Backpackramento Album Review by:Dj Tofu

Backpackramento Album Review by:Dj Tofu
from http://www.Tofu916.com

That feeling that Black Moon’s “Enta Da Stage” gave mi while I was stuffing paint cans into mi Jansport backpack, was simply indescribable. Maybe it was the combination of heavy beats, adrenaline, youth and the faint smell of Krylon. Sneaking out of the front door to put mi name on the city walls of Sacramento, beats blasting ( I’m actually surprised that no one ever snuck up behind to rob or arrest mi). The Black Moon tape was mi soundtrack to bombing the city. Every track influenced a different style in which to write.

Such is the case with Sacramento’s own mic controller, Mahtie Bush’s latest LP, Backpackramento. This LP delivers what hip hop purists have been thirsting for since the bling era descended upon us, and emcees, take note, THIS is how to deliver a solid album with alienating your core audience! The album boasts a healthy array of production from such as, Chase Moore, Styles 1001, M.I.Geezus, Mic Jordan, DJ Filth and a slew of others – and special guest features….however, not an overdose of features. Rap (particularly west coast) artists are all-too-focused on having features without first establishing themselves as strong soloists! Cameos from Keith Murray (whoa), Chino XL, The Alumni, Wyzdom of Verbal Venom, Flo Montana and Young Cee are very well selected. Every guest spits flawlessly and isn’t overexposed, leaving the artist room to do what he/she does best; entertain us. THAT’S how you do a solo album, fellas!

The track I cant stop knocking is the third, and one of the strongest tracks, “Get Low”. Paying homage to The City of Trees, the break beat smacks the shit out of you and reminds you that Styles 1001 did NOT come to fuck around! I want to see Mahtie perform this song live and watch the crowd brock-out (I will be right there, going dumb)! “I’m from a place that aint safe, Blacks and Ese’s, Russians and Asians will bury you like Dorothea Puente!” How can you go wrong with that? Slapping the face of those who mock the cultural hip hoppers known as ‘backpackers’.

Backpackramento has something for everyone, including concepts (I know what you’re thinking. concepts in music? weird). From the knocker mentioned above, to disturbing drug ballads like “Doing Fine”. Ladies, Mahtie doesn’t forget about you either! The dance-floor heavy “Yes” (featuring Young Cee, Wyzdom, and Keith Murray) will give you that wind in your waist, while “Out of Reach” is that super-ballad. I’m not really a fan of ballads, but they are an essential component in any hip hop album. Maybe something for you female fans to finger-bang yourselves to…? Finally, “Is She Out There?” is the classic, radio-friendly-finger-banger…and by the end of this track, I’m convinced that Mahtie Bush wants a serious relationship with a girl with healthy masturbatory habits! ha!