Review Summary: the hit of that irony, worth a whole lifespan
Casey Veggie's assault on the state of modern hip-hop and ultimately his own place in this crowded world is, at the end of the day, meaningless. On one of the best rap songs of the year "Garden", he expels all of his elemental energy actually thanking his haters and opening himself up for critics to give him their best shot. It also aims at the state of modern music itself, and the strange blurred line of wanting that record deal but also wanting to stay honest through his expression.
Real young black nigga from the hood/getting money from the white man, chemical lifespan/Lot of rappers say all that new good music doubting/Then my whole city been holding me down proudly, might press CD's then I'm outie.
Whole world yours, learned that on Illmatic/Swear I've been had it.
I'm a sinner and I know it/But God made me feel so heroic. This kind of introspective virtuosity is marvelous for an 18 year old kid. As for the attack on critics, Young Veggies states purely and openly, without pretense or consequence:
Got something to say? Feel free I'm open/Roll with the music. Fine, I will -
Customized Greatly Volume 3 is very, very good.
So I can go on and attack, she inspire me/High off of life man, the hit of that irony worth a whole lifespan. It seems as though Casey Veggies is as fed up with this irony-driven culture as much as we are, something he sort of actually helps evolve as
Customized Greatly Vol. 3 is soaked in contradiction and lyrical marvels abound.
You would go out and get it if you knew what you could be. Production wise, Casey gets help from various up-and-comers. Roosevelt completely nails the mood Cunninlynguists attempted to hit on the entirety of
Oneirology on "Roses", and there's nothing contrived about it. Aforementioned "Garden" is a sultry saxophone banger that serves as a marathon of wonderfully mature flows and rhymes from Casey. "Toe Tag" is introduced by a very clever hook that dissolves into a circus nightmare that's part stoner's wet dream and part speaker blower. Casey Veggies announces his departure in the cinematic and soothing "Maybe I Should Go" that recalls Janelle Monae's "Say You'll Go" to disarming effect. It's a beautiful ode to moving on and following your dreams.
There's no sign of ignorance here, anywhere. Casey Veggies comes across as true and a truly talented proposition. It certainly exceeded my expectations thinking this will be
just another contemporary West Coast rap album. I was sorely mistaken; this was truly a remarkable find.
Customized Greatly Vol. 3 is simply the best rap album of the year from the Golden Coast not associated with Black Hippy. Get it.
