A mostly untapped use of mixtapes has been the promotion of some other product that may have nothing to do with the music. Whoo Kid has been doing that for movies and video games for a minute now. Jigga twice used a mixtape to peddle his S Dots. Now Clue is using his latest release to promote his new Harlem club- the Cherry Lounge.
Clue gets props for taking his title as The Professional seriously. His tapes play like real albums. And this one is no different. Everything from the artwork to the description text imbedded on the cd clues you that you're dealing with a cat who has mastered this mixtape game.
Track Highlights:
Desert Storm freestyle w/ Fabolous, Joe Budden, Paul Cain, and Stack Bundles
On the flip, Clue gets ragged on for being a cheerleader for Roc-a-fella and now Desert Storm, and not showing unknown artists any love. But it's hard to waste any space on a new jack when you have people like Joe Budden and Fabolous spitting their best bars on your tapes.
Bridging the Gap by Nas w/ Olu Dara (his pops)
The song is exciting the first time you hear it, but then the beat gets annoying. The drums are too dominant and distracts from attention from the words. If anything, the song serves to break the monotomy of the typical NY style songs Clue serves up on the previous 5 tracks.
Coke Dealings by Busta w/ Raekwon and Spliff Star
Whoa! I can actually decipher what Chef is saying on this track, something I wasn't able to do with his last two albums. Like his twin Ghostface, he's top tier whenever you can understand him. The haunting beat alone makes this song listen worthy. Busta and Splif do their usual.
Too Long by Ja-Rule
The living punchline doesn't know when to quit. It's funny hearing him complain about his fickle fans over a tired Jackson 5 sample. If this song is official, and not just a mixtape "banger," then the production should have been a lot better. Clearing a J5 sample can't be cheap, and this is the wrong time for Ja to waste away his money.
Let Dem Spray by Memphis Bleek
This is a surprisingly fresh offering by Bleek. The beat is a straight electro club banger. He takes a bar to address the Roc breaking up rumors:
"Roc breakin up?
They say we lookin like the Lakers.
That's the end of the Dynasty, naw
Bleek hold it down for dolo
No prob!"
Article comments
1 - Gzus
Keepin' it Gangsta Pt.2
Fabolous
that's it...GANGSTA