Which begs the question for (sub) underground artist who drop classic material that might

not ever get the complete attention it deserves (artist,who more than likely are NOT on 

the million dollar marketing budget complete with the agent they can trust); who eventually have to ask themselves "what does it TRULY take 'to make it'?" Some people, FEW people, actually have an answer for this question; I however.... unfortunately.... do not.

Yet being an underground artist myself; I do have one suggestion/theory that I'm

currently putting into practice, which is to simply:  "Keep pushing till you find out."

Keep growing at your craft, keep putting your best foot forward,blah blah N' etc....

HOWEVER you put it, the general gist is to keep it moving forward. And with his latest

album, entitled "My Rhymes Vol 1: Da Monster & Me,” it certainly seems like MRI has no intentions

of stopping, backtracking, or calling quits on his music. Ever.

So what did he do here?  For one, he gave this project a rather simple title, but he is definitely

not giving the listener a simple sound experience. From the intro you're bombarded with an almost movie feel opening of samples that speak and sing to you the hints you'll need about what's to come. The use of classics such as "Girl from Impanema" humming softly in the background of random sound clips (news casters, scientific break downs of an MRI on similar interludes); all stand as proof that this is going to be a well thought out CD, that the influences for this particular "hip hop artist" are expansive. Now granted....I do realize that these factors do NOT always guarantee an album will be worth your time; since there are TONS of recording artist who have albums where the best things on the whole joint were the freakin' interludes!! There are entire rap albums that mask the artist's lack of skill with clever transitions and engineering production magic; but I can definitely vouch that THIS album currently in review is not suffering from such flaws. 

Each song is rather focused and sticks to its topic, and for anyone with a half a brain for music writing; you'd know how crucial that is for a successful song. MRI's approach to rhymes is rather direct and clever. He has a way of holding your attention assertively with witty lyrics that are observant, reflective, soul baring with honesty, and at times -- braggidocious. It's a good blend between dropping knowledge, being uplifting, telling a story, and relaying the reality of everyday struggle without seeming like he's assuming some preachy "all knowing role.” Part of me believes that the reason for this, is because he'll also give you self-centered, womanizing lyrics woven in dreams of stacking riches while being blatantly honest (and sarcastic) about his own contradictions and conflicts. For example, after listening to the first half of the project, I get a sense that the author has had past pains that have lead him to this stance of "I love women, but I don't trust them" and "I'm going to get mine regardless without being RULED by the harsh realities of this world" -- this approach to unveiling what he feels and experiences somehow has you (the listener) being just as honest about your own contradictions and struggles.  It's as if MRI is giving you everything you want from a rapper, before you even asked, in a way that doesn't make you think nearly as hard as I have about his work thus far—in fact if I wasn't doing a review of this project, I'd simply just listen to it and feel as if he's SUPPOSED to be on that mic, 

he's supposed to be that honest with me, and yes...the way he sees the world,is truly just how it is, and it's up to me, you, us to deal with it.  He's NOT the villain here....just the messenger.

Now...Without diving too hard into each track and being some kind of spoiler, I can comfortably give you all,a general idea of what to expect from the production and sound experience. Definitely expect to hear some dope ass rhymes and clever word play -- expect to hear songs that are "calm....yet hype" -- easy transitions into your ear, nothing feeling forced; bass heavy moody music surrounding some eye opening observations and solid story telling. Lyrically, MRI makes me feel like he's come from the school of Kanye on some songs; not that he is mimicking Ye's style, but one thing no one can deny about Mr. West is whether underground or mainstream, very few artist can match him in cleverly and simply stating the truth and then not giving a fuck about how the world feels about it. Same thing could be said about Eminem.... I just think after a while, Em starting stating the truth about things that either got repetitive (i.e. issues with his ex, his love for his daughter, and drug abuse…drug abuse…drug abuse) or too dark for most to relate to; yet Ye has consistently kept the topics relevant to a broader audience and said it at a pace most can understand; all that to say --- MRI is a great communicator, as well as a wicked beat-jacker, and music composer.  

It's very rare that I agree with everything that an artist (especially hip hop artist) chooses to do over their music. To me, if you can take a beat and really compliment it's movements with your words, you're well on your way to being a beast in this game. If I hear a hook and it doesn't match the beat, or a hear a four bar space that SHOULD have had some harmony going on, or a featured artist giving us 16 bars of monotony breaking, then I'm going to hold the emcee/femcee, and whoever else helped them put their bullshit together, responsible for not understanding their music. Vol.1 of MRI's latest series, does not suffer from this problem – in fact, him, they, whom ever heard layers, inserted soulful vocals everywhere one could fit, and made this project something you could easily listen to all the way through. The only issue I do suspect some listeners to have with this album is whether or not they like MRI's voice, because this is truly a solo album -- not overloaded with features, and it's NOT an EP.  So yeah....nothing major on the issue scale cause his speech patterns rather mid range, nothing irritatingly raspy or high pitch. I do wish however that he would've spit harder on one or two songs, but then again -- I credit that to his calm demeanor. It's not often you hear somebody so calmly speak on the fucked up things about society and people in one breath, and then turn around and lay out a blue print to success and give props to those he loves and feels proud of for reaching their dreams (i.e. see his song "Hustla's Ballad")

Now for my opening statement of this review; do I think this is a hip hop classic?! -- um...NO. 

Do I think this a MUST hear and probably one of the best mixtapes dropped in a hot minute? Absolutely. I believe we are yet to hear MRI's classic, or masterpiece. This Vol. 1 feels like a teaser for what's really going on in his head, and subconsciously I just feel like he's holding back the real gems for a project that won't be a mixtape or put out for free. This opinion could partially be due to me having the privilege of hearing some of his original tracks that didn't make it to this mixtape, or it could be my own negative views on how no one really gets the break they need until they do some collaborations with artist more known (not more talented....just more known) -- it's a bitter sweet reality pill I hate having to swallow, so I don't..i just write about it :-).

 In closing, I can say this.... MRI's latest project is a mighty stepping stone to achieving his ultimate goals of success in music.  This project may not go down in the music hall of fame,

but it will become a staple must have on the mp3 playlist of current and future fans that the album will undoubtedly be drawing in during its campaign push.

The Good: ...dope ass album for free download...introduction to one of your new favorite rappers.

The Bad: ...no hard copy of this album....

The Fresh: ...check out the Carnegie Hall track, then tell your ears I said "You're Welcome."

4 Phatass Cones out 5