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"My Life and Rhymes" is Thai's sophomore album
release that was one of the most anticipated albums from an Asian American
artist in years. It took about four
years for this CD to come out since his debut album, "Together We
Rize". During those four years,
Thai has been behind the scenes with music, releasing occasional singles including
“Bring the Pain” and “Roll Wit Uz”. Though this CD does not break any new barriers
or leave long-time fans on that same high they first felt when they heard his
original hits, "Around My Town" or "Down to Bust", it still
does give a sense that Thai still has what it takes to make it in the game.
"My Life and Rhymes" is Thai's sophomore album
release that was one of the most anticipated albums from an Asian American
artist in years. It took about four
years for this CD to come out since his debut album, "Together We
Rize". During those four years,
Thai has been behind the scenes with music, releasing occasional singles including
“Bring the Pain” and “Roll Wit Uz”. Though this CD does not break any new barriers
or leave long-time fans on that same high they first felt when they heard his
original hits, "Around My Town" or "Down to Bust", it still
does give a sense that Thai still has what it takes to make it in the game.
The CD opens up with a 50 Cent-inspired introduction on the
song "About the Money". On it,
Thai and a friend are heard speaking to one another before committing a crime
to get money. With the rain pouring down
and the sound effects putting the listener in the car, a creepy picture is
painted. The theme of the CD is set with
the first few lyrics. Whether it
fiction, or facts based on past events, Thai shows some of the things he has to
do coming out of a poverty-sticken neighborhood.
"I've been
participatin’, all the jackin' n' breakin',
Money is what I'm takin, fuck them years I can be facin',
Duct taped and tied, blind fold there eyes,
Ramsack there house for everythin’ they tried to hide.."
The second track, "Ain't No Telling", continues
Thai's aggressive gangsta rap style that feels a bit outdated. The chorus is average, as it goes:
"Ain't no
tellin', what's going to happen,
just watching my life go pass me,
no need to ask me, don't harass me,
just let me go do my thang."
Next up is "Come Up" and "Northwest/West
Coast". These songs sort of just go
through your speakers without much excitement or originality. This is an overall flaw that occurs throughout
the CD.
"Searchin'" is the second song besides the intro
that'll have you nodding your head as Thai gives an introspective look at
life. This is one of two songs (the
other being the single "My Life and Rhymes") where you can feel
Thai's hunger the most. On
"Searchin'", Thai speaks from the heart with the first verse going:
"Now pour a shot,
let's give a toast to the homies locked down,
And hopefully I succeed by the time they get out,
So many problems in this little journey of life,
We all fucked up as a kid and try to grow and make it right,
It's funny how it
turns when we all get old,
It's like our heart's the inner city it's the only place we know,
Some times, we gotta make a move to make it happen,
I gave up everything just to try to make it rappin',
Whatever it takes to
make it, I'ma give my all,
Be the best at what i do and always come and bring it hard,
Understand that I'm coming from the gutter,
only person that is there for me is my loving mother,
So take your time to
see, and take your time to listen,
Try to put you in my mind so you people can envision,
How this live that I'm livin get's so cold that I shiver,
And I'm prayin every night hopin for things to get better, so I'm
searchin.."
Next up is the song "Mobbin'", which uses a slowed
down, devilish voice effect on the chorus similar to popular songs coming out
of the South. This song gives off a
similar vibe to other songs on the album, like the first four songs, where it
sounds good, but doesn't blow you away.
They're safe songs that sound polished enough to find space on an album,
though with too many songs about the same subject and sub-par choruses, it gets
repetitive.
"Get Down" is another single off the CD that is
similar to the other club single "Roll With Uz". These songs were made with a heavy emphasis
on being club bangers. Both are decent
songs but lack any originality to make it in the very competitive club
market. If Thai had more fame and
popularity, he can get away with dropping songs like these and getting some
spins. But for an independent artist,
these are forgettable songs that may show some label executives and A&R's
his versatility, but will leave the average listener (except for some females)
hitting the "next" button on there CD or MP3 player.
On another song for the ladies, Thai brings originality and
creativity on "Sound of Music".
On an ode to the lady in his life, Thai steps out of his element and
raps over some mellowed out beat produced by DJ Slim. This song shows off as the first of two
interesting back-to-back songs where Thai does something different from the
gangsta-rap persona that most have come to expect.
"Thai & Chan" is hands down the biggest, most
significant song on the album. Not
because it's Thai collaborating with another rapper who's equally as dope, but
because these two rap on different ends of the rap spectrum. Thai on one hand has the "gangsta
rap" on lock down, while Chan on the other hand has the punchlines,
metaphors, and old school roots that keep the "underground" heads
respecting him.
Throughout Thai's career spanning way back to almost a
decade, he has been criticized for being too one dimensional and not being able
to rap anything but gangsta music. So,
for him to have Chan co-sign on a song with Thai, you know it show's a mutual
respect from one of the best in the game.
On the opening lines, Thai states "yeah, shit's getting hectic,
never did expect it" while DJ Slim mixes it up with a classic boom-bap
beat that'll have any rap fan nodding there head.
Overall, this album is a very solid CD. It reflects Thai's current status in the
industry as you can hear his hunger in his lyrics. At times, the songs can get repetitive and sound
the same, except for a few key songs here and there that stand above the
rest. Hopefully with Thai's success on
this album, he'll end up finding himself a deal somewhere with a major
label. As it stands, this will please
most of Thai's fans, while others may feel it lacking in originality and
substance.
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