Review Summary: Hip-hop isn't dead. But there is a current assassination attempt on it.
The new era of swagger 'rap' is akin to the musical opening of Pandora's box. With the ushering in of a new generation comes a crop of talentless artists that just make detriments to everything but their respective bank accounts. One of the new swag 'rap' groups, New Boyz, is revered in mainstream culture, and despised within the indie crowd for making the best selling dance song, "You're a Jerk." Their late August EP is just one of many bullets that will eventually fill hip-hop's formerly healthy body. Hip-hop isn't dead, but there is a current assassination attempt on it.
The current equation for fame and fortune in the rap industry is...good production + catchy lyrics = hit record. While despicable, it is a highly successful formula that brings the spotlight to rappers' names and money to their pockets. Tie Me Down - EP is a perfect example of this. The beats within the EP basically consist of three sounds - synths, claps/snaps, and a prominenet bass - with little to no variation in sound or tune and little additional sounds to compliment or expound upon the instrumentals. The sickening repetitiveness and angering display of no creativity is why mainstream rap is despised amongst so many.
This album is so unoriginal, it's actually quite funny (not really, but I'll roll with it.) New Girl is the musical equivalent to plagiarism, but changing a few words and is a clone of Best I Ever Had; Cricketz is an attempt at a fashion statement akin to Vans by The Pack or Bapes by Soulja Boy); So Dope is a(n equally terrible) remix of You're a Jerk with the hook "You're so dope" "I know" being repeated over and over followed by "do me a favor call me dope one more time."; and Tie Me Down is just another pathetic R&B breakup song that is a disgrace to present itself to the masses.
Tie Me Down - EP is just a way for the New Boyz to 1) Praise themselves about how 'good' at rapping they are, 2) Talk about how many women they get, 3) Talk about how much money they have, and 4) Talk about how 'cool' they are. However, this EP IS particularly special. It's special-ed. As of right now, hip-hop isn't dead. But there is a current assassination attempt on it.
