers and fathers you have to lead you in the right direction and pursing your dreams. It felt better to SHOW the kids i was once were they were sitting then to actually do my set.

One word describes kaboose's set...phenomenal!!!It was so flawless and raw hip hop that no one could sit even sit down. DJ micah (also pictured above)did a outstanding job on the turn tables. This was hip hop at it's finest. Kaboose has a way of really connecting with his fans. Just him telling the audience about his life was just as exciting as his performance. After his set, the kids rushed him. I haven't seen someone get rushed like that in a long time. It was so positive and a loving atmosphere.

After signing autographs and taking pictures, kaboose, DJ Micah, Dan and i went to the back to grab some food. We talk about everything from God to hip hop to marriages. I really needed this. I really needed to see that bar that i was trying to reach for. It also was a reality check for me to see how far I've come and how far i got to go. It was a honor to rock a show with him and simply experience a true hip hop artist in action. One day I'll be there soup troopers, but until then I'll keep pushing. God bless kaboose and keep being phenomenal. Spread the soup!