Diamonds In The Rough/ Dirty Mitten mixtape review

Global rating of the product: 3.5 stars
Diamonds In The Rough is a compilation of Detroit talents. As much as I enjoyed some huge Detroit talents on the mixtape, I must admit that some artists totally spoilt it because of the weakness of their performance. I have been a huge supporter and promoter of the Detroit underground scene for years. As the non Detroiter I actually am, I have been one of those external eyes that could give the world some insight about local unknown Detroit talents. However, the rules that apply to a family also apply to the Detroit underground scene: you have to be more severe with the ones you love most and I think I have some constructive criticism to offer about Diamonds In The Rough.
Will the Thrill introduces the mixtape on a Fight Music instrumental background. Detroit City of murder, cutthroat city comes to shine in the CD.
Everything You Got is built on piano accords and rhythmic beats. Ketchphrase is taking over, ready to out rhyme his opponents. The song is well done and brings you back to the true spirit of hip hop, keeping it lyrical from the beginning to the end.
Brice totally enlightens Big Herk’s talent while the song exposes gold diggas. You gotta love the Detroit veteran’s skills. Guitar sounds totally match with the swinging beats.
Marquis Porter’s In The City beautifully describes thug life in the hood of Detroit. It is all about survival in the City. Soft vocals contrast with the raw lyrics. Marquis Porter tells you the streets like they are. The vocals contain some nostalgic accents. Well done.
Trumpets, electric guitars and soft vocals will totally underline Paradime’s freestyle.
Chief’s performances have disappointed me. I didn’t like his synthetic chorus on City Boy, nor did I find him convincing in What I Do. His voice sounds weak compared with lyrics that are supposed to represent a hustler’s mind. How are you supposed to punch somebody with a weakened fist?
Jay Hustle sounded very monotonous on Live And Let Die. So did his instrumentals. The artist needs to increase his creativity as far as I am concerned. The Live And Let Die theme gives me an unpleasant impression of dejà vu.
Trumpets, some good old blues accents in the refrain, a real nice flow delivery, Bronze Nazareth spits some hot fire in The Bronze. Violins increase the words of faith from a struggling man. I loved this song. I recommend it to you all.
Another must hear is Fatt Father from the Detroit’s Fat Killaz ‘s In The Wind song. Feel the lassitude of a grinding man. Feel the pain of a man who is daily confronted with murder in the hood. Violins, dope ass beats, keyboard sounds reinforce the beauty of the song. As the sun sinks and the sky dresses with darkness, a man is hoping for a better future.
If you haven’t heard Mu’s brilliant The Flood mixtape, you will probably be pleased to discover his No Gimmicks song.
The creative artist uses oriental instruments that he intelligently combines with some very raw lyrics. Absolute brilliance brought to you by Detroit underground emcee Mu. Don’t sleep on this track!
PL’s Follow Me didn’t convince me. The weak claps are a foretaste to some weaker lyrics. I am not feeling the party track at all.
Fortunately, Purple Gang’s Flame is here to bring some pure fire with 4 Quarter Composure. The powerful track is built on violins, keyboard sounds, soft vocals, a good dose of self confident words, a raw spirit straight outta Detroit. Flame is a busta who will erase his enemies lyrically with the force of a bulldozer.
Piano notes, keyboards, rhythmic drum beats will allow One Be Lo to step up with his great lyrical assets and good flow delivery.
Abrasive Method’s Overdose is also worth your listen. Words and beats are nicely combined. The track is hilarious. Electronic sounds in the background manage to create a surrealistic atmosphere.
Quest Mc Cody will make you listeners feel his passion for hip hop in Can’t Leave Rap Alone. Dark electric guitar sounds, rapid beats, an unbeatable flow, creative lyrics make this song a hit. Don’t miss this one.
Paradime and Guilty Simpson will lead a merciless battle against « rap faggots » in Rap Faggots Part 1 and 2. I recommend you both songs, because they are brilliant.
The Disregarded’s performance in Uh Oh needs to be underlined too. Swing along on their rhymes.
I already reviewed Mr Hash and Marv Won’s Suicide Ride song. The Villian and The Ego’s association led to some impressive results such as this song.
Killa Kaunn’s soft Can’t Nobody is a beautiful song from a son to his mom.
Violins, dark piano sounds, keyboards, rapid beats will make you totally feel Nizzy’s song who masters flow delivery and who spits total fire.
No presentation needed for Royce Da 5.9 who is already an underground legend. Hear Who Want Some from the mouth of a Detroit hip hop soldier.
The Incredible is a beautiful Almighty Dreadnaught’s lyrical composition. Enjoy the scratches, the beats, the harsh instrumentals and the strong words of men who believe in hip hop to the fullest.
Globally The Diamonds In The Rough is a good piece of work. There are some brilliant Detroit artists on the CD. Unfortunately, several songs disappointed me a lot, mainly because of the artists’ lack of creativity.
My advice: cop the CD in any case, but mind the gap between weak artists and brilliant Detroit underground legends.
Copyright 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved