Kid Acne – Romance Ain’t Dead – Lex Records (2007)

MSTiZA   12/9/2009   CD, Hip Hop

UK rapper/graffiti artist Kid Acne grabs the mic, dissing, pissing, ripping, and reminiscing. Req One claims to have “taken old-fashioned records and programmed them in to Fruity Loops”, but don’t write it off. These tracks may be laden with samples in landslides, but they are sequenced with emphasis. Don’t be discouraged by the samples, they are used in creative mentages, sometimes assaulting and other times simple in the breakdowns. I suggest you read the liner notes for the details on them. Vocals are humorous and clever; reminiscent of Kool Keith and his tenure in the UMCs, Beastie Boys, or Audio Two. On Track 5 you will find some of the smoothness of Slick Rick and LL Cool J. Lyrics are aggressive, entertaining, and follow the storytelling styles of the MCs mentioned. The release is consistently held together, intentionally?, by this throwback to the new jack sound of the late 80s early 90s in rap music.

3WR: Neo New Jack

FCC: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10,