ILLASTRATE ON THE STAND!! COMCAST ON DEMAND!
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The Dirty Drum Mixtape review (Souteastern Performer)
The simplest way to define Illastrate's The Dirty Drum Mixtape is 23 tracks of pure energy and versatility. The album, which was produced and arranged entirely by Illastrate, offers classic hip-hop over melodies borrowed from soul, jazz, neo-soul and reggae. The CD opens, like many mixtapes, with a profanity-laced welcome from DJ EFN before smoothly transitioning into "40 Bars," featuring the lyrics and flow of Aarophat over a jazzy horn- and drum-dominated track. The high energy continues with "5 Kings," featuring GB Cees."Back to the Block," which features Mojo Swagger, is another excellent example of the energy that Illastrate brings to his tracks. "Akir Freestyle," which moves the CD back toward a more jazzy orientation, is an enticing — albeit too short — freestyle collaboration with the smooth Akir.The old soul returns on "Oz," featuring Ozy, in which Ozy brags about getting his well-deserved respect. One of the most compelling tracks is "Big Money," featuring Butta Verses. The musical arrangement dominates to the point where the listener envisions a marching band horn section on stage behind the talented MC, confidently bragging about how much money he has to spend.The CD takes an unexpected but pleasant turn toward reggae on "Lyrical Murdah" with Black Noise featuring Prophet. The enchanting beat and outstanding vocal arrangements end all too soon, leaving the listener yearning for more. One of the smoothest tracks on the CD is "Ready Freddy" with Willie Joe featuring Empress Raw, who together provide the listener with the unflattering definition of a Ready Freddy. Illastrate closes the CD with "This Goes Out" featuring Ill Elements (No Joke, Dolo and Aarophat).The Dirty Drum Mixtape, with its diverse and unique sound, is definitely a good listen. Focused through a variety of MCs, Illastrate's talents as a producer are obvious. (Working Class Music, Bad Grama Records)
INVIZZIBL MEN (MARK SPEKT & KARNAIGE) FEAT. C RAYZ WALZ PROD. ILLASTRATE.
Album in stores now!!! Invizzibl Men (Karneige/Mark Spekt) -THE UNVEILING
www.rapreviews.com
7oMusic Vibes: 7 of 10 Lyric Vibes: 7 of 10 TOTAL Vibes: 7 of 10
"The Unveiling is a great hip-hop record with great guests..." - Urb Magazine
Discography:
Illastrate Compilation Project " Basmental" vol.0, vol.1, vol.2 Best of Basmental (2000-2005)
Broady Champs "Breakfast of Champions" LP (2005)
Illastrate "Nasir Jones Vs. Jerry Butler Remixtape" (2006)
Broady Champs " Dirty Needlez Click" Mixtape (2005)
Akir "Legacy" LP (2006)
Illastrate Mixtape "The Dirty Drum Mixtape" (2007)
Mojo Swagger "Its a Good Look" and "Milk of Magnesia" Mixtape (2006/7)
Ozy Reigns " The Last Dragon Mixtape" (2007)
Sub Surface "The Others" LP (2007)
Aarophat "The Sound Vol. 2" LP (2006)
Aarophat " Aarodynamix" LP (RAWKUS 50) (2007)
Dynas " Me, Myself, and Rhymes" LP (RAWKUS 50) (2007)
Butta Verses " The Fixtape" Mixtape (2007)
Na'ira "On My Angle's Wings" LP (2008)
Invizzibl Men "The Unveiling" LP (Nature Sounds) 2008
Marq Spekt "Pretty Weapons" LP (GrooveAttack) 2008
DNS(Dip-N-Steam) "Do Not Sleep" (2007)
Binkis Recs Untitled LP (2008)
Dynas " The Apartment" LP (BBE) (2008)
Roleo/Illastrate The Love is Back LP (2008)
Mojo Swagger LP TBA (2008)
Senor Kaos "Automatic Classic" single
Melephyre "The Dan Freeman Story" LP(2008)
UPCOMING PROJECTS:
Mojo and Illa "Lamont and Ralo" EP
Mark Spekt Remix Project Untitled
Beat Fanatic Compilation LP
Stan Steam "The Stan Smith Collection" LP (2008)
"BLACK NOISE (Aarophat/Illastrate)" LP (2008)
DNS (Dip n Steam) Untitled LP
Ozy Reigns "Change" LP
Working Class Crew "Untitled" LP
Boog Brown" Miss Black America" LP
Teddy Presley (Dyans and Illastrate) "Untitled" LP (2009)
Illastrate "Friday Nite Theme Music" LP
StrateSlop (Illastrate and Slopfunkdust) Project TBA
Senor Kaos Untitled EP (2008)
Karnaige Untitled LP (2008)
