RHYTHMICRU - CD SUPERTOKE 2

Popis - SUPERTOKE 2:
'Rhythmicru rapper/producer D-Ray presented his Supertoke mix-tape series last year with a decent first volume, but the Cru have truly come into their own on volume two. The compilation opens with the line 'This is hip-hop, like the chronic' setting the stage for the numerous proclamations of allegiance to hip-hop and/or marijuana, as well as the relationship between the two. Outside of that, there are the expected instances of hip-hop braggadocio, plus D-Ray vents on 'I Don't Know' and drops a bit of knowledge on 'Newfoundland Screetched-In,' and Atherton goes all Sage Francis on a heartbreaking ex with 'Peg Leg.' The returning MCs — D-Ray, TheSnowyOwl and Cale Sampson (collectively Rhythmicru), along with Batho, Sporadic, Uncle Dropsi, Vandal, Shad K and More Or Les — have all stepped their game up since the first volume, but the highlight of Supertoke 2 is D-Ray's production, especially his attention to detail and his quirky sample choices, whether with mellow jams like 'Smoke the Night Away' and D-Ray's Leonard Cohen-impersonating 'Who Knew About It?' or fist-pumping anthems like 'Turn It Up' and 'Time Like the Present.' The subject matter might be a bit one-dimensional but Supertoke 2 is still underground hip-hop at its dopest.' -Exclaim! 'Local champions of the old school hip-hop aesthetic, Rhythmicru return with another disc of unabashed raps over thumping drum breaks. The Cru adhere to three rules — stay true to your roots, fulfill your own goals first, and always represent when opportunity arises. From odes about the sweet leaf (Straight Outta The Zip Lock), to earnest discussions about being starving rap artists (Hip-Hop Careerism), Rhythmicru bare their soul on wax with honesty and experience. 4/5.' - Metro News 'Supertoke 2, the follow-up to local rap collective Rhythmicru's community-embracing original hip hop compilation, Supertoke Vol. 1, is every bit as solid. In fact, it sounds like they've stepped up their recording/production game even further. Hard beats and dope rhymes by an all-star-roster of T-dot up-and-comers are consistently Ziploc-fresh from beginning to end. Like the 'Cru's core members say, 'This is the underground -- if y'all don't like it, don't come around.' This album is reliable but not predictable; the Tom Waits-esque Who Knew About It comes outta nowhere, while HipHop Head's noble piano loop provides a strikingly strong backdrop for reasoning why they deserve that title. NNNN. ' - NOW Magazine 'I respect the crew mentality of Rhythmicru, offering the maximum number of likeminded heads some room to get down on the same record, all backed by the production of D-Ray...Vandal unwinds on 'and Purple' like a pro, while Lameck Williams insists you listen up on 'Next Man' with a crucial flow....thanks to D-Ray's versatile 'everybody eats' approach, there's room for characters like Uncle Dropsi, Graph Nobel and Snowy Owl to do their thing.' 7.5/10' -Montreal Mirror 'A throwback to the musically minimalist, lyrically dense hip hop of the 90's, utterly lacking the gloss of rap's past ten years....Because 'SuperToke 2' lacks in big budget spending, the Rhythmicru has to make up for it in pure creativity. The album sees them defiantly bucking popular hip hop song formulas and traditions for a more freewheeling approach. Gone are the 16 bar/hook/16-bar formulas, the R&B hooks, and popular guest appearances. They've been replaced by mid-song beat changes, impromptu freestyle sessions, and an easy group chemistry that produces a very consistent album despite the changing voices.' -RapReviews.com