Straight outta South-Africa… comes the RU project and a whole load of unheard SA-talent.
Nov 01 '03 (Updated Jun 23 '04)
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The Ru Project: 4/5 rating.
Boffie, epinions resident and long-term hip hop head, is one of those writers who not only entertains many readers with his intelligent and knowledgeable reviews, but also acts as an inspiration to many up and coming writers on this here site, due to his unbelievable longevity, and quite obviously, his witty, and entertaining reviews, that have ranged from music, to movies, to games, to the infamous robmobile…
But, as well as being a respected hip hop head/writer, and a budding journalist (I think, correct me if I’m wrong…). Boffie is also an up and coming emcee, and along with some of his fellow students at the Rhodes University, South Africa, has created a short CD entitled The RU project. Now, don’t get it twisted. Just because this was sent to me by Boffie, this is not HIS solo CD. In fact, Boffie (under the alter ego Rob One), actually only appears on one track throughout the entire album, affectivity making The RU project a group gather of up and coming South African talent, with the style throughout the CD ranging from hip hop to R’n’B, providing this with a nice variety of styles and moods, which I for one, have to admit, actually enjoyed.
Anyway, recorded in Second Son’s (one of the albums many emcees) room in Winchester Residence. The RU project was recorded via a microphone and a laptop, and considering this is strictly amateur stuff (no professional or record label help here) this sounds bloody good, with the production handled mostly be Second Son and TNG, who not only together pack a killer beat, but also pack some killer verses too…
Anyway, before I begin with my track to track analysis, I’d just like to give you a quick breakdown on the various different artists that appear throughout the album, with a short bit of info about them (provided courtesy of Boffie) and my personal epinion on their ability and talent.
TNG: One half of the innovators with Second Son, TNG handles a lot of production throughout the album, and as well as packing some killer beats, he also kicks some killer rhymes. Sporting an instantly recognisable “American” accent, TNG isn’t the greatest lyricist on the album, but he sure as hell makes up for it with a superb flow and solid production skills. One of my personal favourite emcees on the album.
Second Son: The second half of the innovators with TNG, second son is also known as Chish. Also handling a lot of the production throughout the album, Second Son proves he has not only a nack for production, but emceeing as well, sporting a strong flow and lyricism making him another of my personal favourites. Rips the mic apart on sparks BTW.
Wordsmith: True South African talent. Sporting an extremely powerful delivery, on point flow and strong lyricism, I immediately connected with Wordsmith intelligent style. Dropping killer verses throughout the album, wordsmith is again another of my personal favourite emcees on the album.
Dizzy Don / Chav: Even though I don’t know a lot about these two, (Boffie has never spoken to neither of them), I have still listened to the album enough times to be able to judge their talent. First up is Dizzy Don. Again only making one appearance on the album, Dizzy Don drops a nice verse on the almighty MegaMC’s, and while his flow isn’t as tight as those mentioned above, there’s still a lot of talent in this cat that should have been explored further on the album. Second up is Chav. Again only making a short appearance on MegaMC’s, Chav like Dizzy Don has a lot of talent. Sporting a strong delivery, and on point flow, Chav in my mind is only slightly better then Dizzy Don. But then that’s only my personal epinion.
Siya: Another extremely talented cat, Siya, is boarding on #1 territory. Again only making a short appearance on MegaMC’S, Siya’s talent shines through immediately, with a wild style and wonderfully well written lyrics. Staying in the same res as Boffie, Rob informs me he’s as wild as his dreadlocks, and judging from his great appearance, I’d be hard pressed to disagree with him. Boffie and Siya on an unrelated note are hoping to release an album together in February as part of the Butterfly effect. An album Boffie HAS gotta send me, because these two cats together on a whole album should make for excellent listening.
Magnezium / Lungisa: Two spoken word poets, there’s not really much I can say about them asides from delivery wise they have nice voices for what they do. Their lyrics are also pretty tight too.
Cyrus / Lungisa: The two R’n’B singers, both of these artists are extremely talented, and while I’m not a fan of R’n’B, I can spot a great voice when I hear one, a talent both these two possess.
Rob One: Known as Boffie to us epinion users, Rob One only appears on one track, and trust, its funny ACTUALLY hearing a guy you’ve know over the internet actually rhyme, and I have to admit he actually sounded a lot different to what I expected. Sporting a thick, tight delivery, Rob One not only sports an on point flow, but also boasts some excellent lyricism, with his verse on the brilliant MegaMC’s tieing in the number one slot with the equally brilliant Siya. I can’t wait till these two release their album…
Important note:
Now before I begin with my analysis, let me state that during this review I will NOT be bias towards Rob or any other member of the RU project, and I will rate it in the same manner as I would any other album. This is the result of not only mine, but Boffies wishes too… Let the review begin….
Track listing:
1. Intro
2. I just wanna rhyme
3. Come here mami
4. Sparks
5. Ed’s take over
6. Love the way you love me
7. I’m a doctor
8. MegaMC’s
9. Magnezium’s poem: For her
10. Lost
11. Ghetto angel
12. Natalie’s poem: For him
13. Request skit
14. Last of a dying breed
15. Unknown?
1. Intro (Interlude)- Emcees: T mac
A short SKIT, this provides a nice introduction to the album. Good, but easily skippable.
2. I just wanna rhyme (5/5)
The first single off the album, I just wanna rhyme immediately proves that this is much more then your typical campus EP. Featuring Second Son, TNG, and Wordsmith on vocals, the three emcees spit witty battle rhymes here, mixed in with a little bit of brag rap for good measures. Produced by Second Son, the production has nice, old skool feel to it here, generated mostly by its break-beat, lightly sprinkled piano keys, hard base, and atmospheric violin strings. So, overall I just wanna rhyme is a great inclusion as the first track, and is an excellent choice for first single. All three emcees sport nicely written rhymes, the hook is incredibly catchy, and Second Son does well production wise. Great way to kick off the album.
3. Come here mami (3 ˝/5)
Following on from the excellent I just wanna rhyme, things take a slight turn for the worse here with the admittedly average Come here mami. A TNG solo track, come here mami immediately trends upon the admittedly tired subject of meeting woman at the club etc. Now don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a bad track, no, far from it. I’m just not practically feeling the lyrical content or played out subject to honest with you. However, what I do like about this track is not only TNG’s decent, guitar driven production, but also his delivery and flow. Sporting an instantly recognisable American accent, TNG’s flow and delivery is spot on here, and if he upped his lyrical content a little, he would defiantly be topping my list of South African talent.
4. Sparks (5/5)
Following on from the relatively weak Come here mami, things pick back up here with the extremely good sparks. Featuring the duo of Second Son and Wordsmith, both emcees spit pure fire here, mixing complex battle and brag rhymes, that I can guarantee would impress even the most hardened hip hop head here on epinions. Especially Second Sons verse, I had to stop and check I was wasn’t actually listening to my Canibus CD or something, cause this cat sports an extremely detailed vocabulary and knowledge of words here, sporting a very Canibus influenced verse. But, as well as providing my personal favourite verse off the track (not excluding Wordsmith or anything, he too spits an extremely complex and detailed verse, it just didn’t have the same impact upon me as Second Sons), Second Son also tries his hand behind the boards (or laptop in this case), with some very rough and futuristic production. Using a nicely crafted beat, very rough violin sample, gritty baseline, infrequent guitar string, and a catchy keyboard sample, Second Son’s excellent production provides just as big a punch as his equally stellar verse. One of my personal favourite tracks of the album.
5. Ed take over interlude
Short, yet witty skit in which an admittedly funny freestyle is performed for a record 20 seconds, before the crowd crack up laughing. Leads into…
Now before I begin with my analysis, let me state that I am NOT a huge fan of R’n’B. In fact, a lot of this fake cr*p I hear on the radio is enough to put you off R’n’B for a lifetime, but, needless to say, I listened to this with an open mind and epinion, and have rated it accordingly…
6. Love the way you love me (3 ˝/5)
Following on from the comical nature of the Ed take over Skit, R’n’B singer Lungisa switches the tempo and mood down a notch here, opping for a slower, almost summertime type feel and production. Consisting of a basic clap beat, low base, and gently weeping guitars, TNG again weaves his magic behind the boards here, creating a perfectly mellowed out backdrop for Lungisa’s soothing vocals. Now, despite not being your typical R’n’B fan, I do know a good voice when I hear one, and I defiantly feel a good vibe in Lungisa’s smooth, yet powerful vocal. So, overall Love the way you love me is basically your typical R’n’B offering, with your stereotypical loved out lyrics, pretty voice, and summertime-ish production, yet, despite these trappings that usually put me off most R’n’B, I have to personally admit I didn’t find this half bad… Considering this isn’t my scene at all.
7. I’m a doctor (5/5)
Returning back to the hip hop aspect, the RU project takes another turn for the better here, with the manic duo of Second son and TNG teaming up to provide remedies for all our hip hop needs, but in the form of vicious battle raps. Again sporting another unbelievably complex verse, Second Son again shines here, but don’t forget TNG, who also lays down a dope a*s verse, with the two emcees complementing each’s others different styles perfectly. But, as well as sporting a dope a*s rhyme, TNG also provides production duties here, providing us with his best stuff yet. Using a nicely crafted beat, hard base, and an unbelievably catchy harp sample, TNG excels in the production department here, providing us with my personal favourite production throughout the entire EP. One of my personal favourite tracks.
8. MegaMC’s (5/5)
Ahh, the track you’ve all been waiting for! The track that enable me to cop a copy of this album in the first place, MEGAMC’S! Living upto its title perfectly, the track consists of appearances from seven emcees! Yup, yours eyes aren’t deceiving you, that’s seven emcees, and amidst that seven is epinions own Rob one! Now, to be honest with you, listing out each individuals appearance and fault would take me forever, and I ain’t got much time as it is, so I’m just gonna basically analysis the few emcees that I feel performed the best. So, first up is Wordsmith. Opening up the track, wordsmith immediately kicks things off with a bang; sporting an intelligent and dope verse, Wordsmith quickly leads into another of my personal favourites TNG. Continuing where Wordsmith left off, TNG spits a nice verse here, mixing his battle rhymes in with a little bit of storytelling. So, following on from TNG with come to Second Son. Now if you haven’t yet grasped, Second Son is one of my personal favourite emcees on the album, and again he fails to disappoint. Again spitting another complex, raw verse, Second Son picks up where TNG left off perfectly. So, following on from Second Son, with come to Rob one. Known to us epinioninator’s as Boffie, Rob one continues in the footsteps of Second Son spitting another incredibly complex and brag driven rhyme. Anyway, skipping past a few average performances we finally come to Siya, another of my personal favourites. Again spitting dope battle rhymes, Siya also boasts a wonderful flow and deep accent which makes his and Rob ones (both have nice SA accents) so enjoyable. Another of my personal favourite tracks.
9. The Poem for Her (N/A)
A relatively short poem, the idea here is that Magnezium dedicates a poem to Natalie, and Natalie dedicates a poem to Magnezium. (Or at least I think that was the idea anyway.) Featuring some nicely written lines, and some fitting, soft guitar driven production, there’s not really much to say here, because I don’t really know how to rate a poem, so I’ve decided not to. I did find it quite hard to understand what Magnezium was saying though a lot of the time, due to his thick accent and low speaking voice…
10. Lost (5/5)
Following on from the poem for her, the RU project again finds its feet here with the fitting lost. Another TNG and Second Son collaboration (these two have nice chemistry), lost is bit different to many of the tracks so far, due to the fact that there’s some nice storytelling about female relationships, and how due to some of their deceit we’re left lost. Produced by Second Son, the production is very nice and note worthy here, with a great beat, low base, and a beautiful piano loop all providing a wonderfully fitting backdrop for TNG, and Second Son’s great lyrics and content.
11. Ghetto Angel (2/5)
The second R’n’B joint on the album, Ghetto Angel unfortunately, does nothing for me at all. Now don’t get me wrong, the vocalist in question Cyrus is a great singer, and I’m sure if I was a R’n’B fan I’d be bumping this, but unfortunately I’m not. Again produced Second Son, the production is, again, piano driven, with a nicely sampled piano loop, bouncy baseline, and nice beat providing Cyrus with a nicely crafted backdrop. Now, like I said above, Cyrus himself has a lot of talent, and I do actually enjoy his soulful voice. But the lyrics, and production are unfortunately dull in my eyes, and therefore hence the 2 out of 5 rating.
12. The poem for him (N/A)
Following on from the poem for her, Natalie, the object of affection in the original poem, this time around displays her feelings for Magnezium, with the differently titled poem for him. Featuring the same production as the reason, poem for him, Natalie admittedly has a nice voice for poem reading, but like I mentioned in poem for her, I have choose not to rate this due to the fact that I don’t think I could award a poem a mark, due to the fact that I don’t know a lot about them.
13. Request interlude
Short, yet effective interlude in which Sensei T.A.T.E informs Second son that the last track on the album, must be something for the heads…
14. Last of a dying Breed (Plus bonus track) (5/5)
The final track on the album, the last of a during breed ends the album perfectly, with Second Son providing us with a dark solo track (FINALLY!). Produced by himself, Second Son creates a very dark backdrop here, with a grimy beat, lightly sprinkled piano keys, and low trumpets creating a very rza type sounding track, which is f*cking mighty complement guys! Anyway, being a Second Son solo track, Son obviously gets his chance to shine here, and he doesn’t disappoint one bit. Again providing us with more of his trademark complex lyricism, Second Son creates some of the best production and lyricism here, making this ANOTHER of my personal favourite tracks.
But…
It doesn’t end there… Hidden after last of a dying breed is a short, and rather weak bonus track. Another R’n’B offering, it again doesn’t float my boat, and I would of personal preferred it if they had just kept last of a dying breed, but, hey, it may appeal to some.
The conclusion:
So, in conclusion I am going to award The RU project 4 stars. Now some epinion users are obviously gonna jump on the you’re just giving it 4 stars because its boffie bandwagon, and to be quite honest with you, I don’t really give a sh*t. I personally found this to be an enjoyable and professional offering from a country I would never expect to hear hip hop from. With complex lyricism, and fiery battle rhymes, the only main fault I can pick lyrical at this is, that it often relies TOO heavily on battle raps, and I would have personally enjoyed a bit more introspective views, or maybe even some story telling. But, asides from that fault, and the odd R’n’B tracks, there isn’t really much else at fault here. The production is consistent throughout, and the emceeing is mostly to a top level, so, I might get in a bit of trouble for this, but I SERISOUSLY recommend nagging at Boffie to maybe get your hands on a copy, it’d be worth your time…
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