Back and self made once again..it’s your favorite label's favorite label...Maybach Music Group. MMG's most recent compilation release "Self Made Vol. 2" showcases an array of lyrical talent from Rick Ross and his label mates to a variety of top features (Kendrick Lamar, Gunplay and Nas - just to name a few) who capture a unique sound over mediocre beats making this album only marginally better than its predecessor...
As the "up and coming" Maybach Music Group develops their own specific sound and brand, they do not fail to continuously satisfy and meet expectations. "Self Made Vol. 2" has only a handful of "good" tracks and gives good beats which display a great deal of development and progression from both Wale and Meek Mill, while it lacks more from its "head hancho" - Rick Ross and (on a more disappointing note) Ohio native Stalley (who is completely underrated and embodies his own type of style and flow lyrically). Also, not to forget the most recent MMG signee - Omarion, who provides casual catchy hooks on majority of the album, but is more or less the same as he's been in the past - mediocre.
"Self Made Vol. 2" gets off to a good start with a great lyrical display of talent on the 8 mins plus track "Power Circle" in which Rick Ross begins the song by alluding to the "fact" that, "..if Michael Jackson came alive right now...he'd ask you to smoke one for 'em. So in his honor..." **I'm sure MJ is probably turning in his grave**. However, the track goes on to display all of MMG (minus Omarion) with the addition of Triple C artist Gunplay all of whom create a chemistry that makes the song on of the better tracks on the album.
Meanwhile, the album progresses with typical Drumma Boy-"esq" beats and continues to live up to the MMG sound with tracks such as "Bag Of Money" and the French Montana assisted single "Actin' Up".......from this point on through most of the other 11 tracks Omarion graces the label's second compilation album with various "catchy" choruses and what seems like his own song, on the Wale assisted "M.I.A." (which isn't half bad after a few drinks with a crowd of friends - and by few drinks I mean a few shots!)....yet, the album strives to save itself from its yuppie love seeking Omarion ballads with rather lyrically intriguing tracks "The Zenith" and "Fluorescent Ink" (which both feature Wale & Stalley - arguably the best rappers in MMG).
In retrospect and reflecting back on how I felt after the first listen of the entire album, I didn't really give it much of a chance as I was expecting WAY more given my paltry reception to the first Maybach Music Group compilation. However, after really taking time to listen to a few of the songs and coming to terms with the fact that Rick Ross will only really put on musically, artistically and lyrically for is own album (and mixtapes - i.e. Rich Forever)...I was able to really accept MMG "Self Made Vol. 2" for what it really is....a marginally better compilation album from a label that is still in the midst of forming its identity in a competitive hip hop industry. However, if this is only a sample of what is yet to come from MMG...then we can expect more good music (no pun intended) to come in the future.
- KJ
No comments:
Post a Comment