ILLMACULATE PRESENTS: "THE RAIN CHECK"HOSTED BY DJ VLAD THE BUTCHER

I have to say that this album was surprisingly good. Not that I wasn't expecting it to be good, it's just that it's SURPRISINGLY good! For those of you that are still stuck in the first phase and don't know who Illmaculate is, a few years back he was making some noise around the local Portland battle scene. After winning his very first battle he went on to consistently crush MC's around the town in battle after battle. He eventually took his skills onto the national battle circuit winning Scribble Jam 2004 and last year, with his partner The Saurus, taking the ring in the World Rap Champion battles. Now that you're up to date, let's review his debut album...

WORLD RAP CHAMPION ILLMACULATE PRESENTS:
THE RAIN CHECK MIXTAPE HOSTED BY DJ VLAD

The concept behind this album is that this is just a little something to hold us over until the real album drops (hence the title "Rain Check", which I also think might be a little homage to Puddle City) but with 20+ solid tracks I'd say that IS a real album.

There are a number of other dope MC's that make cameos on this album but by no means are they there to carry him. I feel that this album would have been just as dope with or without them. There is an understanding in the HipHop world that good freestylers and battle MC's don't generally make good albums and good artists who know how to write great lyrics and make good songs are mediocre at best when it comes to freestyling and battling...Illmaculate seems to be on a mission to crush that stereotype. And so far, at least in my opinion, he seems to be accomplishing that mission.

I could review this CD track by track but I suggest that you cop that ish yourself and form your own opinions...I'll even leave y'all a link where you can cop it... 360vinyl.com

PEACE!

(PS - Click the "random videos" at the top of this blog for some Illmac in action.)

Bless the mic with the gods...

This image is not from Portland

Rakim KILLED it in Portland last night to a packed house. The town represented and Rakim did his thing as only he could. Brother Ali and Ghostface Killah put on great performances as well. DJ Juggernaut was playing the cuts between acts and Starchile was holding it down with the hosting. The Bboys (Mighty Mooves, TipToe & Shilo to name a few) were out in force as well giving the crowd an extra dose of some real HipHop shit. Also in attendance but not performing was the World Rap Champion & 2004 Scribble Jam winner Illmaculate repping St. Johns. Also repping P-Town was King Cool Nutz (New album dropping 12/4!). Even Trail Blazer Greg Oden came out to show some love. Also in the house was the family of Ol' Dirty Bastard (R.I.P.) keepin' it raw as usual.

Rakim, Ghostface Killah & Brother Ali

"It ain't where you're from it's where you're at."
...and I'ma be at the Roseland on the 3rd. What about you?