Review by DJ Slice @THEDJSLICE
Mixing creative foresight with awesome production, Raz Simone comes with a great project. Residing in Seattle, Washington, he gives the listener a strong message in his music. Let's go through track by track and take a look in to Macklemore Privilege & Chief On Keef Violence.
The first track, entitled "Macklemore & Chief Keef" is probably the best introduction to a mixtape since Meek gave us that "HOLD UP, WAIT A MINUTE!!!" anthem. From start to finish, Raz Simone is speaking real life bars. The song begins with cool pianos and a dramatic string section. Lyrics of struggle, hope, culture, and the how crazy music industry is. This MC is keeping it all the way real with the listener. No drums, just raw bars. Every quote/punchline he says is wild. The last lyric thing he says really hit me: "I just have to keep it real, it seems like I'm the only one that can // I could really give a fuck how the world feels anymore, I have to take a stand." A truly amazing intro.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFTeqhskwFg]
After hearing the first track, the listener has a good idea what to expect from the rest of this project: True lyrical substance. The second track, "Drake & Macklemore's Platform," Raz is calling out the hypebeasts. The "cool kids." The people that ride certain waves. After a cool 2Pac intro, he goes in. Straight BARS. "These fuckboys switchin' up, like, they don't know whose dick to suck. I wanna throw up every time that I'm in the club. Since when do rappers act like video sluts." A very cool chorus as well! Calling out ghostwriters!!! The first track he was telling the listener that the industry is fucked up. This track is Raz expressing the fact that he's not here to be nobody but himself. Copying nobody. It's easy to see that not too many MC's are doing what Raz is doing. He's really rapping about issues in the Hip-Hop culture. He's making the listener think rather than just making the typical club song.
Here we go. Third song. Entitled "Same Problems." This song has a couple features on it, but, I can't find out who these guest rappers are. Again, raw lyrics and a great message. Great production. I feel like I'm right next to the cello player while Raz spits. He decides again that he doesn't want drums to rap over. He's forcing the listener to hear his words and his message. The featured artists hold their ground, guys.
The fourth track on this mixtape is Raz Simone speaking to the listener. No music; just words. "The Race:" Great words from a smart individual.
The fifth track, "Them," is yet another great track. A thirty second intro with a smooth piano and a short set of words from the MC to set the stage for the song. The drums on here are dubstep sounding. Raz catches great flows on here and still spitting these real bars. He ends this song talking again. This time he tells us the plan he has for this project. Talks about how he's given shine to other artists, as well Macklemore's platform. He wants other artists in his community making better quality music.
The last track is called "Worldstar." No drums. Bars, yet again. Talks about gunshots, survival, grind, and red eyes to New York City. Very slick flow. An excellent ending. "Everything's changed, nothing is the same..... Worldstar muhhfuka, iss'all gettin taped."
In only six songs, but Raz Simone says a lot. White privilege. Black on black crime. Race. These are more than just raps. This rapper is trying to make change. Raz is making is great music, so hit him up and show some love!