The
distinct confidence of Harlem MCs is fully embodied by Dave East who
effortlessly flies through tracks commanding every word be heard and
every boast believed without the need for flash or supposed swagger.
It's just pure talent with the knowledge of how to spit those street
raps so you can feel the smoke in the air and the pain of the hustle. He
raps like every day is his last and that hunger and energy makes him
one of the best rappers out right now as far as bars and flow and just
straight up raw hip hop and his first true album, Kairi Chanel, is
proof that his output matches his potential.
Dave East has grown so
much in a few short years as Black Rose was a standout mixtape followed
by the strong Hate Me Now. Seemingly weekly for around a year he's been
blessing us with a track or two or at least a verse and now he's shown
that he can make that transition to crafting a complete album. In the age
where hits are more plentiful than projects and lyrics have become a
slanderous term East gives you that real shit in a format that's
listenable for the long term with lessons and diversity spread
throughout such that old heads can appreciate his knowledge and wisdom
while young fans have someone to look up to for insight and influence.
The first track
on Kairi Chanel, named after what is arguably Nas' best album, is an
immediate example of Dave East's pure rap talent as he delivers a pair
of fire verses. Following that up he showcases his skills as a
hook-writer on "Type of Time" and "Again", two tracks that are filled
with raw hungry bars which further prove his abilities as a spitter but
that also have such catchy hooks that you'll be repeating them for days.
In order to
graduate from mixtape rapper to album artist you gotta deliver more than
just a bunch of random tracks of dope verses and so songs like
"Keisha" and "From the Heart" along with the closer "Don't Shoot"
deliver on the narrative front, especially in the case of "Keisha" which
is a compelling story and East's ability to keep you focused on every line makes repeat listens just as enjoyable while "Don't Shoot" provides
an autobiographical story ending tragically the same way that too many
do. Elsewhere on "Slow Down" East shows that even as a young star on the
rise he's still wise beyond his years as he takes time to drop some
jewels for the youth. It's songs like this that further establish Dave
East as a versatile MC capable of delivering a complete and diverse
project that keeps you intrigued throughout rather than just giving you
an hour of metaphors or brag raps that undoubtedly get tired and forgettable rather
quickly.
The guest list on
this project is filled with all-stars but it doesn't feel padded with
features likely because East is able to easily hang with the vets so
it never feels like the guests are carrying this album even with such
legends as Beanie Sigel, Cam and 2 Chainz making appearances along with
admittedly the only track that I skip (but that is slowly growing on me), "Eyes on You", probably because it
has female friendly Fabolous as opposed to the Loso I was expecting
to rip apart a street anthem. Nevertheless the name drops on Kairi
Chanel only complement this record instead of being the sole reason to
check out the project.
It's been a long
time since a tape has kept me going back over and over and even
longer since anything has made me wanna write but this album has been on
repeat ever since it dropped and I couldn't let this pass without promoting how gripping it is and how much it feels like a breath of
fresh air to the game. Street rap is alive and well and Dave East is
definitely the voice of the next generation of rappers with heart,
energy, bars and greatness.
Purchase on Amazon
