Customer Reviews

Lovework

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I liked the lyric content (although it did get a little repetitive), and the smooth vibe. What I didn't like was the underproduction. I bet he comes out with a great sophomore album. I'd like to hear Teodros come out with some songs with intricate beats and variety.

Gabriel Teodros debut solo is "Lovework" (2007). I recently came across this release from Teodros who is part of a Seattle Hip Hop group called Abyssinian Creole. My favourite track on this release is "Do U" feat. Jerm which has a uplifting feel good vibe to it, Gabriel Teodros shines on this joint. No Label (Esma Remix) is another winner, Teodros delivers a memorable tribute to music while rhyming with confidence about being proud of being unique and openminded. The Ethiopian American MC rhymes about being different when he was younger and finding solace in music on "Beautiful" -Teodros provides introspective lyrics which many people worldwide can relate to. Teodros rhymes about a variety of subjects on "Sexcapism" including a past love. Teodros collabs with Toni Hill on "Racoon Rock", then rhymes about his cultural background on "East Africa" & "Don't Cry For Us" feat. his partner in rhyme Khingz & Toni Hill. Teodros rhymes over some mellow production on "In This Together" a track about American and his native home Ethiopia - providing some on point lyrics about how people everywhere face the same struggles and need to unite to overcome them. "The Dirty Six" is a unnecessary skit which is followed up by an under produced track in "It's That" (feat. Geologic). Backed by some Jazzy production Teodros then talks about poverty and struggle on "Third World Wide" - going on a global tour. Teodros rhymes about how Hip Hop should be open to all and not classified on "Warriors" (Lovework Reprise), then talks to a woman on "Chili Sauce". Gabriel Teodros and Rajnii Eddins collaborate on "Find A Place", looking to create a better future. Toni Hill makes another appearance on the upbeat title track "Lovework". I found the later part of this album got a bit repetitive in content and was underproduced, overall though Gabriel Teodros provides a solid album with "Lovework", recommend it to fans of social conscious Hip Hop and those looking for something different.

The 1st official release on Massline and it's worth the wait. With each release that comes out of this camp (obviously refering to the re-releases of both Blue Scholars and Common Market) it like a breath of fresh air. A lot of writers and reviewers throw that term around, but these albums honestly are like filling my lungs with crisp country air.

Dope beats, dope rhymes... its that simple and the lyrics actually have substance behind them.

Gabe's solo joint is somewhat a continuation of Ab-Creol's "Sexy Beast" album with Khingz, but at the same time, it's completely different. This album dives deeper into some of the topics and ideas he breifly mentions on the "Sexy Beast LP." Writing of his confused lack of culture, womanizing, sexism, racism, classism and homophobia. Big concepts and ideals to tackle within the confines of an album these days.

But then again, why not. Now more than ever music is making kids dress, act and consume in a certian way. Why not combat taht a little? He even addresses this saying that basically "white kids are the only ones interested in traditional hip-hop and that his sermons fall on the choir's ears instead of on the masses."

It's a very deep and meaningfull piece and worthy of several digestions to fully grasp everything on this LP.

Don't Sleep. But then again, with Rawkus soon to be in the fold, it may not be long before you hear the alarm.

I really enjoyed this CD. I am not a great fan of RAP. But Mr. Teodros combined his lyrics (RAP) with Raggae music and it came out fantastic.
Besides, I was born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia of European families. I learned to read, write and speak Amharic at the French Lycee. Like Mr. Teodros, I am a transplanted United States Citizen now, and I related to his lyrics with my heart and soul. I am so chagrined that he doesn't speak his maternal language anymore. I on the other hand, I was separated from the language after I got to live in the United States these past 37 years, but I hang on to Amharic, because it is a poetic language. It feels so good to recognize Ethiopian emigres in many places and talk to them in Amharic and say, I speak "bouzou, bouzou Amarigna".....so I like his song when he says to the Ethiopian girl that he speaks ..."Tinish, Tinish.....Amarigna!"......Mr. Teodros, I can't wait for his next album. This is a fantastic album. Keep the good composition and lyrics coming.