Laurenovich is back with a new album on the Fool’s Gold label, and continues to refine his modern Queens rap recipe. Early in proceedings Meyhem pledges that you’ll never catch him in sandals, while explaining that once he turned 21 he ‘became a man, bought a watch and a gun’ before telling the police that he’s pockets are fat because he’s ‘good at life.’ Truly a proud CRC representative if ever there was one.
Although Piatto D’oro steps to the plate with an impressive roster including Large Pro, DJ Muggs, Alchemist and Harry Fraud, it’s actually the lesser-known talents that shine the brightest here, as Seth Silencer and Icerocks deliver many of the musical highlights (‘Vintage,’ ‘Flexin” and ‘Sweet Chick’ in particular). Old pals Action Bronson and Roc Marciano stop by to pay their respects, while Lauren is sounding more comfortable and focused than ever, leaving behind his occasionally stilted performances of the past to emerge as a real contender.
The personal highlight for me, of course, was hearing the line: ‘Float in the coup and move godly/hit ’em with a bag of that Robbie’ on ‘Garlic and Oil,’ which ticks off the line on my bucket list where I hoped to one day have my name incorporated into Queens Rap slang. Will it catch on in the same way that ‘thun’ did? Probably not, but it’s a start.
Thanks to superior beat selections and a nice variety of tempos, Meyhem makes a convincing argument for modern-day New York rap that isn’t stuck in the past but doesn’t abandon it’s rich traditions. Piatto D’oro is about going for yours and not taking any shorts whatsoever – fuck your feelings.’Whole squad tatted-up like Yakuza/we aren’t worried about getting jobs, you fuckin’ loser.’ Well played, sir.
Rating: 4 Budvar’s out of 5.
Do you know the official release date, Robbie?
WEED CARRIER BY ANY STANDARD.
Really looking forward to this album!
Come on, Robbie, you damn well know better than this– all the ‘good intentions’ in the world don’t make Mayhem a better than average mc with zero content, just a cornball floss rapper without the $$$. Compare him to Sean Price, say, or Pharoahe Monch, say, in NYC; praising Meyhem above his station isn’t actually helping him either because he’s not getting the constructive criticism he desperately needs. ** and those are for some decent beats.
SOUNDS ILLY ROBBIE
Alice, what point are you even trying to make? Because he’s not getting enough criticism he’s the same as every other MC? I love hip hop retards like you who know fuck all, if the one thing you don’t like about Meyhem are his beats then stick to hotline bling you no taste having spastic.
I’m really lookin forward to the album, but the first single that’s out right now featuring Roc Marciano & Action Bronson and produced by Harry Fraud is wack. I’m not into Folk Rap and that’s exactly what beats without drums is. This is fuckin HipHop and HipHop beats have drums!!! smfh
Looking forward to this. As a sidenote just wondering why you took this review down a few weeks ago?
Fool’s Gold website says this is a free release. I’m wondering if they’ll do the same thing they did with Danny Brown’s ‘XXX’ and release it free, but sell CD’s/Vinyl’s as well? http://foolsgoldrecs.com/artists/meyhem-lauren/
@Thomas: I was asked to take it down since the release date was pushed back.
When is this record coming out?
@Alice couldn’t agree more. This guy certainly doesn’t suck but may be the most average MC out in NYC now.
@Alice: What a strange thing to compare Lauren to Price or Monch? They both ill R.I.P. P. Monch needs to make a deecend album soon though. I get it if u compare him to Illa Ghee or so. This is pure Queensbred rapper. So he might not be the Best but he can spit! Stoooopid comments is all it is or Pure ignorrance at its finest To qoute the Master. Wicked: Listen to Ka and tell me its folks rap or dull and Ill tell u got no taste
@Petah
“I get it if u compare him to Illa Ghee or so” ??
I suggest you go have a good listen to Illa Ghee my man for the most part he puts out quality street level Hip Hop on his own terms and being good buddies with the late Sean Price they share similar rhymes styles and metaphors. Grab the new mixtape Illa Matic. I dont like very much new stuff but im happy playing much of the Illa Ghee music i’ve been hip to recently. ‘1990’ produced by Large Professor is a favorite around here.
I am also looking forward to the new Meyhem Lauren album.
Illa Ghee destroys Lauren on every level; never in NYC rap has a dude gotten so many opportunities and been a fucking snooze as Lauren… Illa does more in more song than Lauren does on al album and even KA is 10x more dynamic. I’m not even a fan but there’s a big reason Bronson is the breakout man of the crew, he’s the only one with even a shred of personality or distinction.
Meyhem isn’t fit to scratch Monch’s nutsack, please. But ooooh, Lauren sucks off an old Bronx Jew and brags about his watch– fucking cornball dipshit.