What I've been listening to

In order to save the world from terrible music I want to share what I am listening to. The past two weeks have had me in a real hip-hop mood. What's better than driving around town with a great beat in your ear?

First up is Wu -Tang with Chamber Music. This is the first Wu-Tang album in several years and it does not disappoint. RZA takes lead in this effort and his experience with Quentin Tarantino and other movie directors shires through with tighter lyrics and production. At times it does feel more like a RZA album with him being featured on several songs and skits but that's not a bad thing, though I would have liked to hear Method Man and especially GZA rap over serveral of these beats ( see tracks Ill Figures,Sound the Horns,NYC Crack). Overall, I give Chamber Music 4 killa bees out of 5.

Second is Cage with Depart from Me. This is Cage's second album under the Definitive Jux label and right away it is a departure from his previous work. I for one am all for it. Cage jumps into a darker level of music with several tracks featuring more of a punk sound complete with angst filled lyrics. Many will compare Cage to Eminem and while there are some similarities in the topics they cover (screwed up parents, fucked up girlfriends), their similarities end there. While Eminem is making songs about popping bottles in da club and trying to please his overly white trash demographic, Cage is making songs about the disapproval of falling for a teenage fan and experimenting with some ridiculous beats (Def Jux is amazing when it comes to this). If you are in the mood for some angster rap that doesn't disappoint, check this album out now. I give Depart from Me 4 slit wrists out of 5.

Finally, there is Wale with one of the most anticipated mixtapes of the year; Back to the Feature. I first heard this guy over a year ago with his Mixtape About Nothing and have been hooked ever since. In Back to the Feature, Wale comes in with more of a New York sound than a Baltimore sound, but it sense, you never feel like he want to fall into that mold. Lyrical Wale is still dropping some of the most amazing flows in the game, I won't go to deep into them but you won't hear Kanye or Soulja Boy dropping stuff like this. Listen to the first track "Wordplay" and you will understand what I mean. Overall, there are some ups and downs and while not as good as The Mixtape About Nothing, Back to the Feature features some great tracks like "Chillin" with Lady Ga Ga and "Nothing to Worry About" with PB&J. I can't wait to hear the full Wale debut coming later this year. I give this mixtape 3.5 C4 explosions out of 5. If you want to turn the radio off and avoid its bullshit download the mixtape for free here.