From The Attic

Crawling for the Ratings

Rihanna's new album, Rated R, definitely receives a 9.5 in my eyes. One reason it receives a 9.5 is because the R&B genius, Ne-Yo, helped write a lot of the songs. While Ne-Yo helped write this album, Rhianna found a way to bring the words to life. She created the album to purposely be a little more dark, morbid and "edgier". The Young Money rapper, Nicki Minaj, also created a demo song for Rhianna which inspired her to contact the producers of the song, Chase and Status, to give the album a rock edge. I have had this album on repeat since it dropped. It is truly her best, and I like the new style.


(My opinions are not bias in anyway. What celebrities do in their personal life has nothing to do with mine and that is how everyone should look at it.)

Chris Brown's new album, Graffiti, did not paint the best picture in my heart. I understand his struggle, pain, and emotions, but his album was an epic fail. Although he seems to play the "woe is me" game, he does not receive my pity. His personal problems should not be the root of songs on the album. While he has some fast paced songs, he still does not break through. He plays on a new techno style, but it does not work well for his voice. Chris Brown worked with Polow Da Don, Swizz Beats, The Runners, and The Messengers and more! I believe they are all great producers, but in my eyes they did not mesh well. I have loved everything Chris Brown has come out with, which is why it is such a shock I feel this way about Graffiti. The album has no median, it is either depressing or energetic. Either way, I give it a 6 for effort.

Room # 7

Make or Break ?

• According to everyone, this mix tape was supposed to bring the "old Lil Wayne" back out. This mix tape was supposed to show the game the "hunger" that he still has inside of him. While he brings the energy to the freestyles he spit on previously used beats from other artists, he leaves behind the genius lyrics. This is NOT Weezy at his best, and he has done better. His strongest songs on the mix tape would have to be :
  

1. "DOA"
   
2. "Run This Town"
   
3. "Sweet Dreams"
4. "Ice Cream Paint Job".
   

• He freestyles on the Black Eyed Peas' "I Got A Feeling" beat, and it was a flunk. This article is completely opinionated, however; many people share the same view on 'No Ceilings'. The various artist who featured on the mix tape also could have done an extremely better job. On a scale from 1-10, I will give it a 7 for the effort.