This is where we post our CD Reviews. Right now, we are reviewing CDs of original material (beats and lyrics)for out hip hip hop artists released in 2008.  So far we have had CD releases from Foxxjazell, Captain Magik, Melange Lavonne, MC Flow, Godess and She, Johnny Dangerous, Prince Cat-Eyez, Bigg Nugg, Last Offence, and Tori Fixx. All the CDs we've posted reviews for are available for sale now. 

Looking for MIXTAPE reviews??? Head over to Mixtape MashUp, a review section by Rex Stone to review the growing number of mixtpaes coming out!

by PhxKilla (contributing writer)

One of the godfathers, OG, etc. of the out hip hop world, Tori Fixx, has released the new album "Couture (CR-2).” Coming just over a year and a half after 2007’s “Code Red”, it showed out!

The album is dynamic in mood and feeling, if you’re clubbing, riding, or just relaxing...its all here.

Couture CR-2 is broken off into sections called “The Break Up”, “Single and Numb”, “The Workaholic” and “The Healing”.  “The Break Up”, is apparently based on a very intense break up that clearly inspired this section of the CD. It starts off with "Love Don't Live Here", a jazzy live instrument based intro, and the personal meaning behind it is apparent. The 2nd track "He's Gone" is about that ex that you just had to say goodbye to. Track 3 "All Becuz" is a little more upbeat, maybe even club type track. The 4th track "Bare" begins the “Single and Numb” section of the CD, and has a nice old school rollin type beat. A sex song that has that fluid motion vibe, and even covers the topic of safe sex. "Dat Boi" is about them boys that want to give it up, no questions here. Can we say in the club again? I also heard something a little familiar to my eardrums-----Nice. I have said it before and I will say it again, this album is so dynamic with its club type tracks & Ballads. YES, Mr. Fixx has brought back the ballads, like LL said...... I need love. Skipping forward a bit, track 7 "Woof" is the lead single for the album. I am sure this will be big in the clubs for as long as folks use their mouths to get the word out. WOOF!

Fixx is an artist that steps out of the box and experiments with different styles and flavors, which explains the country infused track 9 "Cowboy". While the flavor is not for me, I can see the cowboy hat wearing gay folks (or non hip hop gay music lovers) getting their two step and line dancing on to this track.

With an album that is truly universal, there is something that will appeal to everyone. CR-2 also has some features on it that really deliver. Some of the featured guest artists are God-Des & She, DaLyrical, Unecc, Last Offence, Johnny Dangerous, Tim'm, & Melange Lavonne. If you like to drink and cocktail, then check out track 15 "Drank"  as Deadlee and Down Low get their drank on with Mr. Fixx. With its catchy and easily repeated chorus, this can easily be a club (gay or straight) anthem as well.

 I have only outlined just a portion of this great record, so what can be said other than “He’s Done It Again!" This is a must have for any hip hop head. I give this 4.5 rainbow mics. Pick it up, it’s worth every cent!

Some stands out tracks (amongst the 22!!!) are

5 - Dat Boi

8 - Who Do You Want Me To Be

12 - Got Game?

13 - Hip Hop Ain't Me?

14 - Massive

15 - Drank

16 - Stunts & Shows

REVIEW BY REX STONE

Once in a while there is an artist who can come thru and change the game. In homo-hop we tend to think it is the artist that sounds the straightest or has the most mainstream appeal. Then along comes the EP by Last Offence – “Run A Lap.” This is by far one of the best cd’s in gay rap. So I’m going to warn the rest of you out rap artist you better step it up cause this is where the bar is set. All Hail The King.

Now before anyone tries to make Last Offence the king of homo-hop (my personal opinion) there is something that could make him easily not the best in this genre. Leave sexy to the artist that sound the best doing it. On “Hello Boyz” L.O. comes off actually sounding like someone else (he might be taking a few pointers from his ex-rival Bry’nt). A basic lesson in just because you’re a good rapper doesn’t mean that you can do it all. But this artist shines brighter than most of his rivals and certainly harder than the people that try to diss him but to that he says... “I hope Offence is at the top of your shit list...” and... “If I wasn’t hot you wouldn’t call him shit.”

“Run A Lap” is the kind of cd that you can put in your player and listen to from beginning to end without wanting to fast forward to the next track. Last Offence takes aim at all of the rappers no matter if they are gay or straight calling out their lyrics, talent, and even their hustle. “ It’s a sign of the times, dudes don’t wanna grind/ they rather sit back and worry and whine about mine.” He talks a lot about his career in the rap game and shares his personal experiences from Deadlee trying to sign him, Tori Fixx helping him come out, “I’m a very big fag, very big rainbow/ very big flag.” and his old beef with Bry’nt. “Bry’nt the rap singa / my first thought was, were gonna be Kim and Inga.”

Last Offence has got the homo-hop genre of rap music on lock. Not too many other gay artists have a cd this good. The biggest problem that your going to have with “Run A Lap” is why isn’t their more songs? When you can get it that good you don’t give the people a sample, you grab the bull by the horns and you take his ass down. Future rap classic from this cd are “ Hard Time Hatin”, “I Don’t Really Know You” “Very Bad Things”, and the bonus track “So Magical.” Check out Last Offence on the “3 the Hard Gay Tour” on the west coast and go to his website www.myspace.com/whoislastoffence.

Four and a half rainbow mics

By Bellson

A little over a year after his debut release, La Revolucion, Bigg Nugg returns to the scene with his sophomore release NUGGET Volume 1. A 10 track effort that comes in just over 30 minutes. The beats are decent for the most part but He never really seems to connect with them. No track here really helps the artist shine. One song into Volume 1, Nugg proclaims that something is happening "right here, right now" and before you know it you're already through an interlude and at three minutes worth of shout outs still waiting for that something to happen. NUGGET isn't a bad CD, it just seems very uninspired and incomplete. It plays more like a preview of the "real CD" that's to come. "Break Em" is by far the best jam on the CD and that's really thanks to the Trauma Child produced track. NUGGET isn't a progression for Bigg Nugg based on the high expectations created with his above average debut, La Revolucion.

Being an out emcee just doesn't cut it anymore when there are so many talented artists in the OHH genre, now. Every OHH artist has to come with it ten times better than the straight indie or mainstream acts on everything from solo projects to mixtapes. Especially when you spit "all these mainstream rappers are a fuckin' bore." or "I'm 'bout to buttfuck this industry with my fuckin' pen." Then you just wrote a check that your ass has to cash from the mainstream to other out emcee's.

All in all, Bigg Nugg is still fairly new to the game. His first full length release was only a year ago so it's only right that his second effort sounds like an artist still finding their voice. On a technical level, the production, mixing and mastering are on point. Nugg leaves a lot of other cats in the dust on this level but he's gonna have to come solid and strong on his next release because this record is too easily forgotten.

Two rainbow mics for this release.

by Chuck Alfred

Johnny Dangerous 2008 is here. With his “White Hot” release, He takes leaps and bounds from his debut, “Dangerous Liaisons”. In one fast 58 minute sweep, he simultaneously rebelliously confirms He is the Queen of Nastiness and redefines his place on the musical map.

“White Hot” boldly thrusts Johnny Dangerous as a new kind of artist, one who will not be enslaved or held captive to the musical genres of “hip hop” and “rap”. Are there hip hop songs? Yes. Does he rap? Yes. Does this CD sound like what most people think of when they think of hip hop and rap? Not always. And there, it seems Johnny has achieved his primary goal, which is to redefine himself musically and distinguish his uniqueness.

Producer extraordinaire Tori Fixx seems to have the biggest role in the CD, and every track he produces bring out the new sound of Johnny Dangerous. With tracks like “Take Your Man”, “Three Minute Pop”, “Gayngsta Glam”, and “Dirty is the New Black”, Tori helps create the new Johnny Dangerous sound with a mix of electronic and industrial music styles and a fat dance beat. Imagine Nine Inch Nails with a dance beat. Another Fixx produced track, “Breathe” is hot hip hop that those looking for more standard hip hop will appreciate. The track also features the West Coast’s Ricoshade and is one of the best on the CD. “Eat It”, and “(Want Dat) Ass” are songs with infectious rhymes and filthy lyrics. What is also impressive is how the other producers such as Aaron Carl and Juba Kalamka integrate Johnny's new sound into their tracks as well.

So, yes, the CD contains many catchy hooks and fat beats, it is something that Johnny Dangerous fans will love. Hardcore hip hop heads, maybe not so much. Many of the songs retain his pride in rapping about gay sex…we are indeed constantly made aware how he likes men who are well endowed, how he likes to have his ass eaten, and many other explicit sex details Johnny revels in. At times, it grows old. But if there was a top 40 radio station for explicit queer music, this CD would spawn 5 to 6 hit singles, as the formula that runs through this CD is infectious and addictive. Even with that said, there are no "filler" tracks on this CD, even the bonus track, DJ Pain 1's version of "Dirty is the New Black" is such a hot mix that it is indeed, a bonus!

Over all, I give this release FOUR out of FIVE rainbow mics!

The self-proclaimed "ghetto prince charming" delivers an album bursting with creative tracks. 21 tracks to be exact! There are definitely stand-out tracks on this album. "Homo Thug Chicos ft. Salvimex", "Posted ft. Delacruz", and "Down Low Tricks" to name a few. The album is also a host to a slew of up and coming "out hip hop" artists.

Prince Cat-Eyez : "The Cat-astrophe" gives his outlook onto the streets, living the life of a "pretty thug". His music also speaks to many of the injustices that face the GLBT community. Many times Cat-Eyez uses personal memories to illustrate an event or to get his point across. He also gives a unique look into the struggles of being an "out" hip hop artist.

There were a few minor drawbacks on the album. The production lacked in some areas, and seemed kind of repetitive. If an album is going to be jam-packed with material, then maybe some variety in the beat production would make it more interesting.

Overall, for a debut album Cat-Eyez : "The Cat-Astrophe" is a solid effort.

We look forward to hearing more from Prince Cat-Eyez!

3 and a 3/4 Rainbow Mics out of 5.

One of the years highly anticipated CD’s delivers the goods. STAND UP is the follow up to God-des and She’s debut release REALITY and the Hip-Hop/Vocal divas pick things up where they left off. Top of the World opens the set with killer energy. Dj Pain 1 conjures up a groove right out of the pages of the Kanye West handbook while God-des brings the energetic and playful rhyme flow. The thing that pushes this track over the top is She’s vocal which is the icing on the cake making this song a sure hit record and one of two of my favorites on the entire album.

Where most emcees and hip-hop groups struggle to make a catchy tune WITH substance, God-des & She prove they can write a hit record and address many topics from love to politics, anytime they want to and the listener will still enjoy it even if you’re not a hip-hop fan. Songs like the title track, Ja Da, the ever popular Love You Better, Give Them What They Want, Inside Your Eyes and This Is The Life (my other personal favorite) are all solid Hip-Pop hits that contain the right formula to be heard on the radio stations world wide, right now. Fall Apart finds She taking the lead and vocally riding a neo soul groove, even though I was hoping for a lot more from this song it still falls into pocket with the others. Nevertheless, these are the songs that “stick to your ribs” and are the stand outs on Stand Up but the ladies always divert from lush sounds and catchy melodies to deliver some solid hip-hop in true God-des and She form. So Gone, A Little to Different, Hey Mister President and I Hate Your Ex-Girlfriend are all familiar territory for these ladies while songs like Hollywood and Lick It, featured in The L Word, attempt to push the ladies into new territory.

The combination here doesn’t work nearly as well. Hollywood is begging for a Neptunes, Timbo or Just Blaze treatment to really push things forward. This should’ve been a solid dance floor jam but it falls short somewhere and the same goes for Lick It. Again, I know the song is quite popular from The L Word fame and all but I can’t help but feeling that the artist and song aren’t quite connected. This is the first time I’ve really heard the ladies deliver up raw, unapologetic SEX and it seems like our God-des is a little uncomfortable playing a dominatrix sex kitten which is what I feel is needed when delivering a song called Lick It. The beat is moist and sexy and the vocal delivery is more brash and a bit comical as opposed to brash and sassy.

Overall, STAND UP delivers and with all of the current hype and attention on the queer divas known as God-des & She, this is the right record for them to be releasing right now and a must have for any music fan.  'Stand Up' gets 4 out of 5 Rainbow Mics.

- Bellson

MC Flow opens her debut album with the title track that truly says it all. "Incredible"... or amazing, captivating, possibly incendiary. The New York native, now reppin' San Diego, delivers the goods from beginning to end. MC Flow constructs her lyrics with intense creativity and swiftness. Flow's diction and delivery is explosive on each and every track.

"Incredible" takes you on a journey as you listen to the album. She challenges the mainstream ideal of what hip hop is supposed to be in tracks "Boxes and Squares" , "Like" and "Dominate". She tackles the battles of addiction in a deep track titled "Carousel". She also takes jabs at the mainstream media's representation of "beautiful" with a witty and genius track titled "Beautyfaux". The album ends on a positive and inspiring track, "New Day".

The production is also top notch. The tracks will keep you moving and wanting more and more! The DJ  work by Rob Fayder takes the beats to another level. And the guest vocals by Taylor-Tay add to the MC Flow experience.

This album is a must buy in my book. MC Flow "Incredible" is Out Hip-Hop at its finest. Clearly, the fact that I listened to the album 10 times the first day I got it.... constitutes the 4 and a half rainbow mics.

Mélange Lavonne

“The Movement”

The Movement is Mélanges sophomore effort, and I must say that it was executed proper. This Girl has got her A game on and in full effect! Mélange delivered solid on every track. Her word play and ability to tell a story makes her stand out in a crowd of MC’s that want to “Lean With It” or “Party Like A Rockstar”. There is so much substance in this album with songs like “Gay Bash”, which has a video on logo, and “Taking It Back” that bring real world issues to light. I was surprised to see some tracks from her first cd appear on this album, but I can say that the ones that were chosen definitely fit in with this album also. The Movement is more than an album or collection of songs; it’s an eye opener, a wake up call, and most of all a message. Mélange touched on subjects that most MC’s would consider taboo; from gay marriage, gay parenting, and back to domestic violence…Home girl handled it!!! Mélanges production team, “King Beats” really came thru on the beat/production tip. There are party vibe tracks as well as tracks that you can just ride too, the entire spectrum is covered. The Movement is an album that you can listen to all the way through without skipping a track, and know where the artist heart is at. I suggest you pick up a copy before it’s too late!!!!

The album opens with “Gay Bash” a song that is about Kevin who was beat to death for being gay…can we say powerful! I also really liked the creative aspect of “Taking It Back” Mélange being the voice of god and taking back mother earth because we have abused her so much. “Ugly” is a track about someone being hot as hell on the outside, but there soul and personality make them ugly…I’m sure all can identify. “The Game” takes on the state of commercial hip hop and the way rappers just want money, fame, and flash. Mélange lets us know real quick that all MC’s are not like that. If I had to really describe what The Movement is in one word it would be “complete”. Complete meaning that, it was put together with thought and creativity, and not just thrown together to put something out as a lot of artists do.

Mélange has created much more than a sophomore album, she has created...well a movement, as she intended!

I have to give this record 4 rainbow mics because she did her thing in creativity and execution.

*Some stand out tracks are*

“Gay Bash”, “Taking It Back”, “I Got You”, “Ugly”, “Here We Go”

The Movement is on sale now at CDBaby.

"Welcome to Magikland" is the opening intro and invitation to CAPTAIN MAGIK'S self titled debut CD 'CAPTAIN MAGIK'; where he promises that he will be "meaner than a drag queen having a bad hair day". SIDE EFFECTS is the first track with the warning: "This CD might make you gay", a fun tale of Captain Magik's journey through a gay wonderland with a limp wrist and trips to the hair stylist and Broadway shows. "Abracadabra!" - - Magik even appears in Crawford, Texas on the ranch watching The Golden Girls with President Bush. Captain Magik pulls out every trick from his lyrical hat turning gay stereotypes into a badge of gay honor. Since I am already gay, the only side effect I got was a big dose of pride. I wanted to pull a Rainbow Flag out of my ass after listening to this jam!
 
HOMOHOP is a Dr. Dre inspired beat and a welcome to the "gayborhood". Producer, Mr. Z keeps all the beats sick and fresh! YOUNG, GAY & PROUD is a great anthem especially for LGBT youth. It is a call to "stand up 4 your rights" and Magik's drive to be "the #1 Homo on Logo". Stand out track and future first video is, DILEMMA, Captain Magik's coming out story. Dilemma has a beautiful and haunting chorus mixed with hot scratches by DJ MATTY J. NO MORE SECRETS continues our coming out journey with Magik's claim he will be the "first gay rapper to go platinum". "Put your hands in the air if you're proud to be Queer", P.N.P. is a Naughty by Nature styled classic rap and my favorite cut on the album. The track, ADDICTS, tackles drug addiction like a Linkin Park rap/rock fusion. BATHROOM STALL is reminiscent and just as clever as the story telling of Eminem, a funny tale about the airport antics of Senator Larry Craig. "Cough 3 times, shake your leg. Tap your foot, it's the Larry Craig"
 
The cautionary tale about HIV, DIE FOR LOVE is the only song that was a bit cheesy and over the top, but Magik's message of staying protected did not get lost. FREEDOM FIGHTERS close out the CD and finds Captain Magik over his dilemma and playing "no more Mr. Nice guy". He is the "white boy who put gay in gayngsta" and dares anyone to bash him. The CD is indeed a magical journey of a young man's dilemma coming out the closet and ending in a place where he is unapologetically -- young, gay, and proud. Captain Magik has definitely put his spell over the out hip hop scene, and the only dilemma is for the music industry.  Gay or Straight how can they ignore such fresh and creative new talent? Captain Magik, 'CAPTAIN MAGIK' gets 4 out of 5 Rainbow Mics.