Unpredictable hip-hop, as it should be
author: John Book/Music For America
oolzey is from Iowa, and the last time I reviewed him, I stated that I looked forward to hearing more. This is more.
This is the second EP of what he promises to be a series of EP's. While some artist/producers make promises about what they'd like to do and never fulfill them, Coolzey plans on executing each promise. The EP itself has no title or songs listed, just a sticker on the cellophone stating it's an EP featuring contributions from Roommate, Idris Goodwin, Johnny Sixx, and Void Pedal. With a lack of information, I have to rely on the music. Sometimes cover art can contribute a hint, but it's two abstract paintings, one looking like Love's Out Here, the other looking like leftover paint flakes from an old Rascals album. What to make of it? One must listen.
The EP consists of five songs, and the first track may make some hear a bit of Edan's style, both in vocals and choice of samples. While his last EP was completely self-produced, for this project he used the production talents of Void Pedal. There's a loose funkiness, I'm sure someone might say "awkward funkiness" due to them being white but don't make that an issue. What you should make an issue is how nice Coolzey is in the songwriting department, and in how he rhymes:
Ha, I see you didn't expect that
rapping like Tip on a hot butter sex plat
but don't cover the sex rap
this is that ol' school new to the next rap
I guess you didn't get the memo
he did the first record, "Act Stupid" was a demo
I'll be your host, the ghostwriter
this EP, all beats by Chad Schneider
still puffin' on the Izm
workin' on some new shit with my man DJ Przm
Soon to tour Europe and Britain
'cause Cool Chip said I am a slave to the rhythm
As far as Chad Schneider (Void Pedal), he is a great companion to Coolzey's voice, and for Coolzey it helps him become a part of someone elses soundscape, which lets people know how he capable of molding himself in any territory, whether he speaks in a direct manner or gets a bit abstract. This CD is about half the length of the He Did (EP), but contains the same kind of unpredictability, spontaneity, and sharpness that will definitely make him a favorite within the underground. He plans on staying busy for the next year with a number of different projects ready to go, and with luck some major collaborations to come.
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