Review by Kamani @bkhippy

Words can't even describe how excited I am about this New York City artist. Straight outta Harlem, Dave East is one of the few rappers putting the birthplace of hip-hop on his back. You hear it in his voice and his flow. It's like a young Cam'ron, Jadakiss, and AZ coming together to revive that New York Sound. He recently signed to Nas' Mass Appeal Records and that definitely solidifies his Empire State roots. I've known about the El Barrio spitter for a couple years. His last tape Black Rose was released through the label and it caught the attention of some of the big wigs in the industry. The fact he decides to embrace the classic track by Nas and tribute his hometown is pure gold. Dave East steps up to the plate and knocks it out the park with Hate Me Now. The songs that stood out the most include:

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"Call My Coach" (Prod. By D.Dot): Explosive opener. When I heard "New York City you can make it here you can make it anywhere, some nights I was really broke I didn't really care." I knew I was going to love this mixtape. Broke in New York City is a different kind of broke than anywhere else. When you finally make it, you know nothing can stop you.

"Demons" (Prod. By Sean C & LV): Dave East continues that grimey feel with this one. You hear the gods Nas & AZ in his rhythm. The Mafioso flow took me back to my projects in 1996. He says "avoiding the precinct ducking my demons/ some say I'm conceited act like I need em." The realness brings chills.

"Forbes List" featuring Nas (Prod. By Tunesquad): When I first heard this collaboration I was speechless. It was like a scene from Paid In Full. The sample is too heavenly. Nas is top 3 rapper dead or alive for me, so it was a no-brainer that this would be my favorite song on Hate Me Now. Dave East ends the song with "They ask me how I see them, how I see myself in 5 years? Rich ngga, fck you think."

"Get Acquainted" (Prod. By Tunesquad): This song draws a tale of the streets while you drive down the FDR, one of Manhattan's highways. "In the kitchen with some grams/ I was listening to Cam/ sending pictures of my fam to my n*ggas in the can/ was pitching and I scammed/ visions of some land." Tunesquad destroyed the production throughout the record.

"Nino" (Prod. By Don Cannon): This sounds like a King of New York themed haunted house and the added bonus is a New Jack City reference. He continues to paint pictures with his rugged lyricism. I've been a fiend for this dope song since I heard it.

"No Coachella For Me" (Prod. By Automatik): This is hands down a trap banger. "My Momma she told me her rent is due/ No Coachella For Me." The chorus alone inspired me to go get it for my family.

"Momma Working" (Prod. By Tunesquad): On one of the last songs, Dave talks about hustling all night in the streets while his mom is at work. The visuals he shows with his pen are simply remarkable: "I ain't feeling these nggas it's like my hands missing/ my mans switching/ but fck it we ran different." This is what Hip-hop is all about.

New York Hip-Hop fanatics will find something they like about Dave East. Whether it's the aggressive flows, vivid storytelling, and/or his choice in beats, I know we will see some great achievements from the Spanish Harlem emcee. The city needs this type of music.

Connect with Dave East
Facebook.com/daveeastmusic | Twitter.com/DAVE_EAST
Youtube.com/user/DaveEastMusic | Instagram.com/whoisdaveeast