From the opening one-two punch of "Assault" and flat-out brilliant "Sleepless," this is hip hop at its most joyful, exuberant and unflinchingly honest.  A worthy successor to Tim'm West's debut, "Songs from Red Dirt" (hands down the best album of 2004, don't let anybody tell you different), "Blakkboy Blue(s)" turns the focus musically to updated old school hip hop beats reminiscent of Guru and the conscious rap movement.  No surprise that the lyrics here are incisive, penetrating and  revealing:  West is a poet of reknown, and he drops mad science on this disc.  Plus the boi can blow!  His vocals are gorgeous, multi-colored and full of wit.  There's not a bad track on this disc, and Tim'm continues to confront issues like homophobia and self-determination within the context of irresistible beats, rhymes and melodies.  "Oh say can you see, what hip hop is supposed to be" goes one sung chorus that will find a permanent home in your psyche, and the question is rhetorical:  it's supposed to be all the things that "Blakkboy Blue(s)" is, honest, compassionate and envelope-pushing.  Not to be missed.
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Another great CD from an artist that has helped to document the lives of many who simply has to pick up a mic or a pen to make history.
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Hip-Hop isn’t dead,” and thanks to Tim’m West (and his collaborators) it’s about to “Get Free!”
As an MC, Mr. West can hang with the best of them.  His delivery and timing on each rhyme is a  throw back to the Hip Hop of Rakim, and Big Daddy Kane.  “The amazing thing is that West is responsible for writing this entire eighteen track disc.”  Brutally honest, “Blakkboy Blue(s) gives you an autobiographical look in to the life and times of Tim’m West.  He doesn’t hold back, revealing his ups, downs,  heartaches, and pains.  “The baffling thing about West is that even when he’s rapping about the bad or hard times, his delivery of each verse seems uplifting, or positive .”  “ If “Blakkboy Blue(s)” is the prelude to the forthcoming CD “In Security: The Golden Error,” Then, for sure “In Security” will be the Hip-Hop CD of 2009.”  In a day and age where current MC’s abuse computer software to produce perfect pitch vocals, West is  bold enough to sing his hooks. . .  Stand Out tracks: “Asphalt,”  “Gone,“ “Man Up,”  and “HouseHeadz Bonus: Soul Mate”.
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When I listened to this CD for the first time, I became hooked. The CD is constantly being played on my IPOD while I walk the streets of Atlanta, or the CD is playing while I drive around. Blakkboy Blue(s) is hip hop. This is the music that needs to be played on mainstream radio. His lyrics are deep, insightful, and honest. I found myself relating to what he was saying as well as being educated about black malehood, black male progression, masculinity, and black manhood. I love Hip Hop and believe this album needs to be on Billboard with the likes of Common and Nas. Tim'm's message of keeping it real, being honest and open resonated with me. The black community still isn't as open, inclusive, and loving as it should be. 
I have several favorite songs, yet I've narrowed them down to four: Irony, Tears of Grief, Sleepless, and Blakkboy Blues. "Irony" with its proclamations of hip hop ain't dead should make Nas counter his argument that hip hop is dead. 
I recommend this album to anyone seeking truth, change, and progression.
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