Customer Reviews

Definition. The Hip-Hop Compilation

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4 star:		(1)
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If you really have a heartfelt love for hip hop, you will love this compilation. Packed with high caliber production and well-seasoned verses, this project serves as a hard-hitting debut from NeblinaRecords.com, an internet based indy. Includes production by industry newcomers Khrysis, K-Hill, and DJ Doc Strange. Also featured are songs by Edgar Allen Floe and L.E.G.A.C.Y., members of North Carolina-based crew The Justus League (the crew claimed by Little Brother). If you are really into some serious hip hop, pick this up. Otherwise you are missing out.

Admittedly, I was a little skeptical when I first heard of Neblina Records. Thousands of little independent record labels pop up every year with mediocre material. What would make this label any different? However, after seeing they had producer 9th Wonder on board for the album, my interest was piqued, and once finding that Justus League members Edgar Allen Floe & L.E.G.A.C.Y., as well as frequent 9th collaborators Spectac & Splash were on the project, my curiosity turned into anticipation. Yet it was the compilation's first single "Da Instigator" by K-Hill that changed my anticipation to full-out support. On the song, the promising emcee takes to task rappers for biting styles, gimmicks, and just plain being wack, that turned me from a fan to a supporter. Instead of relying on the better known artists to get them over, the label heads exhibited an acute ear for talent that is reminiscent of indie labels Rawkus & Loud's early days.

With the majority of the album made up of little-known, unheard-of emcees and producers, it is easy to be leery of the project. Still, those who are looking for Hip-Hop evocative of the mid-90's will certainly enjoy this album. The album stands for the era of pre-divisive Hip-Hop as songs that are "conscious" are placed alongside those considered more "street."

However, it is not solely the juxtaposition of styles on the CD that separates it from the crop of other indie compilations, but rather the high caliber performances turned in by the artists. Moreover, while bangers like Spectac's 40-Immortal-produced "Get Ready" were expected, other lesser known artists exceeded all expectations. Over a skillful flip of a Deele sample, "Gunshots" finds Baltimore emcee/producer Mercury Waters reminiscing about his early memories of Hip-Hop and how much the culture has changed. Duo Chapter 13 provide two bright spots on the CD with their songs "Watchin' My Moves" & "Demons." The lyrics on "Demons" are relatable to everyone overcoming a struggle. Other strong points come from Medinah General's crime tale "Dreams" with its Premier-esque editing, Italy's Giuann Shadai's groove-inducing "Pui Fuoco," and "Cry Like A Baby" from straight-forward lyricist Panama Gat. Yet lyrically, amongst the unknowns, it is perhaps Manov War who is most notable. On "Horizon" he drops bars like "All I need is a reason to amp `em/provide the martyrs and it's sayonara/the all season champion rhyme author/Manov War you see/I rhyme with authority/the moon shines off of the sun/ the shines off me."

Still, like any young upstart label's first release, there are some minor weaknesses. The most detrimental being the sequencing. Most of the better known artists are regulated too much later in the disc instead of being interspersed throughout the disc. Chapter 13's songs are cropped to close together and Manov War's "Bubbles (freestyle)" clearly should not be the 3rd cut on the CD with many stronger songs. Also, there are the occasional cuts like the off-kilter "Peep The Status" and Eternia's "Forward" that will have some fans hitting the next button.

Despite these hiccups, Definition is a solid contribution to this year's Hip-Hop landscape. Don't be surprised if you hear a lot from these artists in the next few years, moreover don't be shocked when Neblina becomes a major player in the Hip-Hop scene.

This album, like many other J-League albums, needs to be heard on the radio & in the clubs because it's NOTHING BUT REAL HIP-HOP MUSIC, THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSE TO SOUND LIKE!!!!

From start to finish, eargasm after eargasm. I hear the heart
in K-Hill's "Da Instigator," the passion in Panama G.A.T.'s "Cry
like a Baby," and the lyricism in Manov War's "Horizon." It's all
here...all fundamental components of Hip-Hop can be found in this
album.

As far as production is concerned...crazy. Gyphted, who's 1/2 of
the NC-based Next Level Crew, perfectly complements Mercury Waters'
flow on "Gunshots," giving him an old-school-ish, uptempo beat to
rock to. Rashid Hadee blesses Chapter 13 with beats that'll make you
break ya damn neck from head-noddin' if you ain't careful. The comp
also features hot production from K-Hill, 9th Wonder (of Little
Brother), DJ Resident, DJ Forge, and the Apple Juice Kid, who
produced Medinah General's "F.U.X" -- which happens to be another
banger.

Neblina even gives us some international flavor with Giuann
Shadai's "Pui Fuoco" -- it's in Italian, but the production on this
is just bananas, you don't even care...Guiann's energy on this
almost makes you forget that it's in a different language. The hook
seems to be one of the highlights of this song...it's wild!...sounds
like some fight-music-type ish.

EAF (of the Justus League), J-Gunn, and many others shine on this
Hip-Hop compilation, only making you anticipate Neblina's next delivery.

Support real Hip-Hop.

This has to be one of the most well put together Compilations I have heard this year.. right from the get go with DJ A-Beats intro all the way thru to the Neblina Outro {produced by Neblina's own TM22} it feels organic, the people who put together this CD really picked the best of the bunch when it came to song selection as it doesn't feel like a compilation when you are listening...

This is A Definate Must for fans of Hip Hop Music