Much of Black and White, the December release from Park Hill product Dakota LaTier (aka Elite), ventriloquizes the lyrical strategy of another, more famous rapper — Lil Wayne. Similar to Wayne in his less complex moments, Elite's singsong flow relies on similes and metaphors that compare wildly disparate concepts, invoking in the listener the sort of reactions — Did he just do that? — that signify a talented MC. Though he remains a Tibetan's freedom away from Weezy in terms of skill of delivery, consider the various analogies, for example, that Elite employs for a gun: food ("a quick squeeze of Swiss cheese"), astronomy ("shoot heat like the sun do"), baby furniture ("strapped like a highchair"), school supplies ("two straps like a backpack"), a video-sharing Web site ("more clips than YouTube") and a famous motorcycle rally ("more choppers than Sturgis"), to name a few.
Black and White leaves listeners with the feeling that they've been to this dark, criminalized place before, with a knapsack of other gangster albums. (The thug-confessional "Lord, Take Me Away" and the aspiring club mix "Getaway" are predictably cringeworthy.) And many of Elite's rhyme schemes — simplistic enough to recall an early Will Smith — can grow tiresome when coupled with the high-pitched earnestness of his vocals. But the redemptive value of this album lies in its most basic element, the lyrics, combined with a few moments of original production, such as the reggae-tinged "Blowin' on Jamaica"; the grinding "Pick 'Em Up (Killa City)"; and "Talk to God," whose hook is a cleverly screwed line from 50 Cent's "Many Men." Elite's imaginative power peaks in "72 Rappers," which solely consists of puns on other rappers' names. More than any other track on the album, this song's coherence, originality and strength of narrative show Elite discovering his own voice.
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Brittany:
I think I must have confused you with another commenter on Kred's album. I must have been lost in all of the feedback. When I looked back, I noticed that your comment was one of the few that was not clearly biased. My fault.
FYI I too am just a follower of the pitch and not associated with any rapper. Far from it actually. If you really want to see a harsh review, check out Koch's newest on Scinfoe. I don't think the Pitch is throwing up softies anymore.
"Smiles"
Brittany: I think I must have confused you with another commenter on Kred's album. I must have been lost in all of the feedback. When I looked back, I noticed that your comment was one of the few that was not clearly biased. My fault. FYI I too am just a follower of the pitch and not associated with any rapper. Far from it actually. If you really want to see a harsh review, check out Koch's newest on Scinfoe. I don't think the Pitch is throwing up softies anymore. "Smiles"
"Smiles" Well I am sorry you took what I said in the wrong manner. First I am not a "Kred Follower" but more a "Pitch" follower. I am a Kyle Koch Reader. I have always respected his reviews. This is more a of "Cmon Kyle" than anything. I have never met nor do I really listen on a regular basis to "Kredulous" but do follow Kyle's Reviews supportively. As far as ruining "Street Kred" you rappers really need to look at the bigger picture. I was simply unsatisfied with a review of his, and as a fan of Kyle"s was simply disagreeing with it last time. I am a fan of rap and got this "Black and White" album, and yes it had a few good tracks. I would say the review fits the CD perfectly.
As a fan of Kyle's work I really was simply expressing my opinion on a CD that I really liked and thought deserved more. Trust me, if someone like me has the power of ruining "Street Kred" you rappers are in a lot of trouble and have a lot of growing up to do. "Smiles"
"Smiles" Well I am sorry you took what I said in the wrong manner. First I am not a "Kred Follower" but more a "Pitch" follower. I am a Kyle Koch Reader. I have always respected his reviews. This is more a of "Cmon Kyle" than anything. I have never met nor do I really listen on a regular basis to "Kredulous" but do follow Kyle's Reviews supportively. As far as ruining "Street Kred" you rappers really need to look at the bigger picture. I was simply unsatisfied with a review of his, and as a fan of Kyle"s was simply disagreeing with it last time. I am a fan of rap and got this "Black and White" album, and yes it had a few good tracks. I would say the review fits the CD perfectly. As a fan of Kyle's work I really was simply expressing my opinion on a CD that I really liked and thought deserved more. Trust me, if someone like me has the power of ruining "Street Kred" you rappers are in a lot of trouble and have a lot of growing up to do. "Smiles"
So just because he writes a harsh review for one album that you particualarly like, Koch can't write an average review for another album?
Come on Brittany. It's obvious you're Kred's girl so get out there and promote his stuff and stop ruining his "street-Kred."
So just because he writes a harsh review for one album that you particualarly like, Koch can't write an average review for another album? Come on Brittany. It's obvious you're Kred's girl so get out there and promote his stuff and stop ruining his "street-Kred."
I Expect more From You Pitch! Wait, I Expect more from Kyle Koch! I got this CD from a friend and it is an average CD, does overuse the term "Killa City" and the delivery is okay, not a bad CD, but like I said on Kyle's last review which was horrible on a CD that was above average- I Expect more from him, and for this to be what he says in his next review really just makes me smile.
I Expect more From You Pitch! Wait, I Expect more from Kyle Koch! I got this CD from a friend and it is an average CD, does overuse the term "Killa City" and the delivery is okay, not a bad CD, but like I said on Kyle's last review which was horrible on a CD that was above average- I Expect more from him, and for this to be what he says in his next review really just makes me smile.
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